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When thinking of Chivalry one should not immediately think of the term Knight, but instead look to the word Chevalier from whence the word Chivalry sprang. Chevalier comes from Cheval, meaning horse, -ier a suffix meaning a person whose vocation is specific to the word it is attached to, also seen as -eer in engineer, auctioneer, privateer and so on.
Simply put, Chivalry, or Chevalry, is the carriage and behaviour of the Chevalier, he of the Cheval. Never forget that under all of the code of conduct, the martial arms, the treatment of prisoners or courtly love, it is all built upon that critical foundation. The Horse.
Each horse, be it the destrier used for battle or the palfrey used for other times, must be curried and brushed at least twice per day. Begin at the top of the horses neck and move toward the rear. Ensure that both sides of the horse are cleaned with each tool before the next.
First is the curry comb. This metal brush is used with strong, long strokes to remove the worst of the mud, grease, dirt and loose hair. Where the hair of the horse is thinnest the most care must be taken. Do not use the curry comb on the horses face or lower legs where no muscle lies between the skin and bone.
Second the is the horse brush. These brushes can be purchased, but it is best to make your own. Keep the pullings of a horses mane and tail, then arrange and nail these to a short length of wood so that two fingers width of hair is exposed. Keep lengths of remaining hair bundled in a pouch for a week until they matte into a ball, use this to clean jockeys and grime from dirty leatherwork. A brush made from the horses own hair will clean better and the horse object to its use less. Use this brush short strokes, ending in a flicking motion to clear the dirt from the horses coat.
Third is the straw rubber, this you must make yourself. Plait and bind a bundle of straw into a pad as wide and long as your hand. The pad must be tight enough to ensure it does not come apart easily, but loose enough to flex and curve with the body of the animal. Use this pad to massage the horse thoroughly.
Fourth, feel the horse. Rub wet hands all over the horse, feeling for excess heat, scratches, marks or ticks. You must come to know each part of the horse well and so catch any injuries or problems before they become major.
A strong metal comb should be used to arrange and tidy the horses mane and tail. The mane should be trained to fall only to the right, and both should be plaited if required. The animals hooves must be checked for cracks, picked clean and oiled.
Lastly, rub the horse with a clean coarse cloth to bring a bright and healthy shine to its coat.
As initiates and aspirant squires this will be the most important part of your duties, you will care well for the animals assigned to you and understand that their well being is more important than yours. If you do well enough and catch the eye of the master whose animal you service you may be called up to serve as a squire. Those who remain unchosen in three moons time will be assigned to other duties within the keep, until then you will work, eat and sleep within the stable complex.
Welcoming speech as I remember it of Marshall Cobb, Stablemaster to the Fellowship of the Golden Dawn.
Simply put, Chivalry, or Chevalry, is the carriage and behaviour of the Chevalier, he of the Cheval. Never forget that under all of the code of conduct, the martial arms, the treatment of prisoners or courtly love, it is all built upon that critical foundation. The Horse.
Each horse, be it the destrier used for battle or the palfrey used for other times, must be curried and brushed at least twice per day. Begin at the top of the horses neck and move toward the rear. Ensure that both sides of the horse are cleaned with each tool before the next.
First is the curry comb. This metal brush is used with strong, long strokes to remove the worst of the mud, grease, dirt and loose hair. Where the hair of the horse is thinnest the most care must be taken. Do not use the curry comb on the horses face or lower legs where no muscle lies between the skin and bone.
Second the is the horse brush. These brushes can be purchased, but it is best to make your own. Keep the pullings of a horses mane and tail, then arrange and nail these to a short length of wood so that two fingers width of hair is exposed. Keep lengths of remaining hair bundled in a pouch for a week until they matte into a ball, use this to clean jockeys and grime from dirty leatherwork. A brush made from the horses own hair will clean better and the horse object to its use less. Use this brush short strokes, ending in a flicking motion to clear the dirt from the horses coat.
Third is the straw rubber, this you must make yourself. Plait and bind a bundle of straw into a pad as wide and long as your hand. The pad must be tight enough to ensure it does not come apart easily, but loose enough to flex and curve with the body of the animal. Use this pad to massage the horse thoroughly.
Fourth, feel the horse. Rub wet hands all over the horse, feeling for excess heat, scratches, marks or ticks. You must come to know each part of the horse well and so catch any injuries or problems before they become major.
A strong metal comb should be used to arrange and tidy the horses mane and tail. The mane should be trained to fall only to the right, and both should be plaited if required. The animals hooves must be checked for cracks, picked clean and oiled.
Lastly, rub the horse with a clean coarse cloth to bring a bright and healthy shine to its coat.
As initiates and aspirant squires this will be the most important part of your duties, you will care well for the animals assigned to you and understand that their well being is more important than yours. If you do well enough and catch the eye of the master whose animal you service you may be called up to serve as a squire. Those who remain unchosen in three moons time will be assigned to other duties within the keep, until then you will work, eat and sleep within the stable complex.
Welcoming speech as I remember it of Marshall Cobb, Stablemaster to the Fellowship of the Golden Dawn.