Paladin Society
Guide to Getting Started
Who’s Who in Society?
Medieval Society was highly structured with a system of ranks: Kings and Queens,
Dukes and Duchesses, Barons and Baronesses, and Lords and Ladies. The Paladin
Society has a similar system based on dedication and service. It is often difficult
for the newcomer to know with whom they are conversing. If you are in doubt, be
courteous and polite, and address the individual as “my Lord” or “my Lady.”
These terms are widely used terms and acceptable for all rankings.
 Duke and Duchess: You may refer to them as “Your Grace.”
 Lord Nicolas Duarte de la Catalana, Duke of Norfolk, and Lady Sarah
Anne Duarte, Duchess of Norfolk.
 Lord Saverio DeCarlo, the Duke of Millan, and his wife Ember
DeCarlo, Duchess of Millan.
 Marquis and Marchioness: These are members who have given
exceptional service to the Society during their time at South Plantation, and
have continued exemplify themselves through continued service to the
Society for a minimum of four years after graduation. You may refer to
them as “Your Excellency.”
 Count and Countess: These are members who have exhibited exceptional
service to the Society during their time at South Plantation. Earl may be
used as an alternative title. You may refer to them as “my Lord” and “my
Lady.”
 Viscount and Viscountess: These are members who have given faithful
and dedicated service. You may refer to them as “my Lord” and “my Lady.”
 Baron and Baroness: These are members who have been rewarded for
their efforts toward Paladin Society. You may refer to them as “my Lord”
and “my Lady.”
 Knights and Ladies: These are members who have chosen to go through a
long training period in order to become a Knight or Lady of Society. It is a
special honor and they are to be treated accordingly. You may refer to
Knights as “Sir…” and Ladies as “Lady…”
Customs and courtesies dictate that you greet people of noble ranks with a
“reverence” (bow or curtsey) and address them by their proper title. To do so is a
sign of respect, and it makes it easier when you rise through the ranks to assume
these positions.
RANK
Lesser Nobility:
Count or Countess:
400 or more points
Viscount or Viscountess:
250 to 399 points
Baron or Baroness:
150 to 249 points
Peasant:
Freeman:
50 to 149 points
Villein:
10 to 49 points
Serf:
0 to 9 points
__________________________________________________________________
* Graduates not designated as Marquise or Marchionesses are to be treated as
Lesser Nobility.
**Elected officers are to be treated as Lesser Nobility while in office even if they
have not attained that rank prior to their term of office.
POINTS
Points will be awarded based on service to Society. Members who demonstrate
loyalty and exceptional service will be rewarded. Garbed events will prove your
allegiance.
*Meetings will be awarded ONE point.
*Faire Days will be awarded TWO points and ONE point will be awarded
for partial service. Members who serve both days of a weekend in their entirety
will receive FIVE points.
*Garb Populous Meetings will be awarded ONE point for attendance and an
additional ONE point for wearing your garb all day to school.
*School Events will be awarded FIVE Points Each.
Students or Graduates can organize outside events that are garbed and have
in attendance one officer present for additional point opportunities. Qualifying
events will be worth TWO points for attendees and FIVE points for the organizing
individual.
Points may be awarded or removed at the discretion of the Duke or Duchess
for exceptional or dismal service respectively.
Ranks Within Knights
In the system of chivalry as practiced by the Paladin Society, members may pass through a
period of education and service which leads them from the position of Page through that of
Squire and on to the noble position of Knight of the Paladin Society. However, this path requires
dedication, service, and a highly-developed knowledge of the Society and the Middle Ages.
Requirements for each of the steps toward Knighthood are outlined below. If an individual
meets the knowledge and point requirements but chooses to not proceed with the acquisition of
the weapons and armor required for knighthood, they may be promoted to Esquire instead of
Knight.
* All knights must register their list of requirements to the Head of Knights Guild upon the
acquisition of a new Page. All requirements must be presented to the knight in the presence of at
least one officer a week ahead of the scheduled moving up ceremony.
* There will be one opportunity at each faire for moving ups and all candidates moving up to the
rank of knight will be done at garb pop meetings.
Page:
The candidate for Page must be an active member of the Paladin Society with the rank of Villein
before acceptance and must:






Acquire a minimum of 10 points through service to the Society.
Have a Knight willing to sponsor the candidate.
Have a registered and approved Persona name and origin.
Own at least one shirt, pair of pants, and shoes.
Have a faire appropriate basket or trunk and a cover to conceal mundane items.
Be well-versed in and practice the customs and courtesies of the Society.
Squire:
The candidate for Squire must be an active Page of the Paladin Society with the rank of Freeman
before acceptance and must:








