One's position within the MMCG is separted into two types: rank and title. A rank is a position earned by attendance and enthusiasm. A title is a position earned by going above and beyond the normal scope of participation in the MMCG by focusing on a particular field in which to excel. Each type of position carries its own prestige and set of privileges and responsibilities.
There are three ranks: Mercenary, Officer and Captain. Each of these ranks can be earned through normal participation in the MMCG.
Mercenary
The rank of mercenary is the basic rank of all MMCG participants. A mercenary may fight in a Mercenary Band and may hold positions such as Standard Bearer, Scout, Messenger, etc... within that band. A mercenary who belongs to a Band or Company (as described in the Companies section) may wear the insignia of their Band or Company in bronze.
Officer
The rank of Officer may be achieved by individuals who regularly participate in MMCG events. Officers shall be responsible for helping to organize events and helping to command Mercenary Bands. Guidelines for becoming an officer are as follows:
- Regularly attend MMCG practices and events for at least 6 months
- Serve in a Company or Band as either a Herald, Scout or Standard Bearer in at least one war (Mercenary Wars or Frostwar)
- Own your own weapons. Keep them in good repair and up to the Arms Marshal's safety standards.
- Own your own garb and costuming.
A mercenary who has completed the previous requirements may style himself or herself as "Officer" within the MMCG. Officers may serve as Aide-de-Camp (second in command) in Bands and Companies within the MMCG. Officers may wear the insignia of their Band or Company in silver. An Officer who does not belong to a particular company may display a chief embattled argent upon their shield, surcoat or other heraldic display (within the restrictions presented in the rules of heraldic display).
Captain
The rank of Captain may be achieved by Officers who wish to start their own Band. Captains shall be responsible for organizing events and commanding Mercenary Bands. Guidelines for becoming a Captain are as follows:
- Achieve the rank of Officer (as described above)
- Hold the rank of Officer for at least 3 months
- Establish a mercenary Band (as described in the Companies section.
- Organize multiple MMCG events.
- Own your own weapons and, if applicable, armor. Keep them in good repair and up to the Arms Marshal's safety standards.
- Own your own garb and costuming.
An officer has completed the previous requirements may style himself or herself as "Captain" within the MMCG. Captains may establish and command Bands and Companies within the MMCG. Captains may wear the insignia of their Band or Company in gold. A captain may also display a chief embattled argent upon their shield, surcoat or other heraldic display (within the restrictions presented in the rules of heraldic display).
Titles
Knight-at-Arms
The title of Knight-at-Arms shall be awarded to individuals who display above-average commitment to the ideals of the Mercenaries Medieval Combat Guild, specifically as those ideals relate to combat. Guidelines for ascendance to knighthood are as follows:
- Attend at least 4 wars (Mercenary Wars and Frostwar)
- Display above-average commitment to developing skill
in multiple systems of combat (i.e.: sword and buckler, spear,
longsword, etc ...)
- Win 1st 2nd or 3rd place in at least one combat tournament.
- Own your own weapons and, if applicable, armor. Keep
them in good repair and up to the Arms Marshal's safety standards.
- Own your own garb and costuming.
- Take an active and supportive role in the Mercenaries
Medieval Combat Guild.
- Be chivalrous and courteous.
If the Council of Knights observes that a candidate shall be invited to complete his or her Trial of Knighthood. This will be a series of tests specifically created for the candidate with his or her particular strengths and weaknesses taken into account.
Successful completion of the Trial of
Knighthood to the Council's satisfaction will confer upon the
candidate the rank of Knight-at-Arms. A Knight-at-Arms may display his or her own arms as described in the rules of heraldic display, bear a white badge of knighthood, wear spurs, wear a chain of knighthood, and is entitled to be called "Sir" or "Lady" as the occasion requires. All Knights-at-Arms are considered Peers.
A Knight-at-Arms who has achieved the rank of Officer shall be called a Knight Lieutenant. A Knight-at-Arms who has achieved the rank of Captain shall be called a Knight Captain.
Knight of the Scroll
A Knight of the Scroll is a title awarded to
individuals who display above-average commitment to the ideals of
the Mercenaries Medieval Combat Guild, specifically as those ideals
relate to scholarship and research of medieval history. Guidelines
for ascendance to Knighthood of the Scroll are as follows:
- Attend at least 4 wars (Mercenary Wars and
Frostwar)
- Display above-average commitment to
developing knowledge in multiple fields of medieval history
(i.e.: warfare, heresy, social changes, etc ...)
- Write at least 3 well-researched papers on
medieval topics of your choice.
- Own your own garb and costuming.
- Take an active and supportive role in the
Mercenaries Medieval Combat Guild.
- Be chivalrous and courteous.
If the Council of Knights observes that a
candidate has pursued these goals to its satisfaction, then the
candidate shall be invited to join the Order of the Scroll. A
Knight of the Scroll may display his or her own arms as described in the rules of heraldic display, bear a white badge of knighthood, and is entitled to be called
"Sir" or "Lady" as the occasion requires. All Knights of the Scroll
are considered Peers.
A Knight of the Scroll who has achieved the rank of Officer shall be called a Knight Lieutenant. A Knight of the Scroll who has achieved the rank of Captain shall be called a Knight Captain.
Yeoman
Yeoman is a title awarded to individuals who
display above-average commitment to the skills of archery. Guidelines for acceptance as an Yeoman are as follows:
- Attend at least 4 wars (Mercenary Wars and
Frostwar)
- Fight in at least 1 war exclusively as an archer.
- Display above-average commitment to developing skill in multiple types of archery (combat archery, long bow, crossbow, etc ...)
- Win 1st or 2nd place in at least one Archery Tournament.
- Own your own bow and arrows (combat as well as target). Keep combat equipment in good repair and up to the Arms Marshal's safety standards.
- Own your own garb and costuming.
- Take an active and supportive role in the Mercenaries Medieval Combat Guild.
- Be chivalrous and courteous.
If the
Council of Knights observes that a mercenary has pursued these goals to its satisfaction, then the mercenary shall be declared an Yeoman. A Yeoman may display his or her own arms as described in the rules of heraldic display and bear a green badge. Yeoman are not considered peers. A member of the Peerage who fulfills the requirements for the Yeoman title will be referred to as a Knight-Archer.
A Yeoman who has achieved the rank of Officer shall be called a Yeoman Officer. A Yeoman who has achieved the rank of Captain shall be called an Archer Captain.
