Post by Éomer on Aug 14, 2007 5:08:51 GMT -5
The Cavalry is split into three regiments that are called 'Eoreds': the Meduseld Eored, the Eastmark Eored and the Westmark Eored.
Each Eored has two companies within it known as 'Corðors' (corthors). Each corðor has its own name.
Cavalry Ranks
Marshals
Commanding each of the Eoreds is a 'Marshal'. The three Marshals are individually ranked as First Marshal, Second Marshal and Third Marshal. The First Marshal is the highest of these three ranks and therefore the highest rank in the cavalry. The Second Marshal is the second highest and, yes you guessed it, the Third Marshal is the third Highest.
Feldmarshals
Each Eored can also have a 'Feldmarshal'. The Feldmarshal helps the Marshal lead the Eored, commanding the rest of the riders.
Feldmarshals, regardless of Eored, share the same rank, and therefore no Feldmarshal is above or below another. So a Westmark Feldmarshal is the same rank as an Eastmark Feldmarshal, they just happen to be in different Eoreds. This is slightly different to the Marshals, but the same as all other Cavalry ranks.
Æthelwigends
The Æthelwigend is the corðor (company) commander, and are sometimes known simply as Æthels.
Dryhtgumas
The Dryhtguma (sometimes called a Dryht) is the general rank for a warrior in the cavalry. They have no command responsibilitites, and their duty is to serve in their corðor under their commanders.
The Dryhtgumas make up the main cavalry strength, and they are the Cavalry's main fighters.
These are additional ranks that Dryhtgumas can train for. They ride alongside Dryhtgumas in the corðors and have the same general rank, but with extra skills and responsibilities. In battle situations, they serve firstly and foremostly as Dryhtgumas, and it only before or after battle that they will see to their other duties.
Pæthfindians
The Pæthfindian (or Pæth) ranks have extra skills in archery, tracking and path-finding, and are the Cavalry's scouts. They are sometimes called Pæths and often work as a separate company when not in battle.
Although they generally answer to their Æthelwigend, their Marshal or Feldmarshal will sometimes send them out to scout the land, set up perimeter patrols or other duties that suit their specialist skills. However, it is important that, once in battle, they serve with the main corðors, with the only difference being their equipment.
Ærest Pæthfindians
The Ærest Pæthfiandian is a Pæth who has shown extra skills and loyalty, and who would suit well as a commander. When the Pæths are serving as scouts (rather than Dryhts), the Ærest Pæth takes command, leading the group in a similar way as an Æthelwigend would lead their corðor. They are not above the Æthelwigend in rank, they simply have specialist skills that the Æthel does not, and are therefore generally seen as being below them in rank, or perhaps equal at times.
Hælends
Hælends have extra skills in herblore, medicines and medical treatment, and are the Cavalry's 'healers'. They ride with the corðors, serving as Dryhtgumas until their specialist skills are needed. When in a battle situation - they are first and foremostly Dryhtgumas, and even if they do not wish to, they must leave treatments and medical responsibilities till after the battle is over.
Bealdorhæland
The Bealdorhælend is the commander for the Hælends in situations when they are using their specialist abilities, much like the Ærest Pæthfindian is with the Pæths. The main way the Bealdorhæland is involved in the Cavalry is by training people as hælends. This means that the rank requires a great deal of knowledge not just of general Cavalry protocol, but also of herblore, Anglo-Saxon medicines and medical treatments. When a hælend in unsure of something, for example how they should behave with an injured enemy, they will often go to the Bealdorhæland for advice.
