Office of the Lord Speaker 608 Share Posted June 11, 2023 (edited) JURA I SZLATA ON THE STANDARDS, PRIVILEGES, AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF NOBILITY Issued by THE LORD SPEAKER In accordance with the wishes of THE CROWN Naf zwy 12th hag i TOV ag YERMEY i 481 E.S. Table of Contents I. INTRODUCTION II. DEFINING NOBILITY III. PRIVILEGE OF NOBILITY IV. RESPONSIBILITIES OF NOBILITY V. STANDARDS OF NOBILITY VI. JURA I SZLATA RENDITION I. INTRODUCTION Va Birodeo ag Herzenav, With the migration of the Kongzem of Hanseti-Ruska from the realm of Almaris to Aevos, we find ourselves tightly packed inside the walls of our new home. It will take time before the Noble Houses of Haense may expand outwards into the surrounding land and erect their castles and walls. As Lord Speaker of the Lord’s Duma gracefully formed by His Majesty Koeng Georg I, I have taken up the duty of structuring a new Law of Nobility to be followed by the Houses of Haense who have received titleage by the Crown. This proposal will detail an objective definition of nobility, including both the privileges and responsibilities of titled houses, that establish the rules and regulations to each Noble House and its residing kin. With an objective Law of Nobility established, a subjective privilege will be granted to every House of Nobility the privilege to petition His Majesty for additional land by their keep, the option to erect farms, towns, and other personal structures that is outside what the objective laws allow. Finally, the proposal will end with a complete rewrite of the Jura i Szlata, the Law of Nobility, as it stands in the Book of Honour, following an objective set of standards for each title of nobility. These standards will guide the Noble Houses of Haense to greater noble standing, or bring to light an unnecessary holding of position and titleage that the Lord’s Duma may convene on and present to the Koeng. With the blessing of His Majesty and the Aulic Council, this proposal will be put forward to the Lord’s Duma for revision, or confirmation, and subsequently be applied immediately to the long-standing Book of Honour. II. DEFINING NOBILITY When defining what separates the Noble Class from the Common Class, the following are evident: - The Noble Class shall include he who holds a landed title and their lawful kin - He who carries the title of Baron of the Crownlands, and his kin, shall be granted a Manor to reside in by will of the Crown - Landed titles shall be those titles granted by the Crown to a Haeseni citizen, and that title shall pass unto his heir. - Titles without land shall be titular titles, granted to an individual by the Crown, and they shall return to the Crown upon the death of that individual, unless otherwise stated. Titles of Nobility within the Kongzem are detailed further in the Jura i Szlata - Matters of Regency, disownment, inheritance, etcetera are defined in the Jura i Szlata These self-evident definitions of Nobility will forever carry on through the Jura i Szlata and stand as the sole objectively defined difference between the Nobles and the Commoners. Further definitions between the Noble and Commoners are subjective, and not in accordance with the Law of Nobility. Under the STANDARDS OF NOBILITY, each ranked title will have a detailed explanation of the necessary efforts and contributions to the Crown and Kongzem by which a House may reach and maintain the proper titles granted by His Majesty. These standards will be in accordance with a House’s MILITARY ACTIVITY, GOVERNMENT INVOLVEMENT, COURT PARTICIPATION, and GENERAL PRESENCE. III. PRIVILEGES OF NOBILITY The Noble Houses of the Crown are given certain privilege as a reward for their dedication and contribution to the Crown and His People. These privileges apply to all Nobility as a whole, and stands as an objective set of laws that separate Nobility from the Common folk. The Privileges of Nobility are as follows: - The Privilege to sit on Duma - either Lords’ or Peoples’ Duma depending on titleage - The Privilege to own a keep with walls to host their kin - The Privilege to defend their land from invasion - The Privilege to settle taxable tenants on their promised land - The Privilege to employ a guard of retainers, of which are in service to the Crown first - The Privilege to host a family who shall dedicate themselves to the Kongzem in service of arms, politics, and all other aspects - The Privilege to petition to the Crown for additional land and/or property outside of their keep - The Privilegeto bear the unique heraldry of their House - The Privilege and entitlement to be executed by way of beheading - The Privilege to elect a Champion to fight on their behalf in a Trial by Combat - The Privilege to seek private audience with the Crown - The Privilege to seek position as a squire in the Knightly Order of the Crow - The Privilege to a Regent in the event a landed Lord is below the age of Eighteen - The Privilege to determine inheritance to titles and land with consent from the Crown These privileges apply objectively to all Noble Houses given titleage by the Crown. These privileges will forever dictate what Noble Houses can do in the eyes of the Law, and are not subject to change. Besides these objective laws, the Noble Houses are also held to subjective laws established by the Crown. These subjective laws can include, but are not