The Free Company of the Golden Wheat

General Information

The Free Company of the Golden Wheat is a Household of mercenary fighters and service minded folk that work and fight to build a better dream, and have fun doing it.
The Free Company "Sells" their services to groups that are within or allied to Ansteorra. The Free Company is known for taking payments that further their passion for shenanigans, or contribute to the growth of their community or culture.

Device/Badge

• Badge: Per pale Or and Gules, a chief embattled sable
  

The Free Company is also easily identified by tunics of black with a burgundy, black and gold trim with wheat stalks. Each fighter's garb is tailored to their personality and persona, encouraging individuality but unity.

Founding

The Free Company was informally organized in 2020, and structured in 2021.

The founding members include Alondra Martel, Wulfgard Martel, Oswald Martel, D'mitrii Zinonovich, Iziaslava Veronikeia Myshkovicha, Ulfr, Penelope Martel, Runa Bjarki, Micauley Morison, and Arthur Martel.

Press Gang

To be Press Ganged is a manner of joining the Free Company. These members are considered by the Free Company to be a full member of the Free Company but the individual may or may not function as a member or claim to be a part of the group themselves.

During the founding of the Free Company there were two individuals who had been involuntarily Press Ganged into the group: Set Sette and Charles the Grey of Mooneschadowe.
This method of joining is little used but noteworthy when utilized.

Joining

At a 2022 AllThing, it was established that the method of joining the Free Company will be as follows:

• Fight with the Free Company in a Melee
• Ask to join the Free Company
• After you ask, any member of the Free Company has the chance to anonymously Veto
• If Veto'd, repeat these steps

It has since been clarified that "Fight with the Free Company" shall be broadened to include activities that befit the F.C. as a whole, such as contributing to camp, assisting with projects, and caring for members in need.
It has since been clarified that the Veto process shall be given a beginning and end date, to be made available to members to provide their Vetoes in a public or private forum, and that prospects who have received Vetoes will be given a basic explanation of "Why" and can Ask to Join at another time

Mercenaries

The Free Company was originally built around a Mercenary fighting unit, to be purchased to fight for any individual or group and was given these 2 stipulations:

• The Free Company always fights on behalf of the Kingdom of Ansteorra
  
• The Free Company provides the current royalty of Vindheim the first rights to make a bid
  

The Free Company currently exists as a Mercenary Household with a focus on their melee fighting units for Rapier and Rattan combat, and on the services the Household can provide to benefit groups or individuals.
The Free Company can be purchased by any group or individual for these purposes, by communicating with the Commandant and reaching an "Payment" agreement
Historically, The Free Company favors "Payment" in the form of Shenanigans, or elements that allow them to grow their collective culture
Examples:

• In 2023 The Free Company agreed to fight on behalf of The Principality of Vindheim in exchange for Quesadillas to be delivered during Ansteorran court at Gulf Wars
  
• In 2024 The Free Company agreed to fight for the Barony of Bryn Gwlad in exchange for banners depicting their heraldic elements made by Baron Orazio d'Assisi

Current Leadership

Commandant 2026: D'mitrii Zinonovich (Rattan)
Rapier Commandant 2026: Marcus von Furth (rapier)
Quartermaster 2026: Siegmund Walter Von Wurtzberg

Commandant is the Free Company chivalric/rattan field commander as well as the person responsible for negotiating services and "Payment"
This position unofficially includes other responsibilities such as; armoring new members of the Free Company, keeping members from making decisions that would make them unable to take the field, rallying members to assist in service agreements, teaching and training melee tactics, conducting Allthings

Rapier Commandant is the Free Company rapier/steel field commander as well as being involved in negotiating "payment" for the rapier fighting unit
This position unofficially includes other responsibilities such as; Preparing new rapiers to be able to fight on the field, assisting fighters interesting "crossing over", Providing quarters for cadet shenanigans

Quartermaster is a role that is responsible for the general organization, communication, and "Cat herding" of the Free Company when traveling or camping together.
This position unofficially includes other responsibilities such as; Taking and posting meeting minutes after Allthing gatherings, Basic record keeping of Free Company property, advising the Commandant and Rapier Commandant during their negotiations.

The Commandant and Rapier Commandant are chosen each year at War of the Rams via a vote during an Allthing. Prospects must be proposed by someone other than themselves, and Prospects must consent to being considered for the role. Anyone present at the meeting may vote, as well as any Free Company member who is not present, after a Commandant and Rapier Commandant are agreed upon they will serve in this role until the next War of the Rams
The Quartermaster is chosen after the previous Quartermaster has stepped down from the role. Prospects will be proposed in the same manner as the Commandants, and serve until they no longer wish to hold the role

Previous Leadership:

• Commandant 2025: D'mitrii Zinonovich (Rattan) & Marcus von Furth (rapier)
• Commandant 2024: Runa Bjarki (Rattan) & Miguel Neves de Lisboa
• Commandant 2023: Oswald Martel
  
• Commandant 2022: Ulfr gylðr
  
• Commandant 2021: Wulfgard Martel
  

Gatherings

AllThing is a gathering that serves as the "Business meeting" of the Free Company. Anyone may attend an Allthing, non-members only need to show up and their discussion and vote will be considered equal to Free Company members. It is a highly democratic structure in which the Commandant traditionally dictates discussion and various subjects of business are proposed by those present, discussed, and voted upon.
Examples of discussion items:

• To establish new Free Company Roles or practices
  
• To build or purchase Free Company property
  
• To agree to services that the Commandant is negotiating
  

Valhotdog is another form of Free Company gathering, focused around a day of fighting, food, and telling stories. Valhotdog's often serve as an open social gathering and may include other elements such as sewing or project days, organization and transport of items to War, or planning complicated or thorough shenanigans. These gatherings are typically capped off with food, including the traditional serving of chili and hotdogs. Like with the AllThing, anyone may attend a Valhotdog.

