THE GRAND KANUN OF MINITZ

[GoodGuyMatt 7060]

         

 

DER GROSSE KANUN VON MINITZ

THE GRAND KANUN OF MINITZ

 

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SÖHNE UND TÖCHTER VON MINITZ,

 

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 Minitz 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.

 

Lo and behold free Reinmaren people of the Herzogtum, for His Lordship has given you new laws of the land. In the spirit of following the ways of our elders and ancestors, it is announced that the Grand Kanun will be created. Through the equity and order of these laws our new Kanun will stand guardian against the darkness of anarchy and the cruelty of tyrants, ensuring the liberties of all Reinmaren are kept sacred. Published in the tongues of our humanfolk: Reinmaren & Imperial, we will make these laws known to the land. All befall under it equally, and all have access to it equally. Let this Kanun of Minitz provide remedy to the ailments of crime and sin.

 

The Minitzian Kanun furthermore shall henceforth govern both the customs and ways of the Reinmaren. The Kanun shall establish a character, mentality and pattern of behavior that all Reinmaren should take into account to temper their daily lives.

 

"ERINNERE DICH AN DEINE WURZELN"

"Remember Your Roots"

the Words of House Barclay von Minitz

 

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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 Herzog, 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 or a child 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 Herzogtum brandish a weapon with offensive intent in the walls of  Minitz; for it is not befitting to use tools that are not earned. By the Kanun, the Herzog shall be entitled to extract gold from the wrongdoer.

 

VII. ON DISTURBANCE: The one who menaces the people of Minitz 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 sow, 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 MINITZ: The one who deceitfully speaks ill of the rites, the name and the customs of Minitz 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 Herzog 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 Herzog 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 Herzog interferes in accordance to 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 Minitz and the offender’s kin shall turn their back to them. The leader of the wrongdoer’s family may demand the blood price through flogging. The Herzog 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 to 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 Herzog.

 

V. ON MAGIC: The one who channels the wicked powers of magic not be allowed to step within the walls of Minitz, 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 Herzogtum. 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 Herzog or the Lawspeaker to enter Minitz. 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 Minitz 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 Herzogtum serves, despite not believing, will be treated as an equal with his faithful brethren, for this Herzogtum 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 to 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.

 

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 to 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 Herzogtum, for they provide flour for the hungry. The Herzog'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 Herzogtum, 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 THRIOCIDE: 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. The theriocider 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 Herzogtum 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 Herzogtum shall slander and smear the name of its Herzog. The Kanun does not tolerate it, and neither does it tolerate those who smear the name of the Herzog's council and the lords of Minitz, whose work belongs to Minitz and its prosperity. These speakers of ill words shall be punished through Weregild to the Herzog, and be their slander so great, their tongue shall be cut so it speaks no more lies.

 

II. ON ASSASSINATION: The Herzogtum is of the Herzog, and the Herzog is of the Herzogtum . Both are of the Sons and Daughters of Minitz. He who plots and schemes against the Herzog and his council has done so against Minitz 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 Minitz, whom they did wrong. The wicked traitor may only seek mercy from their wrongdoing through Pardoning from the Herzog himself.

 

III. ON EMBEZZLEMENT: So says the Kanun: every Lord of Minitz or member of the Herrenhaus who uses the power vested by their Herzog to steal from the Herzogtum'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: Similarly, no word’s 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 them 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 Minitz 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 Herzogtum 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 Herzogtum 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 Minitz remain uncorrupted. No Warrior of Theoderic’s Warband 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 recieve, 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.

 

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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 Minitz 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 Minitz as they can to vouch their Schwur for the innocence or guilt of the accused. Let the sons and daughters of Minitz only give their Schwur where it fits, and not throw it in vain. For if they so do, 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 Minitz 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 Minitz, 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 trial, be it blasphemy or heresy they committed. The Kanun cares no more of 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 Herzog's is the Herzogtum , and true is the opposite. Let the Herzog of the realm have a say on the fate of the accused and convicted who have done wrong in his Herzogtum , 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 Herzog sees right. Another judgment may befall them, or naught at all, and their sleep shall be light. Only the Herzog 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.

 

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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 of Minitz, 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 Minitz, 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 Minitz 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 Minitz 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 Minitz 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 Minitz. 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 Minitz, 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 Herzogtum 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 cost. 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, Herzog, Herzogtum, 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 Minitz 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 Minitzian society be based on the honor of their people.

 

Section I. THE BURGHER

1. ON DEFINITION: He who within the walls of Minitz 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 Herzogtum. Thus are their rights and privileges:

2. ON PROPERTY: They shall only be allowed to call home the buildings within the walls of Kanunsburg, lest their position allows them otherwise.

