The Palatine Guard
The Palatine Guard are the oldest unit in continual operation within Palingvyre, founded in 652 MH by King Edward I, ‘Blackfingers’. At the time, the kingdom was Palus, still relatively small, but in need of a royal bodyguard. It was part of Edward’s reforms to attempt to stabilise the monarchy, as well as keeping important factions onside by granting them privileged positions close to the King.
The unit took their colour from the nickname of their King, ‘Blackfingers’, and the royal gold and were a heavy infantry regiment, trading mobility for defensive prowess, escorting the monarch on short travels, but primarily a household guard. Ironically, the Palatine Guard would ensure their survival after Edward’s death by their betrayal of ‘the False King’, a pretender to the House of Cabry, and installing King Hastings the true heir to the throne.
Over the centuries and as the country grew in size, the role of the Palatine Guard changed. While they had initially been bodyguards, the travel that began to require was ill-suited to the heavily armoured Palatines. As such, over a decade or so, escort duty would become associated with the newly formed the Crown Guard, and the Palatine Guard would be assigned to the monarchs primary residence at Scottingly. The membership of the Guard also began to shift. Scottingly was deep in the Palish heartlands and at virtually no risk of attack, as such, roles within the Palatine Guard started to be given to veteran military personnel who weren’t suitable for active service, but perfectly capable for a quiet guard job.
Organisation
The modern Palatine Guard consists of one hundred members, (cut down from its original size of one-hundred and fifty). Originally, they were commanded by the monarch, but as their role changed and the monarch was frequently absent, the position of Palatine Count was created. Highly prestigious, the County title is awarded to deserving military personnel but never for a period over ten years and is thusly known as a Decenary.
There are strong ties to the Crown Guard, and recruits its veterans for its own ranks, as well as notable soldiers from across the army.
Equipment
Unusually, the Palatine Guard are fairly sparse on equipment, what they do have however, is exceptional quality. While originally they wore chain-mail with a black and gold surcoat atop it, this was changed to become plate armour with gold trim, affording even greater protection. They carry a pike and are expected to fight in close formation, or a shortsword for close quarters fighting.
As the Guard are not expected to travel, they have no requirement to carry any travel equipment or rations, and anything else on the guards person is a personal affect.