Welcome to the home page of the Brotherhood of the Black Sword. Established this day, July 20th, 2005. We're still under construction, so please check back for updates. For the latest Brotherhood news and happenings, please see our News page. Our Forums are open, so please join us in conversation. But before you delve in for the first time, please take a moment to read our Charter.

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The Brotherhood of the Black Sword is a warband that fights for the Shire of Darach in support of the Kingdom of Caid.

The Brotherhood is a non-gender biased warband that embraces and fosters the ideals of honor, chivalry, camaraderie, respect and responsibility. Members of the Brotherhood hold themselves to a higher standard in regards to these ideals. They have vowed to show by their example that these ideals are truly a part of what makes a warrior great. They pledge to stand with their brothers and sisters against all odds, to fight for them as they in turn fight for each other, to never yield while one of them fights on, to be honorable on and off the field, and to carry themselves in a manner that brings credit to the Brotherhood, proving by their actions the worth of all.

In the free mercenary companies of the Middle Ages, a warrior was not entitled to a full share of the spoils until they had proven themselves through a series of campaigns. Once they had proven themselves worthy, they would be full members of the company and could claim a full share. This means that historically many people fought with these companies who were not yet members. The Brotherhood is no different. We welcome all fighters of honor to stand with us on the field. There are many folks who are not part of a regular warband and simply want to fight next to a steady force at war. These people are welcome to stand with us. Also those who, because of their persona or personal feelings, cannot swear loyalty to a group of our nature, or cannot accept the additional responsibilities that such a membership entails, they too are welcome at practices and at war.

We respect and welcome all who wish to come play this glorious game with us.

We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he today that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother…

Henry V, Act IV, Scene 3
William Shakespeare

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Members of the Brotherhood have been recognized by their peers as representing the ideals that the Brotherhood seeks to foster. To be a member of the Brotherhood of the Black Sword is to state boldly that you are on a personal journey, not just in the SCA, but in your life, to be the person those ideals make you. Someone that can be depended on, who does what needs to be done, not for accolades or rewards but because it is right.

Put simply, the Brotherhood is an ideal. We in the SCA recreate the parts of the Middle Ages that we want to be remembered. Indeed we recreate the Middle Ages as they should have been. The Brotherhood is no exception. We have formed this group to embrace and encourage the concepts that we feel are most important to an SCA fighter. These concepts include honor, chivalry, camaraderie, loyalty and responsibility. We believe the best way to encourage these concepts is to lead by example. As such, members have sworn a personal oath to step forward and be an example of these ideals.

To be a Brother of the Black Sword one must:

· Be an SCA member and authorized fighter in any of the society's martial forms.
· Be a regular participant at fighter practices for at least four months.
· Be fighter at war representing the Shire of Darach.
· Show through their actions that they represent the ideals of the Brotherhood.
· Be sponsored by an existing Brother or Sister.

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The Companions of the Black Sword are the non-fighters who embody the same principles and who have stepped forward to support the Brotherhood and foster its ideals in other arenas of SCA activities. Too often fighters become myopic when it comes to the battlefield, not seeing that the SCA holds many venues for an individual to demonstrate the same principles of honor, chivalry, camaraderie, loyalty and responsibility that we seek. A Companion has set on the same journey to apply those ideals to their life and hold themselves to the same higher standard. They support the Brotherhood and participate in SCA activities off the field.

To be a Companion of the Black Sword one must:

· Be an SCA Member.
· Be active in helping the Brotherhood to meet its commitments.
· Through their actions, show that they represent the ideals of the Brotherhood.
· Be sponsored by an existing member of the Brotherhood.
· Have participated in efforts at War on behalf of the Brotherhood.

So what is the benefit of being a Brother or Sister or Companion of the Black Sword? When you can answer that, chances are, you’ll be one.

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