limited to: - The Privilege to expand a Noble Houses’ claim of land by petition of the Crown - The Privilege to create additional structures - such as towns and keeps - on a Noble Houses’ claim of land by petition of the Crown - The Privilege to till farmland on a Noble Houses’ claim of land by petition of the Crown These subjective laws, of which are not completed in full, are for the Crown to decide upon a petition from a House of Nobility. These privileges are subject to change from Koeng to Koeng, and even during the same Koeng’s rule, if He sees it fitting to alter. In addition, these petitions allow for higher standing noble families to ask for more from His Majesty, including, but not limited to: larger keeps than other families, denser towns, and more expansive farms. These objective and subjective laws stand to uphold Law and Order in Nobility, and relieve stress from the shoulders of His Majesty, without seeing a need to change the Jura i Szlata with the coronation of each Koeng. IV. RESPONSIBILITIES OF NOBILITY The Noble Houses of the Crown are expected to carry out a list of responsibilities, or tenets of noble operation, as result of His Majesty’s will to give them titleage. These responsibilities apply to all Noble Houses, and the greater a Noble family, the greater the responsibilities. The Responsibilities of Nobility are as follows: - The Responsibility to forever swear to the Crown, and to protect its Life. - The Responsibility to forever swear to Hanseti-Ruska, and Her People. - The Responsibility to follow all laws of the Book of Honour, and adhere to any changes. - The Responsibility to defend Hanseti-Ruska, and Her People. - The Responsibility to fight for the Crown, and uphold its cause. - The Responsibility to summon the forces of your kin when His Majesty wills it. - The Responsibility to defend Hanseti-Ruska’s borders, and fend off all of Her enemies. - The Responsibility to advise His Majesty and seek the greatest outcomes for the Kongzem. These responsibilities apply to all the Noble Houses of Haense, and stand as objective law that cannot be changed, swayed, or debated. The service and protection of His Majesty and His Kongzem comes before a Peer and his kin - as it was His Majesty who graced said Peer with titleage, and granted his family nobility and land. V. STANDARDS OF NOBILITY In the current envision of the Jura i Szlata, the standards that Noble Houses are held to are far too vague and often left solely to His Majesty to decide whether a house is worthy of higher status, or deemed unfit and deserving of demotion. With an official establishment of a nobles’ Prvileges and Responsibilities, it is in our best interest to also lay the foundation of standards for each rank of titleage in Haense. Therefore, the newest rendition of the Law of Nobility will structure the standards of nobility based on four main categories: MILITARY ACTIVITY, GOVERNMENT INVOLVEMENT, COURT PARTICIPATION, and GENERAL PRESENCE. Each category encompasses multiple subcategories that further detail the numerous contributions a Noble family can undergo in deserving of titleage. MILITARY ACTIVITY - A family that contributes multiple loyal kin and tenants to serve in the Brotherhood of Saint Karl display ambition for the Kongzem’s safety and security. The more members of a House in the Brotherhood, the better. - The Knights of the Order of the Crow and Marian Retinue uphold the ideals of honour and chivalry. Though unlikely for there to be as many noble kin in knighthood versus the Brotherhood, a house with bountiful knights who represent the Crown is certainly a sign of a prospering family. - A noble house has the privilege to gather a retinue of house guards and levymen, of which must already be soldiers of His Majesty’s army. But, a notable size of levymen for a sole house boosts their readiness to protect the Koeng’s lands, and represent the power of a Noble House that his Majesty can always rely on. - Large numbers alone may show a family is about often, but if these numbers lack in a rally when called upon, then they are only for show. Houses that rally considerable numbers more often are the pinnacle of Haeseni might. - Besides the raids of other nations and settlements, often attacking on our soil, it is evident that there will always be forces outside of national jurisdiction, such as the Mori’quessir, or other abnormal and or ancient forces seeking the destruction of our people. The might and presence of noble peers and their kin to fend off these abnormalities produces light in an otherwise shadowed area of knowledge. GOVERNMENT INVOLVEMENT - A Peer’s involvement in Duma is paramount to the advisory of the Crown, and addressing matters of law and civil discourse before further elevation. Although a peer is granted the privilege to sit and participate in Duma, their lack of involvement and indecisiveness can affect how their dedication to the Crown and It's people are viewed. - The highest position in government is the positions on the Aulic Council that directly work with His Majesty on multiple facets of the Kongzem. Although holding an Aulic position does not grant favorability in a noble family, that which is accomplished while employed as an Aulic member will certainly benefit the family greatly. With so few Aulic Council members, it is not possible to dedicate an entire family towards one