Housecarls are a unique type of warrior that simultaneously ranks below a squire and above a common citizen. This is because they are derived from a noble House's staff, trained as a warrior or bodyguard, and held to a code of conduct usually written and judged solely by the head of that House. They are paid retainers, and in times of war they can be extremely valuable, if somewhat less esteemed outside their Houses.
Owing to the nature of this rank, many lowborn warriors see this as a path to eventual knighthood, since housecarls can be taken to squire by a knight, usually under a letter of recommendation from their previous employer and a small severance. Many knights retain some amount of loyalty to the Houses that they rose from, though not all.
Owing to the nature of this rank, many lowborn warriors see this as a path to eventual knighthood, since housecarls can be taken to squire by a knight, usually under a letter of recommendation from their previous employer and a small severance. Many knights retain some amount of loyalty to the Houses that they rose from, though not all.