A WORD FROM ADELMAR VON KANUNSBERG, GYJSH AND SKALD OF REINMAR TO THE CHILDREN OF THE TRIBE 

I have held my tongue long enough.

I was there in the days of Adalfriede, when the old oaths still held strong. I walked beside Estmund, and heard him speak law like hammerstrikes. I drank with Robert, and buried Petsch. These men are gone. Their voices are ash. But the Kanun remains.

The seat of the Lawspeaker stands empty. No voice gives judgment. No hand weighs truth. That is a danger. It invites rot. I have seen such rot before. The Kanun is not parchment. It is not ink. It is not owned. It is spoken. And if no one speaks it, we drift like cattle in fog. That cannot be.

I will not name myself Lawspeaker. That is not our way. But I say this now: one must rise. One must take the seat and speak the law before the fire. One must stand between quarrel and blood-feud, and say, “This is right, this is wrong.” Not for gold. Not for pride. But because the tribe needs it.

It is not for one man to crown himself. That is not our way. The Lawspeaker must be chosen by the folk, by the elders, by the will of the tribe. So I say this now, plainly: call the folk-moot. Let men gather. Let names be spoken. Let the one most fit take the seat.

And I will stand among them.

Not because I hunger for place, but because I have carried the Kanun in my chest since boyhood. I have not sold it for favor, nor dulled its edge with lies. I have seen the outlander men twist law to suit their bloodline. I have seen silence bought with gifts. That is not the Reinmaren way.

If the folk find me worthy, I will serve. If not, I will kneel before the chosen voice and call it just. But the seat must not stay empty. Law must be spoken. That is what keeps our tribe whole.

So I say: Call the folk. Choose the tongue of the Kanun. Let the tribe speak.

Adelmar von Kanunsberg

DER GROSSE KANUN VON REINMAR

The Grand Kanun of Reinmar

SÖHNE UND TÖCHTER VON REINMAR,

In 1873, Lord Dietrich and his heir, Sir Leon joined an alliance between several Orenian noble families to preserve peace within the area. During such hardened times, the unwritten law of the Kanun was upheld amongst the sons and daughters of Reinmar from their Lord and Lawspeaker alike. As Dietrich, the first Viscount of Minitz was kidnapped, and not heard of again, it fell upon the shoulders of the later Duke Leon Barclay to put the practices of the Reinmaren law amongst the tribesmen of Minitz into practice. As they had done for the entirety of Minitz, Lord Dietrich’s teachings paved the path for the written law of Minitz and Reinmar-Sutica.

More than a century later has the words of the Kanun held true and been followed. As Minitz and Reinmar-Sutica become one to form the Principality of Reinmar, an updated version must take its place. Following the guidance of notes left from the former Duke Leon Barclay, Lord Robert Stroheim, acting Lawspeaker of Reinmar, has taken to pen the Kanun. Redundancies were removed, laws were added in accordance with edicts voted upon, terminology was updated, and amendments were made when needed.

Hark, Reinmaren. Stay true to the laws of the land, as has been the case for a hundred years and will be for a hundred more. No matter your station and origin, all are subject to its adherence, and so too are its punishments applicable to all. Our culture, our tradition, our very way of life, is sacred. Suffer none who speak ill of it. Follow the example set forth by your forebearers, and embrace what it embodies to be Reinmaren. 

"ERINNERE DICH AN DEINE WURZELN"

"Remember Your Roots"

the Words of House Barclay von Minitz

Book One: WRONGDOINGS

A man that reigns over the unfree is nay Lord, but a tyrant. A people unbeholden to the fruits of liberty and wisdom are not subjects, but slaves. The rites of liberty illuminate the path towards our Reinmaren destiny, in which all men shall be held accountable for violation of another’s liberties and rights. Thus, the Book of Wrongdoings shall be established in the Kanun so that no one’s personal freedoms may be violated.

Chapter I: WRONGDOINGS ON THE INDIVIDUAL

I. ON MURDER: Let he who robs another of their life, the greatest gift from Gott, be judged by the Kanun as an affronter before the subjects of the Prince, for the mother of someone who is killed can sleep; the mother of the murderer cannot. So says the Kanun: blood spilt wantonly on the ground cries out for more, be it achieved by the sword or a Weregild.

II. ON MANSLAUGHTER: Let he who errs and causes the death of another be judged by the Kanun for their intemperance; The kin of the wronged shall receive compensation through a Weregild, a Blood-price or servitude to the wronged family. The chain that shackles the wrongdoer to such servitude shall be their Schwur.

III. ON KINSLAYING: So says the Kanun: He who wets his blade with the blood of kin be accursed as a kinslayer. The customs of the Reinmaren dictate that he be bereft of the name of his kin and kith, for to betray your family is to betray yourself. He who slays another that he shares blood with, be it a brother or other kin shall be under curse and be driven from his lands; He shall find no shelter or respite, and he shall be hunted for his trespass. In order to regain his honor and name, the kinslayer shall pay the leader of his family by the sword or the Weregild.

IV. ON ASSAULT: The one who draws the blood of another intentionally or otherwise will be judged by the Kanun for his transgression. The wronged shall receive a Weregild of no more than five hundred minas or may demand the removal of the transgressor’s finger or a flogging unless both sides have agreed to undertake mutual combat.
 

V. ON ASSAULT OF WOMEN AND CHILDREN: The one that draws the blood of an unarmed woman who is with child or a child below the age of fourteen, be it his own or not, shall be judged by the Kanun as a sinner and a deviant, and shall undertake punishment through either a weregild, a flogging, the removal of a finger, or the branding of the right hand with a hot iron so that the world may know of their transgressions.
 

VI. ON CARRYING OF WEAPONS: Let none other than the tribesmen and Ritters of the Principality brandish a weapon with offensive intent in the walls of Reinmar; for it is not befitting to use tools that are not earned. By the Kanun, the Princes shall be entitled to extract gold from the wrongdoer.

VII. ON DISTURBANCE: The one who menaces the people of Reinmar with intent to extract unlawful taxes, tariffs, goods, or tribute and the one who levies illegal taxes under the threat of violence, whether he be alone or in a band, shall be damned for his banditry. Is the will of the Kanun that all work hard and honestly for the ensured prosperity of the Reinmaren peoples, and the disruption of this harmony is a most detestable crime under the Kanun’s watchful eyes. Thus, they shall be branded with the mark of a thief, to be flogged and to be deprived of a sum of minas twice the amount of the sum value of the objects stolen, so that the robbed may receive his Weregild. The Kanun shall deprive the disturber of all arms and tools with which the wrongdoing was carried. These shall be given to the victim as additional Weregild.

VIII. ON KIDNAPPING: All under Kanun’s watchful eye are entitled to their own will, they can do with their freedom as they so desire. Protected shall be this right in perpetuity. He who another detains either through force, or the threat of it, and not their will is the most wretched of criminals. For he who robs another of their freedom and kidnaps, he lacks love for his fellow man, by preventing the kidnapped from caring for his kin and kith, the wrongdoer has blood on his hands. The Kanun says that he shall reap what he sows, and the kidnapped is either entitled to detain this criminal to punish him on his own, or may ask the Lawspeaker to extract a punishment of which he sees as fit.

IX. ON IMMORAL ASSAULT: It is the act of the profane, who lurks the streets in search of a victim they can force themselves upon for their grotesque amusement. The wretched man or woman who so does and breaks the word of the Kanun will be subjected to a branding for their wrongdoing, as well as a subsequent removal of the parts used to carry out the act, be it tongue or otherwise. And, if it so happens that one falls victim to the most immoral of such crimes, they shall be allowed to demand the blood price, and be given the wrongdoer's head.

Chapter II: WRONGDOINGS ON HONOR

I. ON SLANDER AGAINST REINMAR: The one who deceitfully speaks ill of the rites, the name and the customs of Reinmar with a forked tongue shall be judged by the Kanun for their slander, and will be bereft of their wretched tongue, or their back shall know the strips of the whip - for a heart that devises wicked plans and deceit is an abomination before Gott.
 

II. ON BAD RUMORS: The tongue is a scythe and everything that it reaps. He who goes around planting words of bad rumor once for someone, and then for someone else, the Kanun calls a “Joshqiptar”, meaning "Bad Worker" in old Reinmaren. No one shall call him to work, and no one shall give him pay, until their tongue is cleaned, and their words dance not around rumors and slander.
 

