The EDICT of NOBILITY

[The Heartlander Confederation 90]

EDICT of NOBILITY

Issued and averred by

Their Majesties

 

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With the merging of the Aaunic and Petran peerages, the expectations and ranks of nobility must be redefined and made clear to the Heartlander Vassals. With such change also comes the reevaluation of some titles, peerages, expected contributions, and restrictions that vassals shall find themselves required to adhere to.

 

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Levels and Expectations of Noble Ranks

BARONY

The lowest rank of nobility within the Confederation, Baronies have proven their ambitions and dedication to the nation. They are a noticeable presence within the Confederation, and have a few members active in institutions or at ongoing events of the Confederation.

 

VISCOUNTY

A step above a Barony, Viscounties have been within the Confederation for some time, and have a noteworthy presence within the nation. Their members are taking steps to become more well-known within the Confederation, and are beginning to become relatively involved.

 

COUNTY

A moderate rank within the Confederation, Counties have been within the Confederation for some time, and have a decent presence within the nation. Their members are becoming more well-known within the Confederation, and are relatively involved.

 

MARGRAVATE

A Margravate holds land on the edge of the border of the Confederation, and is the first line of defence for the nation in war. However, Margravates are also held at a higher regard than their Comital counterparts. They are expected to be up to date and involved within the nation, and actively contribute to the institutions and defence of the Confederation.

 

DUCHY

A rank of great prestige within the Confederation. Duchies have been at the forefront of the Confederation, contributing great service and unquestionable devotion to the success of the nation. They are held in the highest regard, given their service. They are expected to be greatly involved in the affairs of the nation, actively contributing to its well-being. With such a great prestige bestowed upon them, the most is expected of them by the Confederation.

 

PRINCIPALITY

A grandfathered in rank that is considered currently unachievable outside of extremely rare circumstances. Principalities are generally only given to those with old royal blood, or close ties with the ruling families. Principalities shall be held to the same regard and restrictions as that of a Duchy.

 

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Vassal Duties

FEALTY TO THE CROWN

It is the duty of each vassal of the Heartlander Crowns to obey the directives of the realm. In turn, the nobility themselves are given a number of privileges that are outlined within this document, and the Constitution of the Confederation. This expectation is held in the highest regard, and failure to abide by the edicts of the Heartlander Crowns shall be met with the fullest extent of Heartlander law. 

 

THE GARMONT ASSEMBLY

Each Peer of the Realm is afforded a seat on the Garmont Assembly. They are expected to attend regularly, or send a representative to partake in legislation of the Confederation and voice their concerns and ideas within the legislative body.

 

TAXATION

Each landed vassal is expected each year to pay a sum in taxes to the Heartlander Government. This is done for the maintenance of the realm and the expenditures of the Confederation. The amount each vassal shall pay shall vary depending on the rank and title each vassal holds, with those of greater standing within the realm expected to contribute accordingly as befits such a position. Some vassals may pay more or less depending on previous agreements or special circumstances.

 

NOBILITY TAXATION RATES PER YEAR

Barony - 150 mina 

Viscounty - 165 mina 

County - 180 mina 

Margravate - 195 mina

Duchy - 210  mina

 

CONTRIBUTION

All vassals are expected to contribute to the Heartlander Confederation in more ways than taxation and mina. They are expected to have members participate and be involved in institutions of the Confederations or run their own events or organisations within the Confederation.

 

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The Restrictions of Peers

VASSALAGE

No vassal may create a title under themselves to award another. A Duke shall not create a Margrave, a Margrave shall not create a County, and so forth. The creation of titles is a privilege solely held by the Heartlander Crowns.

 

Vassals also may not create titles out of nothing to hold as their own. They may continue to hold lower granted titles, or titular historical titles from their bloodlines, but no titles shall be created or made up on their own right.

 

KNIGHTHOOD

No vassal may create a Knight within the Confederation. The honour of creating knight orders is reserved to the Heartlander Crowns, and knights may only be added to these Knight Orders by the Monarch, Regent, Chancellor, or any that the Monarchs allow. Knightly Orders are forbidden from being founded in the lands of vassals. 

