A Brief History of the Norlandic Kingsmoot

[AstriaS 3709]

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The Norlandic Kingsmoot

A Brief History

Dated 3rd of the Deep Cold, Year 33 of the Second Age

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Contents:

  I.   Preface

  II.  The Kingsmoot

  III.  King Eirik, the Great

  IV.  King Donovan, the Bastion

  V.   King Javier, the Undefeated

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PREFACE

 

The tradition of Kingsmoot is one with a history dating back to Norland’s earliest Kings. It is a practice that has come and gone over the centuries, being both invoked and denounced many times over, depending on the political circumstance of the time. This text is not intended to make an argument for or against the tradition, but rather to give a brief history of the Norlandic Kingsmoot, as well as an overview of the three most notable Kings elected by moot. Additionally, though there is a degree of political tension- even to this day- regarding Kingsmoots of old, the author has endeavored to provide a purely neutral account of events. It should be noted, however, that due to a combination of historical revisionism, and inherent political biases of past historians, there are few sources that are entirely factual and unmarred by politics. Additionally, much of what is written herein has been abridged for the sake of brevity, and as such may lack a number of details.

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THE KINGSMOOT

 

Throughout its storied history, the Kingsmoot has taken many forms, but always with the same goal: the election of a new King to the Norlandic Throne. Some Kingsmoots of old saw votes cast by the citizenry, others by Chieftains of the Norlandic Clans, and others still solely by the Ruric Chieftains. In most cases, however, the Kingsmoot has taken the form of what is commonly called the Rurics’ Moot. In this style of moot, the votes are cast by the members of the three Ruric Clans, Eiriksson, Edvardsson and Freysson, and nobody else. Regardless of who cast votes, however, the traditional proceedings are the same: those who intend to cast a vote gather in the great hall or other suitable venue, those who wish to nominate themselves do so, and finally, a verbal vote is conducted. Tradition states that the man who wins this vote is then declared to be King. However, this has not always been a stable transition, and has been known in the past to even erupt into violence.

Whether due to ideologies, rivalries, or other external factors, there have been many Kingsmoots remembered for the political tension they created. Perhaps the most notable of these controversial elections was the Moot of King Eirik in 1539 FA, the results of which fomented the troubles that sparked Beowulf’s Rebellion a number of years later. Often, it is this potential for chaos that has led some Kings to forego the process of the moot, in favor of passing their titles directly to an inheritor, as has been the practice since King Caedric’s Reformation in 1764 FA. However, it is worth remembering that, despite the potential for discord, the Kingsmoot has also elected some of the most successful and storied Kings in Norlandic history.

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KING EIRIK, THE GREAT

 

Eirik, the second son of the Herald, took the throne in Seahelm following the death of his elder brother, King Edvard I. The first King to be selected by moot, Eirik’s was a tale of both greatness and controversy. Most known, perhaps, is Eirik’s surrender to the Empire of the time. Stuck in an unwinnable war of his predecessor’s making, Eirik was left without alternatives, and made the decisions necessary to ensure the continued prosperity of his people. Among Eirik’s achievements as King, none are remembered nearly as well as his talent for affairs of state. The skill with which he navigated the political landscape of his time has rightfully earned him a reputation as perhaps the best diplomat and statesman in the Kingdom’s history. It is for this reason that he became revered in the Red Faith as the Paragon of Governance and Diplomacy. Under his reign, the Norlandic people relocated to the city of Nyrhold, where they remained for the remainder of his rule. Though it is claimed by some that Eirik banned the practice of the Red Faith, there is no written evidence available at the time of this writing to substantiate this. The longest-lived King in the entirety of Norland’s history, Eirik passed away at the venerable age of 103.

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KING DONOVAN, THE BASTION

 

Donovan is perhaps the most storied King in all of Norland’s history, renowned for leading the Kingdom to its greatest historical victories at the First and Second Siege of the Krag. With his predecessor, King Artyom Eiriksson, incapacitated by poor health, the moot that elected Donovan was held in most dire times. Between a leaderless administration and the ravages of an ongoing war with the Dwarves threatening to consume the Kingdom, Norland was left precariously at the precipice of ruin. But Donovan, undeterred, endeavored to collect what means he could to defend his city and his people. With what remained of the Kingdom’s depleted funds, Donovan hired mercenaries to supplement his forces and reinforced the Krag’s defenses in preparation for what would become his most legendary achievement. Through two sieges, heavily outnumbered, King Donovan and his soldiers stood strong and repelled the invading Dwarves. Despite incredible odds, Norland and the Krag stood unbroken. For his exploits, Donovan has been honored in the Red Faith as The Bastion, the Paragon of Defense and Valor. 

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KING JAVIER, THE UNDEFEATED

 

Successor to Artyom Eiriksson, King Javier is remembered most prominently for his military exploits and skill as a commander of men. Already renowned among the Norlandic people for his deeds in the War of the Grudges, Javier was elected nearly unanimously by the Kingsmoot. Throughout his reign, he became known for his many victories in a great series of bloody wars and rebellions. By the time of his abdication in 1638 FA, Javier had remained unbeaten through every conflict he had seen, and thus earned the title by which he is most commonly known; Javier the Undefeated. During his time as Norland’s King, many regarded him as the finest King that had ever ruled, while others viewed him with bitterness and distaste. Most prominent among his detractors were Clan Edvardsson, whom the Eiriksson King had personally slighted many times throughout his reign in his attempts to keep them away from the Norlandic Throne. Though his legacy remains controversial among certain groups even in the modern day, Javier Eiriksson is still considered among the most successful Kings to ever rule the Norlandic people, and rightfully so.

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Authored by,

Mera Camian, 33 SA