View source for Horsemen of Judgment Keep

{{Households|photo=[[Image:Horsemen2019.jpg|300px]] |photocaption=Pruis Mori Quam Fidem Fallare|founded=1990|status=Active|device=[[Image:mullet.jpg|300px]]|devicecaption=Mullet}}

The Horsemen of Judgment Keep or "Horsemen" are a war band primarily located in the Kingdom of Caid.

== Honor to Our Kingdom ==
*Patent: Peerages
**Order of the Chivalry
***[[Alexander Caidus]], [[Titus Portius Aurelius]], [[Arria Cara]], [[Aurelius Optimus]], [[Sextus Furius Pansa]]
**Order of Pelican

*Order of the [[Crossed Swords]]
**[[Sven IV and Cassandra II]]
**[[Mansur and Eilidh|Mansur I and Eilidh I]]
**[[Pansa and Katherine]]

*Grant
**Order of the [[Argent Blade]]
***[[Sauvage le brigand]]

**Order of the [[Crescent]]

**Order of the [[Gauntlet]] of Caid
***[[Alexander Caidus]], [[Raynor Boleheued]], [[Arria Cara]], [[Matsunaga Haru]], [[Titus Portius Aurelius]], [[Aurelius Optimus]], [[Sextus Furius Pansa]]

**Order of the [[Lux Caidis]]

*[[Corde de Guerre]] of Caid
**[[Alexander Caidus]], [[Alana Hostilius]], [[Althea of Caid]], [[Arria Cara]], [[Matsunaga Haru]], [[Titus Portius Aurelius]],  [[Sauvage le brigand]]


*Order of the [[Crescent Sword]]
**[[Alexander Caidus]], [[Gaius Furius Marius]], [[Raynor Boleheued]], [[Althea of Caid]], [[Arria Cara]], [[Atticus of the Horsemen]], [[Aurelius Optimus]], [[Gobban mac Feradaig]], Gunthar Rise, [[Heinrich Augustein von Helden]], [[Matsunaga Haru]], [[Septimus Bantius Iubinicus]], [[Sextus Furius Pansa]], [[Titus Portius Aurelius]], [[Quintus Aelius Aiax]], [[Kynwrig ap Donald]],  [[Alana Hostilius]],  [[Alva Rosser]]

*Order of the [[Arcus]]
**[[Matsunaga Haru]], [[Alana Hostilius]], [[Althea of Caid]]

*Order of the [[Duellist]]
**[[Felix Selwyn]], [[Sauvage le brigand]], [[Jacopo Basilio Rosso]], [[Cellach of the Mists]], [[Cornelia Lubo]],  [[Medb ingen Cellaigh]], [[Aloysius de Luchis]], [[Alphonsus Balthasar von Hamer]], [[Brig inghean Uateir]]

== History ==
'''AS XXV''' The Horsemen of Judgment Keep became a household in the Shire of Greifenthall within the then-principality of [[Drachenwald]].  [[Alexander Hostilius of Caid]], Rook, Morgan, and Christian forge the bonds of blood.

'''AS XXVI''' A year after their creation, the Horsemen, now 9 in number (Alexander, Rook, Morgan, Christian, Alundren Flowinglocks, Adminius Dragoon, Yseult Na'sidhe, Malray, and Ren Shau) take to the war field in the famous Cookie War. The Horseman banner is seen for the first time on the battlefield and is watched by the Dred Father. Alexander wins the Greifenthall newbie tournament. Rook wins the Ronenberg Newbie Tournament. Adminius Dragoon is named Warlord of Greifenthall. Alexander is presented with the first Horseman society award when Prince Karl and Princess Leia award him with the Order of the Silver Guard.  Later that year, Adminius Dragoon is elevated and becomes the first Obsidian Guard.  Alexander becomes squire to Sir Axel of Travastia.

'''AS XVII''' Rook continues to maintain the Stronghold in [[Drachenwald]]. Morgan builds his Stronghold in Shire of [[Darach]], within the Kingdom of [[Caid]] and Alexander now resides in Crimson River within the Kingdom of [[Meridies]]. Christian goes on crusade to the north but claims no stronghold. Horsemen are now literally spread to the four corners of the Knowne World.  Prior to leaving Drachenwald, Alexander is offered Knighthood by King Elfinn, but declines as his Knight was not available to relieve him of his squire oath. This same year, Alexander is the first Horseman to enter a tournament. It was a memorable day for all Horsemen, as not only is he the first Horseman to enter a tourney but he does honor to himself and our household by winning the Black Cat Tournament.

