[[28th March, 5 pm EST, 10 pm GMT]] 

[!] Nobles dancing with each other while waiting for the celebration to start.

“To the people of Arcas, you are all hereby invited to attend the Courlandic ball. The theme of the evening will be royalty. It will be a chance for peasants, commoners and even nobles to dress like a King or Queen for a night. Circlets and tiaras will be allowed just for this night, though not crowns unless you are a foreign King or Queen.

The best costume shall receive a sum of 500 minas!

Please read up on the proper court etiquette on our Kingdom before you arrive.”

Signed,

Her Royal Majesty, Queen Elissa of House Staunton, Queen Mother of Courland

OOC: How to get to Courland (open spoiler)

Issued and confirmed by His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince-Regent of the Kingdom of Courland, 8th of Harren’s Folly, 1760

TO OUR BELOVED SUBJECTS,

As we speak, the present state of my health is in persistent decline. The Royal Doctor of the Kingdom of Courland, Lord Kristofer von Santen, has recently diagnosed me with a grave disease called the Marian Plague. This infirmity is currently causing me constant fatigue and pain around all my body. My skin is getting decrepit and my lifetime shortens every Saint’s minute that passes. I am penning these words from my Royal Chambers, where I have trapped myself to make sure I don’t spread the disease from which I currently suffer to my fellow Courlanders. 

Despite my initial pretension of ascending the Royal Throne as King, I am unsure of how much time I have left until I perish and join my ancestors in the Seven Skies. 

It is clear that in this state I can no longer rule the Realm. Therefore, I announce that I do hereby abdicate the Crown of Courland in favor of my firstborn son and heir, His Royal Highness Prince Joseph of the House of Staunton. He shall ascend the Royal Throne as King Joseph II; henceforth Our Royal Majesty shall be titled as such:

HIS ROYAL MAJESTY, Joseph II of the House of Staunton, King of Courland, Prince of Aleksandria, Grand Duke of Riga, Duke of Eastbourne and Eruthos, Margrave of Ostmark, Count of Gotha, Burgrave of Wisteria, Baron of Fjordham and Geatea, Lord of White Peak, et cetera.

The coronation ceremony shall be held within one Saint’s day, inside of the Cathedral of St. Emma in New Aleksandria. It shall be presided over by His Holiness James II, High Pontiff of the Church of the Canon concelebrated with His Eminence Rodrigo, our past Ecclesiastical overseer, and the Bishop of Jorenus: His Grace, Bram Callistovich, a member of our Privy Council.

Domine Salvum Fac Regem. Ave Courland.

[TOMORROW, MARCH 24th at 1PM EST]

With Knowledge Comes Power,

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS, Tobias of the House of Staunton, Crown Prince-Regent of the Kingdom of Courland.

To the people of ‘Courland’, my family, and all others.

It has come to my attention that my mother, Elissa ‘Staunton’ is still supporting my brother and his rule as “King of Courland”. You, and all of your supporters have been brainwashed by my brother , the so-called King of Courland. He is a manipulative, horrible man who wants nothing more than power. It is horrible that many of my relatives, such as my mother (who I looked up to), still support this man. He is not a Staunton; none of us are. We will never be Stauntons, we will only live up to what we have done, and not be defined by an old title that Queen Charlotte dissolved after the heinous acts against Haense. 

I wonder why men fight over dead, old, titles, especially when they’ve been dissolved. I was never fond of my brother or his children, nor his wife. I tolerated them. It was until I was named Crown-Princess of Courland that my brother, Tobias, started to care; he is an incompetent, ill-advised, close-minded man who only wants power. I ask you; the people of ‘Courland’, do you want someone who can’t remember basic maths? My father was not a mentally-ill, insane, stupid man like Tobias has painted him out to be; rather, he was a tired, old, smart man who knew better than to fight over titles. Tobias knew I was his sister, he was aware of it. ‘Courland’ will ultimately crumble with Tobias as the king. He will never be anything more of a power-hungry man with a less-than-capable mindset. You are a killer amongst halflings. A Wolf in sheep's clothing. You are nothing more than an incompetent man who got lucky. Your descendants will die out quickly, and you wonder why? Because no one wants to marry a family with such a controversial history (and several attempts to re-establish the Crown of Courland). 

We will never be Stauntons. We will never be Royals. 

