The Franciscan Articles

MCVDK · February 17, 2025

THE FRANCISCAN ARTICLES.

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I. Lands and Titles Beholden to the Ducal Coronet.

The following titles are hereby tied to the Ducal Coronet of the Adrians in perpetuity:

i. Exilic Duke of the Adrians;

ii. Lord of Beznov;

iii. Protector of Dumacracy;

iv. First Citizen of the Adrians.

The following properties are likewise tied to the Ducal Coronet of the Adrians in perpetuity:

i. The Free Town of Beznov.

No lawful claim to the aforementioned titles or properties may be made without first claiming and holding the Exilic Duchy of the Adrians.

II. Eligibility for the Ducal Coronet.

A candidate for the Ducal Coronet must meet the following eligibility criteria:

i. Be of the age of electoral majority, defined as sixteen years.

ii. Be a faithful member of the Church of the Canon.

iii. Be in good standing with the courts of the Duchy of Adria.

iv. Have resided within any Holding of the Ducal Coronet for at least five years prior to the Ducal Election.

v. Claim descent through Exalted Sigismund.

III. The Franciscan Articles.

The Ducal Coronet of the Adrians may only be assumed upon the signing of the Franciscan Articles, named in honor of Franz Vladov, the first Duke of Adria.

These Articles form a binding covenant between the Exilic Duchy, represented by its Electors, and the reigning Exilic Duke, establishing the rights, duties, and limitations of Ducal authority.

The Exilic Duke is chosen through a fair and equitable election conducted by the Ducal Electors, with no claim or right of inheritance granted to the Exilic Duke’s children or heirs, ensuring succession is determined by merit and choice rather than birthright.

The Exilic Duke is required to convene a Duma, a formal assembly of the citizenry of the Exilic Duchy, at least once every two years.

The Exilic Duke of the Adrians shall have no authority to impose new feudal or burghal taxes without the explicit approval of the Duma. All financial levies must be justified, debated, and consented to by the Duma prior to enactment.

The Exilic Duke of the Adrians shall possess no unilateral authority to declare war or peace. Such decisions must receive the consent of the Duma, ensuring collective deliberation and the endorsement of the nobility.

The Exilic Duke of the Adrians is required to provide for the maintenance, provisioning, and readiness of the standing Ducal Army, ensuring the defense and security of the Exilic Duchy.

Should the Exilic Duke violate the law or infringe upon the established rights of the nobility, the Franciscan Articles empower the nobility to withhold obedience to the Exilic Duke’s orders. These Articles further authorize the nobility to take measures necessary to protect their rights and the integrity of the Exilic Duchy.

In the event of a formally declared state of war, all taxation laws and regulations are suspended for the duration of hostilities. This suspension remains in effect until peace is officially declared, allowing the Exilic Duchy to address urgent fiscal demands for the war effort without procedural hindrance.

IV. Protocol for the Passing Ducal Coronet.

Upon the passing of the Exilic Duke, the Ducal Coronet of the Adrians shall be entrusted to the Primate of the Adrians, the Bishop of St. Emalyne. The Bishop is obligated to call for a Ducal Election within a period of no less than one year, serving as Interdux during this interim period.

Upon the lawful election of a new Exilic Duke, the Bishop shall perform the coronation, ceremonially placing the Ducal Coronet upon the elected candidate, thereby affirming their authority as the rightful Exilic Duke of the Adrians.

V. Bylaws of the Ducal Election.

The Electors of the Exilic Duchy of the Adrians are defined as those determined through the Dumaggedon Doctrine. In the case of an interregnum, the Electors are those identified in accordance with the same doctrine as sworn to the previous Exilic Duke.

For an election to be deemed legitimate, a minimum of three Ducal Electors must be present. If an Elector’s lineage becomes extinct and their lands and titles revert to the Exilic Duke, and fewer than three Electors remain, the Exilic Duke is required to elevate an individual to the electorship by granting them lands and titles to ensure the quorum is met.

When a Ducal Election is called, the Electors are summoned by the Primate’s behest and must appear without arms or soldiers. If an Elector is unable to attend due to illness, a kinsman of their dynasty may represent them in the election.

Once assembled, the Electors are prohibited from concluding the election without selecting an Exilic Duke. During the election, the gates to the assembly must remain closed, and no one other than the presiding Bishop and the Electors may enter.

For an election to be legitimate, the Electors must reach a majority decision. If a majority cannot be reached, the Electors must continue to vote until a consensus is achieved.

Should an election fail to produce a chosen Exilic Duke, another election must be called within one year. Until such an election is held and an Exilic Duke is chosen, the status quo shall be maintained.

VI. Defining the Duma.

The Duma shall be defined as the structured elected assembly representing the estates and citizenry of the Exilic Duchy of the Adrians, tasked with deliberating upon and rendering judgment on matters pertaining to the governance and welfare of the Exilic Duchy.

The Duma shall function as a structured elected assembly with clearly defined membership and established limitations, thereby reflecting the voice and will of the people of the Exilic Duchy of the Adrians. The Exilic Duke shall serve as the ceremonial head of the Duma. The assembly shall consist of representatives from the nobility, local governance, clergy, and commonsmen elected directly by the citizenry. The Lord High Chancellor of the Adrians shall act as the representative of the Exilic Duke within the Duma, presiding over its sessions and ensuring that proceedings align with the directives of the Exilic Duke.