'''AS XXVIII''' Alexander resides with his Stronghold in Crimson River, now numbering 28. Rook continues to maintain his Stronghold in Drachenwald with Adminius Dragoon and Alundren Flowinglocks. Morgan at his [[Darach]] Stronghold adds eight more members. Malcolm MacFarlane is appointed Warlord for Crimson River. The first Crimson Cross is awarded to Aldorox the Vile.  Leif the Fearless, Saigo Tagato, and Abel Kingsman are elevated to Obsidian Guard.

'''AS XXIX''' Rook moves his Stronghold from [[Drachenwald]] to the Stronghold of Hells Gate in [[Ansteorra]].  Ren Shau is elevated to Obsidian Guard.

'''AS XXX''' Alexander moves his Stronghold to Shire of [[Gyldenholt]] in [[Caid]] and then quickly relocates to Vakkerfjell in the [[West]] Kingdom. Malcolm MacFarlane is elevated to Obsidian Guard. Leif the Fearless, Saigo Tagato, Ren Shau, and Abel Kingsman are all removed from the Obsidian Guard for failing to continue to meet the requirements demanded of the Obsidian Guard (attendance at a minimum of one War a year). Adminius Drgoon remains the only other Obsidian Guard. Davion Krommel assumes the role of Warlord in Crimson River. Christian returns from the crusade and now maintains a Stronghold in Teufelberg in the [[West]] Kingdom. The Dred Father, Daniel AEthelwulf, now takes residence with Alexander in the Vakkerfjell Stronghold.Morgan begins a crusade to the south and claims no stronghold. 

'''AS XXXI ''' After receiving a great insult from the Prince of Cynagua [[West]] who refused to give a Horseman an award because she could not kneel due to religious reasons, The Dred Father decreed that Horsemen shall only kneel when they are sworn in and to no other man. The Fighter Tunic is created.

'''AS XXXII'''  Kenneth Vanguard, Eckard Egelulf and Galen MacMorgan are elevated to the Obsidian Guard.

'''AS XXXIV'''  Malcolm MacFarlane is removed from the Obsidian Guard and put to death for breaking faith. 

'''AS XXXV''' Galen MacMorgan wins the Newbie Knockabout in Teufelberg. The Horseman hit the 10 year mark. Rook moves his Stronghold to Twin Moon in [[Atendveldt]].

'''AS XXXVI''' Morgan returns from Crusade and resides in the Stronghold of Twin Moons with Rook.

'''AS XXXVI''' The Dred Father passes. Long live the Dred Mother!

'''AS XXIX''' Ookami wins the Treasure Chest Newbie Tournament 

'''AS XL''' Raynor wins the Knewbie Knockabout in [[Wintermist]]; Maximus wins Treasure Chest Newbie.

'''AS XLI''' Gaius wins the Knewbie Knockabout in [[Wintermist]].

'''AS XLII''' Ulysses wins the Knewbie Knockabout in [[Wintermist]].

'''AS XLIII''' Morgan is Knighted and becomes the first Horseman to receive the coveted White Belt. Gaius wins the Persian Pirate Tourney and becomes the first non stronghold to win a tourney other than as a "newbie." Vanvatig wins the Knewbie Knockabout in [[Wintermist]]. The "Great Purge" occurs and the Obsidian Guard is abolished by the command of Alexander due to the treason within its ranks. Eckard Egelulf, Sebastian von Teufelberg, and Donald MacMillan are stripped of their titles and removed from the ranks of Horsemen.  Each brother will not be now be responsible for his own guard. 

'''AS XLIV''' In an effort to redeem the name of the Obsidian Guard, Alexander names his personal guard "that which was once cursed" and challenges his own guard to overcome such adversity.

'''AS XLV''' 20 Year Anniversary of The Horsemen.

'''AS LI''' Alexander becomes a Knight

'''AS LII''' Alexander and Tahira become King and Queen of Caid. Titus becomes a Knight.