Have been an acceptable Page for his Knight.
Acquire a minimum of 50 points through service to Society.
Begin work on an Achievement of Arms.
Own at least one shirt, pair of pants, shoes, belt, pouch, mug and a side arm (ax or dagger
preferred).
Acquire a self-made chain of rank.
Be able to help dress their Knight in armor and be able to name every piece of a suit of
armor.
Be able to display a knowledge of courtly etiquette and proper forms of address
Be acquainted with and able to practice all of the following:
 Dancing: Be able to dance one Circle dance and one Couple dance.
 Demonstration: Be able to give an adequate weapon’s and armor
demonstration.
 Chess: Play a game.
 Heraldry: Be able to blazon the Arms of Society as well as their Knight’s.
Knight:
The candidate for Knight must be an active Squire of the Paladin Society and a member of the
Lesser Nobility before acceptance and must:









Have been declared a capable Squire by his Knight.
Spent a minimum of one year in service to his Knight.
Have acquired a minimum of 150 points through faithful service to Society.
Own a shirt, pants, shoes, belt, pouch, mug, side arm, vest or tabard, hat, cloak or cape,
sword with means of carry, spurs, and boots.
Acquire a self-made chain of rank.
Have made some type of armor. (chain, leather or plate)
Know all the pieces of a suit of armor by name and how they are used.
Be able to identify the weapons on the demonstration table and show how they are used.
Possess proficiency in one of the following arts:
 Apothecary
 Needlework: embroidery, crocheting, knitting
 Calligraphy
 Recitation of medieval stories or poems
 Painting
 Possess mastery of the following:
 Dancing: Be able to perform 3 basic dances and perform as a part of the Dance
Troupe.
 Chess: Play a game and show adequacy in skill.
 Heraldry: Be able to blazon his Arms, his Knight’s Arms, and the Arms of the
Society.
 Staged Combat: Demonstrate proficiency in staged combat by performing one
scripted staged fight at a society event.
*If you wish to proceed past Knight, inquire with superiors.
Ranks Within Ladies
In an attempt to recreate the roles of women as practiced in the Middle Ages, the Paladin
Society requires that women pass through a period of education and service which leads them
from the position of Maid-in-Waiting to that of the Lady-in-Waiting, and, finally, to the lofty
position of a Lady of the Paladin Society. However, the path requires dedication, service, and
the acquisition of many skills that were practiced in the Middle Ages. The requirements for each
of the steps towards the award of Lady of the Society are detailed below.
* All ladies must register their list of requirements to the Head of Lady’s Guild upon the
acquisition of a new Maiden. All requirements must be presented to the lady in the presence of
at least one officer a week ahead of the scheduled moving up ceremony.
* There will be one opportunity at each faire for moving ups and all candidates moving up to the
rank of lady will be done at garb pop meetings.
Maid-in-Waiting:
The candidate for Maid-in-Waiting must be an active member of the Paladin Society with the
rank of Villein before acceptance and must:






Acquire a minimum of 10 points though service to the Society.
Have a Lady willing to sponsor the candidate.
Have a registered persona name and origin.
Own at least a blouse, skirt, bodice, and shoes.
Have a faire appropriate basket or trunk and a cover to conceal mundane items.
Be well versed in and practice the customs and courtesies of the Society.
Lady-in Waiting:
The candidate for Lady-in-Waiting must be an active Maid–in-Waiting of the Paladin Society
with a rank of Freeman before acceptance and must:
 Have been an acceptable Maid-in-Waiting to her Lady.
 Acquire a minimum of 50 points through service to her Lady.
 Begin work on an Achievement of Arms.
 Own at least two blouses or chemises, two skirts, bodice or simple corset, shoes,
and a fair amount of jewelry.
 Acquire a chain of rank, self-made.
 Has demonstrated a skill approved by the Lady and an officer.
 Have started their Apothecary chest.
 Be able to display knowledge of courtly etiquette and proper form of address.
 Be acquainted with and able to practice all of the following:
 Dance: Be able to perform a Circle dance and a Couple dance.
 Literature: Tell a medieval tale.
 Chess: Identify all of the pieces and recognize the basic moves.
 Heraldry: Blazon the Arms of the Society and identify common Heraldic
Terms.
Lady:
The candidate for Lady must be an active Lady–in-Waiting of the Paladin Society and a member
of the Lesser Nobility before acceptance and must:





