During halftime of the Carolina Rollergirls’ April 14th bout, members of the Triangle chapter of the Knightly Order of the Fiat Lux donned their finest battle armor and filled the air in Dorton Arena with the clash of swords. The Order does more than just teach men to spar—as a fraternity dedicated to fostering the values of knighthood in its members, the KOFL serves our community and gives special attention to supporting children’s organizations.
What They Do
After being sponsored by two existing members, new members of the KOFL enter as squires. Squires are mentored in combat and the ways of the KOFL by a knight, and raise at least $300 for charity before being knighted. Unlike many modern knighthoods, the KOFL trains its members in sword fighting, partially as a physical representation of the values that they ask their members to uphold (and it looks pretty neat, too). At the start of the year, knights, as a chapter, gather to decide on an amount they’d like to raise on behalf of each charity that they support. Known as “dragons,” these amounts are promptly subjected to ceremonial slaughtering; as the year goes on, the dragons are slain through the knights’ fundraising efforts.
What They Stand For
The Knightly Order of the Fiat Lux defines their values in the Code of the Fiat Lux:
Thou shalt respect the weak and constitute thyself the defender of them.
Thou shalt love the land to which thou hast sworn fealty.
Thou shalt not recoil before thine enemy.
Thou shalt make war upon evil without cessation.
Thou shalt scrupulously perform thy noble duties be they not contrary to the laws of the land.
Thou shalt be generous and give freely to everyone.
Thou shalt never lie and shall always be faithful to thy word.
Thou shalt be everywhere and always the champion of the Right and the Good against Injustice and Evil.
How to Get Involved
Locals can support the Triangle Chapter of the KOFL by:
- Attending their fundraising events
- Joining (all-male organization)
- Donating to the causes they support
- Liking them on Facebook!
Chapters outside of the Raleigh area are listed on the Order’s website. To learn more about the Knightly Order of the Fiat Lux, visit knightlyorderofthefiatlux.org or facebook.com/KOFLTriangle. To contact the Triangle chapter, e-mail Sir Ed Pekarek at epekarek@nc.rr.com.
Contributed by Caddy Compton