'''AS LIV''' Alexander and Tahira become King and Queen of Caid. Kara becomes a Knight. Pansa wins Queen Champion for Armored Combat. Conall begins his string of Queens Champion wins for Thrown Weapons (twice on LVI and again on LVII). Sekhet wins Queens Champion for Arts & Sciences. Al wins Rapier Champion at Wintermist Newbie Knockabout.

'''AS LV''' Pansa and Katherine become King and Queen of Caid. Fonzi wins both Calafia Rapier and A&S tournaments. Cyn wins Armored Combat Champion and Neala wins A&S at Wintermist Newbie Knockabout.

'''AS LVI''' Optimus becomes a Knight. Conall wins Queens Champion for Thrown Weapons at both spring and fall competitions. Sekhet wins Queens Champion for Arts & Sciences in the fall and wins People’s Choice at Pentathlon the following spring. Horsemen set a precedence creating the first war highlighting all things rapier, Red Star Rapier War! The house celebrates its last Agincourt marking a new era of Roman inspired Holidays. February we celebrated our first Roman holiday, Lupercalia!

'''AS LVII''' Pansa becomes a Knight. Ajax and Fabia become Baron and Baroness of Wintermist. Titus wins Armored tourney, Diago wins Rapier tourney, Spaniard wins Archery tourney and Bri won A&S tourney at Wintermist Yule. To prove that we are not just a war unit, the Horsemen volunteer over 700 hours at Great Western War winning the volunteer competition for our barony. In June we celebrated our second new Roman holiday, Fors Fortuna, followed by Neptunalia a month later.

== Membership Roster ==
=== AEthelwulf Family ===
*Countess [[Katherine of Hornechurch]]
*Duke [[Alexander AEthelwulf]] 
*Duchess [[Tahira al-Fahida]]
*[[Christian AEthelwulf]]
*Baroness [[Portia Olivier la fourniere]]
*Baron [[Rook AEthelwulf]]
*Lady [[Joslyn AEthelwulf]]
*Duke [[Morgan AEthelwulf]] 
*Duchess [[Elizabeth AEthelwulf]]

=== Stronghold ===
*M'lord [[Kenneth Vanguard]] - Centurion of the Praetorian
*Sir [[Titus Aurelius]] - Praetorian
*THL [[Haruka Matsunaga]] - Praetorian
*Sir [[Arria Cara]] - Praetorian
*Count [[Sextus Furius Pansa]] - Praetorian

=== Officers ===
*Prefects (Local administrative leaders)
**THLady [[Sekhet Arsyna]] - Keep of [[Wintermist]]
*Centurions (Combat oriented leaders)
**Rapier: THLord [[Sauvage le brigand]]
**Armored Combat: Prince [[Aurelius Optimus]]
**Combat Archery: Princess [[Althea of Caid]]
*Optios (Combat oriented leaders- second in command)
**Rapier: Lady [[Cornelia Lubo]], Lord [[Alphonsus Balthasar von Hamer]], THLady [[Brig inghean Uateir]]
**Armored Combat: THLord [[Mico Zane]], Lord [[Lucius Caelius Maximus]]
**Combat Archery: Lady [[Aurelina Nelleda]], Lady [[Layla bint Natronai]] 
*Lanistae (Non-combat oriented leaders)
**Lady [[Livia Silvana]]
*Legatus (Administrative leaders out of kingdom)
**Lord [[Gaius Furious Marius]] - Kingdom of the Outlands

