The Cavalry of the Mark
Cavalry Structure
The structure of the Cavalry has changed many times throughout the plaza's existence to accomodate for the changing numbers, Kingdom changes and activity of people on the plaza. The Cavalry also uses a lot of Rohirric names that can be strange and surprisingly difficult to spell. So here is an explanation of the layout of the cavalry, and all the different ranks within this.
For translations of cavalry terms and titles, please check out the
Cavalry Related Plaza Terms page.
The Cavalry
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Meduseld Eored
Eastmark Eored Westmark Eored
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Corðor
Corðor
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Corðor
Corðor
Corðor
Eoreds
The Cavalry is split into three regiments that are called 'Eoreds': the Meduseld Eored,
the Eastmark Eored and the Westmark Eored. When you have finished your Cavalry training, you are asked to pick which Eored you would like to join, and you will be added to the ranks of that Eored.
You will serve with your Eored in both battle and on the road, and your Eored commanders will be the ones giving you orders. If you are promoted, this will most likely be within your Eored, so Westmark warriors will become Westmark commanders. The exception to this rule is if no-one from your Eored is suitable for the position available, where Eored changes might happen. However this is rare and most people prefer to stay with their own Eored.
Despite people's opinions and loyalties, no one Eored is better or worse than another. Each has its own little traditions and characteristics, but generally they are the same, just with different people serving in each. Most people are loyal to their own Eored and some friendly competition is always present, but in essense we are all cavaliers serving together.
Corðors
Each Eored has two companies within it known as 'Corðors' (which can also be spelt 'corthors'). Most Cavalry warriors will serve within a corðor while they are in the Cavalry. Each corðor has its own name, and will have different attributes and strengths depending on the people in it.
The Meduseld Corðors are known as the Goldagedraeg Corðor and the Beorggedraeg Corðor.
The Eastmark Corðors are known as the Sceaduwigend (Shadow-warriors) Corðor and the Flamgar Corðor.
The Westmark Corðors are known as the Helmfolme Corðor and the Fyrblod (Fire-blood) Corðor.
Cavalry Ranks
General ranks
These ranks denote commanders and warriors.
Marshal
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Feldmarshal
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Æthelwigend
Æthelwigend
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Dryhtgumas
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Marshals
Commanding each of the Eoreds is a 'Marshal'. The three Marshals are the people who run the Cavalry, and it is they who deal with the major business of liaising with other kingdom armies, overseeing RPGs and activities, opening and closing threads and promotions within the Cavalry. Marshals are also the only people who are able to execute promotions within the cavalry, or to oversee changes in the roster.
The three Marshals are individually ranked as First Marshal, Second Marshal and Third Marshal. The First Marshal is the highest of these three ranks and therefore the highest rank in the cavalry. The Second Marshal is the second highest and, yes you guessed it, the Third Marshal is the third Highest.
However, most of the time these three will work as a team, and it is only on rare occasions that the First Marshal will need to give orders to the others. Most of the time a simple delegation of responsibility is all that is necessary.
When one Marshal retires, those below move up one, so normally to become First Marshal you will be Third and Second beforehand, although this is not always the case. It is important to know that you remain with your Eored regardless of which Marshal rank you are, so sometimes the First Marshal is an Eastmarker, and sometimes it is a Westmarker, or a Meduseldian.
The Cavalry has been known to thrive under a strong team of Marshals, and to suffer under a poor team. Being a Cavalry Marshal takes a lot of time and energy, and should you ever consider this position you will need to be enthusiastic and hard-working, and the more you co-operate with your other Marshals, the better.
Feldmarshals
Each Eored can also have a 'Feldmarshal'. The Feldmarshal helps the Marshal lead the Eored, commanding the rest of the riders and often taking over when a Marshal has other duties or is on leave. Sometimes, when the Eored itself needs to split into two, the Feldmarshal will take command over one half while the Marshal leads the other, but at all times they are below the Marshal in rank and are not required to make any major decisions regarding the Cavalry. However, a Feldmarshal is often a highly respected warrior in the Cavalry, and just like any cavalier, they are allowed their say in the cavalry's future.
Normally, when a Marshal retires, it is the Feldmarshal from the respective Eored that will be promoted into Marshaldom. Being a Feldmarshal does come with responsibilities, and so it normally the active and loyal warriors who are given this rank. Sometimes an Eored can survive without a Feldmarshal, normally if the
Marshal and Æthelwigends are active, but it is still a very useful and prestigious rank to hold.