III. ON SCHWUR-BREAKING: A Reinmaren who says Schwur once cannot break their pledge and cannot be unfaithful to it; For the allegiance of the Reinmaren is not for sale and their Schwur is embedded within their heart. The one who breaks their Schwur, through judgment by the Kanun, shall either lose their tongue, so that they may not falsify their Schwur again, or be branded with a hot iron upon their forehead, so that the world may know them as an oathbreaker. Be it so decided by their trial, the Reinmaren that the Schwur speaks in ill manner, or breaks it in a vile way, shall be stripped of all their honor and right to blood, for they themselves have forfeited it. Every Schwur-breaker will be judged based on the significance of their Schwur. He who kills against his Schwur shall be extracted the blood price. Be it so that all who usher lies before the justice of the Kanun or its Lawspeaker, be they of the ilk of Reinmar or not, suffer the punishment of the Schwur-Breaker.

IV. ON FEIGHEIT: The warrior who abandons his Prince and his fellow warriors shall be judged by the Kanun as a deserter. Let also those Tribesmen who refuse the call to arms in times of war or their tour of service upon oathing, without exclusion from the Kriegsmacht by the Princes or the Lawspeaker, be branded as a coward and a cheat. Let these two groups, the coward, and the deserter, be branded together as Feiglingen. Unless the Lawspeaker or the Princes interferes in accordance with the Reinmaren customs and demands another price, The Reinmaren brothers of the Feigling are entitled to extract the owed blood price through their crossbows or their whips; for the deserter is the brother of a murderer, and cowardice is the father of dissent.

V. ON DUELS: Let none of higher standing challenge their ulteriors to mutual combat; to do so takes an ignoble heart and abuse of privilege. Such a challenge entitles the Kanun and the Lawspeaker to interfere and solve the dispute that sparked the challenge on civil grounds, lest both tribesmen agree.
 

Chapter III: WRONGDOINGS ON MORALITY

I. ON FORNICATION: The one who lays with another whilst being unmarried shall be judged by the Kanun for his fornication, for Gott created no temptation that is not common to man. Gott is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability. The one who succumbs to such vices shall lose face in front of their family. Subjects of Reinmar and the offender’s kin shall turn their back on them. The leader of the wrongdoer’s family may demand the blood price through flogging. The Princes and the Lawspeaker may demand the wrongdoer’s dismissal.

II. ON CROSS-BREEDING: The one who lays with another of a different Descendant race shall be judged by the Kanun for his fornication. Let them be known as an abomination before Gott and Men, for they shall pay the blood price depending on the severity of their slight.
 

III. ON INFIDELITY: Let the one who is married and lays with another to be judged as an adulterer by the Kanun; their kin shall turn their back to the adulterer and are entitled to take the adulterer’s name. For their slight against their spouse’s honor, the spouse may demand from the Lawspeaker a blood price.
 

IV. ON BASTARDRY: He who produces offspring outside of marriage through one of the wrongdoings above shall be accursed by the Kanun for their bastardry in conjunction to their initial crime and shall be punished twofold more. The child who had been born through dishonorable means, shall not be punished, but they shall be bereft of the entitlement to the family name and property that their trueborn siblings enjoy. In accordance with the Reinmaren customs and rites, it is right that the child chooses to undertake servitude to Gott through becoming an acolyte of the Church, or civic servitude to the Princes.

V. ON MAGIC: The one who channels the wicked powers of magic not be allowed to step within the walls of Reinmar, for the Kanun will not allow the foot that was dipped into the darkness of the void to corrupt the soil of our land. Those who practice wicked magics, not approved by the Holy Church, or that touch on anything which GOTT has not given us descendants from our birth shall not be allowed within the Principality. They will find themselves escorted, and, if continuously again they show themselves amongst our populace, their feet will be cut. Their hands will be separated from their bodies if such magics they practice. Those who Housemagery, Bardomancy, or soul magics shall be exempt from this wrongdoing. Those who practice Paladinism and druidism must acquire permission from the Princes or the Lawspeaker to enter Reinmar. The mage who the void of Iblees has touched enjoys no right to be trialed by Ordeal or Combat, for the tricks of the devil are unknown

VI. ON PAGANISM AND ATHEISM: The Kanun shall judge those who false lies spread, and it shan't be kind to those who the word of our Lord mock, or doubt; let none speak of false gods amongst the lands of Reinmar He who practices false beliefs shall be flogged or be branded as an infidel on the forehead; he who does not act on his ignorance shall be forgiven. He who the Principality serves, despite not believing, will be treated as an equal with his faithful brethren, for this Principality is of our Gott, and the atheists unknowingly aids Gott's plan through aiding his realms. One who is ignorant of His teachings may seek a priest to debate and learn.

VII. ON HERESY: The one who whilst believing in the Canon subverts its true teachings shall be proclaimed a heretic by the Kanun, thus relinquishing their liberties regardless of their status as a subject. They are subject to the same punishments that the Kanun administers to the infidels, yet they shall be judged harsher than the infidel.
 

VIII. ON APOSTASY: Let the unrepentant one who turns their back on the teachings of Gott and His Prophets publicly be judged as an apostate. If a subject, they shall be burnt on a pyre. If not a subject, they must either be banished or fined. Any Valite that seeks entry within the walls of Kretzen must do so with written permission from the Princes. Otherwise, let them be barred, and should they be found within the capital, subject to the judgment of the Lawspeaker or the Princes, to the full extent of the law.

IX. ON BLASPHEMY: The subject who blasphemes and slanders Gott, his Aenguls, the Saints, Blessed, Venerated or Exalted relinquishes their freedom, and may be imprisoned through the Lawspeaker’s order. Or else, he shall be flogged, and the people shall turn their back on them. It is customary that serious cases of blasphemy are remedied through the removal of the tongue. However, those of non-subject status shall only be banished.

X. ON SUBVERSION: The subject who attempts to spread foreign cultural influences within our motherland, be it through food, language, dress, or likewise, in beyond an academic, casual, and/or business sense - as is the case should one attempt to coerce another into abandoning their culture for another - is guilty of the wrongdoing of Subversion, and as enemies against the Waldenic and Reinmaren ways they shall be seen. Let the wrongdoer pay a small fee of gold, not exceeding 200 pieces, and be relegated to change their ways at once. 

Chapter IV: WRONGDOINGS ON PROPERTY

I. ON THEFT: Every object has an owner, every invention a creator. Gott created all that the eyes can see, and the ears can hear, all that the hand can touch, and the nose can smell. He leased all his creations to the sons of Horen, Malin, Urguan and Krugmar, for them to hold and own, be it the wheat they harvest, the ore they mine, or the jewelry they buy. The Kanun thus protects the rights of the owner of their property. Let that which is one’s property remain such and let those who take that which is not theirs as their own be branded thieves and robbers, for the Kanun calls them as such. He who robs shall so be robbed, be it of his gold, blood, or liberty.
 

II. ON WRONGFUL HARVESTING: Honorable is the Reinmaren who tills the land of the Principality, for they provide flour for the hungry. The Prince’s is the land which the farmer tills, but it is land bestowed upon the farmer, so that they may provide for their family and friends. Let he who wrongfully harvests another man’s produce without assent pay it back doubly, lest they wish to be flogged or punished differently.

III. ON WRONGFUL HUSBANDRY: Honorable is the Reinmaren who shepherds the sheep and raises the calves of the Principality, for they provide meat, milk, wool, and leather to those who need it. The shepherd ought to herd his own flock and is thus entitled to procure their produce. He who procures produce from another man’s livestock shall pay it back doubly, lest they wish to be flogged or punished differently.

IV. ON THERIOCIDE: So says the Kanun: The livestock of the farmer is part of the farmer himself, for the livelihood of the shepherds imperils at the loss of his flock. Let no man deprive the farmer of his rightful stock, lest they wish to be judged. Those guilty of theriocide shall pay gold to the owner of the animal they kill or provide as many animals as they slaughtered and more.
 