 

DIPLOMACY

No vassal may conduct political deals outside of the realm. Diplomatic treaties with other political entities are forbidden from being made by any vassal of the crown. Although the nobility may suggest a course of action be taken, they themselves are forbidden from undertaking such of their own accord. 

 

HOUSEGUARDS

In the maintenance of their holds, each noble family is permitted to maintain a standing retinue of household guards. These men, while in service to their respective house, shall take an oath to serve the realm and its Sovereigns first. House guards must also serve within the Legion of Saint Godwin to contribute directly to the protection of the nation. Each family, according to their rank, shall maintain no more than the following number of men-at-arms for their household: 

 

A Barony shall be allowed to maintain at most five hundred men-at-arms in their service. 

A Viscounty shall be allowed to maintain at most seven hundred men-at-arms in their service.

A County shall be allowed to maintain at most eight hundred men-at-arms in their service.

A Margravate shall be allowed to maintain at most a thousand men-at-arms in their service.

A Duchy shall be allowed to maintain at most twelve hundred men-at-arms in their service.

 

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Changes to Current Peers

 

THE HOUSE VON THEONUS

From Margravate to Duchy

To be granted the title of Duchy of Vohenheim

 

The von Theonus family have dutifully served the Commonwealth of the Petra since they joined the nation under Queen Renilde I’s reign. Since then, they have been an integral part of the continued success of the Petran realm. They have been Regents, Chancellors, Treasurers, Knights, Officers, and many more. Without the von Theonus family, the outlook of the Petra would have been bleak. For that, the von Theous family shall be the first Duchy ever from the Commonwealth of the Petra.

 

THE HOUSE DE ROSIUS

From Margravate to Barony

To be lowered to the title of Barony of Rosius

 

The family of Dieuxmont de Rosius, having seen their family go into a state of uninvolvement in recent years, as well as conveying to the Crown their desire to re-establish themselves as a proper Heartlandic house, shall, as jointly agreed, be demoted to the rank of Barony and be given the Barony of Rosius, with the Margravate of Haute-Epine to be put into abeyance.
 

THE HOUSE DE ARDENNES

To be lowered to the title of Barony of Gotfridcher

 

Having gone into a state of disrepair and uninvolvement, the de Ardennes family, once named Haverlock, shall be given a second chance to retain their nobility, though be demoted to the rank of Barony to better reflect their current level of contribution and involvement. Though this change does not necessarily have to be permanent, Talentine shall return to the Aaunic Crown. The family is duly urged to reinvolve themselves in Heartlander society to restore their name and re-climb the ranks of nobility.

 

THE HOUSE OF REINHOLD

From Viscounty to County

To be granted the title of County of Anairgrid

 

Being heavily involved in Petran society, and continuing to be involved past the uniting of the Heartlands, the House of Reinhold has been integral to the development of the Petran and later Heartlander states. Now leading the Garmont Assembly, and having completed a term of Chancellorship within the Petra, the House of Reinhold continues to contribute and be heavily involved in Heartlander society and state.

 

THE HOUSE VON AUGUSTEN

From Viscounty to County

To be granted the title of County of Hohengarten

 

Originally from the Kingdom of Aaun, and later moving to Petra, the House von Augusten had lost their original County title. As a show of good faith in the merge of the Heartlands, the King of Aaun has chosen to restore to them the County of Hohengartenl.

 

THE HOUSE OF JAZLOWIECKI - TRIGLAV

Barony merged under the mainline County of Warsovia

 

While the House of Jazlowiecki contributes greatly to the Heartlander Confederation, maintaining two separate lines of nobility within the state appears to be unrealistic and unfair to other peerages. Thus it has been decided that the House shall maintain the title of the Barony of Triglav, but titular and merged into the main line of Jazlowiecki to be passed to the heirs of the County.
 

THE HOUSE DE LEWES

Barony title returned to the Crown of Aaun

 

Due to longstanding inactivity within the Apostolic Kingdom of Aaun, the House de Lewes shall have their nobility revoked and their title returned to the Crown of Aaun. The house is urged and encouraged to attempt to regain their peerage through improved efforts and involvement in the Confederation’s society.