Signed,

Emmeline Neumarkt

9th of Horen’s Calling, 1760

It is with great sadness that I write this document. In my short reign as Crown Princess-Consort and future Queen of the Kingdom of Courland I would like to make an announcement to all the people of Arcas:

For too long my former family has caused problems throughout all the different nations of Arcas. Treason, betrayals and other treacherous attitudes have characterized the conduct of the O’Haras through many different generations. The O’Hara name is stained with too many mistakes and errors committed in the past. 

Therefore, I, Catherine Marie, Matriarch of the House O’Hara hereby dissolve the House O’Hara for good and strip from myself all titles and honors associated with that House. None shall from now on wear the cursed surname of “O’Hara” ever again. 

Finally, I would also like to write to the Vassals of Courland and to The Trade State of Sutica to say that whoever suddenly came to the conclusion of us being shades or harboring shades is totally false and wrong; any sort of dark magic is an ill state within the family of O’Hara. 

Having said that, I would like to come to some sort of agreement with the Fester family, about how we may be able to settle this affair. 

May GOD illuminate our path and bless us all!

Ave Staunton. Ave Courland.

Signed,

HER ROYAL HIGHNESS, Catherine Marie of the House of Staunton, Crown Princess-Consort of the Kingdom of Courland 

As the Queen-Mother of Courland it is my duty to make sure our courts are safe from harm. Thus I have asked our government to send word to the church to ask if we could together test the members of the O’Hara family that resides in Courland. 

We have ourselves tested the Crown Princess-Consort and have found her to not be a shade, along with her sister Mary Anne. At this moment we await for the church to come and confirm this as well to ease the minds of our people. 

The lawyers and detectives are working on checking if the story that they have been accused of matches, for one mistake of a distant relative should not affect the rest. They are women, women should not be held responsible for what men choose to do. Just like men should not be responsible for what women choose to do. We are all our own persons, do not judge many from the actions of one. 

Though trust my word when I say that if they are all proven guilty they will be executed or banished. For dark magic is a sin to the canonist church, and we hold our faith close to our hearts and follow it as best as we can.

Signed by,

Her Royal Majesty, Queen Elissa of House Staunton, Queen-Mother of Courland

The Inner Court, also known as the Queen’s Office, is the working household staff that runs the palace. Here one is expected to always follow proper etiquette and manners directed and given by the Queen. 

“At the castle, the courtiers live under the constant surveillance of the King and Queen, and upon their good behaviour, their respect, and their observance of etiquette their whole careers depend. If you displease the King or Queen they will simply not see you the following day; their gaze will pass over you as they survey the people before them. And not being seen by the King or Queen is tantamount to ceasing to count.”

Her Royal Majesty, Queen Elissa of House Staunton, Queen-Mother of Courland

The Queen-Consort is the highest position in the Royal Court after the King, and the highest position in the Inner Court. But if there is no King, the highest position goes to the Queen-Mother in all handlings of the inner court in the palace. Her duties are to help the one in charge of the kingdom and if possible a future King in all affairs in running it until a new Queen has been crowned.. She is also in charge of who lives, eats and stays in the palace. Losing favour with the Queen-Mother is never ideal if one wishes to stay in the Selsmire palace. She also has the duty to make sure the palace court prospers.

Her Royal Highness, Princess Catherine of House Staunton, Crown Princess-Consort of Courland

The Crown Princess-Consort’s position is to help the Queen in her duties in the Inner Court. Though while she is also there to help she can also make her own decisions regarding who gets certain positions in the Inner Court. Though the Queen has the final word on the matter if they disagree. At the moment she has been put in her room until proof she is not a shade as with the rest of her family. Her duties will however continue as normal.

Her Ladyship, Lady Anne of House de Boleynas, The Queen’s Secretary

The Queen’s Secretary’s job is to help write Her Royal Majesty, The Queen’s letters, documents and posts. She is also the keeper of the Queen’s seal.

The Royal Chamberlain

The Chamberlain is in charge of the staff in the palace such as chefs, cooks, butlers, maids and cupbearers. He oversees these duties for the Queen so that she does not have to.

The Grand Lady

The Grand Lady oversees the events inside the palace and entertains those in the inner court with her plans. She is also in charge of the Lady-In-Waitings, Wards, Valets, Governesses and Tutors. At the moment the position is open after the firing of Lady Adelaide O’Hara due to accusations on her family of harboring a shade.