V. ON HORSE THEFT: The traditions of House Barclay, the Kanun recognizes and respects. Tradition has the theft of horses since the times of Baron Wilheim, his equestrian skill allowed him to steal the horses of the enemy’s cavalry. Let the tribesman who is equally skilled as the Baron not be judged for the horses he steals. The stallion he collects he may call his, lest it was stolen by a man of higher rank, in which case the thief shall return the horse without punishment, lest the deed was done multiple times. In such case, the the owner of the horse shall extract Weregild.
 

VI. ON TRESPASSING: From foundations a home arises, be it a castle, tower, or hovel, enough that it is toppled by a roof. Every structure present within the yard is one with the house, as is the yard itself. Everyone who thus enters a Reinmaren’s home ought to make a sound and call. If your call remains unanswered by the resident, turn around and go back to your business. He who opens the gate to another man’s house after an unanswered call is branded a trespasser by the Kanun. As such, the leader of the household is entitled to the gold price from the trespasser without further punishment, lest they rob or steal. Further, let he who is branded as banished-folk be guilty of trespassing paramount if they step foot within the Principality once more. Let the punishment be extraction of an extremity, beginning with the sword-arm and ending with the head.

VII. ON VANDALISM: When Gott gave Horen and Julia the tabernacle, he gave them space for their home. Thus, all are free to do as they see fit with their own property, for a man is the custodian of his home, and the home is an extension of him and his domain. The one who violates this custody and sacred domain by defacing, destroying, and altering property through no will of the owner is a vandal, and the Kanun frowns upon such delinquency. Thus, the rightful owner shall extract a Weregild.
 

VIII. ON ARSON: The family builds or buys its house to call home. The head of the family shall step into the rightfully bought building first. They shall enter with their right foot, and the Bailiff or Streward shall witness this entrance ritual. From the moment of its completion, the family becomes one with their property, which the Kanun considers sacred. Let no one thus lay finger into this sacred build, let it stand tall for as long as the family lives, and anyone who fully destroys it through means of fire, through fire shall be punished, and be branded on his hand with the mark of the arsoner. The owner of the property shall extract a Weregild.
 

Chapter V: WRONGDOINGS ON LORDSHIP

I. ON SLANDER AGAINST LORDSHIP: No one who walks the lands of the Principality shall slander and smear the name of its Prince or Princes. The Kanun does not tolerate it, and neither does it tolerate those who smear the name of the Princes’ council and the lords of Reinmar, whose work belongs to Reinmar and its prosperity. These speakers of ill words shall be punished through Weregild to the Princes, and be their slander so great, their tongue shall be cut so it speaks no more lies.

II. ON ASSASSINATION: The Principality is of the Princes, and the Princes are of the Principality. Both are of the Sons and Daughters of Reinmar. He who plots and schemes against the Princes and their council has done so against Reinmar and all her people. The Kanun despises him the most, and thus condemns him to the next life, for only this punishment is fit for traitors. He who causes any of the Herrenhaus or noble family to draw their last breath shall suffer the same fate, they will be punished by all the people of Reinmar, whom they did wrong. The wicked traitor may only seek mercy from their wrongdoing through Pardoning from the Princes themselves.

III. ON EMBEZZLEMENT: So says the Kanun: every Lord of Reinmar or member of the Herrenhaus who uses the power vested by their Princes to steal from the Principality’s coffers shall be deemed an Embezzler. They shall answer to their theft, which is more vile than that of a common bandit. The stolen gold they shall return, and more, and from their position they’ll be stripped. Their punishment shall be as great as the position of power they once held, so let the corrupted high Lord face great punishment. So says the Kanun.

Chapter VI: WRONGDOINGS ON HONESTY

I. ON IMPERSONATION: Impersonator, is he who pretends to be another. Let every man be true to his word, and his recognition true to himself. He who acts another’s self for his own gain is judged by the Kanun, moreso if they act the role of a Lord or member of the Herrenhaus. Weregild shall be extracted from them, and flogged they shall be depending on their act.
 

II. ON FORGING LETTERS: Similarly, no words shall be placed in a man’s mouth, neither will his writing and his sign be used by another man. He who another man’s signature uses without right, this wrongdoer the Kanun calls a Forger. Let him be punished as a deceptor and impersonator, gold shall be extracted from him, and a Joshqiptar he will be deemed.
 

III. ON PARTICIPATION: He who profits from wrongdoing is also a wrongdoer, and he who sells goods knowing they are to be acquired from wrongdoing is also a thief. These traders the Kanun recognizes as Fences, who shall be punished for gaining from theft and robbery by paying the price of the items sold.
 

IV. ON MISPISION: Idleness is also an act in itself. The righteous of the realm are those who the wrongdoings of others bring forth, and he who remains idle with his knowledge the Kanun also calls a wrongdoer. However, let the sacred bonds that connect the trust of people not be broken by this word. He who cannot speak because of his Schwur shall not be punished, as will the spouses of the trialed, for their holy marriage binds their trust. He, however, who has given his Schwur knowingly that the other would commit a crime shall be punished. Let these idlers pay the gold price or be shunned from their tribe.
 

V. ON FRAUD: The merchants of Reinmar are men of honesty and fairness. Let none proclaim to sell gold and offer iron or proclaim bread and sell flour. Their patronage shall receive what they were promised for the trade, lest the merchant wishes to be punished for false or faulty goods that their buyer knew naught.
 

VI. ON CORRUPTION OF LORDSHIP: The Lordship of the Principality shall remain one of virtue and honest merit. Their loyalties and their services belong only to the realm, not to gold, or to another man’s favor. Let him who attempts to corrupt the service of a Lord or member of the Principality be known by the Kanun as a ‘Corrupt’. For their dishonest deeds their gold shall be extracted and back flogged, and from their circle they shall be shunned as an Excluded. If their intent is of more vile weight, let the proper punishment befall them.

VII. ON CORRUPTION OF WARRIORS: So too shall the swords of Reinmar remain uncorrupted. No soldier of the Host of St. Johann shall accept bribery to overlook a man’s crime, be it for reward or otherwise. The Corrupt who attempts such dishonesty shall be punished twice fold if such a crime they commit to escape another. If the hand of the Warrior is corrupted by the bribery gold they receive, they too shall pay, and be stripped of their position until they prove themselves once more.
 

VIII. ON MASKING: Every man’s face shall luminate in the light of Gott within the realm. None shall hide their face, lest they are a warrior, Ritter, or can prove that such showing poses them physical harm, for the Kanun knows only the wicked to hide behind robes and shadows. Let whoever disobeys such laws of honesty be fined for the disturbance they cause.

IX. ON ESCAPING PUNISHMENT: All the accused before the Kanun’s watchful eye shall come. All shall come before and be judged in fairness and honesty. He who knows himself to be innocent shall trust the watchful eye, and he who knows himself to be a wrongdoer shall detest it, its gaze will fall heavy on his chest, for punishment comes to all who deserve it. So heavy will the weight be on some of the accused, that the Kanun they will disobey, its trial they will shun, and from its gaze they will try to escape. Any such man who attempts to escape their trial, be it the Lawspeaker’s, or one of those in the second Book of this Kanun, barred they will be from calling one of the latter trials. Be it escaping through running, bribery, or however their mind of trickery deems effective, let it thus be ineffective, and let fair judgment befall them. Upon conviction, for crimes they will answer twice fold.

Book Two: TRIALS 

It is the belief of the Reinmaren that every man may live a life to enjoy the fundamental rights, which make him a human. The Kanun resonates these beliefs even for those accused of crimes. Every man and woman tried by the Lawspeaker or the Ritter of Saint Tylos shall be allowed to plead that their trial is handled through those proclaimed in this second Book of the Kanun. If their crime is too great, or if the first Book of the Kanun prevents them from calling such trials, let the Lawspeaker and Ritter be their judges.

Let also the impossible trial without evidence, or where the committing of the wrongdoing is hard to determine be settled by these trials of the second book of the Kanun. The Lawspeaker or the Ritters who shall lead the trials under the watchful eye of the Kanun may call for any of the trials that it lists under their own conscience, for the Kanun trusts their morals and decisions as its own. Let the righteous who undergo these trials and prevail be freed of punishment, and let the tribesmen of Reinmar cherish the virtue of their kin.

