The Rule of the Virtuous Hundred (Revised)
*Regulum de Ordine Vigilanti Auronis et Centi Virtuosi de Castris Borealibus*
*Preface*
/Regarding the Purpose of This Rule/
Listen, O child of Auros, to the precepts of your Father, and bend the ear of your heart to Him. Receive and faithfully execute the admonitions of your loving Father, in order that you find salvation in His heavenly kingdom hereafter.
My speech is now directed to you, devout soldiers of the Lord, who having given up your own worldly fortunes now wish to take up most devout arms to do battle for Auros the Radiant Lord against all disbelief, to defend the true King of all the Heavens and of all beneath the heavens and to keep pure His worship.
In the first place, beg of Him by most earnest prayer, that He perfect whatever righteous act you begin, in order that He who has been pleased to sire us as His children, need never be grieved at our errors. For we ought at all times to serve Him in the blessings of the Light which He hath given to us, that He may not like an angry father disinherit his children, nor like a dread lord enraged at our evil deeds, hand us over to everlasting punishment like wicked servants who wished not follow Him to glory hereafter. The Radiant Lord saith in the Holy texts: "He that heareth these words of mine and doeth them, shall be likened to a wise man who built his house upon a solid foundation."
We are, therefore, to found a Order Militant in the Radiant Lord's service, in which we hope to introduce nothing overly burdensome or severe to turn the nascent monk from the path of righteousness, the beginning of which cannot help but be difficult; yet as the monk advance in his religious knowledge and faith, let our Rule be so just and fair, that the soldier-monk shall gladly run the path to salvation in good heart and with love for his martial creed; so that by never departing from Auros' guidance and by persevering in the righteous fight to enact his will on Agon, as He himself enacts on heaven, we may share in the radiant blessings of the Lord and our souls be found worthy of reward in His kingdom.
*CHAPTER I*
/What Kind of Man the Grandmaster Ought to Be/
The worthy Grandmaster ought always to be mindful of his reputation and to make his works accord in dignity with his name of Superior. For he is seen to hold the place of Auros in the Order. Therefore, the Grandmaster should never teach, prescribe, or command anything contrary to the laws of the Lord.
Let the Grandmaster always bear in mind that he must give an account before Auros of both his own teaching and of the obedience of his disciples. And let the Grandmaster know that whatever lack of profit the master of the house shall find in the sheep, will be laid to the blame of the shepherd.
When, therefore, anyone taketh the name of Grandmaster he should govern his disciples by a twofold teaching; namely, he should show them all that is good and holy by his deeds more than by his words; explain the commandments of the Radiant Lord to intelligent disciples by words, but show the divine precepts to the dull and simple by his works. And let him thus shine with devotion by his actions.
Let him make no distinction of persons in the Order. Let him not prefer one brother more than the rest, unless it be one whom all around him likewise find more exemplary in good works and in obedience to Auros. Let not a knight be preferred over an acolyte, or a noble over a base-born, unless there be some other reasonable cause. But if from a just reason the Grandmaster deems it proper to make such a distinction, he may do so in regard to the rank of anyone whomsoever; otherwise let everyone keep his own place; for whether bond or free, we return to Auros and share an equal rank in his stern judgment. We are distinguished with Him in this respect alone, if we are found to excel others in good works and in humility. Therefore, let him have equal charity for all, and impose a uniform discipline for all according to merit.
For in his teaching the Grandmaster should always mingle gentleness with severity, as the occasion may call for, let him show the severity of the master and the loving affection of a father. He must sternly rebuke the undisciplined and cowardly; but he must exhort the obedient to advance in virtue. But we charge him to rebuke and punish the negligent and haughty. Let him not shut his eyes to the sins of evil-doers; but let him cut them out by the root. The well-disposed and those of good understanding, let him correct at the first and second admonition only with words; but let him chastise the wicked and the hard of heart, and the proud and disobedient at the very first offense with stripes and other bodily punishments, knowing that it is written: "The fool is not corrected with words".
Above all things, that the Grandmaster may not neglect or undervalue the welfare of the souls entrusted to him, for he shall answer Auros in the charge he has kept of them.