Claus D Apolos, Royal Chef and Butler of the Palace

The Royal chef is in charge of all the cooks and the kitchen maids. He makes the main dishes and there is not a single meal or feast in Courland that he is absent for to make the food.

Open positions in the court:

The Grand Lady 

Royal Chamberlain

Cupbearers

Head Maid

1.  Kitchen Maids
2. Lady’s Maid
3. Maids

Head Butler

1.  Valets
2. Butlers

Lady in waitings

Tutors and Governesses

Other Figures in the Inner court:

Prince Tobias Staunton, Crown Prince-Regent of Courland

Prince Rickard Staunton, Prince of Courland

Prince Henry Staunton, Prince of Courland

Lady Clementine von Santen, Ward of the Crown Princess-Consort

Lady Mary Anne Windsor, Lady in waiting to the Crown Princess-Consort

Dame Lysandra, The Queen’s Champion

If any of the open positions are of interest to any you may seek out the Queen-Mother (@MissToni#0760) or her secretary (@Crushems#4883) by letter.

Signed by,

Her Royal Majesty, Queen Elissa of House Staunton, Queen-Mother of Courland

Etiquette in the Royal Courts of Courland

Issued and confirmed by Her Royal Majesty, the Queen-Mother of the Kingdom of Courland, 1759 

How does one act when visiting a foreign court? These are often questions asked by peasants and even the nobles themselves. None wish to make mistakes that will cause them to lose favour with the King or Queen. In this following document you can make yourself familiar with the etiquette rules that the Kingdom of Courland has in its court.
Failure to follow these rules will not be excused or met with any ignorance once the release of this document has been made public.

Court Etiquette

Respect is the most important one of all when you are in the Royal Court of His Royal Majesty, The King. For one not to show respect is to lose your face as a noble, but for a commoner it would be the greatest mistake as you risk losing the chance of ever rising in status. For even if those with immunity, such as his consort and the church, chooses to speak out of line during informal courts, it could end up costing you your head if done the same. During formal court even the Queen or the church has no right to speak ill of the King. For then he speaks with the presence of God by his side. 

The only time lords, commoners and peasants may ask certain perks from His Royal Majesty is when he holds court. Such are the times when one is to showcase one's strength if they wish to rise in status. But you must await your time and stand in line while awaiting to speak, and only once called upon and addressed by the King, you may finally do so. Though once done you must never turn your back on His Royal Majesty, for doing so is a great disrespect and will be swiftly punished. 

Regarding positioning the King should always be in the middle, seated upon his throne. The Queen, and or Queen-Mother/Queen-Dowager, sits next to the King on his left side while his eldest son sits on his right. The rest of the King’s children stand behind or next to the two. When it comes to the Privy Councillors they must always stand to the side upon the dias, never in front. The rest of the nobles shall also stand to the sides of the hall or form a line if they wish to speak to His Majesty, The King.

 If the King is away it is the Queen’s duty to sit upon the King’s throne and act in his stead. All the same rules of etiquette are expected to be followed when she holds court instead.

Dressing Etiquette

1. Crowns, tiaras and circlets
2. Clothing

Regarding the topic of crowns it is only the King and Queen, and or Queen-Mother/Queen-Dowager, that are allowed to don crowns, for it is a symbol of the sacredness of monarchical power. Those wearing ones will be executed at once for treason with only the exceptions of foreign Kings and Queens from foreign Kingdoms.

When it comes to the topic of tiaras the King’s daughters, and their children, are to wear tiaras at all times if over eighteen. Whilst for the topic of circlets the King’s sons, and their children, are to wear circlets at all times if over eighteen. Those seen wearing tiaras or circlets that are not foreign royalty will have it be confiscated at once by guards and given to the Queen-Mother and never returned. If not given willingly, force is allowed and a banishment will be made for said person.
 

When it comes to clothing females in court must always cover ⅓ of their shoulders. Sleeves can be open and some cleavage can be shown, but too much and you will be asked to cover up. Legs and thighs must be covered with a skirt, dress or pants. Rest of the torso must also be covered. Males in court must not show their bare chest, but cover up with a shirt. Legs and thighs must also be covered with pants while ⅓ of the shoulders must also be covered. 