I. TRIAL BY ORDEAL

Gott favors the honest and the righteous, for He distinguishes between the heart of the wicked and the innocent. So, the Kanun, under the light of Gott, allows any accused to call upon a trial by Ordeal. Let he who believes himself righteous in the eyes of Gott follow these tests to prove his innocence, for Gott’s holy protection shall be with them. First, a prayer they shall receive from the clergy of the realm, so that Gott may favor or shun them depending on the clearness of their heart. Be they innocent, their prayer will be heard. Be they vile, their prayer will fall on deaf ears. He who stands accused shall be admitted by the Lawspeaker or the judging Ritter to the Ordeal they shall undertake, be it trial by Cold Water, where Gott will protect them from drowning in the River if their heart is honest. The trial by Boiling Water or Fire, where Gott will protect their skin from the touch of boiling water or flame if their heart is true. Does it so show that the accused suffer from these trials, let them be known as wrongdoers, and be punished for every crime they have committed.
 

II. TRIAL BY COMBAT

So knows the Kanun: the life of every man is in the hands of Gott our Lord, He who our lives has given and our lives can take. For none happens without Gott’s say, and he guides the hand of the righteous to rightness. Swords may be drawn to prove the innocence of an accused man, who may call for a Trial by Combat if the word of the Kanun so allows him. As such, they shall enter the circle of sword and steel against their opponent, whose steel shall draw in the name of the Kanun, to fight the accused for their innocence. Both duelists will be given similar arms and armor, but the fighter of the Kanun will decide on the duel rules and arms provided. He who blood draws first, will be deemed the victor, and is the accused to lose, the Kanun shall henceforth deem them a convicted and a wrongdoer for their crimes.
 

III. TRIAL BY JOUSTING

From birth the Reinmaren are raised in the presence of stallions, from the years of youth they ride them freely. Until their death, the Reinmaren are bound to their stallions. Those trialed warriors who themselves call Reinmaren may display their innocence through the way of the stallion. A joust shall take place, the trialed warrior against a rider who his horse shall mount in the name of the Kanun. If from atop his stallion the trialed man falls, he shall be known as a wrongdoer. If the warrior of the Kanun he pivots from his horse, he shall be known as innocent, or, in case of found guilt later, his punishment shall be lowered, for he has shown to be a Reinmaren favored by the stallions.
 

IV. TRIAL BY SCHWUR

The word of the Schwur is most sacred, it is what binds the Reinmaren to their soul and to their honor. The Schwur of the Reinmaren will be taken of most seriousness by their kin, for if it is based on falsity, their soul it shall wither, and Reinmaren they shall be no more. Thus, let the accused be tried by those who believe him to be righteous or criminal. The Trial by Schwur may be called, and the accused or accusers may bring forth as many sons and daughters of Reinmar as they can to vouch their Schwur for the innocence or guilt of the accused. Let the sons and daughters of Reinmar only give their Schwur where it fits, and not throw it in vain. For if they do so, the Kanun will shun them, as will their honor, their circle, and their family. The realm will turn its back on them, and they will be deemed unfit to speak, as per the Kanun. So says the Kanun. If enough people swear their Schwur for the innocence or guilt of the accused, no further trial will be required, and the accused will be branded as the Schwur of the Tribesmen has deemed them. If it is found, however, that the Schwur judged the accused falsely, every son and daughter of Reinmar who pledged their Schwur to the contrary will follow them into their rightful punishment.

V. TRIAL BY CLERGY

Let those accused who serve in the light of Gott be judged by the servants of Gott’s temple. Any man or woman who is part of the mother church, can call for a Trial by Clergy. Their deeds shall be judged by the priests of Reinmar, Bishops, or even Cardinals. Their trial will fall out of the hands of the Kanun, which recognizes the holy judgment of the servants of Gott. Anyone accused of wrongdoings against the Canonist faith may also call for such a trial, be it blasphemy or heresy they committed. The Kanun cares no more about their trial, but the punishment that they will receive, it will respect.

VI. PARDONING

So says the Kanun: every man may repent, and every repentance may be pardoned. The Princes’ is the Principality, and true is the opposite. Let the Princes in the realm have a say on the fate of the accused and convicted who have done wrong in their Principality, no matter the crime. If he so deems it fit, may be able to offer Pardoning to them, their crimes will be forgiven as the Princes sees right. Another judgment may befall them, or naught at all, and their sleep shall be light. Only the Princes may offer such privilege, and, in their absence, the Herr Regent carries the same right, vested so to him by the Kanun. Let fairness befall all, and let proper punishment do the same, so that the mothers of those done wrong may sleep light, and the repentant may live a life of righteousness.

Book Three: VIRTUE AND PRESTIGE

The watchful eye of the Kanun shall recognize the deeds of all, wrongdoings and rightdoings alike. Let these be the virtues of the Reinmaren men, he who abides them shall know honor and recognition, and he who shall ignore them be considered a man of little honor. This man the Kanun shan’t recognize, and their wrongdoings it shall judge harshly. Such are the virtues of the sons and daughters of Reinmar, and furthermore their rewards for their practice.

Chapter I: THE VIRTUES

VIRTOUS IS HE WHO HARD WORK HOLDS AS HIS SCYTHE. For prosperity comes from the hands of the diligent. The crops need their farmer as the ore needs is miner, without them nothing moves and the realm decays like the neglected flower. A realm filled with diligent men is like a flower. He who calloused hands adorns is favored by the Kanun.

VIRTOUS IS HE WHO FIDELITY HOLDS AS HIS CREED. The moral man is one blessed by Gott, and so the Kanun, too, blesses him. Let the virtuous tribesmen of Reinmar father no bastards and know no women to whom they aren’t married. He whose body knows abstinence is favored by the Kanun.

VIRTOUS IS HE WHO HONESTY HOLDS AS HIS SONG. The tongue that knows no lies is one that the Kanun trusts, its hymns it finds true, its deeds right. He who is known to be truthful amongst the tribes of Reinmar shall be repaid for his honesty, more so when his crimes he confesses. He shall be trusted amongst the Moot, and if punishment awaits him, his honesty will soften his retribution. He whose tongue sings only truth is favored by the Kanun.
 

VIRTOUS IS HE WHO FAITH HOLDS AS HIS LANTERN. The realm of man is like the flower that sits beautifully in the plain field, the word of Gott is the sun that makes it strive. Let he who practices the teachings of the Mother Church be respected amongst the tribes of Reinmar for his piety. He whose life follows the teachings of faith is favored by the Kanun.
 

VIRTOUS IS HE WHO STRENGTH HOLDS AS HIS SWORD. The strength of man is what protects his tribe and his realm. He who his strength uses for the good of the tribe is a protector of the tribe, this man shall be venerated amongst the tribesmen of Reinmar. He who his prowess shares with his peers will be respected twicefold, for he trains the new generations of the realm. He whose hand knows the weight of the sword and whose body adorns its scars is favored by the Kanun
 

VIRTOUS IS HE WHO CHARITY HOLDS AS HIS WEALTH. As Gott gives sun, rain, and wind to Reinmar, so His subjects shall give to the unfortunate. The generous are trusted by the Kanun, their selflessness is recognized. He who gives more wheat than is his obligation will be noticed by the watchful eye of the Kanun, his donations will be repaid to him in trust and respect. He whose pockets know charity is favored by the Kanun.

VIRTOUS IS HE WHO JUSTICE HOLDS AS HIS SCALE. The presence of the just brings forth the end of Iblees’ corruption. The righteous of the realm shall be respected, he who light sheds on wrongdoing, be it his or of another shall be rewarded. However, let he who has given his Schwur to remain quiet uphold it, and the spouse that does not speak on their partner’s crime be understood of their responsibility, and remain honorable. He whose soul knows justice is favored by the Kanun.

VIRTUOUS IS HE WHO HONOR HOLD AS HIS ARMOR. The Schwur of the tribesman who is known to be honorable is worth more than that of the liar and cheater. Let he who his honor and that of his tribe and Principality hold dear fight for it, and thus the Kanun will reward him, and his tribesmen will look up to him. He who the weak protects shall be known as honorable before the Kanun, as will he who does not present himself for a better man than he is. He whose consciousness knows honor is favored by the Kanun.