Feldmarshals, regardless of Eored, share the same rank, and therefore no Feldmarshal is above or below another. So a Westmark Feldmarshal is the same rank as an Eastmark Feldmarshal, they just happen to be in different Eoreds. This is slightly different to the Marshals, but the same as all other Cavalry ranks.
Æthelwigends
The Æthelwigend is the corðor (company) commander, and are sometimes known simply as Æthels. They each have the responsibility of commanding a corðor from their respective Eored. They only have command over their corðor, and cannot give out orders to another unless there is no other choice. They answer to both the Marshals and the Feldmarshals, but are generally above all other ranks.
Æthelwigends, regardless of Eored, share the same rank, and therefore no Æthel is above or below another. So a Westmark Æthelwigend is the same rank as an Eastmark Æthelwigend, they just happen to be in different Eoreds. The same goes for Æthels from different corðors, the Æthelwigend for the Goldagedraeg Corðor is of equal rank to the Æthelwigend from the Beorggedraeg Corðor. This is slightly different to the Marshals, but the same as all other cavalry ranks.
Dryhtgumas
The Dryhtguma (sometimes called a Dryht) is the general rank for a warrior in the cavalry. They have no command responsibilitites, and their duty is to serve in their corðor under their commanders. Once a Cavalry trainee has passed their training they will become a Dryhtguma, which allows them to take part in all available Cavalry activities.
Although it does not sound like the most impressive of ranks, it is, arguably, the most important. The Dryhtgumas make up the main cavalry strength, and they are the Cavalry's main fighters. Without the Dryhtgumas, the Marshals, Feldmarshals and Æthelwigends would be useless. The other advantage of being a Dryhtguma is that, because you have no main responsibilities in the cavalry, you can choose to get involved in particular areas and specialise in certain skills.
Of course, you do have your duties to see to. Your fellow Cavalry riders will be relying on you to remain active in the Cavalry threads you become involved in, and sometimes your commanders will delegate you extra responsibilities. At times, Dryhtguma's have been given temporary commanding roles such as an Æthelwigend or Feldmarshal, to cover for another's absense, or to test them for a possible promotion. In short, Dryhtgumas have all the potential to become any other rank, and they make up the largest and greatest force in the Cavalry.
Dryhtgumas, regardless of Eored, share the same rank, and therefore no Dryht is above or below another. So a Westmark Dryhtguma is the same rank as an Eastmark Dryhtguma, they just happen to be in different Eoreds. This is slightly different to the Marshals, but the same as all other Cavalry ranks.
Additional Dryhtguma ranks
These are additional ranks that Dryhtgumas can train for. They ride alongside Dryhtgumas in the corðors and have the same general rank, but with extra skills and responsibilities. In battle situations, they serve firstly and foremostly as Dryhtgumas, and it only before or after battle that they will see to their other duties.
Ærest Pæthfindian
Bealdorhæland
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Pæthfindian
Hælands
Pæthfindians
The Pæthfindian (or Pæth) ranks have extra skills in archery, tracking and path-finding, and are the Cavalry's scouts. They are sometimes called Pæths and often work as a separate company when not in battle. The cavalry is limited to only one Pæth rank per corðor, so training opportunities are limited. Although they generally answer to their Æthelwigend, their Marshal or Feldmarshal will sometimes send them out to scout the land, set up perimeter patrols or other duties that suit their specialist skills. However, it is important that, once in battle, they serve with the main corðors, with the only difference being their equipment.
Pæthfindians, regardless of Eored, share the same rank, and therefore no Pæth is above or below another. So a Westmark Pæthfindian is the same rank as an Eastmark Pæthfindian, they just happen to be in different Eoreds. This is slightly different to the Marshals, but the same as all other Cavalry ranks.
Ærest Pæthfindians
The Ærest Pæthfiandian is a Pæth who has shown extra skills and loyalty, and who would suit well as a commander. When the Pæths are serving as scouts (rather than Dryhts), the Ærest Pæth takes command, leading the group in a similar way as an Æthelwigend would lead their corðor. They are not above the Æthelwigend in rank, they simply have specialist skills that the Æthel does not, and are therefore generally seen as being below them in rank, or perhaps equal at times.
