A First Primer for Squires
by Slen Star, Knight-Errant of the Round Table
Date:  95-10-04 20:45:43 EDT
Revised: 00-02-26 19:42:00 PDT for Tannisbury

Becoming a Squire is the first step on the path to becoming a Knight.  Being accepted as a Squire means a Knight of Tannisbury, your Sponsor, has deemed you worthy of the honor of consideration for Knighthood and has agreed to serve as your mentor. Your Sponsor is to be your guide and instructor.  If you have any questions or concerns, you should address them PRIVATELY to your Sponsor.  While the Tannisbury public message board is an excellent vehicle for roleplaying and announcements, it is *NOT* appropriate for arguments, questions, or complaints. Always bear in mind that the public message board is part of the public image of Tannisbury.

Your words and deeds as a Squire reflect not only on yourself but also on
your Sponsor and on Tannisbury generally.  It is therefore important that you read, understand, and live by the Tannisbury Charter, Code of Knighthood, and other guiding documents.  You should so study these documents that they become ingrained in your mind and on your heart. Tannisbury requires the highest degree of honor, compassion, courage, integrity and judgement.  However, it is understood that sometimes people make mistakes. Amongst the most important things for a Squire to learn are:  avoid errors of conduct through thinking before acting, accept blame for ones mistakes honorably, and forgive the mistakes of others with compassion. You will be expected to treat all members of Tannisbury with respect, as befits a young Squire learning what he needs to know in order to one day become a Knight.  This is not only proper but also practical since a Squire needs the respect and acceptance of Tannisbury members in order to become a member.  Squires must be careful not to treat members with too much familiarity.  If a member Knight or Mage honors a Squire by calling them "bro" or "sis" (and this is a very great honor which should be cherished), that Squire should respond using respectful titles. 

Squires should ALWAYS address all concerns PRIVATELY to their Sponsor.
Becoming a Knight  requires the completion of all tasks assigned by your Sponsor and Squire Program Leader, and gathering the endorsements of knights (other than your Sponsor) in order to advance in rank.    Further, the tasks assigned to Squires by Sponsors are typically designed not only to broaden their knowledge and experience but also to challenge and reveal the true inner nature of the Squire.  Squires may be required to perform many tasks or only a few.  The number and nature of the tasks are completely up to the judgement of the Sponsor.

Some Squires become Knights within a short period of time; some take
much longer.  The length of time is not important; the important thing is the Squire's conduct, dedication, and maturity.

Knighthood is widely known to be very difficult to attain.  It is no disgrace for a person to fail to become a knight.  There are many other options available for one who wishes to reside in Tannisbury.