Ranks and Specialization
As we worship the Gods of ancient Germany, Denmark, Norway, Sweden, and Russia in Europe as well as Iceland and Greenland a warrior subset is considered mandatory as is a martial mindset among those taking a comitatus-type oath when joining our tribe. However, honest recognition of the accomplishments of these ancient people could not fail to include the many contributions they made to the Arts and Sciences as well as their supreme determination to be the best at whatever they set their hands to make.
Therefore, Eid Eviger has two sets of equally balanced social arrungs. Each is managed and overseen by a ranking Theodsman who is also a member of the church council (the Wita). Please note that all ranks are dynamic and you can be demoted for failed actions that reduce the “worth” of the tribe and then eventually be promoted above your former level as you redeem those actions and increase your value to the Gods and the Tribe.
NOTE: This does NOT mean that a spendthrift who throws money at the tribe will automatically gain high rank, a person is expected to meet their personal obligations first and foremost before “gifting away.”
At the top of the social structure is the leader - Stammesherr/hlaford or “Tribal Lord”. (Female is Stammesherren/Hlaefdige or “Lady of the Tribe”). They also head the Witta (Tribal/Church Council) and also conducts all tribe-wide services, fainings (celebrations), blots, and rites of passage.
Below the Stammesherr/en are the positions of Dryten and Thegn, each responsible for a large section of the Tribe’s functions and membership. These two people are also members of the Wita and can make decisions on behalf of the tribe independently.
There may come a day when others, not on the Wita, hold ranks equal to these along with the rights and responsibilities associated with such rank.
Ranks From High to Low
Stammesherr
Warband
Civilian
Dryten
Thegn
Spitzenreiter
Meister
Fahnrich
Geselle
Jager
Lehrling
Kleinpachter
Fahnenjunker
Gulden
Knappe
Siete
Freie
Thrall
The above rank levels constitute the “nobility” of the tribe.
The Freemen or Churls:
These folk represent the might and main of the tribe, people of positive gefrain who have endured a period of “worthlessness” or “thralldom” and have proven their personal worth by deeds and actions to the benefit of the tribe as a whole. All of the arrungs between the Thrall and Dryten / Thegn constitute these freed men and women.
Below all others are the Thrall, those petitioners seeking entrance into the tribe. As with many pre-christian religions and reconstructionist faiths of today, we require each petitioner to undergo a period of learning and self-reflection before being given full membership in the tribe.
There are many advantages to this practice both for the petitioner as well as for the tribe itself.
1st: Each Thrall is considered an apprentice and is paired with an “owner” or mentor within the tribe, this will be an experienced Theodsman or Theodswoman who can assist the thrall in becoming a proper member of the church community by example and action.
2nd: As the petitioner has no actual status within the tribe, anything they say or do that otherwise would be a social blunder or inappropriate comment can be readily ignored and the thrall can be educated in proper tribal etiquette.
3rd: The tribe has a period of time to assist and teach our values and traditions to the new member, ensuring the proper cultural information is retained by the thrall.
And finally, the thrall has as long as needed to decide if Theodism is a path they wish to pursue before making any sort of commitment to the tribe and also has every opportunity to distance him/herself should that decision be the right one for each thrall individually.