*CHAPTER II*
/Of Calling the Brethren for Counsel/
Whenever weighty matters are to be transacted in the Brotherhood, let the Grandmaster call together the whole community, and make known the matter which is to be considered. Having heard the brethren's views, let him weigh the matter with himself and do what he deems best. It is for this reason, however, we said that all should be called for counsel, because the Lord often reveals the best course to the younger of the flock. Let the brethren, however, give their advice with proper humility, and let them not presume to defend their positions beyond reason, for it must depend on the Grandmaster's will. But as it befits disciples to obey their master, so also it becometh the master to dispose all things with prudence and justice. Therefore, let all follow the Rule as their guide in everything, and let no one rashly depart from it.
Let no one in the Brotherhood follow the bent of his own heart, and let no one dare to dispute insolently with his Grandmaster, either inside or outside the monastery. If any one dare to do so, let him be placed under the correction of the Rule. Let the Grandmaster himself, however, do everything in the fear of the Radiant Lord and out of reverence for the Rule, knowing that beyond a doubt he will have to give an account to the one true God for all his rulings.
*CHAPTER III*
/The Holy Precepts of the Order/
These precepts shall those of the Brotherhood swear to keep:
1. Firstly, give praise to Auros, the Lord Most High, in all things good.
2. Then, defend all that which is holy in the sight of Auros.
3. Then, never kill those of the true faith but in self-defense.
4. Never quit warfare against the disbelieving and the monstrous.
5. Never show cowardice in battle against the infidel.
6. Suffer not insults to Auros, to the Church, or to the Order.
7. Steal not from the faithful.
8. Covet not that which the faithful own.
9. Keep nothing back from one's Brothers if they have need of it.
10. Bear not false witness to the clergy or under the Lord's oath.
11. Honor the Brotherhood and the Church by word and deed.
12. And what one would not have done to himself, do not to another of
the faithful.
13. Deny one's needs, in order to serve better both Auros and the
Brotherhood.
14. Seek not after transient pleasures.
15. Love fasting and denial.
16. Give relief to the poor among the faithful.
17. Help the faithful who are in trouble.
18. Hold oneself aloof from worldly ways.
19. Give up one's own will to the will of Auros.
20. Prefer nothing to service in Auros' light.
21. Never forsake one's duty.
22. Put one's trust in the Radiant Lord.
23. Put no trust in those who are not of Him.
24. Live accordingly for the benefit of Auros.
25. Keep a constant watch over one's actions.
26. Hold as certain that Auros sees our deeds everywhere.
27. Disclose all perceptions of evil and falsity to the Grandmaster.
28. Guard one's tongue against evil words and oaths.
29. Prefer not speech over action.
30. Listen well to holy readings.
31. Apply one's self often to prayer.
32. Obey the commands of the Grandmaster and his appointed officers in
all things.
33. Desire not advancement before merit thereof; but seek merit in
oneself first.
34. Uphold daily the righteousness of Auros in one's deeds.
35. Be not jealous; nor entertain an envy.
36. Love not strife against the believer, nor peace with those in
disbelief.
37. Love not pride of oneself, but of the Church and the Brotherhood.
38. Instruct the young in virtues.
39. Pray for one's enemies to be received in the Light.
40. And never despair of Auros' mercy.
Behold, these are the instruments of the spiritual, which will merit that reward which Auros has promised his faithful.
*CHAPTER IV*
/Of the Great Struggle/
The first and greatest duty of the holy warrior is never to fail in protecting the faithful and their lands, so that they might see how Auros himself has sent good shepherds among them, nor to relent in expanding the borders and congregations of the true faith even further. Often it is necessary to persuade the heathens away from their benighted ignorance by violent examples made of those similar to them in disbelief, for it is said in the holy books that "The whistling sword of the infidel-slayer sings out the Radiant Lord's most favorite prayer."