   1. Their home they shan’t own, for it will be owned by the Herzog, 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 Kanunsburg 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 Herzogtum 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 SHWUR: Those sons or daughters of Minitz 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 Minitz 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 Herzogtum. Thus are their rights and privileges:

2. ON PROPERTY: They shall be allowed to call home the buildings within Kanunsburg, and be they part of a tribe of Minitz, 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 Herzog’s, 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 Kanunsburg 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 produce 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 Herzogtum 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 Minitz, shall be required to serve in Theoderic’s Warband for a period of five years, known as a tour of service. Let women, children, and invalids be excused from this responsibility. If the officers can conclude their participation has been adequate, they may be relegated to auxiliary forces in times of peace. In times of war, the Herzog 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 it’s 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 Minitz, to present themselves in the Moots of Minitz, 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 Herzogtum 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 Theoderic’s Warband 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 Kanunsburg, and be they part of a tribe of Minitz, 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 Herzog’s domain it shall join once more after the owner dies, leaves the Herzogtum after retiring from the Warband, or goes missing for a term of five years.

3. ON THE SOLDAT’S PROPERTY: As the distinguished protectors of the realm, the Soldats of the Warband shall enjoy the right to call home a farmhouse within the land of the Barony of Hussen, to live with kin and kith.

   1. This home they cannot own, and it will be leased by the Herzog. 

4. 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 Herzogtum, honor, or to display their strength. The Warrior who this privilege abuses to intimidate or threaten a subject of the Herzogtum shall face punishment.

5. ON LEONCARE: For their service as protectors of the realm, the Warriors shall enjoy the right to medicinal treatment free of charge, and all that comes with it, as per the plan of Leoncare. If they so need religious and spiritual counseling they will receive in times of distress, free of charge, arranged by the Herzog and his Herrenhaus.

   1. With this, those newly elevated Warriors of the Warband shall also be given arms and armor from the Herzog and his Herrenhaus to further protect their homeland.

6. 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 Herzogtum.

7. ON BATTLEFIELD LOOT: For each warrior participating in battle, the Herzog shall owe them a portion of the bounty, to be divided equally. 

 

Section IV. THE GEEHRTE

1. ON DEFINITION: The son of Minitz 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 of the Herzogtum shall ascend as such after the unanimous decision of the Herzog 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 Barony of Hussen, 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, ten percent reduced from the original price.

   2. This property shan’t be inherited, and amongst the Herzog’s domain it shall join once more after the owner dies, leaves the Herzogtum after retiring from the Warband, or goes missing for a term of five years.

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 Herzog of Minitz, 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 Minitz name themselves after the Waldenian language, and hold their culture and story as Reinmaren people close to heart.

 

Section V. THE HOCHGEEHRTE

1. ON DEFINITION: The Geehrte who has stood out as a paragon of virtue amongst the tribes of Minitz shall be rewarded for his doings, and his glory shall shine like the sun, to be seen by all the tribesmen of the realm. These shall be men with little fault, and be the embodiment of the perfect tribesman in the eyes of the Kanun. Thus are their rights and privileges:

   1. The Hochgeehrte of the Herzogtum shall ascend as such after the unanimous decision of the Herzog and Lawspeaker, who shall evaluate their virtue and deem them worthy.

2. ON PROPERTY: They shall be allowed to call home the farmsteads within the land of the Barony of Hussen, 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, twenty percent reduced from the original price.

   2. This property shall be inherited by the Hochgeehrte, to whomever they designate as their heir. The farmstead shan’t be retracted from the Herzog lest the living descendants or members of the Hochgeehrte’s tribes leave Minitz, or fail to follow in the honored footsteps of their ancestor.

3. ON TRIBE’S PRIVILEGES: The tribe who amongst its members fosters a Hochgeehrte of the realm shall thus be allowed to call home the farmsteads within the Barony of Hussen, 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.

4. ON THE SCHWUR: Let the Schwur ushered by the Hochgeehrte of the realm be recognized as one of the highest amongst the men of Minitz, challenged only by the Herrenhaus. As their virtue stood out from both their people and ancestors, so too will their Schwur.

5. ON PUNISHMENT: Let the virtues of the Hochgeehrte protect them. He who as a Geehrte has been recognized, shall enjoy lesser judgment if found a wrongdoer, and the Kanun shall be most soft to them. Yet, the Hochgeehrte whose virtues cannot outshine his wrongdoings shall be stripped of his recognition, and the harshest the Kanun shall punish him.