VIRTUOUS IS HE WHO HOSPITALITY HOLDS AS HIS GREETING. The Reinmaren are men and women of welcoming and kinsmanship. He who is kind and caring to his guest, the Kanun will be so to him. The tribesman who feeds the hungry traveler will be fed with glory, and he who gives the restless guest a bed to sleep will be known as a good host. Once inside the host’s home, the guest ought to be seen as sacred, protected and looked out for at all costs. He whose house is a cradle of welcoming is favored by the Kanun.
 

VIRTUOUS IS HE WHO COURAGE HOLDS AS HIS SHIELD. Courage is the making of great men. He who is bold on his stance and resolve shall be known as a fearless man. He shall be respected by the Kanun and his tribesmen. He who fights for his tribe with courage shall have nothing to fear from the Kanun, instead, he shall expect favors and recognition, for his spirit is unyielding and fights for the Kanun. The tribesman who fights against a bigger and stronger opponent shall be known as a brave one, and shall be recognized for his deeds. He whose heart knows courage is favored by the Kanun.
 

VIRTUOUS IS HE WHO LOYALTY HOLDS AS HIS BANNER. The man who is loyal to his tribe, Princes, Principality, and Schwur shall be rewarded by them all, and the Kanun that oversees him. He who does not betray his loyalty for bigger favors shall be rewarded. He who his oath wears with pride shall be known as a man of devotion. His word shall be trusted and his deeds rewarded, and he shan’t be punished harshly if he acts based on 

Chapter II: RANKS OF PRESTIGE

The men and women of Reinmar shall thus be recognized through their deeds and virtues. Be their deeds great, ‘honorable’ they shall be called. So will the Kanun give privileges and rights to those who its virtues follow, those to the Kanun and the ways of the Reinmaren follow will find a life of comfort and glory. Thus, shall the ranks of the Reinmaren society be based on the honor of their people.

Section I. THE BURGHER

1. ON DEFINITION: He who within the walls of Reinmar lives yet lives by the traditions of a culture foreign from that of the Reinmaren, shall be recognized by the Kanun as a Burgher of the Principality. Thus are their rights and privileges:
2. ON PROPERTY: They shall only be allowed to call home the buildings within the walls of Kretzen, lest their position allows them otherwise.
   1. Their home they shan’t own, for it will be owned by the Princes, from whom they may lease their residence, to live with kin or kith.
   2. For this home they shan’t pay an upfront cost, yet taxes they shall offer for its occupation. Let the Burghers of Kretzen not pay in gold for the house they do not own. Instead, their contribution shall be their craft, the produce of which will be levied as tax. The miner shall be levied their ore, the farmer their crops, and the merchant their stock.
3. ON FADES: The Burghers of the Principality shan’t style their hair with fade, for that is the privilege and duty of the Reinmaren of the land, as per the tradition of our people.
4. ON THE SCHWUR: Those sons or daughters of Reinmar who are not of the Reinmaren blood by birth or oath, their Schwur the Kanun shan’t recognize. Their tongue shan’t style its words as part of a Schwur, for this is only the privilege of the Reinmaren people. The foreigner who does so will be judged for mockery of the traditions of our people, so let the unfit tongues not speak of sacred words.

Section II. THE TRIBESMAN

1. ON DEFINITION: He who within the borders of Reinmar lives, has taken the Trials of the Stallions and undergone the Ritual of Blood, shall be recognized by the Kanun as the Reinmaren Tribesman of the Principality. Thus are their rights and privileges:
2. ON PROPERTY: They shall be allowed to call home the buildings within Kretzen, and be they part of a tribe of Reinmar, within its Farmstead they may live, lest their higher position allows them otherwise.
   1. Their home they shan’t own, for it will be the Princes’, from whom they may lease their residence, to live with kin or kith.
   2. For this home they shan’t pay an upfront cost, yet taxes they shall offer for its occupation. Let the tribesmen of Kretzen pay in gold for this house if they so wish and let them be levied ten percent less of its tax. If not, their contribution shall be their craft, the product of which will be levied as tax, of which they are obligated to pay ten percent less.
3. ON REINMAREN FADES: The Reinmaren Tribesmen of the Principality shall be obligated to style their hair with a fade, as per the tradition of our people.
4. ON THE KRIEGSMACHT: The Reinmaren Tribesmen of the realm, who shall be known as the Sons and Daughters of Reinmar, shall be required to serve in the Host of St. Johann for a period of five years, known as a tour of service. Let children below the age of fourteen and invalids be excused from this responsibility. If the officers of the Host can conclude their participation has been adequate, they may be relegated to auxiliary forces in times of peace. In times of war, the Fürsten may declare that auxiliary forces be called upon to resume their service.
5. ON STALLION STEALING: As per Reinmaren tradition originating from Baron Wilheim Barclay, the Tribesmen shan’t be charged for the act of stealing the stallions of their fellows of equal or lower rank. Let the good owner of its stallion be able to retrieve it as it was stolen from him through their own skill.
   1. If a stallion stolen from its owner is once again retrieved its first master, the tribesman who the stallion stole and lost shan’t be allowed to steal from the same tribesman again.
6. ON THE LANDTAG: The Tribesmen of the realm shall act as the members of the Landtag of Reinmar, to present themselves in the Moots of Reinmar, and have the privilege to vote on matters of the realm, present themselves and their tribes. For they are the backbone of the realm.
   1. The members of the Landtag shall be obligated to wear the traditional Reinmaren caps and cloaks during Moots, to present their cultural and social standing.
   2. The members of the Landtag will sit in the seats that are according to their tribal standing.
7. ON REINMAREN NAMES: The Reinmaren Tribesmen of the Principality shall be obligated to take a new name upon blooding, of origin Waldenian or Kaedreni.

Section III. THE WARRIOR

1. ON DEFINITION: The Tribesman who serves his motherland through joining the Host of St. Johann shall be recognized by the Kanun as the Warrior of the realm, her staunch protector and its fighter. Thus are their rights and privileges:
2. ON THE WARRIOR’S PROPERTY: They shall be allowed to call home the buildings within the walls of Kretzen, and be they part of a tribe of Reinmar, within its Farmstead they may live, lest their higher position allows them otherwise.
   1. Their home they shall be allowed to own if they so desire once its price they pay for in Geld. The property shall become theirs, and a small tax they shall pay for it, ten percent reduced from the original price.
   2. This property shan’t be inherited, and amongst the Princes’ domain it shall join once more after the owner dies, leaves the Principality after retiring from the Host, or goes missing for a term of five years.
3. ON CARRYING OF WEAPONS: As the protectors of their motherland, the Warriors of the realm shall enjoy the right to carry weapons out in the open as they see fit, be it to protect their Principality, honor, or to display their strength. The Warrior who this privilege abuses to intimidate or threaten a subject of the Principality shall face punishment.
4. ON LEONCARE: With this, those newly elevated Warriors of the Host shall be given arms and armor from the Princes and his Herrenhaus to further protect their homeland.
5. ON TRIAL BY JOUSTING: For their prowess in the ancient and sacred art of Reinmaren jousting, the Warriors of the realm shall be allowed to appeal for a Trial by Jousting to prove their innocence, if it so has come to question during the trials of the Principality.
6. ON BATTLEFIELD LOOT: For each warrior participating in battle, the Princes shall owe them a portion of the bounty, to be divided equally. 

