DER HEIDEHOF | THE HEATHER COURT

[The Heather Court 23]

THE FORMATION OF

THE HEATHER COURT

 

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DER HEIDEHOF | THE HEATHER COURT

Issued by the Princess of Minitz and the Baroness of Sigradz

In the year of our Lord 1968

 

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ÖHNE UND TOCHTER VON REINMAR,

 

WITH THE FOUNDING OF THE PRINCIPALITY OF REINMAR, it has become the prerogative of the Princely Houses of Barclay to establish a centre of culture and civilisation to serve the People and the Dual Princely Crown. 

 

As our people crossed into the hinterlands, we were met with a view of rugged beauty. Deep ravines, rocky cliffs, and swathes of heather painting the countryside in shades of blue and purple. A hardy plant, heather is able to withstand deep freezes throughout the winter months and is the first to regrow after a wildfire. Sheep and deer graze upon the leaves and flowers, with grouse feeding on the young shoots and seeds. Heather has traditionally been used to dye wool and tan leather, to craft heather-beer and, in the summer months, heather honey is a delicacy enjoyed still in the combs.

 

Just as this flower is interwoven with and supports the lifestyle of the Reinmaren people, so must the Royal Court. We must serve as a symbol of strength and endurance. Therefore, the Crown hereby formally establishes the Heather Court (Waldenian: Der Heidehof) to promote the social, cultural, and intellectual interests of the Reinmaren people. The following document shall serve as a guide to the Court’s many positions and purposes.

 

 

COURT HIERARCHY

 

SERVING UNDER THE PRINCESSES are a series of positions and offices designed to assist in the maintenance of the Court as well as the promotion of its prestige. It is the ultimate goal of the Heather Court to serve the Crown and enrich the lives of the People through the hosting of cultural festivals and intellectual debate. The Heather Court lives within the Heather Palace (Der Heidepalast), which is also colloquially known as the Erhabenster by some.

 

All position-holding members of the Heather Court must be Reinmaren, meaning they have completed the Ritual of Blood to become a blooded son or daughter of Reinmar. This is not a requirement for general servantry, tutors, or other staff, though it is strongly encouraged.

 

Der Fürstinnen | The Princesses

 

The Princesses are the twin hearts of the Heather Court. Although strictly speaking, the wives of both Prince Alfred and Prince Leon II bear the title Princess-Consort in Reinmar, they instead primarily use the titles Princess of Sutica and Princess of Minitz respectively. Until such a time as Prince Alfred remarries, the Princess of Minitz shall serve as the sole Princess.

 

As well as overseeing the wider Court, the Princesses each maintain a personal household known as her Hird. Within the Hird are her ladies-in-waiting, wards, and sworn protectors (Hirdmen), while her children belong to the shared household of her and her husband.

 

Household of Adalfriede of Hexenwald, Princess of Minitz

Lady-in-Waiting: Gertrude Barclay

Hirdman: Isolde von Wesenburg

Hirdman: Mariola von Wesenburg

 

Der Seneschall | The Seneschal

 

The Seneschal is the steward of the Royal Household, serving as the penultimate authority on all matters of the Heather Court. He or she serves directly beneath the Princesses, often carrying out the day-to-day affairs of courtly matters. If both of the Princesses are incapacitated or absent, the Seneschal is the acting head of the Court.

 

The Seneschal’s duties include hosting events within the Palace and supporting others to do so, creating an appropriate curriculum with the Governess, and helping the Princesses promote Reinmaren cultural initiatives.

 

Der Kammerherr | The Chamberlain

 

The Chamberlain heads the Office of the Servantry, overseeing the hiring of staff for the entirety of the Heidepalast (Heather Palace) from the kitchens to the handmaidens. He or she reports directly to the Seneschal.

 

It is at the Chamberlain’s discretion whether sub-positions such as the Mistress of the Wardrobe, Royal Physician, Court Alchemist, Head Chef, et cetera are created or filled. The only positions that the Chamberlain cannot create nor abolish are the offices listed herein.

 

Der Hofkaplan | The Court Chaplain

 

The Court Chaplain is the ultimate authority on religious matters within the Heather Court, including performing baptisms of the Royal children, hearing confessions from courtiers, and hosting regular liturgical services for the inhabitants of the Heidepalast.

 

Der Lehrmeister | The Loremaster

 

The Loremaster is responsible for education within the Heather Court, including etiquette, history, cultural traditions, and religious knowledge. The latter is taught in collaboration with the Court Chaplain.

 

Beneath the Loremaster is the Runekeeper and the Runesinger, tasked with teaching and upholding the ancient cultural traditions of runic script and skaldic performance respectively. The Loremaster also has the power to employ tutors for various subjects and activities. They are also primarily responsible for the care and education of the Royal children.

 

Der Meister des Pferdes und der Jagd | Master of Horse and Hunt

 

The Reinmaren people are known for their stallions, with children learning to ride just as soon as they learn to walk. Hunting is also central to Reinmaren culture, with households from the common folk to the Dukes of Old filling their tables with the bounty of a hunt. 

 

The Master of Horse and Hunt therefore has the esteemed position of caring for the Palace stables, including maintaining a stock of well-bred horses for members of the Court to ride. He or she is also responsible for providing fresh game to the Palace kitchens and hosting regular hunting events in the name of the Heather Court, whether that be fishing, hawking, or hunting on horseback.

 

Der Hofschreiber | The Court Scribe

 

While the Reinmaren have a tradition of passing down their history orally, the Court Scribe bears the responsibility of committing Reinmaren history to paper in a series of publications. He or she is permitted to hire underlings to assist them with this purpose. From time to time, they may also be required to create transcripts of sessions of the Royal Court.

 

He or she is also responsible for helping the Seneschal and the Princesses to prepare and publish missives, chronicles, and information relating to the Heather Court.

 

 

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WER RASTET, DER ROSTET

HER ROYAL HIGHNESS, ADALFRIEDE of HEXENWALD, Princess of Minitz

 

HER LADYSHIP, FREDERICA, Baroness of Sigradz, Seneschal of the Heather Court

 

Edited Sunday at 08:59 AM by The Heather Court

[The Heather Court 23]

 The position of GOVERNESS is henceforth known as the LOREMASTER as per the EDUCATION EDICT of 1975.