Knights of the Blood
The Knights of the Blood are landed, hereditary gentry.
Traditionally the military vassals of the aristocracy, they were charged with the holding and maintenance of a waycastle or boundscastle, and the mustering of a levy to support their leige in war. Under the Queendom, the knights hold their estates and raise their banners in the name of the Rightful Queen, but still owe fealty to the noble whose land their estates fall within.
The head of each family holds the rank of knight and the style 'sir', 'dam' or 'sere' by right, while children of the castle have the right both to use the honourary style 'gallant' and to undertake the trials to earn the rank of knight banneret, with the same styles as their parents.
The Knights of the Blood also form a loosely organised order of chivalry within the Queendom. The senior and most respected twelve knights within their ranks are accoladed as Knights-Commander, and expected to command armies in wartime.
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