Section IV. THE GEEHRTE

1. ON DEFINITION: The son of Reinmar who himself dedicates to the Virtues of the Reinmaren shall know recognition. He who the values of this book holds dear, the Kanun will embrace him. Let those whose virtues excel those of he most be known as the Geehrte, or the Honored.
   1. The Geehrte shall ascend as such after the unanimous decision of the Fürsten and Lawspeaker, who shall evaluate their virtue and deem them worthy.
2. ON PROPERTY: They shall be allowed to call home the farm houses within the land of the Reinmar, to live with kin and kith.
   1. For this home they must pay in Geld, the property shall become theirs, and a small tax they shall pay for it, fifteen percent reduced from the original price.
   2. This property shall be inherited by the Geehrte, to whomever they designate as their heir. The farmstead shan’t be retracted from the Fürsten lest the living descendants or members of the Geehrte’s tribes leave Reinmar, or fail to follow in the honored footsteps of their ancestors.
3. ON THE SCHWUR: Let the Schwur ushered by the Geehrte of the realm be recognized as higher than most. As their virtue stood out from amongst their people, so too will their Schwur.
4. ON PUNISHMENT: Let the virtues of the Geehrte protect them. He who as a Geehrte has been recognized, shall enjoy lesser judgment if found a wrongdoer, and the Kanun shall be soft to them. Yet, the Geehrte whose virtues cannot outshine his wrongdoings shall be stripped of his recognition, and harsher the Kanun shall punish him.
5. ON DUELS: The Geehrte who is challenged by one of lesser rank in a duel of honor may decline such without tainting their honor. And, if any duel they accept, they shall be allowed to call forth another warrior to fight in their stead.
6. ON STALLION STEALING: The Geehrte shan’t be charged for the act of stealing the stallions of their fellows of equal or lower rank. Let the good owner of its stallion be able to retrieve it as it was stolen from him through their own skill.
   1. If a stallion stolen from its owner is once again retrieved, the Geehrte who the stallion stole and lost shan’t be allowed to steal from the same tribesman again.
7. ON TRIBES: Let the Reinmaren Geehrte who has distinguished themselves from amongst his peers be allowed the privilege to cement their legacy like the foundations of the great castle that is our realm. They shall be allowed to, upon consent from the Lawspeaker and Fürsten of Reinmar, form their own tribe in accordance to the FOURTH book of the Kanun.
   1. At least three others must follow them, and the tribe’s name they must take as their own.
   2. The tribe found by the Reinmaren shall be of the Reinmaren. Let the tribes of Reinmar name themselves after the Waldenian language, and hold their culture and story as Reinmaren people close to heart.
8. ON TRIBE’S PRIVILEGES: The tribe who amongst its members fosters a Geehrte of the realm shall thus be allowed to call home the farmsteads within Reinmar, to move with their members. Upon such, the farmstead shall become the tribe’s, and shan’t be removed from their inheritance unless a great wrongdoing they commit, or if from the realm they depart.
9. ON OVERSEEING TRIALS: As proven virtuous Reinmaren of the realm, the Geehrte shall be allowed the privilege to oversee the undertaking of the Trials of the Stallions by all those who wish to become Sons and Daughters of Reinmar.
10. ON HONORARY STATUES: So great are the deeds of the Geehrte that they shall be remembered throughout all the lineages of Reinmar. Upon their death, their statue shall be placed within the Moot Hall of Reinmar, and their name venerated and deeds remembered. So too will they be able to bear cloaks and caps unique to their status that they may display at moot.

Section V. THE RITTER

1. ON DEFINITION: The men and women of Reinmar who themselves and their lives shall dedicate to the prosperity of the realm and shall find themselves amongst the Knighthood of Reinmar shall be recognized as the Gentry of the realm for their deeds.
2. ON PROPERTY: Within the Ritter towers of Reinmar they shall rest their heads, to live with their brothers and sisters, to train their squires and to protect the keeps of the Princes.
   1. The Knightly lords of these towers shall be recognized as Ritter-Kastellans, they shall overlook the tower, the Ritter and the squires that live within it.
   2. Any and every Ritter, despite his rank, shall call the Ritter towers their home, unless assigned residence within the Princes’ castle.
3. ON THE SCHWUR: Let the Schwur ushered by the Ritters of the realm be recognized as the highest amongst the men of Reinmar, equal to that of the Princes’ Herrenhaus, for their lives they have dedicated to the virtues of Reinmar.
4. ON TITLES: Thus, shall the Ritter of Reinmar represent their status within their titles. Let them call themselves “Ritter” or “Dame” for men and women respectively, in the format of the Walenian knighthood: Their name shall come in front, followed by their knightly title, and finally their last name.
5. ON HERALDRY: Let the Ritter of the realm represent themselves as the highest warriors of the Princes, for they shall be allowed the privilege to hold their personal heraldry, of any colors they shall wish, to thus present themselves as the gentry of the realm.
   1. The colors of the Ritter-Kastellans shall be flown alongside those of Reinmar atop the Ritter towers that they shall lord over.
   2. The proposed heraldry must be approved by the Herald to be suitable for Reinmaren culture.
6. ON DUELS: The Ritter who is challenged by one of lesser rank in a duel of honor may decline such without tainting their honor. And, if any duel they accept, they shall be allowed to call forth another warrior to fight in their stead.
7. ON ENFORCING THE KANUN: For their virtue and training, the Ritter of Reinmar shall be allowed to, alongside the Lord Bailiff, enforce the judgments passed by the Lawspeaker of Reinmar, to bring forth the Kanun’s justice.
8. ON CARRYING OF WEAPONS: As warriors of the Princes, thus shall be the Ritter allowed the free carrying of weapons, to protect the honor of their Princes, realm, or themselves. Let such privilege not be misused by the Ritters of virtue, for such their punishment will be great.
9. ON DUELS: Thus, shall the Ritters of the realm not be allowed to choose another to fight their duels, for their honor is of their pledge. Let the Ritter of the realm similarly be allowed to fight any who thus taint their honor, so that it may be preserved, for it is the Principality that their honor represents.

Section VI. THE CONSORT

1. ON DEFINITION: The Consort is the spouse of the ruling monarch of the Principality of Reinmar. While there exist two Princes in Reinmar, there may exist two Princess-Consorts.
   1. The Princess-Consorts may style themselves as the Princess-Consort of Sutica or of Minitz, as appropriate. They may not style themselves as the Princess-Consort in Reinmar. When such a moment arises that there is a single ruler of the Principality of Reinmar, the Consort may style themselves as Prince or Princess-Consort of Reinmar. This provision applies if the Principality of Reinmar were ever to become known as a different polity, for example the Grand Principality of Reinmar or the Kingdom of Reinmar. In such an event, the Consort may style themselves as the consort of their spouse’s equivalent.
   2. Upon the ascension of Frederica Barclay, Baroness of Sigradz, to Princess in Reinmar and of Sutica, her husband Brandt II Barclay, Baron of Hussen, shall be the Prince-Consort of Sutica. Upon the ascension of Brandt II Barclay, Baron of Hussen, to Prince in Reinmar and of Minitz, his wife Frederica Barclay, Baroness of Sigradz, shall be the Princess-Consort of Minitz. Once both the Baron of Hussen and Baroness of Sigradz have ascended as Prince and Princess in Reinmar, they shall each maintain their styles as consort in name only. The provisions of this edict shall cease to apply to them. The wife of a Reinmaren Chieftain is a Chieftess, as per the example of Brynhildr, the foremost of Theoderic’s five wives, and all chieftesses who followed her. The husband of a Reinmaren Chieftess where she is Chieftess in her own right is not a chieftain, following the example of Chieftess Theodegotha, whose husband did not match her in rank.
2. ON RESPONSIBILITIES: The Consort must be Blooded before their marriage to the ruling monarch. Becoming Blooded means completing the Trials of the Stallion and participating in the Ritual of Blood at a session of Reinmaren Moot. The Consort presides over the Heather Court, and is expected to actively contribute to the Reinmaren culture through the Heather Court. This could be through publishing research, raising runestones, transcribing tales, hosting events, among other means. Even if the Consort chooses not to be directly involved in the administration of the Heather Court, they must name a Seneschal to oversee day-to-day courtly matters. The Consort must serve in the Host of Saint Johann to the same extent as the ruling monarch, coming to the defence of Reinmar in her times of need. They are expected to learn to fight on foot and on horseback. The Consort is expected to attend every session of Moot and Royal Court where possible. If requested by the ruling monarch, the Consort is expected to don traditional Reinmaren robes and assume the role of either the Dolchmeister or the Chanter during the Ritual of Blood. Where the Consort is female, and except where there is a more appropriate candidate, the Consort is expected to fulfil the role of the Mother during the Oath of Macken.
3. ON RIGHTS: The Consort has the right to accept the schwur of hirdmen, taking them on as bloodsworn protectors and confidantes. The number of hirdmen in the Consort’s hird should not exceed that of the ruling monarch’s hird. The Consort has the right to sit upon the Herrenhaus as an advisor to the ruling monarch and a spokesperson of the Heather Court. The Consort enjoys the power to draft edicts and present them before the Landtag, much like a Lawman. The Consort has the right to wear certain garb and ornamentation, as befitting their status. The Consort may wear the armour of the Auserwal, even if they have not progressed through the ranks as a tribesman would. The Consort, if female, has the right to wear golden jewellery. A male consort does not share this right, but may adorn himself with silver. The Consort has the right to wear a crown from the collection of Barclay relics or, where appropriate, have a crown made for them personally. The Consort may wear a torc around the upper arm, but may not wear it around the neck unless such an honour is granted by the ruling monarch in recognition of their warrior’s spirit. The Consort has the right to command the Host of Saint Johann in the absence of the ruling monarch and the Feldmarschall. Knights of the Order of Saint Tylos must obey the commands of the Consort unless such a command expressly contradicts a standing order from the Grandmaster. The Consort has the right to host a session of Moot if the ruling monarch and the Lawspeaker are absent, or if the honour of presiding over Moot has been delegated to them.
4. ON LIMITATIONS: The Consort may be elevated to positions open to any tribesman, such as that of Lawman or positions on the Herrenhaus, but they may not be named Geehrte or Hochgeehrte. Further to being unable to be named Geehrte, the Consort may not form their own tribe. The Consort is a member of the ruling monarch’s tribe and household, beholden to their will and protection. The Consort may not maintain their family name after marriage. They must legally take the Barclay name. Even if entrusted to engage in diplomatic relations with foreign entities, the Consort does not have the power to bind the Principality of Reinmar to treaties. Such a right is reserved solely for the ruling monarch. If the Consort is deemed by the ruling monarch or the Lawspeaker to have not fulfilled their responsibilities, so too shall they be denied the consort’s rights.

