The Ethos of Knighthood

Why we do things the way we do them

Knighthood is a lawful, good, structured and disciplined virtue-based meritocracy. It is strange that I have never heard the question from a knight, "Why do we do things they way we do them?" It is important to challenge our ethos so that we understand why we are the way we are. Iolius and St John.

We are a group of like-minded individuals who, in brotherhood and fraternity, seek to spread goodness across Algoron according to our ideals. We have come to Knighthood so that the sum of our actions will be of greater impact than if we did so alone. There are certain ways we must act, for if we did not follow these rules, then our moral position would be compromised.

So what is so good about being a lawful, good, structured and disciplined virtue-based meritocracy? Let us break it down.

Lawful

We are a lawful organisation. We follow a rule of law to reach our goal. We do not cut corners, and the means justify the ends. We have a well established system of checks and balances which outline the correct path to take. Our leadership exhibits a strong transparency to the decisions which are taken, which may be challenged by other members of the Keep. The Lord ought to be able to answer the questions posed to him, unless he has sworn otherwise, or the content is deemed to be in the interests of our security. Officers and Knights are clearly authorised to respectfully state their case, but they must appreciate that the responsibility lies with the leadership, so their word is final.

The thought of using a neutral or chaotic system will ensure that the leadership would be less organised, less effective, less transparent and inconsistent to expectations.

Good

The practice of being good is an exercise of bringing happiness and through co-operation both gain from the experience. Consider the effect on a community when everyone is working together to achieve a good end. Morale is high, brotherhood is closer, when both sides gain then that community it will grow and flourish. Psychologically, this has a positive effect on a community.

Being nice to one another isn't as easy as it sounds. Consider the example of charity. To give one too much, and they shall become spoiled. To give one not enough and they will suffer for it. All thought in this area ought to consider how the giving might make the dependent more independent. Sometimes what one will need is not what they ask for, sometimes the one who asks knows best what they need.

Two caveats must be addressed. Good, because everyone expects to be treated in a good way appears naive when faced with evil. Secondly in a dangerous world, Good must be prepared and strong militarily least it be conquored by evil and chaos. This is the mission of Knighthood.

The practice of being evil is an exercise in causing misery, and profit from that experience at the expense of the target. This practice is inherently selfish. The collective does not move forward, and the overall growth base does not improve, and the resource level stays the same, merely lifted from one to another.

Structured

We have a hierarchy within our order which has been tried and tested for many an age. As a aspirant moves through the ranks, he will become a Page, Squire, Knight, Lieutenant, Captain, Colonel, General and the Lord of Knighthood should he be accomplished enough. At each one of these gateways, a certain amount of knowledge, experience, intelligence, wisdom and resourcefulness are required to pass through it. So to each increasing rank comes an increased respect and faith in our leadership.

Without this structure, there are no gateways which define the understanding which our fellow knights, so less orderly advancement and a lesser ability in the faith of the leadership.

Disciplined

We have a strong sense of discipline which allows us to hold the course. Discipline is a calm and logical following of a path whilst under pressure. To achieve this, one must be mentally strong, and block out the source of anxiety and focus on the job at hand to the benefit of the individual or Knighthood.

When the going gets tough, those with ill-discipline panic and flee, and that which was quite winnable has drifted away in the panic.

Virtuous

Knighthood follows system of virtue as defined in the book in this library, "The Eight Virtues". Each one governs who we are, and how we react in a given situation. Virtue theory is based off a simple theory of how we ourselves would like to be treated. "Do unto others as they would do unto you" is a well worn phrase which remains appropriate. Would we prefer others be honest, or would we prefer deceit? Would we prefer others to be compassionate to us, or would we prefer to be despised? Would we prefer our brothers to show valour when standing with us, or would we prefer they were cowards? Would we prefer that all were treated with justice or would we see them wronged? Would we prefer others to show us sacrifice, or would we prefer that they be covetous instead? Would we prefer to be treated with honour, or shamed? Would we prefer to be a spiritual organisation or be heretic? Would we prefer that others show humility, or would we prefer a braggart's pride?

The answer to all these all-encompassing questions all shape that which we believe to be the right way to act in life in all things, but like all things it must be tempered. We do not tell a suffering mother who has lost her son, that he has died in long protracted agony because it is the truth, we show compassion so that her suffering not run as deep. We do not charge into the enemy with reckless valour, if we are expected to hold a line because it is the bravest thing to do, we show honour to our brothers who are depending on us to hold that line.

Such are examples of how virtues interact, and how judgement, thought and interpretation of virtue show the wise.

Meritocracy

In bygone days, only the nobility were permitted to join Knighthood as they perceived themselves to be the only gentlemen of maintaining knightly behaviour. Such days are gone, and anyone who has shown what it takes to advance is given that opportunity. This is not present in racial grounds due to our history.

Footnote: There is more on this subject in "A Vision for the Future".

The benefit of a meritocracy is that the most gifted individuals advance in the hierarchy, and those individuals are the most suited to taking Knighthood to hallowed heights.

If there was a system of favouritism, then it degenerates not into what you know, but who you know. In this situation cronyism is rampant and corruption is high.

The Divine Doctrine explains our path in the following way:

"The Knighthood is the first line of defense against evil and the Knights are

the weapon which will vanquish all evil in the final battle. Of the three

knightly orders, the Knights of the Crown are respected by all, enemies and

allies alike. Their nobility and chivalry are renowned throughout the land.

The Knights of the Lance are feared most in battle. The sword arm of the

Knighthood, they are the powerful warriors, last to leave the combat. The

Knights of the Shield, are the third arm of this powerful clan. Protective

and just, they temper their clanmates with words of wisdom and gentility."

There is one caveat to our ethos, and that is a trap we have been caught in the past.

Our rules are rigid, and resolute - and they are written for the times which require them. But as time passes, things change.

We only have to look into the pre-history works in this library on Serpantol of San Gohdam to see the consequences if there is not timely reform.

As circumstance in the world changes, our laws require constant review and political challenge. What should not change is that the law exists, that it follows our doctrine, and that it is not broken. Be ever vigilant of the rules which govern us.

So that is why we do things the way we do them. The options have been weighed, measured and tested through time, and ought continually evolve through time yet to come.