My fellow SCA comrades! I got a question related to status in the Middle Ages; which always tends to stumble me when I do research in actual details. Different social classes range from like, for example, the nobility, the clergy, the merchant, the peasant or commoner, the list varies. The subject I wanted to inquire about: what was the penalty if a commoner was impersonating or posing as a knight; a rank held by nobles only? In the movie A Knights Tale, a common squire named William Thatcher, upon his masters death in the beginning of the film, assumes the knighthood using the name Sir Uric von Lichtenstein, until a rival knight discovered his true origins; thereby sentencing William to the stocks and nearly getting pelted by commoners with rotten vegetables. Until the arrival of Edward the Black Prince--who went incognito as another knight--had him released; explaining to the crowd that his historians learned that William was descended from an ancient nobility. And therefore knighting him. In the Russell Crowe version of Robin Hood, Crowes character, Robin Longstride a yeoman bowman (sort of a version of the middle class) assumes the name of the knight Robert Locksley. Near the end of the film, King John mentions that one of the crimes Robin was accused of was impersonation of a knight, which carried the death penalty; before acknowledging the fugitive as an outlaw. In SCA and reenactments and other stuff, we wont have to really fear those consequences. He, he, he... But in SCA rules and guidelines, we would somewhat be looked down on if we start claiming knight rank for those who havent earned it yet. It also goes with certain belts (such as white) and a few other accessories; which is why I check with members of SCA from time-to-time. I hope to someday achieve that rank. Just need first to get into fight practice lessons. And compete in certain tournaments. And from one fellow SCA knight, I think theres special tournaments to participate in to achieve a certain level? Its almost similar to a belt system in martial arts. Ill have to ask in more detail from my Group here. Im still got a portion of youth left in me. Im not gonna rush right away. (:
Posted on: Mon, 13 Oct 2014 18:16:31 +0000
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