Have been declared a capable Lady-in-Waiting by her Lady.
Spent a minimum of one year in service to her Lady.
Have acquired at least 150 points though faithful service to Society.
Have a registered Achievement of Arms.
Own at least two blouses or chemises, at least four skirts (for layering), elegant
bodice or corset, shoes, nobility leveled accessories, and a large amount of jewelry.
 Acquire a chain of rank (self-made) and a circlet.
 Have a leather belt, pouch, and mug or bottle.
 Have demonstrated mastery in one of the following medieval skills:
 Apothecary
 Needlework: embroidery, crocheting, knitting
 Calligraphy
 Recitation of medieval stories or poems
 Painting
 Costume Design
 Weapons and Armor
 Have a complete Apothecary chest.
 Possess mastery of the following:
 Dance: Be able to perform 3 basic dances and perform as a part of the dance
troupe.
 Chess: Play a game.
 Heraldry: Be able to blazon her Arms, her Lady’s Arms, and the Arms of the
Society.
*If you wish to achieve past Lady, inquire with superiors.
What to Wear and How to Act When
Wearing It
Society is run with historical accuracy, due to this you must act with proper etiquette
when in garb and that garb must be appropriate to your rank. There are some things you are not
permitted to wear. You MUST ask your Hospitaler before purchasing or making any clothing.
Some of the unacceptable items include, but are not limited to:
 A black shirt (if you’re a boy), as they are reserved for members who have attained the
rank of knighthood.
 Certain colors of clothing, such as purple, royal blue, or gold/yellow are reserved for the
very rich.
 Red for women.
 Certain modern patterns.
 Non noble ranked girls should wear bodices, simple over dresses, or simple corsets (plain
patterns with earthy colors.)
 Over busts are strictly for ladies and must be worn tastefully.
 When wearing under bust corsets, bra straps or the pattern of your bra should not be
visible through your chemise.
 Swords:
o Do not wear a sword if you are not a Knight or Squire and been approved by a
Duke.
o It is important to note that many members carry daggers or knives to events as a
part of their garb or personas, but be sure you do not bring any form of weapon
on campus. School rules still apply to our club.
o There is a special etiquette involved in carrying blades. It is required that you
call “clear” when unsheathing your blade, to warn those around you.
o Never threaten, throw, or play fight with a blade, or you will not be allowed to
have it on you at any event. If necessary, school board consequences will be used.
o Never handle another person’s property without permission.
*If ANY of these rules are broken there will be dishonor. Dishonor on your WHOLE
family. Dishonor on YOU. Dishonor on your COW.
Society Officers
Bureaucracy reigned in the Middle Ages and the Paladin Society is no exception. If you
have a question or do not know where to turn, start with the Hospitaler, it is their job to help you
understand what you need to do.
The Officers of the Paladin Society are chosen based on their particular skills and leadership
abilities. They make up the majority of the Board of Directors.





Seneschal: The Chief Administrative Officer, in charge of leading Garb Populous
Meetings and overseeing Society.
Deputy Seneschal: Takes over whenever the Seneschal is not there, and acts
as second in command of the Society. This is designated as a training position for
Seneschal.
Recording Scribe: Records points and service hours and compiles sign-in
sheets for club events. Keep tracks of rank and land of the members of society.
Corresponding Scribe: Handles all correspondence of the club (Herald, any
information being passed on, etc.); also a representative for our club at monthly ICC
meetings.
Hospitaler: Prepares new members for immersion into our world. This position
molds new members by helping set persona, approving garb, running new member
events (picnic, sewing parties, persona workshops), and helping members with
creating their Blazon.
There are also other positions available for people with specific expertise:

Head of Ladies Guild: Guiding individuals attempting to procure the title of Lady.

A source of knowledge for the activities and skills of medieval women, creating banners
and running the Lady’s Guild tent.
Head of Knights Guild & Weapons Marshal: Guiding individuals attempting
to procure the title of Knight. A source of knowledge for the activities and skills of
medieval men, as well as overseeing all weapons in Society. The Marshal shall
confiscate and present to the Seneschal any weapons not peace tied, and/or used or
displayed inappropriately. Confiscated weapon will only be returned to the parents of the
owner.
Dance Mistress: Leader of the dance troupe. Teaches dances to the Society.

Head of Crafting Guild: In charge of skilled activities such as jewelry making,

leather work, calligraphy, drawing, painting, costume design or other approved
subdivisions.
Heads of Society
Sponsors:
Lord Nicolas Duarte de la Catalana, Duke of Norfolk, KG
Lady Sarah Anne Duarte, Duchess of Norfolk
Building: 5 (Magnet) Room: 504
Cell: (954) 608-8045
Society Officers
Seneshel:
Taylor Linares
(954) 249-0076
Deputy Seneshel:
Lucy Golebiewski
(954) 736-6314
Corresponding Scribe:
Regan (Bagel) Williams
(954) 598-5827
Recording Scribe:
Brooke Tideman
(561) 225-0717
Hospitaler:
Laura Tero
(954) 918-2930
Appointed Officers
Head of Ladies Guild:
Lucy Golebiewski
(954) 736-6314
Deputy of Ladies Guild:
Arielle Lerner
(954) 557-0481
Head of Knights Guild:
TBA
Dance Master:
Richard (Twinkle-Toes) Dickson
(954) 258-3259
Herald:
Regan (Bagel) Williams
(954) 598-5827
Chain Master:
Katrina Occhialini
(781) 227-0734
Head of Crafting Guild:
Julie Occhialini
(954) 205-8689