How does knighthood work in your games?

[AeroDm]

Knighthood for me has varied by the needs of the campaign. Sometimes it was an appointment by the king and had the weight of Umbran's "tin star." You could basically tell people to do some stuff and they are likely to listen because you are an authority. Other times it was admission to a particular order that carried with it unique benefits and requirements. One time it put them actually in charge of actual soldiers that they led into battle.

I guess I'm reluctant to put any one set of rules around it because the particulars of the campaign might twist them into hindrances and make it unattractive. I want "knighthood" so be whatever is appealing to the tin-can-tank in that campaign. If it is an RP-heavy campaign with lots of free time, then that'll likely be induction into a robust organization with rules, titles, and ceremony. If it is a mad rush across the countryside in pursuit of evil, then that'll likely be an air of authority that opens doors. I view knighthood more as a vehicle to introduce interesting benefits to a character than a static thing that exists in the world.

 

[Ahnehnois]

In my last campaign, knights were basically the feds.

 

[Jhaelen]

Has anyone ever played a campaign where knights are just as lawful or unscrupulous as the general population?

I'm thinking robber knights, Game of Thrones, etc. Where "knight" is just a title and code of conduct is subjective.

Sure! It's the default assumption in the Ars Magica RPG.

Medieval knights are covered in great detail in Lords of Men. Note that the Mythic Europe setting officially starts in 1220 AD, so the information is mostly about that period. It also focuses on knighthood in England and France, although other regions are also addressed.

It does a particularly good job on contrasting the lifes of nobles with those of peasants.

 

[haakon1]

My answers to Jon Dahl's questions, IMC. My campaign is based in my version of Bissel, so very near Sterich (and with the Knights of the Watch important in both countries.

1. All knights must be addressed as "sir" at all times.

Important exception: Religious titles supercede civil titles. So the monk who was knighted in my campaign is still referred to as Brother, except in political circumstances. (Religious titles > civil titles is a real rule in the UK).

Also, military titles come first. Captain Sir John Smith, not Sir Captain John Smith. But in normal circumstances, "Captain Smith" would be enough, and not insulting.

All knights must each other equally, treat commoners as their proteges and serve their lords without hesitation and with honor.

In my campaign, some knights owe fealty to a lord, some to the state in general, and some to a knightly order. Knights have no particular requirements in dealing with each other or with lower orders who are not in their chain of command. Lords, however, have broader responsibilities for the welfare of commoners.

2. In a war or a battle approved by his lord knight has several benefits, including:
- Only nobles and the army commander have authority over knights
- Knights receive a equal share of the loot; shared with high-ranking commoner officers and other nobles that have directly participated in combat
- Lord should always pay ransom for a captured knight

Not in my campaign. We're seen a Captain-General of the Border Companies order around knights and even a noble in my campaign, because they were placed under his authority by the Margrave (the ruler in Bissel). Issues of military loot and ransom have not arisen in play yet.

But Bissel is rare in having a professional military in additional to feudal forces -- your way may be a better fit for Sterich.

3. Knight's word is true unless proven otherwise.
4. Knights that have fought for the March in a significant battle or with unusual bravery or that have performed six months of military service receive full exemption from taxes for that year.
5. Knights receive invitations to tournaments, whenever they are held. It's possible for a knight to make a living by jousting. Commoners are never invited to participate in such events.

I don't have any of this stuff going on in my campaign.

What I'm basically after here is this:
If I player asks you "what if I get dubbed as a knight, what do I get?"

In my campaign, it's a matter of honor, respect, and a little fame, entre into dealing with the upper classes (nobles, generals, etc.) as people they are wise to take seriously and listen to, and, like modern British knighthoods or military medals, a matter of knowing your contributions are appreciated and recognized.

 

[S'mon]

Answer varies hugely from culture to culture IMCs.

Eg the "Sword Knights" of the tribal Altanian Barbarians are cult leaders of the Way of the Sword, in many ways they act like Arthurian knights, as paragons of honour and battle prowess, but their culture is completely non-feudal.