Difference between revisions of "Monasticism in Dwarden"

Revision as of 18:39, 7 July 2019

Introduction to Monasticism in Dwarden

Monasticism in Dwarden is dominated by the Order of St. Karant for men, and the various monasteries and monastic orders available to women. By a centuries-old judgment of the Magnus Magister of the Order of the Beleaguered Shield, all female monasteries and orders are subservient to the next most-highest male monastery, with this typically being a senior abbey or priory. In practice, Sisterhoods rarely challenge the decisions of the male abbeys, but if they do, they may appeal all the way to the Master-General of the Order of St. Karant if an abbess is passionate enough on an issue.

The Canonical Hours

Matins

Prime

Terce

Sext

None

Vespers

Compline

Holy Union and Marriage for Brothers-Militant

The Church in general, and the Order of St. Karant in particular, is the governor of all legal sexuality in Dwarden. Non-sanctioned sexual intercourse in Dwarden is dealt with harshly. Women guilty of adultery or fornication are traditionally harassed by children, who call her a "dragon" or "dragon lady." A mob is expected to form and escort the woman to the nearest church or monastery, where an elaborate iron mask looking like a dragon's head is attached to her head, which she is compelled to wear for three months in the case of fornication. In the case of adultery, she must wear it until she gives birth or until a year passes, and is sent to the nearest abbey. Children born when their mother bears the mask are known as "Dragon-son" or "Dragon-daughter", and are often treated unkindly by the Order and society, and are often given unpleasant or demeaning tasks and professions.

Holy Union

Monks who achieve brotherhood in the Order of St. Karant, or Initiates with permission from their abbot or brother-superior, may demand holy union with any non-married woman of child-bearing age, as young as 16. Often, on a nine's-day, a junior monk will be sent to the girl's residence and offer her the shield of the man who wants her. She may not on her own refuse the shield. However, any man who may take her as a woman may accept the challenge of the monk, and meet him at a place of the monk's choosing upon the next nine-day. Although they may not fight for their daughters and sisters directly, fathers and brothers will call upon their friends to ward off unwanted suitors, but these men themselves must marry or have union with the woman There they might fight in a tournament, governed by a senior monk, until one or the other man yields or is beaten down. Once the other man falls, the Master of the Tournament declares the victor, and among the spectators, asks if there are any further challengers. The victor may himself be challenged by a new man, and be compelled to fight again on the next ninth-day, but once he has won three times, his rights over the woman are unquestionable, and no further challengers may present themselves.

Upon their holy union, the monk is released from the strict rule, and is granted a farm or homestead on monastic lands. His woman thus lives in this home, along with her children. In holy union, a dowry is not required due to the perceived wealth of the abbey or church, and therefore many poor or disenfranchised women find themselves in union with the Order of St. Karant. However, holy union has its limitations, for both for the man and the woman in the case of her belonging to a religious order, the union may be dissolved by an abbot or abbess. Therefore, significant control is often exercised by the Order over such unions. Certainly, the brother-militant is still expected at the monastery for his nine hours, and all days on the 7th, 8th and 9th days. This rigor is unceasing and almost certainly without pause or exception, unless he be given the position of a friar, in which case he may marry and leave the monastic lands to live upon his own homestead.

In the case of monks, holy union differs from marriage in that it may be challenged within nine months of the monk's possession of the woman, but only if she is not with child, or three years after the birth of her last child. Typically, the brothers-militant are considerably uncharitable to men who would challenge the union of one of their own, and so in practice, challenges to monks are quite rare, although not unknown.

Marriage

Monks who attain Holy Orders may marry if holding the office of deacon. By tradition, young sub-deacons are obliged not to marry, but older monks who attain Holy Orders and the office of sub-deacon later in life are not thereby limited. Deacons and archdeacons may marry. Priests and bishops of any rank may not marry, but if they were married as deacons, they may so stay married. Married men in Holy Orders are expected to lead scrupulous lives.