Tannisbury Squire Program

I. Introduction
Becoming a squire should be an achievement noted by the guild.  By advancing to squirehood, one must have received notice by one of rank in Tannisbury. 

Acceptance as squire means that one has moved from "commoner" to "courtier", and although they serve their liege lord or lady directly, they also are in the service of the guild in times of need.  One may only advance to knighthood by serving as a squire previously.  During this time of service, the squire learns many things that allow them to make good judgement once they are knighted.  It is our hope that this training will be reflected in the future knight's behavior.

The earliest lessons during the squire's training will center on the code of knighthood.   It is to be completely understood that within the guild of Tannisbury, NO OOC PERSONAL ATTACKS WILL BE TOLERATED!  The guild boards and email string are there for the purpose of providing information to guild members, as well as providing an avenue upon which to share our stories.  The guild is not the place to air dirty laundry.  Any person or persons engaging in ooc personal attacks upon other members of this guild will be removed from the guild without question.  The code of knighthood deals with common courtesy for one another.  It is expected that when a person enters the guild, that they understand this is our way, and upon doing so, accept that way as their own.

It is to be understood that the guild of Tannisbury is first and foremost, a role-play guild, and equally as important, a family brought together by common interests.
 

II.  Guild Membership

All applicants to the Squire Program should have first been accepted into the Guiild according the guidelines set forth by the Mistress of Applicants.  Once this has been accomplished, members may apply to the Squire Program.  Anyone wishing to apply should submit an IC letter stating their intent to do so, their biography, and the reasons why they wish to follow the path towards Knighthood, to the Squire Program Leader.
 

III. Squire Aspirants

Once the Squire Program Leader has approved the application to the Squire Program, the applicant will attain the rank of Squire Aspirant.  This rank shall be official when the Squire Program Leader has made the official announcement.  Following are the guidelines for Squire Aspirants:

A. Length of Time
Squire Aspirants will serve a minimum of six to eight weeks at this rank.  This will be a time for Squire Aspirants to become acquainted with the Knights of Tannisbury.  This will include in game as well as role-play interactions, both  live and on boards. 
 
 

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B. Communications
Squire Aspirants should communicate with the Squire Program Leader at least once a week.

C. Endorsements
The Squire Aspirant should receive at least three endorsements from three  different knights.

D. Absences
Squire Aspirants who are absent from their duties and the guild for at least two weeks without prior notice will be dismissed from the program.  If they wish to rejoin the program, they will have to submit a new application to the Squire Program Leader.  If their application is accepted, they will begin anew.  Any previous length of time served
or endorsements received will be considered null and void.

E. Sponsorship
Once the Squire Aspirant has satisfied the above criteria 
as deemed by the  Squire Program Leader, the Squire Program Leader shall ask the Squire   Aspirant to submit their choice(s) for a Knight Sponsor.  It is highly    recommended that the Squire Aspirant approach a Knight 
or Knights and discuss   sponsorship, although not necessary.  The Squire Program Leader will make the determination of Knight Sponsor.  The squireship will be made official upon the Squire Program Leader's announcement.
 

IV. Squireship
Squireship shall be undertaken on a one-to-one basis, one Squire per Knight Sponsor.  This is to ensure that both Squire and Knight Sponsor have a quality squireship.  Following are the guidelines for Squires:

A.  Squire Rankings
Within the Squireship there will be four rankings.  Being promoted in   rank puts the Squire that much closer to knighthood.  The Squire Rankings   are as follows in ascending order:

   1. Squire Apprentice
   2. Squire Proficient
   3. Squire Adept
   4. Squire Elite

The requirements for promotions among rankings will be detailed.

B. Length of Time
The Squireship will take a minimum of six months.  The Squire will serve a  minimum length of two months at each of the first three levels.  In order to advance to the next level, the Squire needs to complete the required quests and receive the requisite endorsements.

C. Endorsements
The Squire will need to receive a minimum of four endorsements over the   minimum two-month period 
within each rank, in order to be eligible for promotion to 
the next rank.  Endorsements are to be made by Knights other   than the Knight Sponsor.
 
 

D. Quests
The Squire will be required to perform a minimum of six quests in their   squireship.  These quests will encompass both in game and role-play quests.    The emphasis will 
fall on role-play, as Tannisbury is a Role-playing guild, 
first   and foremost.  There will be three quests assigned 
by the Knight Sponsor and   three quests assigned by the Squire Program Leader.  These should be    completed as outlined below:

  1. Squire Apprentice  -  One quest from Knight Sponsor
      One quest from Squire Program Leader
  2. Squire Proficient - One quest from Knight Sponsor
      One quest from Squire Program Leader
  3. Squire Adept  - One quest from Knight Sponsor
      One quest from Squire Program Leader

Again, these are the minimum number of quests that 
shall be performed by the Squire throughout their 
squireship and at each rank.  For all quests, the Squire 
will be responsible to write up an account detailing the quest.  This is assuming that the quest is not being performed as a role-play on the boards.  Quests should 
be posted on all appropriate boards, i.e. Tannisbury Times and Forgotten Worlds.

E. Communications
Squires should communicate with their Knight Sponsors 
on a weekly basis. 

F. Promotions
The Squire Program Leader will make the official announcements of all  promotions once it has been 
deemed that the Squire has met the requirements.

G. Absences
A Squire found to be absent from duties and the guild for 
a period of two weeks without prior noticing to their Knight Sponsor and the Squire Program Leader will be removed from Squire program.  If they wish to participate in the Squire program again, they will have to submit a new application to the Squire Program Leader.  If their application is approved, they will begin as anew as a 
Squire Aspirant.

H. Interviews
Upon attaining rank of Squire Elite and satisfactory completion of all   requirements, the Squire Program 
Leader shall notify the Knight Sponsor that the Squire Elite is ready to enter the interview process.  The Squire Elite is responsible for setting up their own interviews.  Interviews should be done on a one on one basis with five separate knights.  Of the five knights, three of them have to be council members and none of them should be the Knight Sponsor.  Once the interviews have been completed and approved by the Squire Program Leader, the Squire Program Leader shall make the official announcement that the Squire Elite is eligible for Knighting.  It will be up to the Knight Sponsor and the Squire Elite to handle the details of the ceremony.
 
 

V. Addendum

A. Announcements
The Squire Program Leader will make all official announcements as pertaining to the Squire Program.  Otherwise announcements will not be valid.

B. Problems
Any problems that the Squires may have should be discussed with their Knight Sponsor first.  If they are uncomfortable doing so they may approach the Squire Program Leader.  If it is not resolved after discussing 
it with their Knight Sponsor, they may approach the 
Squire Program Leader.