Book Four: KIN AND KITH

The Grand Kanun does recognize the tribes of Reinmar. Their bloodlines it respects, be it the blood of birth or the blood of oath that binds the tribesmen. The Kanun will so dictate the rights, duties, and rituals that the tribes under it shall practice, to thus ensure the continuation of the Reinmaren tradition, akin to that of old. Let them be known as the sons and daughters of Reinmar, and let them know of the book dedicated to them.
 

Chapter I. ON THE NATURE OF THE TRIBES

1. Let the tribe be the base frame that the Reinmaren sons and daughters place themselves within. Let their tribesmen be all who they call kin and kith. So says the Kanun, the tribes shall live in accord, maintained by mutual affection and unselfishness; in such a partnership, a good tribesman deserves more than half the praise, just as a bad one deserves more than half the blame.
2. The Reinmaren blood that the tribesman acquires through the Ritual of Blood binds them to Reinmar. While only those of Horen's ilk may undergo the trials and become Reinmaren, if children of other races have proven themselves, they may be granted an exception to join the Reinmaren flock should the proper trials be completed.
3. Let none who is not a son or daughter of Reinmar stake claim to the membership of a Reinmaren tribe. So has Saul not gone beyond the tabernacle of Horen’s kind, shall no impostor find themselves to be a tribesman of Reinmar.
4. The tribes of Reinmar shall only be composed of those oathed Reinmaren who resided in, and have shown their faces in, Reinmar within the five summers. 
5. The tribes of Reinmar will style themselves in the wordings and names of our ancestors, for deviation from their course is a great sacrilege. The names and symbols that the tribes give themselves will be names of Waldenian roots and symbols, thus reflecting the nature of the tribes.
6. The egalitarian nature of the Reinmaren tribesman does place him in equal standing with all his peers, for his profession and his work is essential to all matters communal and collective. Yet, the customs of the Feudal man have taught our people the importance of one lordly group who must guide the rest. The Kanun does recognize this caste as the “Noble Bloodlines” of the Reinmaren tribes. These noble bloodlines shall be differentiated by the rest through the differences in their Tribe’s name.
   1. Each tribesman will adopt the name of the tribe as their own. Let the tribesman of Stroheim call himself Stroheim, and the Chieftain of tribe Sturmweber call himself a Sturmweber.
   2. As per Waldenic practices, the tribesmen of Noble bloodlines with claims on land may adopt the preposition “von” (meaning “from”, or “of”. Used by many Waldenian bloodlines to indicate noble status.) before the name of their holding. Thus, the Chieftain of Stroheim, noble by blood, may style himself as “von Langenkirch” instead.
      1. Let this not be confused with the same preposition “von” of “von Kretzen” used by newly oathed tribesmen who have yet to swear themselves to a tribe. These lot the Kanun recognizes as Common Tribesmen.
   3. The Noble Tribesmen shall be deemed so through both blood and merit. The noble preposition “von” they shall only hold if they have undergone the Trials of the Stallion and the trial of the tribe, becoming both Reinmaren and a member of the tribe through merit. Only when they have thus proven themselves, they may take the Noble name as their own, and, until they do so, only the Tribal name they shall call theirs.
   4. The spouse who within a canonist church marries a Noble tribesman shall become one with them in the eyes of GOTT. Let the Law of the Kanun respect such and allow them to hold the Noble Name of the tribe. Their marriage, however, shall only bind them to their spouse, and not to the tribe, lest to it they are so conjoined through trials and merit. The Tribal Name they shall not hold lest a member of the tribe become like all other Reinmaren.

Chapter II. ON THE RIGHTS OF THE TRIBES

1. Each tribe shall be privileged and obligated to hold their own banner, in accordance with the fashion and tradition of the Reinmaren, as designated by the Princes in Reinmar and their Herald.
   1. The colors or sigil of a tribe’s banner cannot be the exact same as that of another tribe, lest it be a cadet of that tribe. In such cases, either the colors of the tribe or its sigil may remain the same.
2. Each tribe shall enjoy the right to represent their banners and colors in the armors of the Host of St. Johann, in accordance with the fashion and tradition of the Host, as designated by the Princes in Reinmar and their Field Marshal.
3. Each tribe shall enjoy the right to order and govern itself as it sees fit, as long as it follows the word of the Kanun.

Chapter III. ON THE TRIBESMEN

1. The tribesmen of Reinmar shall thus all be allowed to join amongst the tribes of Reinmar.
2. The tribesmen of Reinmar shall be obligated to take the name of the tribe as their own.
3. The tribesmen of Reinmar shall not be part of any other family, tribe, or take any other names whilst part of a tribe.
   1. This shall not apply for tribesmen of noble ilk, who may join tribes. The Kanun decrees that they shall still keep the name of their noble house.
4. Let no tribesman affiliate with more than one tribe during their membership of a tribe.
5. The tribesmen of Reinmar can only be expelled from the tribes through such acts;
   1. Dismissal from the Chieftain: The Chieftain is the chief among the tribesmen. He, seeing that his tribesmen do not act according to the customs of the Reinmaren, and the conduct inlaid within this Kanun, may call a Moot within his tribe, compelling his men to vote for the dismissal of one of their fellow tribesmen. This tribesman shall be dismissed from the tribe if the majority vote so, though will not be dishonored if he has not gone against the Kanun.
   2. Dismissal from the Lawspeaker: If the tribesman has committed a wrongdoing before the Kanun or wishes to abandon their tribe at their own volition, they shall present themselves to the Lawspeaker. In cases of betraying the Kanun, they shall be dishonored. If they leave through will, they shall not find again membership to that tribe.
6. The foreign spouses of the tribesmen shall not be considered part of the tribe, nor the ilk of Reinmar, lest they undertake the Ritual of Blood and the following trials of our ancestors to join the tribe. They can, however, dwell within the farmstead of that tribe.
7. The tribal spouse of a tribesman who is part of a different tribe can choose to become part of the new tribe to which they marry into, taking the name without need of undergoing the trials.
8. The ilk of a tribesman shall not be considered as part of the tribe through their bloodline, lest the sons of Reinmar grow idle in comfort. They too, have to achieve that right as their ancestors, through undergoing the rituals and trials required. 

