Using the system in the Book of Knights and Ladies, how does one explain Equites, freeholding equites, City officer ranks, warriors, and others? In other words, does an roman equite equal a household knight in status? If not, exactly where does he fit?

Bob

Equites are treated for all intents and purposes as identical to knights.

The others aren't presented as player character options - they are background options, things your father might have been, but player characters are always knights (or squires) so worrying about their status doesn't come up.

Equites are treated for all intents and purposes as identical to knights.

The others aren't presented as player character options - they are background options, things your father might have been, but player characters are always knights (or squires) so worrying about their status doesn't come up.


Oh, not always! See the Book of Knights & Ladies, page 40, "Why Are You a Knight?"

Equites are treated for all intents and purposes as identical to knights.

The others aren't presented as player character options - they are background options, things your father might have been, but player characters are always knights (or squires) so worrying about their status doesn't come up.


Oh, not always! See the Book of Knights & Ladies, page 40, "Why Are You a Knight?"


But those are all for exceptional cases. The book doesn't try to cover every possibility of exceptions.

So, maybe I'm asking the wrong question(s).  Is there a social stigma attached to your father NOT being a knight?  "Oh,your father was a garrison commander..." attitude.  If so, what would they be and would there be a modifier in courtly situations?

It honestly probably is on a case by case basis. Some people might treat u badly, but they are suppposed to treat u with respect that ur class deserves. Some will and some won't. See CynFyn, on Gregs site. He disdains commoners. He will usually be sarcastic and ridicule that in a matter of fact kind of way.

So, maybe I'm asking the wrong question(s). Is there a social stigma attached to your father NOT being a knight? "Oh,your father was a garrison commander..." attitude. If so, what would they be and would there be a modifier in courtly situations?


What Palomydes said.
Also, if you have a historic feel for your game, it varies with campaign period.
In the Uther period, knighthood might be new, and many knights have commoners in their family line (or at least non-knight). In the Anarchy, many people may become knights who don't have the blood for it, and will have some small stigma, but here might makes right so as long as they are powerful enough to prove their 'nobility' they will be fine.
But in later periods, it could be a very serious stigma, and is unusual enough that it probably only happens due to campaign events.

[But in later periods, it could be a very serious stigma, and is unusual enough that it probably only happens due to campaign events.



I should say.

Suzanne