Gentlemen Cavaliers: Difference between revisions
(Created page with "The '''Gallery Cavalry''' (Shinasthana: 郎中從騎, ''rang-trjung-dzjung-grjar'') is a {{wp|cavalry}} unit of Gentlemen-at-Arms, nominally following the Monarchy o...") |
|||
| Line 8: | Line 8: | ||
==Operation== | ==Operation== | ||
Whenever the emperor makes a formal departure from the Palace Hall (殿, ''denh''), which today only occurs a few times a year, the gentlemen-at-arms line the Gate of Rectitude. The emperor mounts the carriage within the Palace Hall, followed by the Privy Chariotry, which consists of ministers' younger brothers and sons. The Gallery Cavalry is stationed on the ramps of the gates and holds their arms high in the air, asking for general silence as the royal carriage descends, so that the horses would not be alarmed on the incline. Once the royal carriage has reached ground level, it stops before the Gate of State, where the Chancellor, Vice Chancellor, and President of Tribunes greet the sovereign as representatives of the Civil Service, while the gentlemen-at-arms and other officials travelling with the emperor are regarded as his staff. The Gallery Cavalry then dismount and each declare their names to the Tribune of Invigilation appointed for the journey, so that they may be held responsible if the emperor were harmed or went missing; the same happens with the Privy Chariotry, but without dismounting. Generally speaking, there would also be a Minister without Portfolio appointed, and likewise he binds himself to the safe return of the emperor to the Chancellor. Once the Civil Service is satisfied the royal household has made sufficient arrangements to defend the emperor, they bid him farewell and release his procession. As the procession leaves the palace, the Gallery Cavalry remains answerable to the Tribune of Invigilation in the defence of the sovereign. | Whenever the emperor makes a formal departure from the Palace Hall (殿, ''denh''), which today only occurs a few times a year, the gentlemen-at-arms line the Gate of Rectitude. The emperor mounts the carriage within the Palace Hall, followed by the Privy Chariotry, which consists of ministers' younger brothers and sons. The Gallery Cavalry is stationed on the ramps of the gates and holds their arms high in the air, asking for general silence as the royal carriage descends, so that the horses would not be alarmed on the incline. Once the royal carriage has reached ground level, it stops before the Gate of State, where the Chancellor, Vice Chancellor, and President of Tribunes greet the sovereign as representatives of the Civil Service, while the gentlemen-at-arms and other officials travelling with the emperor are regarded as his staff. The Gallery Cavalry then dismount and each declare their names to the Tribune of Invigilation appointed for the journey, so that they may be held responsible if the emperor were harmed or went missing; the same happens with the Privy Chariotry, but without dismounting. Generally speaking, there would also be a Minister without Portfolio appointed, and likewise he binds himself to the safe return of the emperor to the Chancellor. Once the Civil Service is satisfied the royal household has made sufficient arrangements to defend the emperor, they bid him farewell and release his procession. As the procession leaves the palace, the Gallery Cavalry remains answerable to the Tribune of Invigilation in the defence of the sovereign. | ||
==Symbolisms== | |||
Like the rest of the gentlemen-at-arms, the Gallery Cavalry has been analyzed as a symbol of aristocratic unity around the emperor, through the willing and unpaid service rendered to him in return for the emperor's patronage more prominent members of their families. In the broader context of {{wp|social reproduction}}, which the Gentlemen-at-Arms are thought to exemplify, the Gallery Cavalry represent a sub-component that is not very differentiated from the more general group, since the cavalrymen are not granted much better access to the emperor at any point.<ref>Canonically, gentlemen-at-arms can court the emepror's favours through talents and gain his patronage to secure a good appointment. If risen to a high rank, he could later enroll his child with the Gentlemen-at-Arms again, thus starting the cycle over. This is the primary reason why the Gentlemen-at-Arms are regarded as a tool of social reproduction in sociological terms.</ref> In the pre-modern period, the emperor's free time is likely taken up with other, more experienced courtiers, while after 1953, service with the Gentlemen-at-Arms is no longer a factor to advancement in the Civil Service. | |||
==Notes== | |||
<references /> | |||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
Revision as of 07:56, 21 January 2020
The Gallery Cavalry (Shinasthana: 郎中從騎, rang-trjung-dzjung-grjar) is a cavalry unit of Gentlemen-at-Arms, nominally following the Themiclesian emperor on horseback whenever he leaves his seat. The unit is led by the Captain of the Gallery Cavalry (郎中從騎司馬, rang-trjung-dzjung-grjar-slje-mra′), who ex officio enjoys a rank of 2,000 bushels. It is often together mentioned with the Privy Chariotry as "Privy Chariotry and Gallery Cavalry" (副車從騎), meaning the emperor's close guards.
