LEYES DE LA NOBLEZA II - Update

[The Kingdom of Hyspia 646]

 

THE SOVEREIGN STATE OF HYSPIA

 

---

THE EXPECTATIONS OF HYSPIAN NOBILITY

 

PREAMBLE

Initially penned by Viceroy Cesar II, updates to the expectations of Nobility have since been penned to fit with each succeeding Monarch.

 

Nobility is an esteemed privilege within Hyspian society. Since its foundation, Hyspia has had countless patriots who spent their lives bettering the nation and her people. In response, the Crown recognized these actions and awarded titles, peerages, and honors in recognition of their efforts. 

 

To be a noble means to hold an aristocratic title awarded by the Crown of Hyspia. A noble of Hyspia is considered to have more rights and responsibilities than the common Hyspian citizen. Thus, such rights and responsibilities must be enumerated: 

 

THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF NOBILITY

Article I - On Ennoblement

 

I.01 - The Hyspian crown may solely grant titles and ennoble citizens. Their titles shall be officialized in court through a royal letter. Ennobled citizens shall be known as Nobleza, or Nobility.

 

I.02 - The Hyspian Crown may solely revoke titles and peerage of the Nobleza.

I.02.a - A generational survey shall take place, in which the Peer is given until their youngest child is fifteen to showcase their Fealty.

I.02.b - A demotion may take place before this happens in the event of criminality, i.e. treason.

I.02.c - It is at the Hyspian Crowns discretion that the Nobleza may be named Gentry or Commoners upon demotion.

 

I.03 - A Peer may not host taxable tenants upon their land without express approval of the Hyspian Crown.

I.03.a - As outlined in IV.11.f  in the event a Condada and up hosts a Gentry family upon their lands, they may be taxed.
 

Article II - On Peerage 

 

II.01 - Peerage is defined within this document as hereditary titles granted to families who have shown exceptional patriotism, loyalty, and contributions to Hyspian society. 

 

III.02 - A Peerage may be granted to families with five or more actively contributing members at the Hyspian Crowns discretion. At least one of the members must be of the next generation. 

 

II.03 - The head of the ennobled household shall be known as a Peer of the realm. 

 

II.04 - The Peer of the realm may name an heir for their Peerage.

II.04.a - The Peer must name their heir in a will which must be given to the Hyspian Crown. The will must be written before the Peer’s passing or abdication. 

II.04.b - If an heir is not named within a will then succession of the Peerage shall be determined through Absolute Primogeniture, where the eldest child of the Peer shall inherit the titles as heir presumptive. If the Peer does not have any children, then the eldest surviving immediate relative [sibling, father/mother, uncle/aunt] of the Peer’s direct bloodline shall inherit. 

II.04.c - If no legitimate inheritance can be established, then the Hyspian Crown may determine the fate of the Peerage at its own discretion.

II.04.d - A regency of the Peerage may be established through the Hyspian Crown’s discretion if there is no clear heir of the age of majority.

 

II.05 - The Peers of the realm shall be granted land known as Haciendas based on their noble rank. The Peers may build their keep, fort or any other form of home for their family, extended relatives and guests. 

II.05.a - The building of a castle or palace is forbidden, reserved only for the Hyspian Crown.

II.05.b - It is the Noblezas ' role to cover all costs of construction and labor.

 

II.06 - The size of Haciendas granted to the Peers shall be determined based on rank: 

A Baronía shall receive 1600 [40 x 40] acres of land.

A Vizcondado shall receive 3600 [60 x 60] acres of land. 

A Condado shall receive 6400 [80 x 80] acres of land. 

A Ducado shall receive 10000 [100 x 100] acres of land.

 

II.07 - Peers must inform the Hyspian Crown of their construction plans within their Hacienda. 

II.07.a - The location of the Hacienda is at the Hyspian Crowns discretion.

II.07.b - The Hyspian Crown has authority to deny or approve construction plans within a Peer’s Hacienda.

 

II.08 - Certain exceptions to the laws regarding land for Peers may be made at the Hyspian Crown’s discretion.
 

II.09 - With approval of the Hyspian Crown and the Peer of a household, a child may be adopted into the family.

II.09.a - The child may not inherit the Peer title.

II.09.b - The child may not pass on the familial name to descendants.

II.09.c - The child may not act in an official capacity, i.e. representative for the Peer.

II.09.d - The child may be afforded the rights but not the privileges of the Nobleza.

II.09.e - The child may not employ any form of personal servant.

II.09.f - The child may be referred to as the non-main line titleage of their household.

 

II.10 - A Nobleza household may have a bastard name listed in the Nova Lex Hyspia. It is to be used in the event of disownment, or should a child be born out of wedlock. 

 

Article III - On the Obligations of Noblezas

 

III.01 - All Noblezas must follow the word and law of the True Faith of our Holy Mother Church.

 

III.02 - All Noblezas shall swear fealty to the Hyspian Crown and protect its life.

 

III.03 - All Noblezas shall swear to the protection of Hyspia and Her people.

 

III.04 - All Noblezas shall follow all laws outlined in the Nova Lex Hyspia.

 

III.05 - All Noblezas must rally their banners in support of Hyspia and Her Crown. 

 

III.06 - Peers must have at least two members of their family serving the government, courts or the military in some official capacity. 

 

III.07 - Peers or their families shall host activities or events to drive foot traffic within the borders of Hyspia. 

 

III.08 - Noblezas must see to the upkeep and caretaking of their Haciendas.

 

III.09 - Noblezas have an obligation to create job opportunities within Hyspia, via some form of employment; i.e. merchant work, servitude or otherwise.