6. ON DUELS: The Hochgeehrte 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 OVERSEEING TRIALS: As proven virtuous Reinmaren of the realm, the Hochgeehrte 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 Minitz and all Reinmaria.

8. ON STALLION STEALING: The Hochgeehrte 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.

9. ON HONORARY STATUES: So great are the deeds of the Hochgeehrte that they shall be remembered throughout all the lineages of Minitz. Upon their death, their statue shall be placed within the Moot Hall of Minitz, and their name venerated and deeds remembered.

 

Section VI. THE RITTER

1. ON DEFINITION: The men and women of Minitz who themselves and their lives shall dedicate to the prosperity of the realm and shall find themselves amongst the Knighthood of Minitz shall be recognized as the Gentry of the realm for their deeds.

2. ON PROPERTY: Within the Ritter towers of Minitz they shall rest their heads, to live with their brothers and sisters, to train their squires and to protect the keeps of the Herzog.

   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 Herzog’s castle.

3. ON THE SCHWUR: Let the Schwur ushered by the Ritters of the realm be recognized as the highest amongst the men of Minitz, equal to that of the Herzog’s Herrenhaus, for their lives they have dedicated to the virtues of Minitz.

4. ON TITLES: Thus shall the Ritter of Minitz 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 Herzog, 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 Minitz 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 Hochgeehrte 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 Minitz shall be allowed to, alongside the Lord Bailiff, enforce the judgments passed by the Lawspeaker of Minitz, to bring forth the Kanun’s justice.

8. ON CARRYING OF WEAPONS: As warriors of the Herzog, thus shall be the Ritter allowed the free carrying of weapons, to protect the honor of their Herzog, 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 Herzogtum that their honor represents.

 

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Book Four: KIN AND KITH

 

The Grand Kanun does recognize the tribes of Minitz. 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 Minitz and all of Reinmaria, 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. What makes a tribesman, under the eyes of the Kanun is not the blood that flows through one’s veins, whether it be of Horen, Malin, Krug or Urguan’s blood. The Reinmaren blood that the tribesman acquires through the Ritual of Blood binds them to Reinmaria.

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 Minitz.

4. The tribes of Minitz shall only be composed of those oathed Reinmaren who reside in Minitz and have shown their faces in Minitz within the five summers. 

5. The tribes of Minitz 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 Minitzian 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 Theonus call himself a Theonus.

   2. As per Waldenic practices, the tribesmen of Noble bloodlines shall adopt the preposition “von” (meaning “from”, or “of”. Used by many Waldenian bloodlines to indicate noble status.) before the name of their Tribe. Thus, the Chieftain of Katzak, noble by blood, shall style himself as “von Katzak” instead.

      1. Let this not be confused with the same preposition “von” of “von Minitz” used by newly oathed tribesmen who have yet to swear themselves to a tribe. These lot the Kanun recognizes as Common Tribesmen.

      2. The tribesmen of Common Bloodlines shall not use the noble “von” but they may add their family name after the Tribes name. Thus, let the Katzak tribesman of the ad Landren bloodline style himself as “Katzak ad Landren.

   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 Herzog of Minitz and his 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 Theoderic’s Warband, in accordance with the fashion and tradition of the Warband, as designated by the Herzog of Minitz and his Warchief.

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 Minitz shall thus all be allowed to join amongst the tribes of Minitz.

2. The tribesmen of Minitz shall be obligated to take the name of the tribe as their own.

3. The tribesmen of Minitz 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 Minitz 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. Until such come of fruition, the descendant shall take the second name of the tribe.

   1. Just as it is unfruitful for a child, born out of wedlock to hold the lands and rights of their parents, it is also unsightly for them to hold the names and symbols of their forefathers. They shall hold no claim  to the Reinmaren cap and cloak, nor a secondary name.

 

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 choose 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 Herzog, 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 Minitz, under the watchful eye of the Lawspeaker or the Herzog.

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 Herzog, 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 Herzog'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 Herzog.

7. If the Chieftain of a tribe is also the Lawspeaker of Minitz, all matters of that tribe specifically where the Lawspeaker’s verdict was required shall instead be overseen by either the Warchief of Theoderic’s Warband or the Herzog of Minitz.

 

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 Hochgeehrte.

   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 Geehrtes 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 Herzog of Minitz 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 Herzog of Minitz with the tribe’s name, its prepared banner, and the Warband uniform variants that shall represent the tribesmen.