Chapter IV. ON THE CHIEFTAINS

1. In a Reinmaren tribe, it is the right path that a leader of good repute among his men should lead, for the consent of the tribesmen, and merit under the belt is favored by the Kanun to lead. For such an end, each tribesman shall elect a Chieftain from among them.
2. The Noble Chieftain of the tribe is elevated through two ways of the Reinmaren;
   1. Through Noble Election: the Noble Chieftains of the tribes shall enjoy the privilege to only allow their own ilk and blood to rule their tribe. Under the Noble Elective law, only the Siblings, Children and Grandchildren of a Chieftain may be elected for the role of the Chieftain, given that they have undergone the trials of the Reinmaren and joined the tribes as Noble Tribesmen.
   2. Through Tribal Election: the Noble Tribes which this law chooses as their own shall allow any within their tribe the opportunity of ascent to Noble Tribesmen. These Noble Tribesmen are not bound by blood forever, akin the flowers of the field, which change when the wind of death blows. Instead, any tribesmen shall be eligible for taking the mantle and burdens of the Noble Chieftain, as long as they are elected by a majority of their tribe.
3. The chosen law through which the Chieftain of a tribe is ascended shall be decided upon the tribe’s founding, and can only be changed once every twenty years, requiring both a moot vote between the tribesmen and the permission of either the Lawspeaker or the Princes, so that it may be permissible under the eyes of Kanun, and our rites.
4. Any election of the Chieftain shall be conducted within the Moot Hall of Reinmar, under the watchful eye of the Lawspeaker or the Princes.
5. The Chieftain of the tribe shall serve their tribe until death, resignation, or the elevation of a new Chieftain.
   1. The election for the dismissal of a Chieftain must first be allowed by the Lawspeaker or the Princes, and, upon a moot vote, an election for a new Chieftain may be held.
   2. To deprive a Chieftain of his cap during the first four years of his rule is an ill omen; it shall not be done.
   3. Let it be known that the Chieftain elected to be dismissed shall enjoy the right to defend his position, for the strong is favored to lead. He may declare a trial by combat, wherein he shall duel a champion chosen from amongst the tribesmen who elected for his dismissal. Upon losing the duel, the Chieftain shall be dismissed, if he wins, he shall continue leading as Chieftain for another four years without challenge. However, there are men of strength and not wit, and there are men of wit and not strength. If the Lawspeaker judges a Chieftain to be such, he may invalidate this trial through the Prince’s consent.
6. The Chieftain of the tribe shall have command over the matters of tribe, be it conflict or otherwise. Matters concerning more than one tribe shall be judged by the Lawspeaker.
   1. Major decisions of the Chieftain of a tribe may only be overruled by a majority vote between the entire tribe overseen by the Lawspeaker, or from a ruling of the Princes.
7. If the Chieftain of a tribe is also the Lawspeaker of Reinmar, all matters of that tribe specifically where the Lawspeaker’s verdict was required shall instead be overseen by either the Field Marshal of the Host of St. Johann or the Princes in Reinmar.

Chapter V. ON THE FOUNDING OF TRIBES

1. Let it be so that a tribe may only be founded by a tribesman of high note, that they hold claim to the tribal standing of a Geehrte or granted the favor of the Princes.
   1. The Geehrte who founds the tribe shall be its first Chieftain, and may not be dismissed through the election by its tribesmen, as described in the FOURTH Section of the FOURTH Chapter of this Book of the Kanun.
   2. The first Chieftain may however be overthrown through a ruling of the Lawspeaker if deemed a wrongdoer of a high degree.
   3. If two or more Geehrte of equal Rank jointly found a tribe, they must choose one among themselves to act as its Chieftain.
2. In order for a tribe to be founded, at least three active tribesmen must be willing to join it.
3. The consent and permission of both the Lawspeaker and Princes in Reinmar are required for a tribe to be found, otherwise, it shall remain unformed.
4. Those who wish to found a tribe must come prepared in front of the Lawspeaker and Princes in Reinmar with the tribe’s name, its prepared banner, and the Host uniform variants that shall represent the tribesmen.
5. If the omens are deemed right by the Princes and Lawspeaker, the tribe found shall join amongst the official tribes of Reinmar and enjoy similar rights.

Chapter VI. ON THE PROPERTIES OF A TRIBE

1. The properties owned by a tribe, the Chieftain of which is not a Geehrte shall be decentralized. They cannot own a common farmstead within Reinmar, for these can only be owned by the Geehrte. Thus, all the members of the tribes shall be free to choose their own home.
2. The properties owned by a tribe, the Chieftain of which is a Geehrte shall be rewarded a farmstead, to be owned by the tribe and inherited through its generations, without requiring another Geehrte for the farmstead to be owned.
   1. The tribesmen shall be obligated to live within the farmstead so that it is used to its full capacity.
   2. If the Geehrte who gained a tribe its farmstead is stripped of their title due to wrongdoings of a great nature, the farmstead shall also be forfeited from the tribe, until a new Gochgeehrte joins their midst.

Chapter VI. ON THE POPULATION OF A TRIBE

1. Upon its founding, a common tribe can only be composed of seven tribesmen at most, including the Chieftain.
2. The maximum population of a common tribe may be increased depending on the Prestige Ranks of its tribesmen. The population limit of the tribe shall:
   1. Increase by ONE for every Ritter within the tribe.
   2. Increase by ONE for every Geehrte within the tribe.
   3. Increase by TWO for every Herrenhaus member within the tribe.
3. The maximum population of a common tribe through Rank dependent increase may not surpass twelve.
   1. The Chieftain of the tribe shall be allowed to petition the Lawspeaker or Princes to further increase this limit.
4. Upon the absence of a tribesman in the Principality for more than five years, the Chieftain of the tribe may petition the Lawspeaker or Princes to declare the tribesman absent.
   1. The tribesman shall not be counted towards the population of the tribe whilst absent.
   2. Upon their return, the tribesman may join the tribe once more, at the discretion of the tribe’s Chieftain.
   3. Upon the return of an absent tribesman, they shall once again be counted amongst the population of the tribe. If their inclusion leads to the tribe’s population limit being surpassed, such shall be allowed. However, no further inclusion of new tribesmen may occur, so in accordance with the tribe’s designated limit.
5. It is the greedy Chieftain, who wishes all men to be under his spear. One tribesmen gained for one Chief, means one lost for another. The Kanun frowns upon such, for it is only the mantle of the High Chief to hold command over all his tribe. Thus, the Kanun decrees; The Law on the population of the tribe shall also apply to those foreign servants of the tribe, such as those who are under the protection of the Chieftain in gainful employment.

Chapter VII. ON THE NOBLE TRIBESMEN

1. A Noble Tribe cannot be so without its Noble ilk, its esteemed tribesmen, who themselves have proven worthy through not only blood, but merit. Thus, the Noble Tribesmen of Reinmar, the Children or Grandchildren of a Chieftain shall only become such after joining the tribe as per its trials and customs.
2. It is the blood shared with a Noble Chieftain that may allow a tribesman to call himself noble. And it is the laws of the tribe that dictate who is deemed worthy of becoming a Chieftain. Thus, those who call themselves Noble Tribesmen shall be dictated by the Election Law of the Chieftain.
   1. The Tribe that the Noble Elective law has adapted shall deem its Chief’s Children, Grandchildren, and Spouse as Noble Tribesmen and Tribeswomen, for they are the only ones who may inherit the wooden throne of their predecessor.
   2. The Tribe that the Tribal Elective law has adapted shall deem only its Chief’s Children and Spouse as Noble Tribesmen and Tribeswomen, for this tribe has chosen no bloodline that shall always stand higher than another.
3. Marriage is the bond that binds the tribesman to the tribeswoman. Yet, marriage not only brings two people together, but it is also what binds tribe with tribe. The bond of marriage is the resolution of the blood debt, of feuds and revenge, of the binding of the Noble Tribes. Thus, it is only the bond between the noble tribesman and woman that, before the eyes of the Kanun, settles the blood feud of the Noble Tribe. Let no Reinmaren Chieftain be humiliated when for peace his daughter he offers, and the other Tribe gives him the new tribesman who owns no merit. So says the Kanun.
4. The Noble merit shall come to those who the blood of the great Chieftains hold, and who their worth have shown. Let the noble tribesmen of the realm be recognized for their honor and pure blood. Their word shall be respected more by their brothers and sisters, and their Schwur shall hold more power within Moots and Trials

WER RASTET, DER ROSTET

HIS EXCELLENCY, Robert Stroheim, Lawspeaker of Reinmar, Chefarzt of Reinmar, Ritter of the Order of Saint Tylos, Patriarch of House Stroheim, Burgrave of Langenkirch