=== Rank & File ===
*Sworn
** Lady [[Aisling O Grogaine]]
** THLady [[Alana Hostilius]]
** Lord [[Aloysius de Luchis]]
** Lady [[Anastasia Sabina]]
** Lady [[Arellia Valentia]]
** M'lady Ashlin inghean Ui Gallchobhair (Kingdom of the West)
** Lord Atticus Nobilis 
** Lord [[Cellach of the Mists]]
** Lord [[Conall Murphy]]
** THLord [[Decimus Helvius Faustus]]
** Lord [[Diago El Caza Gigantes]]
** M’lord Drosten the Pict
** Baron [[Einarr grabarðr]]
** Lady [[Ermenberga Adalhild]]
** Baroness [[Fabia Varia]]
** Lord [[Felix Selwyn]]
** Lord [[Gunnar Grimsson]]
** Lord [[Guy Marchant de Westley]]
** Lord [[Heinrich Augustein von Helden]]
** M'lord [[Hero of the Horsemen]]
** M'lord Ivar of the Horsemen (Kingdom of Atenveldt)
** Lord [[Jacopo Basilio Rosso]]  
** Lady [[Matsudaira Omiyame]]
** Lady [[Medb ingen Cellaigh]]
** Lady [[Moire Havens]]
** Lady [[Panchali Mahadeviyar]]
** Baron [[Quintus Aelius Aiax]]
** Lady [[Raghnailt inghean mhic an t-Sabhasaigh]]
** THLord [[Raynor Boleheued]]
** Lord [[Reinholdt Jager Berg]]
** Lord [[Remus Cara]]
** Lord [[Shao the Archer]]
** M'lord [[Solomon Upir Karamzin]]
** Lady [[Sorcha ingen Flaind]]
** Baroness [[Sunnifa Jónsdóttir]]
** Lord [[Wolfhelm Sturmere]]
*Far Riders
** Lord Aldorox the Vile
** M'lady Anahita of the Horsemen
** M'lord Atlas Castellar
** Lord [[Brand Hamarson]]
** Lady [[Caelia Nerva]]
** Lord [[Cato Vertius Vorenus]]
** M’lord Desmond Blackstone 
** Lady Galiena filia Tuder
** Lord [[Gobban Mac Feradaig]]
** M’lord Kaiuss Helvidius
** Lord Kallistos Savage
** M’lord [[Ketlin Talhoffer]]
** Lord [[Kynwrig ap Donald]]
** Lord Ookami Oniyama
** Lord [[Lyle Magnusson]]
** M’lord [[Magnus Blackwood]]
** Lord [[Nero Livius Primus]]
** Lord [[Olus Iulius Brutus]]
** Lady [[Raya Thracius]]
** Lord [[Sarus Oduulf]]
** Lord [[Septimus Bantius Iubinicus]]
** M’lord [[Sigvaldr Rhysson]]
** Lord Silvanus of the Horsemen
** Lord [[Temur Kumun]]
** Lady [[Tessa de Piro]]
** Lord Ulysses of the Horsemen
** Lady [[Verina Caelistia]]
** M'lord [[Volkmar Cromer]]
** Lord Vonvattig Bjarndyr (Kingdom of Atenveldt)
*Supplicants
** M'lord [[Alberto de la Vega]]
** M'lord Ammon of The Horsemen
** Lord [[Antaeus de Noua terra]]
** M'lord Arius Marcus
** M'lady Faye Maria Baltasarre Francesca d'Andrea Reush
** M’lord Finnan Fannach
** M’lord Ky Shen
** M'lady Maria of the Horsemen
** M'lady Melissa Plank (Kingdom of Atenveldt)
** M’lady Novia Artemidorou 
** M’lord Vidar Helvig 
*Children of the Horsemen
** M'lord Hilltop of the Horsemen
** M'lady Genevieve of the Horsemen
** M'lord [[Legend of the Horsemen]]

===In Memoriam===
*Lord [[Lothar Zum Schwartzschildt]]
*Lord Marcus Livius Varus- Kingdom of the West
*Lady [[Siobhan ingwen ul Cainaidhi]]

== Important Holidays ==
*Lupercalia - February 
*Dreadmother's Birthday - March 22
*Night of the Dead - April 30
*Fors Fortuna - June
*Neptunalia - July
*Thirteenth Night - Varied

Past Holiday Now Retired:
*Agincourt - Oct 25

== Horsemen FAQ Sheet ==

HORSEMEN MYTHS AND HISTORY
As Told by Alexander Hostilius of Caid

'''When were the Horsemen created?'''

The Horsemen of Judgment Keep was created in A.S. 25 in Germany by 4 friends. 
Although each played in the SCA wearing our traditional black and red, as the 4 original 
members of the household were mostly military men they weren't actually able to all be 
in the same place until A.S. 27.

'''Where did the household name come from?'''

