Casque and Gauntlet

Casque and Gauntlet was founded in March 1886 by students at Dartmouth College. Albert J. Thomas had the idea of creating a senior society like those at Yale University and recruited Fordyce P. Cleaves and Wilder D. Quint. From those three, other potential members were recruited. They selected the organization's name to represent "truth, fidelity, and loyalty to each other". The society dubbed their new residence "the Castle on the Corner". In 1895, an Alumni Association was incorporated in Boston. However, C&G struggled to rebuild its membership after the war and was financially depleted. The 1979 delegation also voted to admit women after the encouragement of the university's board of trustees. Its first female King Arthur was elected in 1986. == Symbols and traditions ==

The badge of Casque and Gauntlet is "the Bonnie Gold Pin." It was designed by founding member Wentworth. Members of Casque and Gauntlet are called knights and ladies. Its emblem is a casque on top of a gauntlet. == House ==

C&G moved into a house at 1 South Main Street in the fall of 1894. This was done because its use as an undergraduate residence was no longer financially sustainable. == Membership ==

Members of C&G nominate and select tappees as a group. Tapping takes place at a time the College coordinates with the other senior societies, usually around Winter Carnival. In the 1950s, the society discontinued its practice of blackballing, instead relying on a system of prospects receiving a 75 percent vote to be tapped. It also experimented with allowing each member to select their own replacement. Following coeducation at Dartmouth in 1972, the class of 1979 delegation voted unanimously to nominate women for membership. Members are selected based on achievement, character, and service to Dartmouth. C&G is co-ed. The first six women members of C&G joined the class of 1980 delegation. While C&G's membership is not secret, some elements of the society are kept secret, as one might expect from a sorority or fraternity. Society meetings, held — like all Dartmouth senior societies — on Monday nights, are closed; the initiation ceremony and other details are also kept secret. == Notable members ==