Ærest Pæthfindians, regardless of Eored, share the same rank, and therefore no Pæth is above or below another. So a Westmark Ærest Pæthfindian is the same rank as an Eastmark Ærest Pæthfindian, they just happen to be in different Eoreds. This is slightly different to the Marshals, but the same as all other Cavalry ranks.
Hælends
Hælends have extra skills in herblore, medicines and medical treatment, and are the Cavalry's 'healers'. They ride with the corðors, serving as Dryhtgumas until their specialist skills are needed. The cavalry is limited to only one Hæland rank per corðor, so training opportunities are limited. When in a battle situation - they are first and foremostly Dryhtgumas, and even if they do not wish to, they must leave treatments and medical responsibilities till after the battle is over.
The only expection to this rule is if a Marshal is injured or in danger. They must then do everything they can to help the Marshal and keep them safe and fit enough to serve*. Although generally they are the same rank as Dryhtgumas, answering to all commanders, in special circumstances they can give orders to anyone in the Cavalry, including the Marshals themselves. This of course only occurs in a medical emergency, and they may only withdraw Cavalry riders from the field for good reason, regardless of what rank they are.
Hælands, regardless of Eored, share the same rank, and therefore no Pæth is above or below another. So a Westmark Hæland is the same rank as an Eastmark Hæland, they just happen to be in different Eoreds. This is slightly different to the Marshals, but the same as all other Cavalry ranks.
*It is up to the Hælends to decide if a Marshal is fit enough for duty. Sometimes they have to be understanding; if the Marshal is injured but still showing the ability to serve their command properly, then the hælend should have a very good reason for withdrawing them. The same goes for a situation where removing the Marshal might put other lives at risk, such as a seige requiring careful command tactics.
If the situation arises where a Marshal is deemed unfit for duty, the command will pass down to the next highest ranking officer, or another person suitable for the role. When this happens, the Hælend will have to treat that person as though they were a Marshal, being ready to give them medical treatment even during a battle if necessary. However, such incidents are rare indeed, and most hælands will understand their responsibilities better when they train for the rank.
Bealdorhæland
The Bealdorhælend is the commander for the Hælends in situations when they are using their specialist abilities, much like the Ærest Pæthfindian is with the Pæths. However, unlike the Ærest Pæth, there is only one Bealdorhæland in the entire Cavalry. They can ride in any Eored, either within a corðor or alongside the Marshals and Feldmarshals, and do not necessarily take part in all major Cavalry activities.
The main way the Bealdorhæland is involved in the Cavalry is by training people as hælends. This means that the rank requires a great deal of knowledge not just of general Cavalry protocol, but also of herblore, Anglo-Saxon medicines and medical treatments. When a hælend in unsure of something, for example how they should behave with an injured enemy, they will often go to the Bealdorhæland for advice. For this reason, even though the Bealdorhælend may not appear active in the Cavalry, they are often one of the most loyal and influential riders in the Cavalry.
Other Ranks
High Councillor for Military Affairs
Traditionally, this rank is often held by ex-First Marshals, or other riders who have had major influences on the Cavalry during their service. It is not a rank normally presented to an active Cavalry rider, but is instead saved for when someone who has helped to run the Cavalry retires from their command. However, this is still one of the most influential ranks in the Cavalry, and deserves a great deal of respect.
The High Councillor is there to aid the Marshals in their running of the Cavalry, give advice on subjects and topic and offer help - when needed - with preparing and running threads. Thay sometimes work as ambassadors with other kingdom armies, getting in touch with other commanders on behalf of the Marshals to discuss any Inter-Kingdom activities such as campaigns or battles. If the Marshals are looking for another opinion or advice, they will often turn to the High Councillor for his or her help.
However, this rank does not count as a commanding rank, and the High Councillor cannot give orders to others, they may only make suggestions. They must also respect the Marshals' final decision, even if it is not necassarily one that they agree with. Yet the rank requires a great deal of knowledge in how the Cavalry runs, and also in military structure, tactics and commanding techniques, and for this reason it is one of the most respected titles in the Riddermark.
Larmægisters
The Larmægisters (or Larms) are the Cavalry Trainers, responsible for teaching new recruits all that they need to know to become a Dryhtguma. This is more of a title than a rank, and it does not replace the rank shown in the roster. However, it is certainly worth mentioning here because only those cavalry warriors with enough knowledge, experience and time are able to commit themselves as Larmægisters, and so they are often some of the best cavalry warriors around. And so it should be, for they are responsibile for the trainees who will become the future of the cavalry, and that is very important.
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