position. - Though, each Aulic Council does have offices or assistants of their own, capable of aiding that Aulic member with completing tasks for His Majesty much more efficiently. Noble men and women aiding the Aulic Council through tasks and projects displays their commitment to His Majesty’s government, and ensuring it operates properly. COURT PARTICIPATION - The Koena’s Court is the forefront of establishing Haeseni culture to all citizens and visitors. Through the guidance of Her Majesty, the efforts of nobility to assist in spreading the knowledge and understanding of various Haeseni holidays, cultural properties, and influences different families have as a whole on the city. - Along with understanding Haeseni culture, it is the task of the Koena’s Court and her trusted employees to host various events in and out of the city. These events can vary greatly, but what matters are the events hosted by nobles in the Courts, and how often these events are held with rather successful rates of participation, inspiration, and representation. - Though educating the common folk through cultural lessons and hosting grand events certainly has its merits, it is the skill with a quill that truly informs the masses. The multitude of missives and event announcements sent all across the city and realm are the works of talented writers in the Courts - and those authors and the families they come from are certainly kept in mind. GENERAL PRESENCE - The life of Hanseti-Ruska rests mainly on its people and their day-to-day lives within the city. The noble families are looked up to and respected by the common folk, and serve as inspiration to them. The active families who associate in the tavern, talk with the citizens and visitors of the city, attend church masses, and overall participate in city-wide hosted events are much more desirable than people believe. - There have been multiple cases in Human history where families have had multiple children - breaking numbers such as eight, ten, and even twelve. But it is not the amount of kin that spells success for a family, but instead the quality of the character of each individual person. A family of twenty with nothing special amongst them, almost copy-cat like behaviors, is ill-looked upon. But a family of truly individualistic characters is highly desired, and leads to the greatest outcomes of government involvement and military activity. - Among the choices of government, Koenas’ Court, and military, there are a variety of positions in the city that can be held by members of nobility. Work in the tavern, or even shops put up by noble families and run by their kin are methods of providing quality of life to the citizens of Haense, and display the hard-working efforts of nobility to work alongside their Kongzem and grow with it. With these standards applied to the Noble Houses, each titleage is expected to meet specific standards to achieve said noble ranking. The expectations of Duchies are more than Counties, and those of Viscounties are greater than Baronies. Below will establish the expectations of each Noble House, and the standards that Lord’s Duma will hold themselves to when deciding if a Titled Family should receive praise and promotion by His Majesty, or be demoted to an appropriate noble standing. The Noble Houses are expected as follows: Ducal Houses: - The highest standing nobles of Hanseti-Ruska, who stand at the pinnacle of inspiration to all nobles of Haense and the citizens of the city. These houses are expected to prove themselves in all categories of Standards of Nobility, and in doing so: - Are active in the military beyond any reason of doubt. - Are involved in the government beyond any reason of doubt. - Are participating in the Koena’s Courts beyond any reason of doubt. - Are present in the general environment of Hanseti-Ruska beyond any reason of doubt. Comital Houses: - The second highest standing nobles of Hanseti-Ruska, who have proven time and time again their commitment to the Kongzem and Crown. These houses are expected to prove themselves in at least three categories of Standards of Nobility, and in doing so: - Are active in the military, and stand to show their strength can be relied on by the Crown. - Are involved in the government and take up positions in different fields and offices. - Are participating in the Koena’s Courts more often than not, and aiding Her Majesty greatly in her endeavors. - Are present in the general environment of Hanseti-Ruska and offer their aid and services greatly to the city and its citizens. Viscountial Houses: - The middle standing nobles of Hanseti-Ruska, who have reached a status of true nobility and broken free of Barony. These houses are expected to prove themselves in at least two categories of Standards of Nobility, and in doing so: - Are active in the military, hosting a good number of members dedicated to the Crown. - Are involved in government offices, contributing to the forwarding nature of the offices of Aulic. - Are participating in the Koena’s Courts where able - offering aid in setting up traditional events and scribing notices and missives. - Are present in the general environment of Hanseti-Ruska, and attend multiple events and citizen gatherings. Baronial Houses: - The lowest standing nobles of Hanseti-Ruska, who have piqued the interest of His Majesty and His Lord’s Duma, and have been granted the chance of