Orde der Moraalridders

The Orde Der Moraalridders is a 'secret' association, in the sense that they do not engage in active functioning except when this is required, such as to counteract the loss of song knowledge and customs, or the glorification of historical and/or student folkore.

They exist mainly as an apocryphal or unofficial movement, bridging the gap to more established associations that have these tasks as a fixed and official part of their functioning.

Orde der Moraalridders
Shield of the Orde der Moraalridders.
Info:
Name:	Orde der Moraalridders
Type:	Secret association
Foundation:	May 2007.
Motto:	“Marginaal maar met Stijl”
Zirkel:

History

Initially, the Order came about as a joke at a gala ball. Several (pro) seniors and ex-commilitones from Aalst, under the impulse of a Brussels Pro-Senior (Dieter Leemans), started brainstorming about an inter-student movement, which would unite both the liberal and the catholic student spirit, or form a bridge that could bring both worlds in contact with each other. The concept was in essence still an April Fool's joke, partly due to the influence of a lot of drinks (including, so the story goes, a lot of Witte Van Hoegaarden), and intended to die a merry death after some time.

The aftermath, however, was so significant that the founding members (who hid behind snappy titles and nicknames as described further) saw the idea in a different light when sober, and decided to develop it further. The idea of bonding was further expanded, and intended to be a driving force behind the scenes in both worlds for the intended tasks:

• To make the knowledge of songs one's own every 5 years, in the sense that both older songs and newer compositions are taught correctly;
• To contribute to the maintenance and handing down of these songs to the next generations;
• Preserving the traditions, customs and related folklore for the next generations in a passive but present manner;
• If the situation requires it, to foresee an active operation for 1 to 2 years in order to realise these tasks openly by supporting a studentical year with activities and operation in a (for the scope) traditional way;
• Encouraging attracted members to pass this on within their own operations and scope, whether or not with the established associations in this respect.

However, the Order does not wish to present itself as an overly serious association, which is evident from, among other things, the club song and various customs that are characteristic of members of the Order, but which are rooted in both ideologies.

The Order was created in May 2007, with Couleur, symbolism and attributes, which have their roots in both Catholic and liberal ways. This was however deliberately limited to Flanders, with the intention of eventually expanding it with a Walloon counterpart. The four founding members, hidden behind the somewhat joking titles of OpperPraeses (OP) Koifken, OnderOpperPraeses (OOP) Viking, Vice-OnderOpperPraeses (VOOP) Peter De Kuise and OnderViceOnderOpperPraeses (OVOOP) Queer, were conceived with a timeless role, to convene the Order individually or otherwise, or to (temporarily) bring the secret into the light. After all, the four founding members are each representatives for a province or a region, as one or both of the ideologies.

That they nevertheless do not have the intention to become or be an open association is clear from the self-mockery that the Order has for itself, such as with the slogan "Marginal but with Style", the club and Schachten song, or from the way the association operates when it actively presents itself.

Functioning

The Orde der Moraalridders is omnipresent, sometimes openly visible, mostly without Couleur (except for the four founders), and sometimes propagating its ideals without being an openly known member. In such cases, the members who are known are invited to actually become members and to go through the whole discourse, from Schachtto Commilito, according to their own ideologies.

In addition, the Order also provides for the possibility of members outside their ideology joining the other ideology, usually through the regional functioning, or upon the recommendation of a former member within this ideology. Their task is not only to successfully complete the entire course, but also to assist others during their year of membership in one or another circle.

The Order strives to reach out to all ideologies, and when they set up an active year, there is no restriction to this; neither on an ideological basis, nor on a political basis, nor on a general studentical one. In that respect, the Order has never wanted to close the ranks to politically-tinged associations such as the NSV.

After all, the focus is on studenticality, folklore and the general perception of it.

Colours

The Order has a very broad perspective and therefore has 4 colours: Blue-Green-White-Grey.

