Chevalier
A chevalier (female : chevalière) is an exceptional Knight of Akerlan who has been raised above ordinary knighthood for conspicuous gallantry, strategic brilliance, or lifetime civil service. The dignity is personal and non-hereditary: it dies with its holder unless renewed by fresh merit. Socially a chevalier enjoys precedence just below a Viscount but above barons and bannerets, serving as a courtly “bridge” between the landed and the purely martial elite. The title may be granted only by the King, though dukes can petition on a candidate’s behalf.
Duties
Crown Championcy – Chevaliers are the first choice as champions in single combat, judicial duels, or tourney finals where the honour of the Crown or a duchy is at stake.
Command & Instruction – Expected to hold senior field commands (lance-captain to battalion lieutenant) and to lecture at the Royal War College on tactics, heraldry, or chivalric law.
Advisory Council – Sit as non-voting experts on the King’s Council during deliberations concerning military reform, siegecraft, or orders of knighthood.
Diplomatic Escort – Lead armed retinues for royal envoys or foreign dignitaries, guaranteeing safe conduct and demonstrating Akerlan’s “best steel.”
Chivalric Examiner – Evaluate candidates for knighthood and authenticate feats of arms submitted for record in the Chronicle of Valor.
Command & Instruction – Expected to hold senior field commands (lance-captain to battalion lieutenant) and to lecture at the Royal War College on tactics, heraldry, or chivalric law.
Advisory Council – Sit as non-voting experts on the King’s Council during deliberations concerning military reform, siegecraft, or orders of knighthood.
Diplomatic Escort – Lead armed retinues for royal envoys or foreign dignitaries, guaranteeing safe conduct and demonstrating Akerlan’s “best steel.”
Chivalric Examiner – Evaluate candidates for knighthood and authenticate feats of arms submitted for record in the Chronicle of Valor.
Benefits
Annual Stipend – 300 silver crowns drawn from the royal treasury, sufficient to maintain full plate, three horses, and two squires.
Order Collar – Membership in the Order of the Silver Spur, which grants legal immunity from lower-court fines; only the Royal Bench may try a chevalier.
Land Annuity – A life lease on a small estate (usually 1–2 villages) held rent-free; should the chevalier die without issue, the land reverts to the Crown.
War Spoils Share – Double the portion of an ordinary Knight (2 shillings in the pound before division among commanding lords).
Market & Travel Privilege – Exempt from tolls on all royal roads and bridges, and entitled to stabling and provisions for three horses at any ducal or comital keep for two nights without fee.
Heraldic Augmentation – Authorized to add a silver spur and diagonal lightning-flash to their personal arms, a visual shorthand for proven swiftness and striking power.
Order Collar – Membership in the Order of the Silver Spur, which grants legal immunity from lower-court fines; only the Royal Bench may try a chevalier.
Land Annuity – A life lease on a small estate (usually 1–2 villages) held rent-free; should the chevalier die without issue, the land reverts to the Crown.
War Spoils Share – Double the portion of an ordinary Knight (2 shillings in the pound before division among commanding lords).
Market & Travel Privilege – Exempt from tolls on all royal roads and bridges, and entitled to stabling and provisions for three horses at any ducal or comital keep for two nights without fee.
Heraldic Augmentation – Authorized to add a silver spur and diagonal lightning-flash to their personal arms, a visual shorthand for proven swiftness and striking power.
Accoutrements & Equipment
Collar of the Silver Spur – Interlinked steel spur-shapes alternating with fleur-de-lance motifs; worn over armour in the field and with doublet at court.
Golden Rowel Spurs – Distinguish the chevalier from ordinary knights’ steel spurs; forfeiture of the gold rowels is the traditional penalty for cowardice.
Ceremonial Sword Ferrum Fulgur – Straight double-edged blade etched with a lightning motif and fitted with a silver spur-shaped pommel; presented by the King at the accolade.
Field Harness – Personalized full plate bearing the lightning-flash augmentation on the left pauldron; gilt edging around visor and vambraces permitted.
Pennon of Merit – A square banner (60 × 60 cm) quartered in the chevalier’s colours with the central silver spur; flown from the lance in battle and from lodgings in peacetime.
Seal-Matrix – Small round silver seal depicting crossed swords over a spur, used to authenticate military orders and witness noble contracts.
Golden Rowel Spurs – Distinguish the chevalier from ordinary knights’ steel spurs; forfeiture of the gold rowels is the traditional penalty for cowardice.
Ceremonial Sword Ferrum Fulgur – Straight double-edged blade etched with a lightning motif and fitted with a silver spur-shaped pommel; presented by the King at the accolade.
Field Harness – Personalized full plate bearing the lightning-flash augmentation on the left pauldron; gilt edging around visor and vambraces permitted.
Pennon of Merit – A square banner (60 × 60 cm) quartered in the chevalier’s colours with the central silver spur; flown from the lance in battle and from lodgings in peacetime.
Seal-Matrix – Small round silver seal depicting crossed swords over a spur, used to authenticate military orders and witness noble contracts.
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