rising into the ranks of Nobility. These houses are expected to prove themselves in at least one category of Standards of Nobility, and in doing so: - Are active in the military, holding a few positions of stature. - Are involved in government offices, assisting higher positions with their work and benefiting the nation. - Are participating in the Koena’s Courts and offering their aid to run events and fixing up schedules. - Are present in the general environment and are publically socializing with society. These expectations lay the foundation of what Nobility must strive for, and act as a guide for Lord’s Duma to refer to when discussing the titleage a House deserves. It is the responsibility of the Peers of the Noble Houses to ensure these new laws within the Lord’s Duma, and to hold one another accountable and present notable causes to His Majesty when necessary. VI. JURA I SZLATA RENDITION Law of Nobility JURA I SZLATA These words shall proclaim the standards, privileges, and responsibilities of the Noble class. The Noble Class I The Noble Class shall include he who holds the landed title and their lawful kin. II Landed titles shall be titles granted by the Crown to a Haeseni citizen, and that title shall pass unto his heir. III Let he who carries a title of nobility without land be deemed a titular Noble. IV Titles without land shall be titular titles, granted to an individual by the Crown, and shall return to the Crown upon the death of that individual. V Titles of Nobility within the Kongzem shall include: Grand Prince or Grand Princess | Hauchprinzen ludr Hauchprinzenas Awarded titularly to the Heir Apparent of the Kongzem. Prince or Princess | Prinzen ludr Prinzenas Awarded titularly to members of the Royal House. Duke or Duchess | Herzen ludr Herzenas Awarded to Houses of the highest merit whose contributions to all aspects of the Kongzem are beyond doubt. Count or Countess | Komit ludr Komitas Awarded to Houses of great merit who contribute remarkably to the multiple aspects of the Kongzem. Viscount or Viscountess | Vikomit ludr Vikomitas Awarded to Houses are of commendable merit who contribute actively to the Kongzem. Baron or Baroness | Bossir ludr Bossira Awarded to fledgling Houses in recognition of their contributions to the Kongzem. VI Nobility shall be referred to as ‘Lord’ or ‘Lady’, and the Noble holding the title and his spouse shall be referred to as: Grand Prince | Hauchprinzen Your Serene Highness | Vyr Haurazir Prince | Prinzen Your Highness | Vyr Hauraz Duke | Herzen Your Grace | Vyr Graiz Count | Komit Your Right Honourable | Vyr Kariavir Viscount | Vikomit Your Honorable | Vyr Kariav Baron | Bossir Your Lordship | Vyr Zaltry Privileges of Nobility VII All Nobility are provided the following: The Privilege to sit on Duma - either Lords’ or Peoples’ Duma dependant on titleage The Privilege to own a keep with walls to host their kin The Privilege to defend their land from invasion The Privilege to settle taxable tenants on their promised land The Privilege to employ a guard of retainers, of which are in service to the Crown first The Privilege to host a family who shall dedicate themselves to the Kongzem in service of arms, politics, and all other aspects The Privilege to petition to His Majesty for additional land and/or property outside of their keep The Privilege to bear the unique heraldry of their House The Privilege and entitlement to be executed by way of beheading The Privilege to elect a Champion to fight on their behalf in a Trial by Combat The Privilege to seek private audience with the Crown The Privilege to seek position as a squire in the Knightly Order of the Crow The Privilege to a Regent in the event a landed Lord is below the age of Eighteen The Privilege to determine inheritance to titles and land with the Crown’s permission Responsibilities of Nobility VIII All Nobility are responsible for the following: The Responsibility to forever swear to the Crown, and to protect its Life The Responsibility to forever swear to Hanseti-Ruska, and Her People The Responsibility to follow all laws of the Book of Honour, and adhere to any changes The Responsibility to defend Hanseti-Ruska, and Her People The Responsibility to fight for the Crown, and uphold its cause The Responsibility to summon the forces of your kin when His Majesty wills it The Responsibility to defend Hanseti-Ruska’s borders, and fend off all of Her enemies The Responsibility to advise His Majesty and seek the greatest outcomes for the Kongzem Standards of Nobility IX All Nobility shall be held to specific standards meant to gauge noble ranking X Military Activity Included, but not limited to, the involvement of Noble Families in the Brotherhood of Saint Karl, the Knighty Orders, House Guard affiliation with the BSK, and strong presence during times of rally XI Government Involvement Included, but not limited to, the involvement of Noble Families in the Aulic Council, the Offices of dependant Aulic positions, and Lords’ and Peoples’ Duma XII Court Participation Included, but not limited to, the involvement of Noble Families in the Koena’s Court, aiding in creating and hosting traditional events, and documenting and releasing missives and publications XIII General Presence Included, but not limited to, the involvement of Noble Families in the city involving citizen association, event participation, and presence in