The Order of the Rose was begun at the coronation of Queen Gaerta, the third queen in succession after the Great Collision. She and her husband, Lord Eorl Blanchely, created three original orders, those of the Rose,Alder, and Asp. The Rose was begun as a knighting order dedicated to the protection of the queen and her family.
The crest of the Order of the Rose
The History of the Order of the Rose[]
The Order of the Rose is the oldest order of all the knights. Prior to Queen Gaerta's proclamation, all knights were considered to be part of the Guard of the Rose, but many had different martial distinctions. Since Gaerta's reign, the Rose has primarily served in Queensland, the largest concentration of knights centered around Hartleigh Castle. The Order of the Rose employs nobles only, both of full and half-breed status (bastards and pure-born alike). Recognized bastards of high-standing nobles may gain entrance into the Rose by default.
Martial Training[]
One of the most successful and popular orders, the Order of the Rose, from a martial perspective, are the most skilled. This, in no small way, is due to their extensive training, set forth by one of the first Rose, Sir Caifer Weleran. From the age of twelve on, all pages received training in sword, sword and shield, mace, hand-and-a-half sword, long bow and shortbow, and, as the centuries progressed, all major firearms. All military approved firearms are tested by the Order of the Rose before being sent on to other orders.
Movement Within the Orders[]
The Order of the Rose is one of the only orders that allow movement to other branches. Noted members who served time in the Order of the Rose include Gawen of Fenlie and Osric Levelly.
Growth in the Third and Fourth Centuries[]
With the declining female population, enlistment in the Order of the Rose surged, and in order to compensate for growing families of boys, the Order of the Rose was split into two sections. Half the force was sent abroad as reinforcements for other orders, including the Asp and Hart, and the other half remained at Hartleigh. Where the individual knights were deployed depended on their length of service and, as expected, favor with the queen. Many Roseguard serve terms away and return again as guards in the castle. When sent away, Roseguard retinues often serves as the highest on the rung, devising attacks and using other orders as footmen, in spite of rank.
The Order of the Rose played important roles in most major conflicts in the three centuries since their official creation. Considered the most disciplined among the ranks, the fifth century saw a slight decline in their perceptions, mostly due to the actions of individuals such as Sir Sylvan DeLoire and Sir Libelle of Fenlie.