A little history of my mother’s side of the family. My maternal grandfather is William H Ritter.
Ritter
The name, which signifies “knight,” orginated during the middle ages, when the Crusaders orgainized over central Europe to redeem the Holy Land and a society having for its objet the denfense of the women, their honor, children, and the faith came into existence in central Europe, known as the Ritterschaft, this is knighthood. After flourishing for a few centuries they were declared corrupt because they placed the faith last in their oath and were disbanded. As surmanes began to come into general use, and many if not all who belonged to the society assumed the surname Ritter.
My ancestors gave up title, land, and wealth to serve a greater good. The poet in me will tell you it is that blood, the blood of nobility and crusaders, that makes me as protective of the women in my life as I am. The poet will also tell you it is what makes me so gullible and makes it so easy for women to take advantage of me.
I do not share my ancestors faith, I do share their convictions.
Atop the mountain, beneath the stars of heaven, looking into the face of creation I have again spoken these words.
“I swear on peril of my immortal soul to defend women, their honor, and children to the gravest extent of surrendering myself to final judgement.”
Interesting stuff.