Edict of Aster, 1864

[Eryane 3698]

EDICT OF ASTER

16th of Horen’s Calling, 1864

 

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PREAMBLE

 

It has become apparent to Us in these times of unrest and turmoil that, for the benefit of the security and integrity of Our realm, We must embark upon further enterprises so as to ensure Our continued sovereignty and economic development. Bearing this in mind, it is Our intention to empower a separate class of peer with special and unique privileges, so as to provide the necessary incentives for Our leal servants resident on the frontiers of the Empire to make further contributions to Our national interest. 

 

Therefore, this document proclaimed by Us enumerates the role, duties and privileges associated with the marcher lords of the Holy Orenian Empire. 

 

 

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ARTICLE I. On marcher lords

 

The term ‘marcher lord’ denotes a rank of peerage traditionally held in official seniority above the rank of ‘count’ and below the rank of ‘duke’. As with all ranks of peerage, the granting of this office remains the privilege of the Crown through the document of Imperial letters. The lands associated with Imperial letters for a march are required to be located on the frontier of the Empire, where a border is shared with a foreign state. 

 

As a special rank of peerage with unique responsibilities outside of the normal duties of a peer, the status of marcher lord shall be incompatible with any higher ranks of peerage within the Empire, with any marcher lords subsequently acquiring landed titleage of a higher seniority being required to relinquish their status as marcher lords. 

 

The name of a peerage at this rank shall always follow the conventions of ‘March of [LAND NAME]’, however, those marcher lords in the north of the Empire shall be styled as margrave, and those in the south of the Empire shall be styled as marquess. 

 

These stylings shall be of equivalent rank and shall both use the prefix of ‘The Most Honorable’. These stylings of peerage are precluded from being borne on an honorific basis, without the associated duties and responsibilities of a marcher lord. 

 

Henceforth, it is declared: 

 

I.) That in lieu of annual contributions in the form of Excise Tax, marcher lords shall be charged with a series of unique military and territorial contributions necessitated by their position on the frontier of the Empire, beyond that required by peers of other ranks.

 

i. That marcher lords shall be required to maintain a substantial military force, and that these companies must maintain at least one thousand five-hundred men in their active service. 

ii. That the companies of marcher lords shall be subject to review by the Crown every two years. 

iii. That the status of a marcher lord shall be revoked if the requirement for the minimum number of men is insufficiently maintained after being reviewed twice by the Crown.

 

II.) That marcher lords, as enumerated within this document, shall be given the privilege to uphold and maintain a settlement in the granted lands, where they are required to maintain a sizable population, and a level of economic and industrial productivity commensurate to this size.

 

i. That this requirement may be reviewed in the form of a brief visit or event hosted by the marcher lord in honor of the Crown. This shall occur every four years and may coincide with review of the troops. 

 

III.) That marcher lords, as enumerated within this document, shall be given the privilege to fortify their territories in order to secure the frontiers of the Empire from foreign threats of all kinds. 

 

IV.) That marcher lords, as enumerated within this document, shall be given the privilege to create landed, untitled gentry vassals directly in the marcher lord’s service, for the purpose of providing services both military and economic to the march. These freeholds are to be associated with expectations, and failure to meet these standards will result in monetary penalties for the marcher lord. 

 

V.) That this edict shall also create the Imperial Security Committee, which shall be composed of the Crown, the heir apparent, ex officio the General of the Imperial State Army, ex officio all marcher lords as well as any other advisors of senior military significance as decided on an ad hoc basis by the Crown. 

 

VI.) That the role of the Imperial Security Committee is to directly advise the Crown in times of emergency or in war, or on any matters of high-level military or security significance. 

 

 

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ARTICLE II. On baronetcies

 

A baronet, or baronetess, is the holder of an honorary title, granted by the Crown, who may style themselves as ‘Sir’ or ‘Ma’am’ and are recognized as low nobility below that of a baron or baroness.  

 

Henceforth, it is declared:

 

I.) That a baronetcy is non-inheritable and is only held by whom the title was directly granted to by the Crown.

 

II.) That baronets shall be subject to all responsibilities held by nobility as outlined in the Edict of Petra and otherwise stated by the Crown. 

 

III.) That baronets must purchase land from the Crown in order to hold it. 

 

i. That land is not granted, or a potential privilege, on basis of noble status for those holding a baronetcy. 

 

 

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AD DEI GLORIAM,

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