• Blue is seen as a positive colour and some things have to be considered "blue-blue": it is the essence that counts, not the frameworks around it.
• Green refers to the fact that everyone, no matter what kind of student they are, always starts as a rookie (Schacht), and strives to hone their skills and become a full member (Commillito) of the association.
• White because it unites all colours (mix all colours together and you get white).
• Grey refers to the fact that nothing in studenticality should be considered to be black or white.

Later hypotheses state that the blue and green were originally darker, and referred to the main colours of the Catholic codices (Blue for East and West Flanders, Green for the rest of Flanders). This has always been contradicted, especially by the OOP, which is still closely following the events on both sides of the studentical narrative, since the colour black (the Brussels and most of the Walloon codices) was not included in the colours, and that this would otherwise be the case.

In the same respect, the coat of arms, like the colours of the Order, is a reflection of the general studentical philosophy.

At the top left is the traditional Flemish Lion, as a symbol of the (mainly) Flemish functioning of the Order (the Walloon branch would get a Walloon Cockerel); below that, on a red field (colour of passion), are various symbols:

• A corkscrew, vertical = symbol of the love of life and the pleasures of drinking, whether or not spirituous or thirst-quenching;
• A stick horse, slanting = symbol of the playfulness of each student, as well as the fact that the Order sees itself as the carriers of the studentical spirit;
• A sword, slanted, crossed with the stick horse = heraldic symbol that one has to stand for folklore sometimes, as if going to war, as the encouragement to honour the older arts of fencing;
• 2 game balls, or 'boules' = symbol that student spirit knows no age and continues to exist even in our old age, and that this may always be expressed, either actively or nostalgically.

The slogan of the Order, "Marginal But With Style" was chosen because student spirit is sometimes labelled as "marginal" because of its sometimes excessive expression. Yet it is always based on the same stylish and rich tradition, in whatever form it may be expressed.

On the right, a single surface with the colours slanted, bearing in gold the Zirkel of the association.

Couleur

The four founders, referred to as "Ouw' Flosjen", each wear a Praeses sash in the four colours, with the full coat of arms and the initials of their rank (OP, OOP, VOOP, OVOOP) embroidered in black. Since they are considered 'timeless', no years are worn.

When a year coincides with an active function, the then presiding Morale Knight will receive a praeses sash, without a year number or mention, in the style of a pass-on band, in recognition, and if not 1 of the Ouw' Flosjen. A year is only added at the end of the active period, which is not tied to an academic year, and therefore only represents active calendar years.

No board bands are worn, except for a Member's band with 1, 2 or 3 of the club colours (see below).

Each member is entitled to continue wearing his traditional headdress; in recognition of membership acquired per active year, they will be awarded a pin of the Order.

It is permitted to immerse oneself in various couleur customs, such as the Zipfel, or even to learn how to carry and use the sword or Schläger, or the baton, as part of the uniform, but in line with the prevailing rules and regulations concerning its carrying.

The OOP, who has represented several such years between 2007 and 2015, has a personal command sword, as a memento of his merit.

When a year of active service is completed, the members recruited are rewarded with a Member's band. The combination indicates how many previous active years there have been. At first, these bands were always in only one of the four colours. Afterwards followed the two-colour combinations, and - at the current state of 2021 - the first 3 three-colour combinations. Once all combinations would have been performed, the process would start all over again, with the addition of a Roman number embroidered in gold on the band to keep the repetition chronological.

In order to underline the secret character of the Order, only the "Ouw' Flosjen" and, in time, the pro-seniors of the active years, will come to the fore by wearing the praeses sash.

The Member's band remains to be worn freely, even when no longer in active service, according to the right of the owner.

In any case, the coat of arms as a pin is the only continuous confirmation of membership and representation.

Another, less conspicuous use, is the 'noble' use of the little finger when consuming food or drink.

Members are not forbidden to represent the Order openly, but are encouraged to do so according to the traditions and customs of their respective ideologies.

Song

Official club song

The 'Lied der Moraalridders' is meant to ipress and induce fits of laughter at the same time. Therefore, the Knights must repeat this song until they themselves no longer laugh at their own jokes. Before the start: 4 glasses per person provided!

Melody: Chevaliers de la table ronde (Version of Katastroof)
Text: De Ouw’ Flosjen.