 

THE HOUSE OF VAROCHE

From Barony to County

To be granted the title of County of Ves

 

Through their noticed involvement and contributions to the nation, the House of Varoche shall be elevated to the title of County and are encouraged to continue strengthening their involvement and presence within the Confederation.

 

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Her Royal Majesty, Catherine I, by the Grace of GOD, Queen of the Petra, Marquise de Val d’Estenou, Countess of Temesch and Moere, Viscountess of Mies, Baroness of Garmont, Valfleur, Vallagne-en-Petra, Eagles Peak, Brasca, Hrenthorne, Resmore, and of the Phoenixspire, Protector of the Meadows, Defender of Liberty

His Apostolic Majesty, John I, by the Grace of GOD, Apostolic King of Aaun, Prince of Alstion, Duke of Vienne, the Lowlands, Balemena and Corazon, Count of Whitespire, Enswerp, Florentine and Talentine, Baron of Blanchet and Virdain, Protector of the Realm

[annanicole__ 1622]

Princess Laurene of Virdain sighs as she reads the missive. "Johannes, I had foreseen that my dear brother's actions would pose a challenge to our father's tireless efforts," she murmurs. With a heavy heart, she crumples the paper and delicately tosses it into the crackling flames. "Regrettably, it seems that the challenges within our family persist," she laments. 

[Enlightenment 1531]

Emilio Varoche lamented the disapearance of the Lewes, save for his niece Laurene, remembering a time they were around far more regularly in his youth. Though he did pour a glass of wine for himself and his son, Demetrio, celebrating their own promotion and reclamation of a land their famiglia lost many centuries ago, "All things change with the seasons, perhaps someday Virdain will rise again, perhaps-a."

 

@PufferfishTrash

[MrMojoMordor 587]

'Sir Sparrow' continues his rant to the same, poor farmer - pointing at the missive.
"O shit - ea know these guys!" he says, tapping & smudging the 'Reinholds' part. "Donniet tell anyauwn, but they're 'roommates'." he whispers very loudly & winks.
"Anyway, what's this new 'Apostolic Kingdom'? - Another city state of The Great Petran Commonwealth like Hohkmat? But like.. priests? Kinda weird." he taps the chin of his ever-smiling helmet and shakes his head "Poor women have va cover up their beauty - vy know, ea dated auwn nun once..."
 

A story of forbidden love & love-letters follows suit, poor farmer - hopefully there will be no more missives today...

Edited May 12 by MrMojoMordor

[Sebbysc 363]

Ser Stefano looked across the notice in his office, and as he reached the bottom a shout of excitement escaped him. "Now that's right! Finally, my cuginos are recognized for their work for Aaun." A smile former on his lips as he looked to the familiar name.. "Ves. What a wonderful choice."

[Cheese 2603]

Esfir, niece of the new Count and Countess of Hohengarten, beamed with pride!

[Olox_ 3554]

Charles Alstion sat in his chamber, inspecting the freshly written edict "Some gained, some lost, but it was one of the most improtant reforms that had to be done. Look at this dear wife, perhaps once the time comes we will rule over even more prosperous province than now." The Lord of Alba said to his wife, Hedwig of Warsovia, offering her a warm, hopeful smile 

 

@ibiou

[ibiou 1745]

On 5/13/2024 at 2:39 PM, Olox_ said:

Charles Alstion sat in his chamber, inspecting the freshly written edict "Some gained, some lost, but it was one of the most improtant reforms that had to be done. Look at this dear wife, perhaps once the time comes we will rule over even more prosperous province than now." The Lord of Alba said to his wife, Hedwig of Warsovia, offering her a warm, hopeful smile 

 

@ibiou

"You think so?" Remarked the aforementioned wife, HEDWIG, who turned towards CHARLES to bear witness to his smile. Then did she mirror his, only brighter, the apple of her cheeks turning red. "We'll see with the coming years whether or not these changes shall be effective, and one day it shall be us to steer our vassals towards their right path."