The Knights of Haelyn are an order of Knights going back to the time before the War of the Shadow. The Knights served Haelyn and Roele as bodyguards before Haelyn's ascension.
The Knights today have several holy vows they use to regulate their order. These are well-known to the nobility, as most nobles have a cousin or uncle or brother who joined the Knights at one point or another.
Vow of Piety: A Knight of Haelyn vows to serve Haelyn first among all the Gods. He vows to pray ceaselessly, and to never loose faith in Haelyn. He vows to seek Justice and Fairness in all his dealings.
Vow of Poverty: A Knight gives over all of the property he personally owns to the order upon joining. It is sometimes returned to him immediately to use on the Order's behalf, but not always. A Knight may own nothing of his own. Everything he wears belongs to the Order. From the horse he rides, to the manor he lives in, to the sword he wields, all belong to the Knighthood.
Vow of Obedience: A Knight vows to obey those above him in the order in all things that don't violate any other vow. When sons of Great Lords obey sons of the least nobility who are higher ranked in the Knighthood, the Vow is working properly.
Vow of Chastity: A Knight vows to serve Haelyn above all other things. Since the sacred vows of Marriage accord a very high place to one's spouse, it is considered that these vows are incompatible, and so a Knight may not marry. And intimate relations outside of marriage are also forbidden, lest one acquire a de facto, unspoken marriage vow.
Vow of Courage: A Knight vows to never retreat on the battlefield without orders to do so. Dying in battle for Haelyn's cause assures the Knight of a place at Haelyn's side.
Release of Vows: As worshipers of Haelyn, the Knights understand the importance of the Nobility in ruling. Should a Knight be required to assume his familial obligations to Rule and have heirs, he may be released from his vows. This is commonly used when first sons join the Knighthood. Knights who are released from their Vows are considered friendly Knights, but not actual Knights of Haelyn. Knights who wish to get married, but are not facing imminent rulership duties are sometimes granted a Release as well, although this is less common.