5. If the omens are deemed right by the Herzog and Lawspeaker, the tribe found shall join amongst the official tribes of Minitz, 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 Hochgeehrte shall be decentralized. They cannot own a common farmstead within Minitz, for these can only be owned by the Hochgeehrte. 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 Hochgeehrte shall be rewarded a farmstead, to be owned by the tribe and inherited through its generations, without requiring another Hochgeehrte 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 Hochgeehrte 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 Hochgeehrte joins their midst.

   3. A tribe which includes three tribesmen of the Rank of the Geehrte shall enjoy the same privileges described above.

 

Chapter VII. ON THE POPULATION OF A TRIBE

1. Upon its founding, a tribe can only be composed of seven tribesmen at most, including the Chieftain.

2. The maximum population of a 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 Geehrte within the tribe.

   2. Increase by ONE for every Ritter within the tribe.

   3. Increase by TWO for every Hochgeehrte within the tribe.

3. The maximum population of a tribe through Rank dependent increase may not surpass twelve.

   1. The Chieftain of the tribe shall be allowed to petition the Lawspeaker or Herzog to further increase this limit.

4. Upon the absence of a tribesman in the Herzogtum for more than five years, the Chieftain of the tribe may petition the Lawspeaker or Herzog 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, be it those who bear the tribe’s second-name, or those who are under the protection of the Chieftain in gainful employment.

 

Chapter VIII. 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 Minitz, 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, it is 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

5. The Noble tribesman, despite coming from noble blood, shall live to remember that they come of Reinmaren ilk, from the blood of Theoderic and Gelimar, leaders of Tribes, not of Baronies and of Kingdoms. Yet as the Chieftaincy does give the Chieftain power over his tribesman, he shall own the land upon which he shall build his Tribe’s hall. No Noble tribesman shall be addressed or style themselves as ‘Lord’. Let the noble ilk of Reinmar adapt the title of “Thegn”, first used by our ancestors as they shifted into the Feudal ways of man. Their land they shall call a “Thanage”, and as “Thaneships” they will be addressed.

 

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WER RASTET, DER ROSTET

 

His Grace, Leon Brandt Barclay Herzog von Minitz KRE, GMSTSR 
Duke of Minitz, Count of Neu Brandthof, Viscount of Tucay, Baron of Boriënwald and Brandthof, Lord of Durres, Harvest Lord, Protector of the Aaunic Heartlands

 

 

[Sarven 1691]

"A grand document of our time... A true testament to the law and order of the nation." *Yvian would say aloud as he read the postings*

[MockingbirdArt 571]

"It's my duty to uphold this law, and I shall do so with honor" - Orion Alder
"I'll start hitting people over the head with the book" - Bird2k

[Zemzy_Oakheart 167]

A copy would rest on the dining room table as a very young Blume Herrlichkeit would look upon the books with curiosity.

 

Opening the book, the scribbles held within the pages would confuse her as she'd look around the room, "Unclllle Owri! Thewre's not enough pictuwres in it to undewrstand....!"

[argonian 12836]

Stanimar sips a mojito in the last beach resort that stayed in business after the fall of Savoy.

[GoodGuyMatt 7060]

          

 

DAS EDIKT DER ZAUBERER UND FALSCHEN GÖTTER

Issued by the Graf of Minitz the Lawspeaker's Diet

in the year of our Lord 1898

 

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[GoodGuyMatt 7060]

           

 

DAS EDIKT DER STÄMME

Proposed by the Baron of Hussen of the Landtag

in the year of our Lord 1907

 

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[GoodGuyMatt 7060]

            

 

DIE EDIKTE DER SCHULD DURCH EIDER UND VERBANNUNG

Proposed by Lawman Maxwell of the Landtag

in the year of our Lord 1907

 

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[GoodGuyMatt 7060]

 

DIE EDIKTE DES FÜNFTEN LEONITE MOOT

THE EDICTS OF THE FIFTH LEONITE MOOT

Proposed by Lawmen Robert and Maxwell of the Landtag

in the year of our Lord 1908

 

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[GoodGuyMatt 7060]

 

 

DAS ERSTE EDIKT DER EDELSTÄMME

THE FIRST EDICT OF THE NOBLE TRIBES

Written by the Herzog of the Landtag

fin the year of our Lord 1908

Further Edited and Propsed by the Vizekanzler of the Herrenhaus
in the year of our Lord 1920

 

 

 

 

[Shadow2k 500]

 

DIE KULTURGESETZE

The Culture Acts

Drawn up by The Lawspeaker of Minitz, Maxwell Landren 

in the year of our Lord 1924

 

Edited & Proposed by The Lawspeaker of Minitz, Robert Stroheim

in the year of our Lord 1936