Squire Philosophy

The traditional view of the Squire and Knight relationship in medieval
England is closely portrays that of the SCA "Squire". The Squire swears
an oath of fealty and the Knight commits his time, attention, and sometimes
even financial resources to training the squire in the art of combat and
courtly duty.

In the SCA, a squire is considered to be someone who has made a
commitment to walking the path of knighthood. The relationship between
the Knight and Squire can develop in many ways. In some areas, it is
traditional for a squire candidate to approach the Knight about creating a
formal relationship. In other locations in the Society, tradition dictates that
a Knight will approach a squire candidate that he feels has the potential to become
a knight and fit in with his household. A squire candidate may have been a friend
with another squire, who has recently becomes knighted, or served as the Squires
man-at-arms. In becoming a Knight, the man-at-arms now becomes a Squire.
Each relationship is unique.

When establishing a relationship with a knight, it is important that both the peer
and the candidate are clear about the level of expectations. Does the Knight
expect a certain
level of activity, is he providing formal training, does he expect his
household to come first before any other household affiliations? These and
many more questions should be talked about and agree upon. While a
Squire/Knight association is not permanently binding, it is a big commitment
and will be viewed by others to be a lasting commitment. It is inadvisable to
break an associate relationship without really good reasons. So, go into this
relationship very carefully.

The path to Knighthood, as with any SCA peerage, can be long and
arduous. Many Knights view their role in the SCA differently. The old joke
about asking 12 knights their opinion on Knighthood, and getting 14
answers is true. A Squire is expected to have a certain level of fighting prowess.
Knights are expected to be experts in their field (heavy combat fighting)
and so this is the very basic requirement that will be looked at by the Knights,
when they consider a candidate for Knighthood.

The Knights in the SCA generally expect more than just fighting prowess to be
considered for their order. Many other attributes are required when being
considered for Knighthood. A candidate must also exhibit some type of artistic
talent. They should be able to dance, know the moves of chess, and provide local,
as well as, Kingdom service. Do they teach and train fighters in their local group?
Do they lead on the field of battle? Do they exhibit courtly behavior? Are they a
shield for the weak? Are they someone the populace looks to in good times and
bad? Are they a leader in their home group? Do they hold offices? Can they
manage people? How do they dress? Do they succeed at wearing pre-17th
century dress on and off the field? These and many more things are asked by the
Knighthood, when discussing a candidate.

How will someone learn all of this? Some people are naturally attuned
to what is expected and required. But many others need guidance that a
Squire/Knight relationship can provide.

Is it required to be a Squire for Knighthood? No. Although there are
advantages to forming a formal Squire/Knight relationship. The guidance a
Knight can provide can be invaluable.

SCA Squires are generally called upon to do many things in service to the
SCA. It is not unusual after a hard day of fighting on the field, that a Squire
will find himself, moving hay bales in between battles. He may be asked to
serve as an authorization partner for new fighters. He may have to set up a
day camp, help break down a day camp. Help his Knight/Household with
other activities, serve feast, and then be called to wash dishes. These are the
burdens of the SCA squire.   And the burden is significant. You have the
ability, as a Peer in the SCA, to make or break someone’s day. A nice comment
or harsh word from you, has the potential of affecting how someone else
perceives your group, Kingdom, or even the SCA. Most people highly value
Knights and look to them to do what is right. They are expected to be
chivalrous people and may be asked to decide matters that are crucial to a
group, event, or activity’s function. They may be asked to defend someone
who cannot defend himself or herself. They are the guys in white hats. The
good guys. And with that level of expectation, there comes a heavy burden
of responsibility. Knights have a lot to live up to.

Will a red squire belt elevate your status in the SCA? Yes and No.
Does it carry precedence? No.
Does it come with a reward? A scroll? No.

What it does come with is recognition of responsibility. It also recognizes
that someone wearing a red belt should have a certain level of fighting
aptitude. And lastly it comes with the great Glass Fishbowl! Everyone who
sees you from now on will see that red belt and know you have made a
commitment to a Knight. You no longer are only responsible for yourself.
Your actions now have consequences. They reflect on your Knight, your
household, your lady, and yourself. You have made an open, bold
commitment, that you want to walk the path towards knighthood and have
announced to everyone that they should expect that level of service and
chivalry from you at all times.
Does the red belt elevate your status? Knowing what you know now….
Decide that for yourself.

Once again….ask 12 knights a question and you will get 14 answers. My
opinion on what a squire is, should be, etc., hinges completely on what I
have experienced and know to be true on the path I walked from Squire to
Knight. It is what I expect from my Squires.

My basic expectations are as follows:

•        Learn all you can about the art of Heavy combat. Not everyone can
master all weapon forms, but know how to handle them enough to use in
battle. That red belt is also called a Rattan Magnet. You will be expected to
fight….a lot.
•        Always honor your lady, my lady, my household, and yourself. If you
honor them, you will honor me.
•        Learn an art. Find something that you like doing outside of the
fighting field. Knights are expected to be well-rounded people. Learning
peaceful arts is one step closer to that goal.
•        Serve, serve, serve. Serve your local group. Serve your Kingdom,
your region, your household, your Knight, and your Knight’s lady. As a Knight,
we are servants to the populace and the SCA. Nothing can say more of you
than you are willing to serve.
•        Learn to dance. If you only learn 2-3 dances it will make all of the
difference in the world to your education. First, it’s great for learning
footwork. Second, you should always be ready to honor your lady, or
another lady, with the opportunity to take her dancing. She is your
inspiration on the field, and often times, this is a great way to thank her for
being that inspiration.
•        Learn the moves of chess or some other strategy game. I expect my
squires to be proficient on the Melee as well as the Tourney field. War is a
part of our culture and it often times translates to interactions off the field as
well. Be a strategist. Know your opponent and use your wits to come to a
successful conclusion, not just brute force.
•        Educate yourself in courtly behavior. Courtly behavior is what
defines us from just being stick jocks. We should live the dream of the
romantic chivalric tradition that the bards talk about and the minstrels write
songs. Learn how to properly bow, enter a room, approach royalty,
approach two Knights who are talking(careful it might be about you), being
gracious when receiving acknowledgment for great deeds, etc.
•        Always work on balancing your SCA and Mundane life. This balance
is a pendulum that swings both way. Sometimes SCA is more prominent,
some times mundane life is more important. Each person needs to decide
this for themselves, but if either one gets too far out of balance, it will bleed
into the other. I guarantee it.
•        Use common sense and just be a good person. We all can’t be
everything to everyone all of the time, but if your motivations are pure, and
you generally do things for others, Karma will play out like it should.
•        The last thing I require is what you see on all job descriptions: “All
duties as otherwise assigned.” Being willing to do whatever it takes for the
household to succeed is the mark of a team player, and often times a good
leader.

Traditionally, I do not approach people about being squires. If you are
interested in being my Squire, please contact me. I have a very active
household and they work really well together. Any future squire candidate
will have to work closely with them and the rest of my household. I
encourage you to meet my other household members and if the decision
becomes that you are not a fit, then I will do what I can to find the right
Knight/home for you.

In Service,

Kyppyn, KSCA