*CHAPTER V*
/Of Obedience/
The second duty of the holy warrior is obedience without delay to the will of Auros, whereof the Grandmaster is the earthly representative. Prompt observance befits well those who hold nothing dearer than the favor of the Radiant Lord. As soon as anything hath been commanded by the Grandmaster or his appointee, duty permits no delay in the execution, as if the matter had been commanded by Auros Himself. Of these the Radiant Lord saith: "He that heareth you, heareth also Me."
*CHAPTER VI*
/Of Pious Speech/
By word and deed both is the true faith advanced into darkness, therefore the third duty of the holy warrior is to fight also with good words, praising the Church and the Order, but openly denouncing and mocking those who disbelieve, for it is written: "Thou shalt fight with all your weapons" and the sword fails where the word can conquer. But the word can draw blood on friend as well as foe, therefore guard well the secrets of the Church and the Order, the Grandmaster and one's brothers.
*CHAPTER VII*
/Of Humility and Pride/
As it is written "Not for our sake, Lord, not for our sake, but in /your/ name grant us glory" and therein is the motive of a good holy warrior: to seek eagerly after glory in battle and renown in all things, but to do so in the name of the Church and the Brotherhood, not to bloat one's own pride--for it is such a misplaced pride that goeth before the fall.
*CHAPTER VIII*
/Of the singing of Psalms/
Before any battle or contest of arms, let the 50th psalm be sung, followed by any chosen hymn of victory. In the first day of the week, let the High Savant open the book of Warrior-Psalms of St. Mahoun and recite from there.
*CHAPTER IX*
/Of the Preceptors of the Order/
If the brotherhood grows large in membership or in weight of decisions, then let brethren of good repute and holy life be chosen from among them and be appointed Preceptors. Among this body, let those responsible for advising the Grandmaster or attending to a delegated office be known as Conciliates, for they give advice and administrative aid; but those whose need is occasioned by the multitude of the armies of Order, let them be given leadership over a unit of ten or more armed men and be known as Potentiates, for they command the military power of the Grandmaster. Let each sort take care of their preceptorship in everything according to the commandments of Auros and the directions of their Grandmaster. Let such be chosen as the Grandmaster may safely trust to share his burden, and let them not be chosen for their noble rank, but for their merit and their wisdom, nor any chosen without the unanimous consent of present Preceptors after two days' deliberation; and if any of them, puffed up with pride, should be found blameworthy and, after having been corrected even a third time, refuses to amend, let him be deposed by the Grandmaster, that he might be replaced.
Among those duties not military to which a preceptor may be tasked, chiefest is the guarding of the youth of the Order from the corruptions of Malaut. Let the Preceptors-Consiliate instruct the Initiates and observe their zeal for Auros.
Then at a set time every two weeks, let them vote with the Grandmaster on the worthiness of eligible Initiates to advance into the minor order of Acolyte, to be decided by majority after 48 hours.
Let the Preceptors-Potentiate attend to the needs and the equippage of their men when not on the march, their cohesion and tactics during the march, and proper division of the spoils after a conquest in the name of Almighty Auros. Let them select from among their /eschielle/, or unit of soldiers, two adjutants to be called the Captain and Lieutentant thereof. On the same day that Preceptores-Consiliate raise the worthy from Novitiate rank, let them choose with the Grandmaster from among the Acolytes, and induct into their /eschielles/ those of mastery in use of arms and of tested virtue in deeds of war.
*CHAPTER X*
/Of the Election of the Grandmaster/
In the election of a Grandmaster let this rule always be observed: that he shall stand for an election before all the ranks of the brotherhood after having been picked by a concensus of the Preceptors. But let him whom the Preceptors have nominated be chosen for the merit of his martial skill and the wisdom of his religious doctrine, not for his seniority and social station.
When the Grandmaster has been elected, let him bear in mind how great a burden he has taken upon himself, and that he must give a thorough account of his stewardship to Auros himself when Auros stands in judgment of his soul. It therefore befits him to bear himself like a humble servant of God than a proud ruler of men, merciful to his flock but implacable against Auros' foes. He must be versed in the divine law, that he may know how both how to guide others to the Light whilst himself walking the true path. Finally, let him be true to all of the Forty Precepts of the Order.