There is one particular thing that all must follow in the kingdom of Courland. Only those of the royal family, or those with royal favour may don the colours purple and green. Though only maximum three may have such royal favour at the same time. Those with a royal favour are of the following:

1. N/A

Last but not least, always dress according to your status. Peasants or commoners shall not don noble or royal clothing. Nor shall nobles or royals don peasant or commoner clothing unless to escape from danger. 

Dining Etiquette

Courland has certain protocols to follow when dining. The first is that you always wash your hands with the warm water brought by the butlers before eating. Use the cloth on the side to dry your hands afterwards. While eating it is advised to try and be quicker than the King, for once he is done it is assumed the rest are done as well. All plates of food, along with the plates one is eating from will be taken by the servants and brought back to the kitchen even if you are not finished. After this a new set of bowls containing warm water is set in front of you along with a cloth. And the procedure of washing one’s hands is done again.

Along with this you are expected to follow some manners while dining. You are not to rest your elbows or arms onto the tables, and make sure to sit straight and not slouch. For it is seen as lazy and not proper when dining in the King’s halls. While eating you wear the fork in your right hand and the knife in your left. The fork must always be faced down towards your plate. If you end up dropping a fork or a knife on the ground do not pick it up as you are always given two forks and two knives for this very reason. Leave it be as the servants will get it for you and give you a new one in case you were to drop the second one.

If you under any circumstance must leave during the middle of a meal, simply say “Excuse me” without announcing what you must leave for. Try your best not to disturb the others whilst you leave with anymore noise. Though if you are sitting by the King’s table, you must ask for permission to be excused.

It is also expected of you to not speak of blood, organs, bowels, or other grossly things of the world that could ruin ones appetite. Save such talk for after the food. And last but not least, do not under any circumstance drink too much alcohol that you end up acting like a fool and humiliate yourself.

Title Etiquette
King: When addressing the King one must politely address him as ‘Your Royal Majesty’, thereafter ‘Your Majesty’ when directly talking to him, if simply referring to him one is expected to address him as ‘His Royal Majesty, the King’

Queen: Addressing the Queen-consort and or Queen-Mother/Queen-Dowager is very much the same, ‘Your Royal Majesty’, thereafter ‘Your Majesty’ or simply when referring to her ‘Her Royal Majesty, the Queen’.

Prince/Princess: When addressing the King’s children one must address them as ‘Your Royal Highness’, thereafter ‘Your Highness’ or in reference ‘Her/His Royal Highness’
The same be said for the grandchildren of the King or other members of the royal family unless clearly stated they are titled otherwise.

Duke/Duchess: A Duke of Duchess must both both be addressed as ‘Your Grace’ or ‘His/Her Grace’ in reference.

Privy Councilors: Those of the King’s privy council are to be addressed as ‘Your Excellency’ or ‘His/Her Excellency’


Nobility: Further nobility is to be addressed as ‘My Lord or My Lady’ or in reference ‘Your Lordship/Ladyship’, unless stated or entitled otherwise.

High Pontiff: The High Pontiff is always to be addressed as ‘Your Holiness’ or in reference ‘His Holiness’

Cardinals: Cardinals are to be addressed as ‘Your Eminence’ or in reference ‘His Eminence’

Archbishop: A Archbishop is to be addressed as ‘Your Grace’ or ‘The Most Reverend’

Bishop: A Bishop is to be addressed as ‘Your Excellency’ or ‘The Right Reverend’

Priests are simply to be addressed as ‘Father’

Monks are simply to be addressed as ‘Brother’, and ‘Sister’ for nuns

Signed by,

Her Royal Majesty, Queen Elissa of House Staunton, the Queen-Mother of Courland

~THE VICTORIOUS GALLA~

To the people of  all Arcas, I would like to formally invite you all to a ball that is going to take place this saint weekend in New Aleksandria, capital of the Kingdom of Courland, to celebrate the victory of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince-Regent Tobias Staunton against the tyranny of the Mad King.

The ball shall be held within the Selsmire Palace. The gentlemen of the ball will have the right to cast a vote for the King of Rainbow and the ladies to cast a vote for the Queen of Love & Beauty. Before the ball is concluded the King of Rainbow and the Queen of Love & Beauty shall be proclaimed by the organizers of the ball according to the votes casted by the attendees [SATURDAY AT 2PM EST].