Membership
As the Gallery Cavalry is a unit of the Gentlemen-at-Arms, admission to the gentleman-at-arms is a pre-requisite to membership in the Gallery Cavalry. In brief, the eldest son of high-ranking civil servants (2,000 bushels) and those second- to fourth-place in the triennial rural elections are admitted as a matter of course. Additionally, the other sons of high-ranking civil servants can pay a considerable fee to be admitted as well. Each gentleman-at-arms is required to possess two horses, their court attire, and numerous other things. The first two classes of individuals have their expenses paid for by the state, while the third class must fund themselves (though this, given their ability to pay for admission in the first place, is never an issue). While each gentleman possesses horses, they do not necessarily need to know how to ride them; however, to join the Gallery Cavalry, equestrian skills are required. On the eighth month of the Themiclesian calendar, the Gallery Marshal reviews the gentlemen-at-arms and accepts petitions to join the Gallery Cavalry, in the Palace Hall. The applicant need not demonstrate any skill at this point, since it is an offence against the throne to lie in the Palace Hall.
The current (Feb. 2019) strength of the Gallery Cavalry is 65.
Operation
Whenever the emperor makes a formal departure from the Palace Hall (殿, denh), which today only occurs a few times a year, the gentlemen-at-arms line the Gate of Rectitude. The emperor mounts the carriage within the Palace Hall, followed by the Privy Chariotry, which consists of ministers' younger brothers and sons. The Gallery Cavalry is stationed on the ramps of the gates and holds their arms high in the air, asking for general silence as the royal carriage descends, so that the horses would not be alarmed on the incline. Once the royal carriage has reached ground level, it stops before the Gate of State, where the Chancellor, Vice Chancellor, and President of Tribunes greet the sovereign as representatives of the Civil Service, while the gentlemen-at-arms and other officials travelling with the emperor are regarded as his staff. The Gallery Cavalry then dismount and each declare their names to the Tribune of Invigilation appointed for the journey, so that they may be held responsible if the emperor were harmed or went missing; the same happens with the Privy Chariotry, but without dismounting. Generally speaking, there would also be a Minister without Portfolio appointed, and likewise he binds himself to the safe return of the emperor to the Chancellor. Once the Civil Service is satisfied the royal household has made sufficient arrangements to defend the emperor, they bid him farewell and release his procession. As the procession leaves the palace, the Gallery Cavalry remains answerable to the Tribune of Invigilation in the defence of the sovereign.
Symbolisms
Like the rest of the gentlemen-at-arms, the Gallery Cavalry has been analyzed as a symbol of aristocratic unity around the emperor, through the willing and unpaid service rendered to him in return for the emperor's patronage more prominent members of their families. In the broader context of social reproduction, which the Gentlemen-at-Arms are thought to exemplify, the Gallery Cavalry represent a sub-component that is not very differentiated from the more general group, since the cavalrymen are not granted much better access to the emperor at any point.[1] In the pre-modern period, the emperor's free time is likely taken up with other, more experienced courtiers, while after 1953, service with the Gentlemen-at-Arms is no longer a factor to advancement in the Civil Service.
Notes
- ↑ Canonically, gentlemen-at-arms can court the emepror's favours through talents and gain his patronage to secure a good appointment. If risen to a high rank, he could later enroll his child with the Gentlemen-at-Arms again, thus starting the cycle over. This is the primary reason why the Gentlemen-at-Arms are regarded as a tool of social reproduction in sociological terms.