When I first started in the SCA I had a wonderful Knight (Sir Axel of Travastia)teaching 
me. He made every effort to make me into a Knight and part of his philosophy was that, 
in his opinion, Knights should be able to ride a horse, play chess, dance, build armor, 
read and write (do calligraphy, illumination and know basic heraldry) as well as fight. So, 
I learned them all. 
When I began working on creating a persona for the household I was told this by my 
beloved Knight, "Make sure you can document what you create. Make sure it was 
around during the time period." Only knowing the basics of SCA Heraldry and being a 
lazy 20 year old, I decided the most easily documented book for me would be the Bible. 
I was sure I could prove it existed and I knew it was around during my time period! 
I had actually done a college study on religion and the Bible so I knew exactly where I 
would draw my inspiration from for my new war band household....REVELATIONS! (I 
also had 3 friends with me making us a group of 4...it was obviously fate.) Thus, the 
Horsemen of Judgment were born. The Horsemen of Judgment was only actually in 
existence for one day because when I took my new found name to our local herald (who 
also did not have a lot of SCA knowledge) he told me that I wouldn't be able to register 
The Horsemen of Judgment (to this day I am still not 100% sure what his reasoning 
was). He then explained that if I added a "place" to it, I could register it that way. Since 
The Horsemen of Judgment Drachenwald didn't have a nice ring to it, The Horsemen of 
Judgment Keep was the name that stuck.

'''Why Red and Black?'''

Besides being my favorite colors, while touring some of the castles and churches in 
Europe I came across some amazing artwork from my time period. One that always 
stuck with me was a picture done of the battle of Agincourt. As I looked at the massive 
picture that had hundreds of soldiers fighting on it I noticed that one unit seemed to stick 
out. They were foot soldiers in black with red crosses on their chest. I thought it was 
pretty amazing that in this picture of hundred of colors and swirls the thing that stepped 
out of the picture to me was these men in red and black with big crosses on their chest.

'''Tell me about your uniforms?'''

Just about everything on a Horseman uniform has meaning. In our household you must 
earn your own colors and you must earn the right to wear the household colors. So 
when you first join and are what we call a "supplicant" you must wear a "blank" tunic or 
as well call them a blank Dalmatica. The only thing on the Dalmatica is the symbol of 
our household with the latin phrase, "Si inventum, quaeso, deferas ad" which literally 
means, "If lost please return to". After a supplicant is sworn into our household he 
becomes a full fledged Horsemen he is allowed to put on our badge, his own device and he 
is then allowed to wear his slave bands. Slave bands are the red stripes that come over 
the shoulders on our Dalmatica. The actual history of this comes from the Ancient 
Roman Army: soldiers were not allowed to wear bands over their shoulders until they 
had been in for five years. Although an award of honor, the Roman foot soldiers jokingly 
called these "Slave bands" because it usually showed someone who was going to be in 
the army for life. (Before I get letters from angry heralds, I have no documentation of 
this. It was told to me by a greek soldier when I was in the Army and I choose to believe 
it.)
Also on our uniforms. On the left slave Band is Rank and Time in Service. Above that 
are Kingdom unit awards (our new crossed swords of Caid...WOOT!). On the right slave 
band are household awards.

'''Do you have awards?'''

The Horsemen have many household awards. Too many to list here. However, to keep 
with the uniform/combat theme I will list a few:

The Order of the Black Sword. Once the fighters of our household feel you have 
reached the level of "fighter" rather than "newbie" you are entered into the Order of the 
Black Sword and allowed to tape your sword in household colors. 

The Order of the Iron Ring. Once a fighter wins a tournament he is allowed to build an 
iron ring and wear it around his neck. It is very important that the fighter build the ring 
himself and does not purchase it or have someone else make it. (if you are interested in 
the history of this, look up gladiators and iron rings).

Bloodied Cross of Honor. After your first time in combat or "shedding blood for your 
housedhold" you may "demand the right to wear" the Bloodied Cross of Honor. There is 
a ceremony for this award that will not be described here. (if you are interested in the 
history of this, look up blood rank in the military).
 
'''Does the household have a time period?'''

