A. Order of the Lion
Knights of the Order of the Lion (OL)
- The OL is a civil order that is created in three Classes
- The Count is always the Knight Grand Marshal (OL-1/GM) of the Order
- Knight Marshals (OL-1) hold the highest County positions, almost always as Ministers to the Count’s Court. At all times, they speak AS the Count, which means that decisions and promises they make, even without the Count’s prior approval, legally obligate the Count.
- Although not true peers or nobility, all OL-1 are entitled to be called “Lord/Lady”
- Knight Commanders (OL-2) fill high (though not the highest) County positions such as Sheriffs and Deputy/Junior Ministers to the Count’s Court. They speak ON BEHALF OF the Count when passing on his decisions and promises, but only have limited authority to issue commands, edicts, etc. without the Count’s prior approval. Such statements do legally obligate the Count. The extent of this authority is different for each OL-2, and is subject to frequent change.
- Knights (OL-3) are either (1) holders of relatively powerful County positions (e.g., Masters-at-Arms), (2), those being considered, groomed, or trained to hold an OL-1 or OL-2 position, and (3) retired or demoted Knights. They only ever speak ON BEHALF OF the Count. Their words never obligate the Count.
- The number of holders of the OR is not fixed and is entirely at the whim of the Count
- Holders of all Classes serve as the Count’s personal representatives
- Class awards are not made sequentially. Rather, once inducted into the Order, a holder is granted the class that goes with the position they currently hold. Upon a change of position, the holder is reassigned to a new class. It is also possible to be punitively demoted or removed from the Order altogether. The Count may choose to reward Knights who are reassigned to a lower class, based on the quality and longevity of their service at the higher level. Such rewards are not defined, and are not mandatory.
- Regalia and retainers
- OL-3
- Annual retainer: 235 gold dubloons
- Medal: Badge hangs from Order ribbon worn around neck
- Badge: White “Maltese” cross with silver trim over green enamel laurel leaf; center of cross is 2 concentric rings: outer ring = red enamel with gold Order motto “Unyielding Fidelity”; inner circle = gold lion on green enamel; entirety suspended under silver Count’s coronet
- Ribbon: Green, thin silver stripe near each end
- Mantle: Long, hunter green, silver silk lining, white sable trim, Order Shield embroidered on left chest
- Ring: Platinum w/ signet = green enamel, raised red lion’s head
- Armor: None
- Shield: None
- Sword: None
- OL-2
- Annual retainer: 350 gold dubloons
- Regalia as OL-3 plus:
- Star: 8-pointed silver star, center is 3 concentric rings: outermost ring = green with silver laurel leaves; middle ring = white enamel with gold Order motto; center circle = Red letter “G” (for Greyhawk); worn on upper left chest
- OL-1 and OL-1GM
- Annual retainer: 450 gold dubloons
- Regalia as OL-2 except:
- Medal: Badge hangs from Order ribbon worn as Sash
- OL-3