 

III.10 - A Peer may not move their family to another realm without express approval from the Hyspian Crown. If in the event of emigration, all titles belonging to the Peer shall be relinquished to the Crown.

 

Article IV - On the Rights and Privileges of Noblezas  

 

IV.01 - Rights are defined within this document as a legal entitlement for all Noblezas.

IV.01.a - Privileges are defined within this document as a unique advantage for Noblezas which may be granted or revoked at the Hyspian Crowns discretion.

IV.01.b - Good-standing with the Hyspian Crown is defined within this document as a lack of criminality, an upstanding reputation and not on the brink of demotion.

 

IV.02 - Grandee Nobleza is defined in this document as a title granted to a Peer by the Hyspian Crown.

IV.02.a - The title is decided by right of challenge; every two Saints months, a Nobleza family of good-standing may challenge the current title holder.

IV.02.b - The nature of the challenge is at the title holders discretion but must all coincide with the Nova Lex Hyspia.

IV.02.c - The Peer of which holds the title is known as ‘Grandee’, i.e. Grandee Baron, Grandee Vizconde. They boast the right to be referred to as so during the duration of holding the title.

IV.02.d - The title affords the Grandee Noblezas the privilege of the addition of two extra servantry.

IV.02.e - The title affords the Grandee Noblezas the privilege of access to limited-access mines within Hyspias borders.

IV.02.f - The title affords the Grandee Noblezas the privilege of a manor within the Nobleza district of the capital.

 IV.02.g - The title affords the Grandee Peer the privilege to sit at the secondary head of the table during Peerage meetings.

 IV.02.h - The title affords the Grandee Noblezas the obligation of setting the standard for all Nobleza to follow.

 IV.02.i - The title affords the Grandee Peer the obligation of accepting all challenges from Nobleza families in good-standing with the Hyspian Crown; denial allowed in the case of a challenge before the title duration is up.

 IV.02.j - The title affords the Grandee Peer the obligation to bring forth concerns amongst and of the  Nobleza. 

 

IV.03 -A Peer shall be given the right to bear a heraldic coat of arms.

 

IV.04 -All Noblezas shall be given the right to an audience with the Hyspian Crown. 

 

IV.05 - All Noblezas shall have the right to be addressed by their honorific titles and with respect in a formal setting. 

 

IV.06 - The Peer is granted the right to send a representative for a peerage meeting.

IV.06.a - The representative must be of the age of fifteen or older, unless given special permission by the Hyspian Crown.

IV.06.b - The representative must be of the Peers name and household.

 

IV.07 - The Peers of the realm shall be given the privilege to have up to a maximum of five house guards. All house guards must be oathed into the Orden de Francisco and must swear fealty to the Hyspian Crown. 

 

IV.08 - All Noblezas shall have the right to defend their lands from invasion.

 

IV.09 - All Noblezas shall have the right to be executed via beheading.

 

IV.10 - All Noblezas shall have the right to choose a Champion of which is a Hyspian citizen in a trial by combat.

IV.10.a - The consequences of the trial by combat are theirs alone, and not for the Champion to take.

 

IV.11 - Noblezas shall have the privilege to take on servantry.

IV.11.a - The Hyspian Guide to Servantry outlines who amongst the Noblezas may take them on.

 

IV.12 - Noblezas shall have the privilege to take on Wards.

 

IV.13 - Noblezas shall have the privilege to wear exclusive headpieces during formal events, i.e. weddings, debuts, festivals and courts.

IV.13.a - The usage of flamenco headdresses are permitted for those of the Nobleza. The wearing of flamenco during court is forbidden for those of a Vizcondado and below. 

IV.13.b - The usage of circlets, tiaras, diadems and crowns is forbidden; unless it is an heirloom from a royal ancestor, in which it may be worn during the Noblezas wedding or debut.

IV.13.c - The usage of a non-heirloom circlet is permitted for a Ducado family during their debuts or wedding. 

 

IV.14 - Peers of the ranks Condado up shall have the privilege to host a family within their lands of which they may name to be the Gentry class.

IV.14.a - A petition must be made to the Hyspian Crown before formal acceptance. It is at the Hyspian Crowns discretion to approve or deny.

IV.14.b - The family hosted must be of good-standing with the Hyspian Crown.

IV.14.c - Only one family may be hosted at any given time.

IV.14.d - The land of which the Gentry family resides on must be provided by the Peer.

IV.14.f - The Peer may tax the Gentry household.

IV.14.g - The Peer is responsible for all actions the Gentry family may take, whether negative or positive.

 

Updated as of 140 D.R.

 

 

Z

 

DIOS LOS BENDIGA,

 

HER SERENE HIGHNESS, Xiomara I, Sovereign of Hyspia, Duchess of Pacazu, Viscountess of Banderas, Baroness of Arenisca, Del’mar, Monterro, Campagnon and Sevilla, Lady of La Dorada, Lady of Niseep, Gereon’s Hold and Ciudad de Plata, Protector of the Hyspian People, Protector of the Farfolk, Matriarch of House de Pelear, Knight of the Order of the Prophetic Hill of Lorina, etcetera.

 

HIS SERENE HIGHNESS, Ser Julian I, Sovereign of Hyspia, Duke of Pacazu, Viscount of Banderas, Baron of Arenisca, Del’mar, Monterro, Campagnon and Sevilla, Lord of La Dorada, Lord of Niseep, Gereon’s Hold and Ciudad de Plata, Protector of the Hyspian People, Protector of the Farfolk, Patriarch of House de Pelear, Knight Comendador de Hyspia, The Volatile, The Tiger, The Rage Knight, etcetera.

 

Edited March 13, 2025 by The Kingdom of Hyspia