1. De Ridders van de Goei Moraal zijn Hier
   Ziet eens hier, wij dorsten naar het bier
   Zuipen mag en dan liefst wel met stijl
   Pink omhoog, en literkens kwijl
   
   Chorus:
   Ridders ja, dat zijn wij )Bis
   De Ridders, van de goeie moraal
   Ridders ja, dat zijn wij )Bis
   De Ridders, van de goeie moraal
   
   
2. De Codex, dat is onzen bijbel hier
   Geeft ons zang en met veel plezier
   ons meiskes, ’s lands grootste sletten (Drinken ad fundum: de meisjes)
   ’n Decolleté, vol dikke t...(Drinken ad fundum: de jongens)
   
   
3. Filosofie, da’s bij ons vetzakkerij
   Of met friet, of goei zwijnerij (Alle ridders 2 slokken)
   Nooit geen slaap, alles moet hier vliegen
   Feesten top, nooit in slaap te wiegen
   
   
4. Cantussen moet je ons echt niet leren
   Meesters zijn wij, wat z’ook beweren
   Goesting troef, met een keer geen genoeg
   Zoeken gauw naar d’ eerste bruine kroeg
   
   
5. Gisteren weer eens straalbezopen
   Maar nog lang niet genoeg gezopen
   Dus vandaag, laat de tapkraan open
   Om alles int keelke te doen lopen
   
   MARGINAAL! MAAR MET STIJL! )Bis
   WIJ ZIJN RIDDERS VAN DE GOEI MORAAL!
   
   Lied af, Pint uit, Kots in!
   

Schachtenlied

Originally, it was intended that each active year should have its own verse, and the song would become longer and longer. Instead, the satirical tone of the club song was continued here.

Melody: Bakske vol met stro by Urbanus
Text: OOP

Nog niet zo lang geleden voor de allereerste keer,
Ge had het moeten zien, ’t was verschrikkelijk goe weer!
Een stel beschonken ridders op een of ander galabal,
Col, cravatte, wat lintjes en een witte da was al,
Ze dronken daar te samen menig stuk in hunne kraag,
Want een dronken roes, die bekomen ze maar traag,
Schreven een soort statuten, maar mens da was ’n klucht
Neen, de inspiratie, zat toen niet in de lucht!

Moraalridders geboren, halleluja, met vier,

Moraalridders geboren in ’n vaatje vol met bier!

Het kindje werd geboren tussen een woud van lege glazen
Begon die daar te lachen toen ze de statuten es voorlazen
De ban die was gebroken, de rek die was er uit
gegierd en gelachen unaniem akkoord was hun besluit
De 25 regels zijn voor hen nu voldongen feit
Ze trokken hun slappe zwaarden en dronken op de strijd
Van de cravatte is allang niks meer te bespeuren
Wel een nieuw lintje met vier frisser soorten kleuren!

Moraalridders geboren, halleluja, met vier,

Moraalridders geboren in ’n vaatje vol met bier!

Na lange tijd van werken met gezwoeg en heel veel gezweet
Stond de nieuwe orde, paraat, klaar en ook gereed
De knechten zijn geronseld, hun doop die komt wel dra
Met een hoop mannen ook nog wat vrouwen erbij voilà!
Onzen OP kon niet volgen en beginnen zuipen
Den OOP kwam vanonder bergen papier kruipen
Maar de Hoge Raad trok hen beiden weer op de been
Want zoals wij Riddertjes, ja dat is er echt geeneen!

Moraalridders geboren, halleluja, met vier,

Moraalridders geboren in ’n vaatje vol met bier!

Het eerste jaar was gedaan, dus nu weer herbegonnen
Niet meer al te fris maar nog redelijk onbezonnen
De start is vandaag met de Libra Natalis
Een ode aan gerstenat, zeker gene kattepis
Maar het werd een zuiporgie, een ware bachanaal
Geen enkele die nog nuchter was met ogen als van staal
Den OP had begrepen toen hij zijn knapen daar zag kruipen
“wie mij hier volge wilt zal wreed hard moeten zuipen!”