After the ball is concluded, a grand feast shall be held in the dining room of the Selsmire Palace, where food and drinks shall be provided for all [SATURDAY AT 4PM EST].

Also, in a saint day afterwards, a spleef tourney shall take place within New Aleksandria, in the space enabled for that that is located in front of the Town Hall, in the inner section of the city [SUNDAY AT 3PM EST].

The winner shall earn a prize of 1000 minas and a free coffee in the Stauntbucks!

SIGN UP HERE FOR THE SPLEEF TOURNAMENT!

RP Name:

Minecraft IGN:

Discord:

With Knowledge Comes Power,

          HER ROYAL HIGHNESS, Catherine of the House of Staunton, Crown Princess-Consort of the Kingdom of Courland

“With Knowledge Comes Power”

A painting of the Courlandic forces entering the capital, marching forth to Selsmire Palace, circa 1758.

The coup led by Percival II Staunton, the former King Emeritus, to destroy the Kingdom of Courland had completely failed. The old man had not accounted for the fierce Courlandic resistance that Prince Tobias was commanding in the Crownlands, neither had he accounted for the riots, the gap in his economy and the fierce thirst for justice his former citizens would have, all of them banding together in support of his firstborn son, the Crown Prince, Tobias Staunton.

The former King and his traitorous daughter were soon stripped from all of their titles, disowned, and exiled as a punishment for that which they had done, and to their fellow conspirators was done the same. They would no longer be recognized as royalty, neither as Staunton by their own people, nor would they ever be given the chance to rule again, as they were exiled, banished more like it from the now restored Kingdom of Courland, denunciation would soon follow, to be accounted and waited for.

With this proclamation, we announce that the times of anarchy and chaos that Percival’s short reign brought to the realm are finally over, and so are the treacherous attempts that Percival has done to destabilize and destroy this realm. 

Today, more than ever before, our Kingdom remains strong and united as one. Ave Courland.
 

With Knowledge Comes Power,

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS, Tobias of the House of Staunton, Crown Prince-Regent of the Kingdom of Courland.

“In victoria et in proelio scientia est potentia terra de stauntonia”

1st of Tobias’ Bounty, 1758

It is with tears that I write this document. In the short reign of my father Percival, he has failed the Kingdom of Courland in every regard and every single manner, even though this vile, horrendous man has only just recovered from his illness there is no good to be found in his heart, neither is there in his mouth.

For behind his shining teeth and smile hides a terrible truth, a forked tongue, the words he speaks akin to that of venomous poison that might end up taking your life, as it did to my son.

My father had ordered the assassination of my son, Aleksandr Staunton, a poor child of the age of six in cold-blood, showing no regret after my noble son died. Percival has forgotten the courlandic values that made us a great nation in the past and decided to instead betray me and the councilors of our Realm, resulting in internal conflicts within our lands.

Then, in a court my father said that despite how clear the succession line of our Kingdom is and the fact that I am his eldest son, he was removing my position of Crown Prince of the Kingdom and arbitrarily appointing a younger sister that I didn’t even know that I had as the Crown Princess. Apparently, they were both conspiring against me and against the rest of the councilors to push us all out of power in order to destroy our Kingdom. 

With his acts, Percival has committed kinslaying in the eyes of GOD and has made himself unable and unfit to rule. He’s betrayed me, my councilors and all the existing courlandic values and traditions. Our Realm needs rulers who bring stability and prosperity to our people, the courlanders, not anarchy and chaos as Percival’s reign has brought. Therefore, the following has been decreed:

TO OUR BELOVED SUBJECTS,

By my right of birth and the sovereignty of the Crown of Courland, and with the agreement of the Royal Privy Council, I have declared that the reign of Percival is over, effective immediately. Due to the absence of a monarch, it has justly been decided that the Crown Prince, Tobias Staunton, be made Crown Prince-Regent for the duration of this regency until the Holy Mother Church issues a coronation ceremony. The Crown Prince-Regent shall be the leading authority in all matters of state, maintaining the authority and integrity of the Courlandic Crown and executing GOD’s eternal and sovereign will.
 

Ave Courland.

With Knowledge Comes Power,

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS, Tobias of the House of Staunton, Crown Prince-Regent of the Kingdom of Courland.