Edict of Petra, 1855

[Eryane 3698]

EDICT OF PETRA

11th of Godfrey’s Triumph, 1855

 

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I.) PREAMBLE

 

For decades, there has been much debate around the purpose of the ancestral nobility of the Holy Orenian Empire. In return for leal service of an exemplary magnitude, hereditary and titular peerages are regularly bestowed as a reward for loyalty and deeds of great renown. 

 

However, a certain stagnancy within the nobility has necessitated a series of reforms. Thus, in consultation with our peers, the Imperial Crown has seen fit to issue a new set of formal guidelines and clarifications regarding the privileges and responsibilities bestowed upon noble families of the realm.

 

 

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II.) PRIVILEGES & RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE NOBILITY

 

In return for their loyalty and service, those families which have been ennobled by the Imperial Crown shall be entitled to a series of extended privileges. 

 

I.) The imperial peerage of the Holy Orenian Empire shall be granted the privilege of serving as landlords on behalf of the Crown. Thus, they shall be granted the ability to host tenets on their land and collect taxes therein.

i. Plans for construction beyond the primary manor or keep must be submitted to the Home Office for approval.

 

II.) The imperial peerage shall be granted the privilege of building either manors or keeps upon their land, to serve as a seat befitting of their families.

i. The construction of all keeps must be approved by the Imperial Crown through the Home Office.

ii. Extensive fortresses and military defenses are not to be incorporated into these keeps without the express permission of the Imperial Crown through the War Office.

 

III.) In addition to tax, additional duties and responsibilities may be specifically bestowed upon families of the imperial peerage to take charge of at the behest of the Imperial Crown.

i. The nature of this duty is to be decided on an individual basis, pertaining to the strengths of each family and the needs of the Empire, as the Imperial Crown sees fit.

ii. The responsibilities entailed by the holding of an imperial peerage may be administrative, material, or ceremonial in nature based on the judgment of the Imperial Crown.

 

 

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III.) THE ADRIATIC COURT

 

In order to administer the affairs of the nobility, the Adriatic Court will be formed to serve as an advisory body for the governance of affairs pertaining to the imperial peerage.

 

I.) Upon the calling into session of the Adriatic Court, the peerage of the Holy Orenian Empire shall be summoned to advise the Imperial Crown on whatever matters it may deem fit.

i. Cases of treason, misconduct, or a failure to uphold noble duties within the nobility may be considered by the Adriatic Court.

ii. Matters of succession may also be raised by the Imperial Crown before the Adriatic Court in the event of a peerage lacking a rightful inheritor.

iii. The Adriatic Court shall possess the ability to pass an Imperial Ban upon a standing peer should the conduct of said peer be deemed as warranting of such. This punishment may entail anything the council deems fit, including the stripping or reallocation of an imperial peerage.

iv. This body shall advise the Imperial Crown on matters pertaining to the affairs of the nobility as requested, thus serving as an apparatus to oversee the imperial peerage.

 

II.) The privilege of attendance in the Adriatic Court shall be extended to the entire imperial peerage, without the necessity of being appointed.

i. Only peers in good standing who are present at these proceedings shall be granted the right to vote on the matters being discussed at a session of the Adriatic Court. The practice of voting or rendering advice in absentia will only be permitted in certain instances at the express permission of the Imperial Crown.

 

 

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IV.) IMPERIAL CIRCLES

 

Spoiler

 

In order to promote cooperation among peers of similar cultural and geographical standing, two administrative regions, known as Imperial Circles, shall be created.

 

I.) All peers residing within their respective Imperial Circle are charged with a number of duties to be done in collaboration with the other peers of said Circle. These duties include, but are not limited to:

i. The promotion and systemization of a common regional culture.

ii. The collective management of a central municipality aside from the private, individual holdings of the various peers.

iii. The collaboration in the Imperial Diet and the Adriatic Court in order to present issues and interests pertaining to their respective Imperial Circle before the Crown.

 

II.) One Imperial Vicar from each Imperial Circle shall be appointed by the Imperial Crown on the advice of the peers within said Circle.

i. The Imperial Vicar is the primary peer within their Imperial Circle, acting as the intermediary between the Imperial Crown and the Imperial Circle as well as the speaker for all peers within their circle.

ii. Imperial Vicar shall be held for life unless resigned from or stripped by the Imperial Crown.

iii. Imperial Vicar is not a hereditary position, and upon the death or resignation of the previous Imperial Vicar, a new Imperial Vicar shall be appointed by the Imperial Crown.

iv. The Imperial Vicar shall have the final say in matters regarding the governance of the Crown-chartered municipalities within their Circle.

 

III.) Four Imperial Circles will be created from the existing territories of the Empire;

i. The Grenz Circle, comprised of the peers residing in the East Grenz and West Grenz regions.

ii. The Petra Circle, comprised of the peers residing in the Southern Upper Petra and Lower Petra regions.

iii. The Arentania Circle, comprised of peers residing in the Outer Arentania, South Arentania, and Oltremont.

iv. The Aregnac Circle, comprised of peers residing in the Northern Upper Petra region. 

 

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HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, Philip III, Holy Orenian Emperor, forever August, King of Renatus, Curon, Kaedrin, Salvus, and Seventis, Grand Duke of Ves, Duke of Helena, Novellen, Furnestock, Adria, and Lorraine, Baron of Renzfeld, Protector of the Heartlanders, Orenian Highlanders, and Farfolk, etcetera

 

HER IMPERIAL MAJESTY, Anastasia I, Holy Orenian Empress, forever August, Queen of Renatus, Curon, Kaedrin, Salvus, and Seventis, Grand Duchess of Ves, Duchess of Helena, Novellen, Furnestock, Adria, and Lorraine, Baroness of Renzfeld, Protector of the Heartlanders, Orenian Highlanders, and Farfolk, etcetera 

 

[Harald 2875]

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[Buffsanta 961]

Hieran nods slowly upon the words, stroking his chin with an armoured hand as he does so.

"Hm, Politics".

He states plainly, before returning to an afternoon tea.

[High_On_Math 449]

Luthriel squinted, "I am glad Ebonwood is a vassal, and has independence to do what it wants.  I would not want to be stuck in one of these circles and have to deal with Orenian nobility . . . though I would not mind having more human neighbors."