"In Valhalla, mighty warriors fight all day and have a grand feast afterwards. We, being somewhat financially challenged, can afford hot dogs." - Wulfgard Martel.

Code of Conduct

The Rules

Rules of the Free Company are a series of rules gathered over many years that serve to emphasize the group's sense of chaos and morality and expression personal choice.
Many rules have stories of origin and alternative meaning. They should not be viewed as literal rules, but more as a reflection of the personality and culture of the Free Company. The current Rules are as follows:

• 1. Safety Third
  
• 2. We Build here
  
• 3. Safety First
  
• 4. Nose goes
  
• 5. It's a Fighty Day
  
• 6. Consent is F$$king Mandatory
  
• 7. We Work as a Team
  
• 8. Everyone Gets a Chance to Speak
  
• 9. Scavengers not Thieves
  
• 10. His Name is Martel
  
• 11. Set Doesn't Make Rules
  
• 12. Shit Shall be Given Once, and in Full Measure, after which Shit Shall Pass
  
• 13. Never Turn Down Free Queso
  
• 14. No Quitter Talk
  
  • 14.a Don't Push an Injury
    
  • 14.2 Not Malort
    
• 15. REDACTED
  
• 16. Your Pee is Valid
  

Set's Guidelines of Shenanigans

• No Trespassing
• No harming people or property
• Scavenging, not theft
• If you can't get in trouble for it, it isn't actually a shenanigan

Additional Guidelines

• No Nazis, no Pedophiles.
• D'mitrii says Take Your Meds
• Death Huddle is Bad
• Shiny doesn't work after dark.
• Duke Jason's mantra that "All people are people."
• The wisdom of Jean-Paul de Sens: "Courtly Graces means that your nipples are covered."

Events/Chronology

2021

Vindheim Coronet Tourney: This was the 'official' launch of the Free Company.
They set up a pavilion, with a safe propane heater. Because it was so cold, their tent was swarmed by small people.

2022

Winter War Maneuvers 2022: Traveled to Vatavia to accompany [[1st Vindheim Coronet}Prince Romanius.]]
Gulf Wars 2022: Hired by the Barony of Northkeep to fight for Ansteorra, with their pay being fighter biscuits and massages. This was the year we met the man who knows Jack Mongo
Valor Tourney 2022: Traveled to Vatavia to accompany Prince Romanius.
Coronet Tourney II: We learn Micauley can't count.
Feast of Eagles 2022: Fought a bunch. Represented the entirety of Ansteorra's vanguard, with the exception of John of Severn.
Pennsic 2022: The Free Company was the entirety of the shield wall for Ansteorra at every single battle, including the Rose Tourneys for heavy and rapier. Per the treaty, as heralded by Viscount Geoffrey Scott, they were the equivalent of 20
Diamond Wars 2022: Where neither side won, but the mosquitos did. We didn't realize they were an opposing army, but they were strong...
War of the Rams IX: Where Set Sette and Elise Green caught the fort on fire, and everyone was grateful.
Coronet Tourney III: Where Micauley won a thing.

2023

wInterkingdom & Sable Soldier: Oz earned a LLE Merit badge. Runa did not capture a Prince.
Winter War Maneuvers 2023: Traveled to Vatavia to accompany Prince Micauley.
Gulf Wars 2023: Hired by Prince Micauley to fight for Vindheim, with their pay being quesadillas delivered during Ansteorran great court.
Wiesenfeuer Baronial: Runa won a torchlight tournament by following the shenanigan rules.

2024

Norman Medieval Faire Free Company showed up to support Vindheim's biggest demo. Turns out Siggi has parents.
Gulf Wars 2024 The Barony of Bryn Gwlad purchases the armoured fighting might of the Company for Gulf Wars, led by commander Runa, paying in beautiful silk banners. Elise lost One Arm
War of the Rams X Fifi died, and we drank.

2025

Winter War Maneuvers 2025 From the window, to the Shield Wall.
Gulf Wars 2025 The Barony of Bryn Gwlad purchases the fighting might of the Company for Gulf Wars, led by Commander Dimitri, paying in custom block printing stamps. The Living Room got fans!
Coronet Tourney XIII Micauley won another thing.
Kraftenthing the First is held in July: Many are the masses that appear and there is a frenzy of sewing and crafting all while watching Round Table. The Free Company accepts it's first non-human member, Erza Bjarki.
War of Legends 2025 Free company learned how to do entourage and almost killed a baron about it, The Dog helped fulfill a contract, and a pavilion was brought to the river on royal decree

Allies

• Province of Mooneschadowe
• The Liondragon Guard
• Lord Jack Mongo of Ealdormere
• "That Guy Who Knows Jack Mongo"/ Master Ga Jin of Ealdormere
• Barony of Vatavia of Calontir
• Mr. Aggi Memnon / Duke Agamemnon Platylithodae
• Ironwood Company
• Barony of Bryn Gwlad
• The Picket House the fried chicken buffet
• Briar