Please find below a checklist for achieving knighthood. It is meant for reference for training squires and trainer knights, however all knights and most nobles and castle militia will be quite familiar with it, and may use it to instigate inquiries or RP ideas with squires or knights. Most others (castle servants, commoners living outside the castle) will be less familiar. They likely have a vague notion of most of it but don't know the correct wording, or may be missing large chunks (for instance, they may not know about the swimming, or they may have a general idea of what virtues a knight should have, but not realize there are actually listed virtues a knight must strive toward.)
Note: there are 3 ways to become a knight.
1. Through being groomed as a nobleman (as almost all second and subsequent sons are. Some first sons may choose to as well, usually depending on familial tradition).
2. Through being chosen as a squire and groomed toward knighthood by one's knight. (All nobles in #1 must also abide by this rule, although they are guaranteed a squirehood if they ask for it. NO ONE but a noble should 'ask' to be squired; indeed, even for a noble, it will be the parents who make the arrangement.)
3. Through the accomplishment of a great deed, when one has already proven all or most of the other qualifications. (Usually such a knight will come from the King's orphan program or from the castle guard, as these backgrounds tend to provide the necessary skill and value set. These candidates need NOT ever be squires. However, they are few. Please do not ask to plan with us a great deed that will get you knighted. Such deeds should come organically.)
Achievements
Assessed by a chosen council of the King.
[ ] Completion of a heroic deed or quest
[ ] Demonstration of leadership ability and a willingness to take responsibility above that which is asked for
[ ] Nomination by a knight in good standing (seconded, if nominating knight is overseeing knight)
Skills
Preliminarily assessed by overseeing knight and tested by said knight and small council appointed by his majesty the King
[ ] Mounted Combat
[ ] Armored Combat
[ ] Fencing With at Least 2 Varieties of Weapons and in Various Terrain
[ ] Shield Use
[ ] Hand-to-Hand Combat
[ ] Mixed Weapon Melee
[ ] Archery
[ ] Hunting, Tracking, and Basic Survival in the Wild
[ ] Riding in Various Terrain
[ ] Basic Field Medicine
[ ] Swimming
[ ] Basics of Courtly Dance
[ ] Reading and Writing
Virtues
Nominating knight must discuss candidate’s demonstration of each virtue in written form, for review by the King, and his council
[ ] Respect & Pity for the Weak and Steadfastness in Defending Them, Pursuance of Justice on Their Behalf
[ ] Charitability and Generosity in Giving
[ ] Bravery and Hope in the Face of Adversity
[ ] Grace and Wisdom in Defeat
[ ] Forbearance from Creating an Unequal Battle
[ ] Love of Country and Loyalty to His Majesty the King
[ ] Championship of All That is Right and Good, Rejection of That Which is Evil
[ ] Honesty and Pursuit of Truth, Loyalty to Oaths Given
[ ] Humility and Good Fellowship, a Free Willingness to Hear Offered Council