But if the Grandmaster shall have broken the holy precepts or oppressed the Brotherhood with contempt or neglect, then let the Preceptors nominate a new Grandmaster to stand before the ranks.
*CHAPTER XI*
/Of the Prior of the Order/
The property of the Order shall be administered by the Grandmaster to the greatest benefit of his flock, including all supplies and battle-gear held in reserve, all holdings of land and rents, and the coffers of the treasury. But if management of these material possesions grow excessively burdensome to the Grandmaster's spiritual and martial obligations to his flock and to the Radiant Lord, then him assign Preceptors to the management of some properties; but if this remains ineffective and management of the Order's property must be unified under one official, then the Grandmaster may appoint an overall prior to govern his Order's holdings.
*CHAPTER XII*
/How the Monks Are to Rest/
Let the brethren, when seized by a sudden need to rest from the labors of struggle against the Demon Prince of Greed, be kept secure by others and guarded. And let the resting one warn before his tiring forces him into slumber. But should he take too long and do not return, and having offered no justification for a long need of rest, let him be left by himself but not accuse the others of abandoning him once he returns.
*CHAPTER XIII*
/Of Excommunication for Faults/
If a brother is found stubborn or disobedient or proud or murmuring, or opposed to anything in the Holy Rule and a secret contemner of the commandments of his Superiors, and if he would vilipend his brothers, let him be admonished by his Superiors once and again in secret. If he does not amend let him be taken to task publicly before all. But if he does not reform even then, and he understands what a penalty it is, let him be admonished; but if even then he remains obstinate let him undergo corporal punishment or be excommunicated.
* CHAPTER XIV *
/ Of the Property of Tools and Arms of the Order /
Let the Grandmaster rely on the praeceptores and on whoever else he trusts, over the property of the monastery in arms, armour, and tools and goods generally, and let him assign to them, as he shall deem proper, all the articles which must be collected after use and stored away. Let a brother keep a list of these articles, so that, when the brethren in turn succeed each other in these trusts, he may know what he gave and what he received back. If anyone, however, handles the goods of the monastery slovenly or carelessly let him be reprimanded and if he does not amend let him come under the discipline of the Rule.
* CHAPTER XV *
/ Whether Monks Ought to Have Anything of Their Own /
The vice of personal ownership must by all means be cut out in the monastery by the very root, so that no one may presume to give or receive anything without the command of the Grandmaster; nor to have anything whatever as his own, neither a dagger, nor a writing tablet, nor greaves, nor anything else whatsoever. Everything that is necessary, however, they must look for from the Father of the Order; and let it not be allowed for anyone to have anything which the Grandmaster did not give or permit him to have. Let all things be common to all, as it is written. Whoever fails this let him be subjected to punishment.
* CHAPTER XVI *
/ If a Brother Is Commanded to Do Impossible Things /
If perchance any difficult or impossible tasks be enjoined on a brother by a commander, then let him nevertheless receive the order with all obedience and resolution. If however he sees that the gravity of the task is altogether beyond his strength, let him reasonably submit the reasons for his inability to his superior. If however the superior still insists on his command, let the brother be convinced that it is Auros' will; and let him obey from love and zeal for Auros.
* CHAPTER XVII *
/ That No One Presume to Strike Another /
Let violence between brothers be avoided. Each must reserve his strength to fight the enemies of Auros, who are many and vile in form. If a brother goes astray and attacks another, let him be excommunicated if he be found guilty of malicious intent.
* CHAPTER XVIII *
/ That the Brethren Be a Brotherhood/
The brethren must render the service of obedience not only to the Grandmaster, but thus must they also obey and pay the respect due to each other, knowing that they do Auros’ will by this path of mutual respect. Hence, beyond the commands of the Grandmaster and of the Praeceptores who are appointed by him, in all other respects let the acolytes obey their elders with all zeal, and let each brother whether veteran or newcomer act with charity toward all others, uphold their part in quarrels with outsiders, keep their secrets confidential, and speak no evil of them. But if anyone is found to be obstinate in disrespect, then let him be punished.
As scribed by the hand of Brother-Preceptor Cynewulf.
