LEYES DEL HIDALGO - Hyspian Gentry

[The Kingdom of Hyspia 646]

 

THE SOVEREIGN STATE OF HYSPIA

 

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THE EXPECTATIONS OF HYSPIAN GENTRY

 

PREAMBLE

 

The Gentry of Hyspia is not quite nobility, nor are they of common status, existing in a gray area. They hold no title, nor inheritance to pass onto their kin - in the way of nobility. The ability to become Gentry consists currently under three possibilities,

 

THE Knights - Fostered within the Order of the Stallion, a Knight of Hyspia is a honored title cherished and sought after. Obtaining Knighthood is not an easy fate, nor one that is quick to complete. To reach this status alone is a task entitled to reward, the scarcity of the knights and the grace they compel turn them into the perfect under-lords of Hyspia.

 

THE Grateful - The Crown is expected to show its strength and glory, yet it cannot be completed without the eyes of its people adoring and caring as ever. A new station created to show off and boldly flourish Hyspia seems the only obvious next step. To be granted Gentry by The Sovereign Crown, shows that the Monarch of Hyspia has faith in the family, or deservance in the title-holder.

 

THE Noble - A noble house is as prestigious and respected as one gets. A Comital house may sponsor a family to aid in their gentry-hood. Though ultimately decided before the crown, the Lord or Lady of the house may present in court the lesser-ranked family and oversee their rise to the gentry.

 

THE RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF THE GENTRY

Article I - On Ascension

 

I.01 - The Hyspian crown may promote a family into Gentry status. Unlike those of the nobility, this shall not be officialized in court through a royal letter. They shall be known as Hidalgo, or Gentry.

I.01.a - Nobleza families of the rank Conde and up may promote a family into Gentry status, per approval of the Hyspian Crown.

 

I.02 - The Hyspian Crown may revoke the status of the Gentry.

I.02.a - Should a Nobleza family wish to revoke Gentry status of a family they are hosting, a petition must be made.

 

I.03 - The Gentry may not host taxable tenants upon their land. 

 

Article II - On the Gentry 

 

II.01 - Gentry is defined within this document as a non-hereditary title granted to a Knight of the Realm or through a noble house's patronage. 

 

III.02 - The class of Gentry may be granted to a Knight of the Orden de Francisco.

III.02.a - Should the Knight be a noble, they are not granted the land.

III.02.b - Civil Knighthood, i.e. the Civil Order of the Cantuta, does not afford Gentry status.

 

II.03 - The head of the Gentry household shall be known as Hidalgo or Hidalga of the realm. 

II.03.a - The spouse of the Hidalgo may be known as the counterpart.

II.03.b - The children of the Hidalgo are known as the common inferment, “Senor” and “Senorita”. 

II.03.c - The children of the Hidalgo may petition for the addressment of their father or mother, in the case of foreign marriage matters.

 

II.04 - The status of Hidalgo lasts until deceasement of the title-holder.

II.04.a - In the event of a child of the Hidalgo holding no Knighthood, or way to inherit the status, all perks; i.e. land, privileges are returned back to the Hyspian Crown.

II.04.b - Should the child of the deceased Hidalgo meet the criteria set in continuing the status, they shall retain all perks, for as long as they continue to meet the criteria.

 

II.05 - The Hidalgos of the realm shall be granted land known as Haciendas. The Hidalgos may build a farm, country house or some other form of home for their family, extended relatives and guests. 

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

II.05.b - It is the Hidalgo’s role to cover all costs of construction and labor.

 

II.06 - The size of the Hacienda an Hidalgo shall receive is 400 [20x20] acres of land.

 

II.07 - Hidalgos 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 Hidalgo’s Hacienda.

 

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

 

II.09 - A Hidalgo 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 Hidalgos

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

III.06 - Hidalgos must see to the upkeep and caretaking of their Haciendas. 

 

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

 

III.08 - A Hidalgo 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 Hidalgo shall be relinquished to the Crown.

 

Article IV - On the Rights and Privileges of Hidalgos 

 

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

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

 

IV.02 -A Hidalgo shall be given the right to bear a heraldic coat of arms.

 

IV.03 - The head Hidalgo of a household shall be given the right to an audience with the Hyspian Crown. 

 

IV.04 - All Hidalgos shall have the right to be addressed by their honorific titles and with respect in a formal setting. 

 

IV.05 - The Hidalgo is granted the right to sit in a peerage meeting, though not a peer themself.

IV.06.a - The Hidalgo is granted the right to send a representative in their stead.

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

IV.06.c - The representative must be of the Hidalgos name and household.

 

IV.07 - All Hidalgos 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.08 - Hidalgos shall have the privilege to take on servantry.

IV.08.a - They may not take on house guards, nor may they take on Ladies/Lords-in-waiting.

IV.09 - Hidalgos shall have the privilege to wear exclusive headpieces during formal events, i.e. debuts and festivals.

IV.09.a - The usage of flamenco headdresses are permitted for those of the Hidalgo. The wearing of flamenco during court and weddings is forbidden.

IV.09.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 Hidalgos wedding or debut.

 

Updated as of 140 D.R.

 

 

 

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, The Volatile, The Tiger, The Rage Knight, etcetera.

 

Edited February 3, 2025 by The Sovereignty of Hyspia