I. Overview
The Eisen Wacht is German for �Iron Guard� and is pronounced ('I-z�n V�k-'t). This group will be comprised of the best fighters in the Earldom, as well as those people who do not wish to fight, but wish to be honor guards. The Eisen Wacht will be an invite only group only open to those deemed worthy of membership.
II. Organization
The Constable of IronWood shall serve as the head of the Eisen Wacht � this person must be a Knight or a Knight Banneret and selected by the Head of State, men-at-arms, squires and pages are ineligible for this position. As the head of the Eisen Wacht the Constable of IronWood will be in charge of all members, all activities, and all events the members are involved with, will be in charge of getting the honor guard or guards ready and prepared, and anything else that is needed to be done, and the Constable of IronWood will have final say in all matters in this group. The Constable of IronWood will answer only to the Head of State.
III. Membership
Membership in the Eisen Wacht is by invite only, not just anyone will be accepted. There are no structured advancements in the Eisen Wacht. A person must demonstrate the following characteristics (these are not all the requirements, just a few): The candidate must be at least 18 years of age. The candidate must be chivalrous both on and off the battlefield (we may consult the Ladies of Virtue for this), must reflect the virtues of knighthood, attend Church on a regular weekly basis, and the candidate must be a member in good standing within the Royal Order of Chivalry as a whole. Other requirements are not public knowledge so members can get a true feeling for the candidate because if the candidate knew all the requirements he will be more likely to only do those things in the rule book and focus on the �rule book� rather than demonstrate them in person time and time again, always wondering �what are they looking for?� Membership will be open to candidates who are squires, (squires actively in the pursuit of becoming knights and should attain knighthood within one year of acceptance into the group � if you are unable to attain knighthood within one year an appeal can be made to the Constable of IronWood who will determine if more time shall be granted or not), and higher, but no pages will be allowed. All members of the Eisenwacht will have equal voting rights and equal say in meetings.
IV. Leadership
As stated earlier, the group will be lead by the Constable of IronWood and must have the title of Knight (at a minimum) and is picked by the Head of State.
V. Duties
Members of the Eisen Wacht will act as honor guards for �foreign� nobles visiting the Earldom if they do not have one, and act as the honor guard to the Head of State of IronWood on �foreign� campaigns. All members will take shifts as honor guard so as not to hinder other members who are taking part in any activities. Members of the Eisen Wacht must take part in at least 6 events in IronWood and at least 1 �foreign� campaign per year. If you are not able to make these commitments you must inform the Constable of IronWood as to the reason why and request that something might be able to be worked out. If this is abused the person�s membership may be revoked.
VI. Meetings
Meetings of the Eisen Wacht will be lead by the Constable of IronWood and the meetings will generally follow the typical ROC meeting guidelines, with old business and new business and new candidates to consider and so on. Meetings will be held prior to the arrival of �foreign� dignitaries, before domestic tournaments and foreign campaigns and so on and so forth. The Constable of IronWood sets the agenda for the meetings and all members will have equal say in all matters. The order of speaking at meetings will be determined by title outside of the Eisen Wacht � for example Viscount will speak before a Baron, a Baron before Baronet, a Baronet before a lord, and so on. Obviously this makes it seem like there is favoritism but it really is not meant to be that way, it is only that way to have easy flow of communication and discussion. While squires speak last, they will still have equal say and what they have to say will carry as much weight as any other member of the group. Just because a person is a squire does not mean they do not have anything important to say, nor important to contribute to the group.
VII. Disciplinary Actions
The Constable of IronWood is not subject to disciplinary action by the members of the Eisen Wacht, but is subject to disciplinary actions of IronWood�s Council of Barons and the Head of State who shall also preside over the proceedings. However, members of the Eisen Wacht may petition the Head of State and/or IronWood�s Council of Barons with a grievance concerning the Constable of IronWood concerning a matter of gross misconduct. Other members of the Eisen Wacht (with the exception of the Constable of IronWood) will be brought before a Court of Chivalry for an offense that reflects poorly on the group itself. If the member is found guilty of the offense he will be asked to leave the Eisen Wacht and if necessary, will be stripped of his knighthood, or barred from becoming a knight. Proceedings for these �trials� will proceed as any Court of Chivalry but will be lead by the Constable of IronWood. If the judgment is guilty, the member will be asked to leave the group and, if necessary, stripped of their title, and or barred from becoming a knight.
VIII. Rules
These are but a few rules to be followed by members of the Eisen Wacht:
1) Obey all orders given by the Head of State (if he orders you to do anything).
2) Obey all orders given by the Constable of IronWood.
3) Do your job to the best of your abilities � we do not expect perfection, but you should not be derelict in your duties as we do strive for discipline and excellence. For it is IronWood�s motto.
4) Treat all members of the Eisen Wacht with the same respect.
5) Treat all members NOT in the Eisen Wacht with the same respect.
6) Keep all procedures and business disclosed to the members of the Eisen Wacht only.
7) In no way, shape, or form abuse your membership in the Eisen Wacht. Remember you are a servant to all.
8) When in doubt: ASK (you cannot be faulted for asking for clarification)
9) Show the utmost respect to the Head of State, visiting nobles, and the noble you are assigned to �guard� and for goodness sake the Prince.
10) Nobody outside the Eisen Wacht is to know whoever is being looked at as a candidate for the Eisen Wacht.
Other rules may follow later, but these are the basic ten rules to follow.
X. Badge of the Eisen Wacht
The official badge of the Eisen Wacht is a white cross on a red background.
X. Uniform
Upon induction the Squires and Man-at-Arms shall receive the red tunic with a white cross of Calvary emblazoned over the left breast. Knights shall be entitled to wear a red sur-coat with a white cross upon the center. All members should have a pot helm (brimmed style), must have a period sword, must make/purchase/acquire their own Eisen Wacht approved shield with cross emblazoned upon the center. All members shall have a torse of IronWood�s liveries which are red and white.XI. Induction Ceremony
THERE SHALL BE NO HAZING, NOR ANYTHING HARMFUL TO THE HEALTH OR WELL-BEING OF ANY CANDIDATE JOINING THE EISEN WACHT.
There will be some sort of induction right/ceremony, but as stated NOTHING harmful to the candidate in any way, shape or form. Breaking of this rule will constitute being kicked out of the Eisen Wacht. We are here to help one another, not harm them. The induction right/ceremony will not necessarily take place at a State Court. The Head of State does NOT need to preside over the induction of new members, but the Constable of IronWood will. A missive will be sent to the Head of State informing him of the ceremony and who is to be inducted into the membership of the Eisen Wacht. All potential members/candidates of the Eisen Wacht shall be voted upon by all current members of the Eisen Wacht with a simple majority voting in favor and it cannot be a blind vote. Every person will know how each current member voted. The vote shall be ratified by the Constable of IronWood. Once said candidate has been voted in a Letter of Invitation along with a copy of the Bylaws of the Eisen Wacht from the Constable of IronWood will be sent to the candidate so he can see what he will be joining and his duties and to the Head of State to keep him informed. Once said candidate has accepted the invitation to this most noble and auspicious company known as the Eisen Wacht there shall be an induction ceremony with at least 2 members of the Eisen Wacht present to witness the event. The candidate shall decide if the ceremony shall be public or private and the ceremony shall take place as soon as possible.
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