Originally I was told that SCA'ers must be from 600 to 1600. So my first love, the 
Roman era, was out. While discussing the matter around my family, my old (now 
deceased) Grandmother piped in with, "James, you are British. Your family is British 
and you will not shame your family by being anything but British. You must be English. 
Do not be one of those barbarians." So originally all the member of the Horsemen of 
Judgment Keep were from the Henry V / Agincourt time frame of 1415. As we began to 
grow and grow, we started having potential members ask us if they could be Scottish 
from the same time period and then German and then French. Then the time periods 
started to grow from 1415 to 1400's and then to the 1300's. Eventually it was decided 
that the Horsemen must transcend time and allow its members to be from any period 
they wished. So within our group we have Romans, Vikings, Rus, Russians, and 
English. All we ask is that if you plan to be from a time period, own it. So when we 
camp, Romans camp together, English camp together, etc. each flying its own banners.
However, officially if we must put a date and time on our household it is done by the 
leader of our group. So despite all the Romans we have in Caid, currently our 
household is English as Lady K is 15th Century English.

'''Are you just a bunch of fighters?'''

The Horsemen first and foremost are a war unit. However, as I was first taught fighters 
must be more than just fighters. Each Horseman fighter must not only learn to fight but 
must also be able to ride a horse, play chess, dance, build armor, read and write (do 
calligraphy, illumination and know basic heraldry) as well as fight. 
Surprising to many, our household also has non-combatants. We have cooks, heralds, 
brewers, artists, woodworks and armor makers. All we ask of our non-combatants is if 
you plan to do some of the peace arts, do it well. Work at your art as we work at our 
fighting.

'''I have seen some weird things in a Horseman camp… what are some of your 
traditions?'''

At all overnight events, The Horsemen will have a 24 hour guard. This is done to make 
sure our camp is safe and to help late night wanderers. 
Horsemen fighters will stand for ladies when they enter our camp. (This is not done on 
war days as fighter must prepare for war… but goes into effect at sundown again). 
Horsemen fighters do not leave the war field unless given permission from the King (or 
his representative… or removed by serious injury).
The highest request a Horseman can get (minus from those we serve) is that from a 
lady. Horsemen will always try to fulfill the request of a lady.
Horsemen have a packing list which includes such things as a fire extinguisher, a 
bundle of wood to share, water to share, etc.
Twice a year we have a grog bowl to pay for our sins and ask for forgiveness. (Ask a 
Horseman about the grog bowl)

'''What are some of your other traditions?'''

Sworn Horsemen are to be members of the SCA.
Sworn Horsemen need to register their name and device.
As a fighter you cannot be sworn in unless you have a complete set of armor most of 
which must be made by your hands.
Horsemen fighters train a minimum of twice a week for 3 hours at a time.
Traditionally they also train on a third day unless there is an event. However, each year 
Horsemen are REQUIRED to take time off during the off season to get a break from the 
SCA and prevent burn out.
It is extremely bad form to have duct tape on your armor for more than one practice. 
Armor must be repaired.
Shields never go face down...this is disrespectful to the colors on the front. You will not 
see a Horseman shield face down. It is considered a huge insult to place a Horseman 
shield face down.
Keeping your helmet on after fighting an opponent is considered an insult. It shows that 
he didn't even make your breath hard enough to want to remove your helmet.
Stepping onto the eric at a Horsemen Practice and banging your shield is considered a 
challenge. You are challenging the fighters to bring their best game and remove you 
from the field if they can. 

'''You have some talented armorers, why is your armor not prettier!?!'''

If you go and look at Horsemen armor you will see that many of us have tooled leather 
and pretty snazzy metal work. However, this is muted on purpose and usually done 
black on black or metal on metal. Many of our fighters believe as I believe that only 
those of wealth and fame decorated their armor in history. Ordinary grunts of an army 
would be pretty presumptuous if they decorated their armor like a King or Knight without 
any renown or fame. In Caid we had neither until I was knighted, followed by Titus and Kara.
We are the foot soldiers of our King (and something we revel in!). The first Horsemen to obtain "fame" was Morgan Aethelwulf 
(knighted in Atenveldt) and he and his armor is gorgeous. Now, it has expanded to myself, Sir Titus, and Sir Kara. This would hold true should 
one of our local Horsemen be lucky enough to win a crown or be knighted. Then we 
would be fighters of note and be able to put pretty shiny stuff on our armor. Right now, 
we will not detract from those who deserve to wear shiny pretty armor, we do not yet 
have that right.