 | Medieval Murder Mystery at the Manor 5-7th February 2010 | | |||
Medieval Roles
Players are asked to choose one of the following medieval roles, if in doubt, or if you can think of another role not mentioned here, e-mail us and ask. We ask that you tell us well in advance the role you would like to play. We also ask that if you are coming with others that everyone receives their character information separately and doesn’t share any hidden information within your smaller group. Groups or individuals who know more than they should will be penalised within the game.
Lord
This is the highest role a new player can take on and is dependant on you bringing at least a personal retinue of one other person to be your man servant/squire/confidant (you can adapt the role to suit the other person)
Lady
This generic term can mean any woman of gentle birth (father was a knight or better) A lady can be married wearing her hair up or unmarried wearing her hair down. The wife of a lord was higher than the wife of a knight. If a woman is referred to as the dowager Lady Clifford, then the title and power is in her hands. She will need a retinue or powerful friends if she is not to be abducted and married against her will.
Knight
Some knights had a retinue and some travelled alone. (You don’t need to bring a retinue but you can if you want) Knights were rich and poor; some held near monastic oaths and fought the Saracen in the Holy Land. Some were profligate wastrels or little more than profiteering robber barons. Most were knighted for some martial act as cronyism is not yet as rife as it is under later monarchs.
Gentleman
An un-knighted member of a titled family, often distinguished by mentioning the families name (Henry de Stafford)
Squire
An aid to a knight or Lord. Too young to be considered a gentleman yet, often of good stock.
Abbot or Abbess (female head of a nunnery)
Abbots were easily the same rank as most Lords in Medieval Society and some very rich abbeys (nunneries) were closer in rank to an earl. (An abbot would need a retinue of at least one monk) Their learning was highly prized in a very religious society.
Prior or Prioress (Female head of a smaller nunnery)
One rank below the abbot the prior of a rich medieval monastry could easily be the equivalent of a Lord or rich knight. Their learning was highly prized in a very religious society.
Sub-prior
Took over the monastry when the prior or abbot was not available. Their learning was highly prized in a very religious society.
Monk
Monks took on lots of roles
• working in the infirmary (the only real centres of healing in the realm)
• Illuminating manuscripts in the scriptorium
• Brewing beer and storing fine wine in the cellarium.
• Looking after guests in the Lochatory
• Supervising the lay brothers who did the hard manual labour
Nun
Nuns took on lots of roles
• working in the infirmary (the only real centres of healing in the realm)
• Illuminating manuscripts in the scriptorium
• Brewing beer and storing fine wine in the cellarium.
• Looking after guests in the Lochatory
• Supervising the lay help who did the hard manual labour
Friar
A wandering monk, who carried out some preaching and religious duties for far flung communities. Often semi-illiterate.
Priest
Responsible to the local bishop for a parish. Most Castles and manor houses had a priest who was responsible for the local people’s spiritual well being. Some priests were well educated most were not.
Trades Men (or Women)
Although trade was looked down on by titled folk many traders were the only people in feudal society who were effectively outside of the system. Cities were granted freedoms which allowed traders to trade without being called upon to carry out feudal duties. As long as they pay their taxes and respect their better’s traders have a better deal than most untitled folk.
Man or Woman at Arms
Sworn defender of your liege be that knight, lord or earl. Often trained in one form of warfare, Archery, foot soldier with sword and shield, bill man carrying billhook pole arm or a mounted sergeant at arms.
Man or Maid Servant
As long as you remain in service to your lord or lady you gain some of their reflected glow. Being higher in rank than traders but less free.
Peasant
Often called bondsman or woman. Theirs was a hard lot tilling their master’s land until they died. Little more than institutionalised slavery. Their lot depended on their masters or mistresses goodwill or otherwise.
Mercenary
A soldier for hire. Often hired in bands, as a lone mercenaries was often mistaken for a possible bandit. Looked down on by men at arms who server a knight or lord.