Courtship and Marriage

[La Corte Sol Dorada 260]

 

LA CORTE DE GIRASOL

 

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Noviazgo y matrimonio

 

Issued on the 12th of Veronicas Strength of the year of  131  D.R.

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 

The Noble ways of proper and dignified courtship and Marriage are not difficult. Certainly however, they are not simple. To be a Noble is to be expected to follow certain requirements and structures. Those who sway outside of the guidelines, could be enlightened, or they could be revolutionary. We however, have seen those who sway outside of the lines without proper cause tend to falter at the hand of tradition and find themselves suddenly outside the eligibility of a noble. To keep the people well informed, a study on the Courtship and Marriage traditions has been laid out. This is a mere suggestion and guide to a noble life, rather than one of certain doom.

 

 

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[!] The First Lord and Lady Salazar riding towards their noble estate.
 

 

EXPECTATIONS OF COURTSHIP

 

Royals and Rulers

When discussing a trivial topic of Nobility, we must understand that these lines come from the foot-steps of the Royals, and the Rulers of old. Finding a familial structure in mind is most helpful to this endeavor. Traditionally seen, a courtship within the de Pelear family consists of three requirements at a minimum.

 

The Trial of Loyalty, In which a contender of the Royal Family, is expected to join the enlistments of the military.

The Trial of Honor, Where the contending hand will be asked to host an event in honor of their city and nation.

The Trial of Strength, To succeed in the prior two trials, one final test of strength is shown, a duel faced by a member of the royal family, in honor of their chosen courtship.

 

Though these trials have been seen during the reign of Ramona I, and have continued since, change is inevitable to each nation and ruler alike. The Sovereign may see a trial fit to the situation, and is allowed to exemplify trials as they might like.

 

Lords and Ladys 

The Aspiring steps of Royalty lead the ways of Nobility. With examples shown through time, each family is allowed to make their own requirements of their Court-ship allowances. It is not for The Crown to decide a family's matter. It is however, a recommended ambition that a noble is a precious thing within the walls of la Dorada, it should be safe-gaurded and highly sought after. Therefore, the lengths of nobility shouldn’t extend to a mere suitor who has little interest in the established ranks and wealths to offer.

 

The Noble Families of the past have required trials of their children, though many of those families have come and gone. The current noble houses are encouraged to make their own trials, though not as stringent as a Royal perhaps, they may be enticed to a bull fight, or a champion of the rodeo.

 

Titleless and Tired 

 There is however an exception to the noble steps. A luxury in the eyes of a Noble or Royal doomed to be nagged of trials, whereas a common family or Gentry family alike are not as encouraged to participate. To find their own and establish relationships within any place. A commoner may marry into and out of any place they stand in. Though if courting above their stations, they may be enlisted to certain terms above, they are otherwise exemplified from any noble requirements.

 

PEARLS
 

The Pearl-Posal

To begin the process of Courting a Lord or Lady, it is needless to say, that there are no rules against gender or rank within Hyspia. There are, however, nation-wide traditions. Such as pearl fishing. 

When asking for someone’s hand in courtship, it is expected to present the chosen with a pearl.

 

Pearls are a significant part of the Hyspian culture and represent the new life and love aspiring for a brighter spring. The Pearls of la Dorada are rich within the Rio de Zafiros, to fish one out of the water and present it to a potential suitor is no small feat. 

Once you’ve claimed a pretty pearl, finding your courage and offering the gem towards a likely lord or lady, they are faced with two options.. Bliss and glee, of acceptance and love, or Rejection and Doom.

 

When one has accepted a pearl, the courtship process is within bloom. It is heavily judged for one to assume more than one court-ship. Once a court-ship has started, either party may call off all intentions, and pursue a new suitor, however once such has happened, the pearl within the courtship should be returned to the River, so a new couple may be blessed with better fortunes. 

 

Rejection, Doom, and Disappointment

 At the turn of events, when one faces Doom and Gloom, they are expected to take the rejected pearl and throw it back into the Rio de Zafiros. Once throwing the pearl into the water, they have turned a new leaf in their life and may continue their path of mourning and moving on. 

By throwing a pearl back into the Sapphire waters, it is believed one receives luck and rejoices in new life intentions. The pearls of someone's misfortunes are then returned to be fished out once again, and hopefully face someone else's rejoice. 

 

 

MARRIAGE

The marriage events are always done in the church and by a priest, then they are celebrated with an after party, for commoners, might be a tavern event straight after, for nobles it might be a family event in the city, and royals may be like a palace ball or celebration

 

When marrying into a higher classed family, one is expected to take on their family colors and banners, they are also expected to take on the higher name. To leave your family and marry into a lower class, no titles from the upper family will be passed down to children and they are taken out of inheritance. They however, if the head of house agrees may keep their birth titles. When marrying into a commoner's family, there is no elevation of rank for the common born. 

 

 

 

DIOS LOS BENDIGA,

 

HER LADYSHIP, Ser Cirilla Fontesar,  Gran Chamberlan of la Corte de Girasol,

“The Fang breaker”, Lady-Protector of The Sovereigns, Secretary to The Sovereigns