royal courts, church mass, etcetera XIV A landed Duke shall: The highest standing nobles of Hanseti-Ruska, who stand at the pinnacle of inspiration to all nobles of Haense and the citizens of the city. These houses are expected to prove themselves in all categories of Standards of Nobility, and in doing so: Are active in the military beyond any reason of doubt Are involved in the government beyond any reason of doubt Are participating in the Koena’s Courts beyond any reason of doubt Are present in the general environment of Hanseti-Ruska beyond any reason of doubt XV A landed Count shall: The second highest standing nobles of Hanseti-Ruska, who have proven time and time again their commitment to the Kongzem and Crown. These houses are expected to prove themselves in at least three categories of Standards of Nobility, and in doing so: Are active in the military, and stand to show their strength can be relied on by the Crown Are involved in the government and take up positions in different fields and offices Are participating in the Koena’s Courts more often than not, and aiding Her Majesty greatly in her endeavors. Are present in the general environment of Hanseti-Ruska and offer their aid and services greatly to the city and its citizens XVI A landed Viscount shall: The middle standing nobles of Hanseti-Ruska, who have reached a status of true nobility and broken free of Barony. These houses are expected to prove themselves in at least two categories of Standards of Nobility, and in doing so: Are active in the military, hosting a good number of members dedicated to the Crown Are involved in government offices, contributing to the forwarding nature of the offices of Aulic Are participating in the Koena’s Courts where able - offering aid in setting up traditional events and scribing notices and missives Are present in the general environment of Hanseti-Ruska, and attend multiple events and citizen gatherings XVII A landed Baron shall: The lowest standing nobles of Hanseti-Ruska, who have piqued the interest of His Majesty and His Lord’s Duma, and have been granted the chance of rising into the ranks of Nobility. These houses are expected to prove themselves in at least one category of Standards of Nobility, and in doing so: Are active in the military, holding a few positions of stature. Are involved in government offices, assisting higher positions with their work and benefiting the nation. Are participating in the Koena’s Courts and offering their aid to run events and fixing up schedules. Are present in the general environment and are publically socializing with society. Regency XVIII When a landed Lord is below the age of eighteen, a Regent, who shall be chosen by the late landed Lord or by consensus of the House, shall manage their affairs. Inheritance XIX Landed titles shall be held until the death of the landed Lord or until he abdicates from his title and duties. XX Landed titles and their land shall be inherited, whether after death or abdication: Firstly by the eldest child and their line, Secondly by next eldest child and their line, and so on and so forth, Thirdly by the eldest sibling and their line, Fourthly by the next eldest sibling and their line, and so on and so forth, Fifthly by the eldest relative in adherence to lineal ascent, and sixthly by resolution of the Crown or the Royal Duma. Or Through the means of a family’s culture approved by the Crown Disownment & Disinheritance XXI A disowned member of a House shall have all privileges, honours, and titles revoked as if they were born into the Common Class. XXII A disinherited member of a House shall remain of the Noble Class, but shall not be capable of inheriting any landed title. XXIII A Noble who behave as follows shall be automatically disinherited: Join the priesthood, Take a spouse who is not of a Noble House in the Kongzem or abroad without permission from the crown, Marry out of their Noble House without permission from the crown, Assume rank or office in a foreign nation. XXIV A Noble guilty of the following shall be automatically disowned: Swearing an oath of fealty to a foreign sovereign, Denouncing the faith of Canonism, Committing the crime of treason. Damar lifsti va Edlerviki, His Royal Majesty, Georg, by the Grace of Godan, King of Hanseti and Ruska, Grand Hetman of the Army, Hochmeister of the Order of the Crow, Prince of Bihar, Dules, Lahy, Muldav, Slesvik, Solvesborg, and Ulgaard, Duke of Carnatia, and Vanaheim, Margrave of Korstadt, Rothswald and Vasiland, Count of Alban, Alimar, Baranya, Graiswald, Karikhov, Karovia, Kaunas, Kavat, Kovachgrad, Kvasz, Markev, Nenzing, Siegrad, Torun, Toruv, Valdev, and Werdenburg, Viscount of Varna, Baron of Astfield, Buck, Esenstadt, Kraken’s Watch, Kralta, Krepost, Lorentz, Rytsburg, and Thurant, Lord of the Westfolk, Protector and Lord of the Highlanders, etcetera. His Excellency, Carolus Ivan Colborn, Lord Speaker of His Majesty’s Lords’ Duma, Count of Malkovya, Viscount of Venzia, Baron of Bethlenen, Lord of Vorenburg, Protector of Scyflings Edited June 11, 2023 by Office of the Lord Speaker 13 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
erictafoya 2309 Share Posted June 11, 2023 Sir Igor Kort, former Lord Speaker and author of the Winter Edict, approves from the seven skies! 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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