The Duma holds the final authority on issues concerning laws, wars, alliances, and treaties, serving as the legislative and deliberative body of the Exilic Duchy.

The Duma is convened at the request of the Exilic Duke and, as stipulated by the Franciscan Articles, must be assembled at least once every two years.

Any property-holding citizen of the Exilic Duchy of the Adrians shall possess the right to speak before the Duma. Citizens may present proposals for acts, motions, or resolutions, provided such proposals adhere to the established procedural rules of the assembly. All proposals shall be subject to consideration, debate, and voting in accordance with the regulations and customs governing the Duma’s proceedings. The Lord High Chancellor shall ensure fair consideration of citizen proposals, maintaining orderly discourse within the assembly.

All amendments to the Franciscan Articles, as well as any documents or reforms necessitating changes to the Articles, must be deliberated and approved by the Duma.

For any motion to pass, it must achieve a clear majority among the assembled members, ensuring that decisions reflect the collective will of the estates.

VII. Privileges of the Nobility.

The nobility of the Exilic Duchy of the Adrians are defined as individuals who hold a noble title and their progeny up to the third degree, including great-grandchildren of a titled noble. Members of noble families with less than fifty percent noble blood shall not be recognized as nobles. Those raised to gentry and formally affirmed by the Exilic Duke of the Adrians are granted the same privileges as the nobility.

Nobles are entitled to hold land in their name, with the assurance that such holdings shall remain within their lineage for future generations.

All nobles of the Exilic Duchy shall hold the right to be judged solely by their peers, ensuring that no sentence or claim upon their lives, honor, or property may be rendered by individuals of lesser rank or privilege. The sole exception to this right shall be the Censor, whose authority in matters of justice is recognized by the Exilic Duchy.

The right to duel is reserved exclusively for nobles, with no man of lower blood permitted to challenge one of noble standing. Nobles may also settle disputes through trial by combat, provided their opponent is of equal rank and privilege unless this right is formally waived by the accused.

Nobles are granted the right to hunt within the Ducal Forest and properties. Such hunts must be conducted lawfully, with those hunting the Exilic Duke’s game without authorization branded as poachers. Hunting must also be carried out in moderation to ensure the preservation of the forest’s ecosystem.

Lastly, nobles possess the right to carry out private law against another individual, free from the interference of the State or the Church. Matters of private law are to remain between the parties directly involved and shall not extend to their families unless the dispute becomes a public matter.

VIII. Privileges of the Free Town of Beznov.

These rights, modeled after the Gradic Rights of the City of Felsen (c. 1557), confer legal autonomy and privileges to the populace of Beznov as a collective entity, extending to individual landholders within the city’s jurisdiction.

The Gradic Rights of the City of Felsen, c.1557

i. Hitherto the populace of this town shall be referred to as any legal landholder within municipal authority.

ii. Hence the town has the right to waive feudal tithe and pay in coin.

iii. Hence the town has the right to choose a leader from amongst its own.

iv. Hitherto does the populace of this town have an exemption from serfdom.

v. Hitherto does the populace of this town have the right to freedom of travel.

vi. Hitherto does the populace of this town have the right to freedom of trade.

vii. Hitherto does the populace of this town have the right to a trial by judge.

viii. Hitherto does the populace of this town have the right to petition its lord.

Authorship and Ratification.

Originally penned by Barnabas Basarab, Ph.D, J.D, of the Imperial Institute at Johannesburg.

Edited and corrected by His Excellency, Sigismund Varoche, Lord Chancellor of Adria, in the year 1904.

Signed and affirmed by His Grace, Heinrik Sarkozic, Duke of Adria, in the year 1907.

Revised and reaffirmed by the Grand Duma of Adria on the 11th of Tobias’ Bounty, in the year 1907.

Edited and corrected by the Honourable, Caius Blackford, Censor of the Diaspora, in the year 2015.

Signed and affirmed by His Grace, Mateusz Sarkozic, Exilic Duke of the Adrians, in the year 2016.

Revised and reaffirmed by the Grand Duma of the Adrians on the 18th of Harren’s Folly, in the year 2016.

Edited and corrected by the Honourable, Caius Blackford, Lord High Censor of the Diaspora, in the year 2020.

Signed and affirmed by His Grace, Mateusz Sarkozic, Exilic Duke of the Adrians, in the year 2020.

Revised and reaffirmed by the Grand Duma of the Adrians on the 20th of Sun’s Smile, in the year 2020.

AMENDMENT, 1907

To ARTICLE II: "ELIGIBILITY FOR THE DUCAL CORONET"

It has been resolved by the Grand Duma of Adria that, to shield the Ducal Coronet from the threat of foreign pretense in an election for Dux, and to ensure that merit determines the best candidate for the ducal election, all noble candidates must have served the Duchy of Adria for no less than five years.

The text of ARTICLE II shall henceforth read:

II. Eligibility for the Ducal Coronet.

A candidate for the Ducal Coronet must meet the following eligibility criteria:

i. Be of the age of electoral majority, defined as sixteen years.

ii. Be a faithful member of the Church of the Canon.

iii. Be in good standing with the courts of the Duchy of Adria.

iv. Have resided within any Holding of the Ducal Coronet for at least five years prior to the Ducal Election.

v. Claim descent through Exalted Sigismund.

RESOLVED, by unanimous vote

of the 1st Adrian Grand Duma,

11th of Tobias’ Bounty, 1907.

THE PRECEDING HAS BEEN AFFIRMED, NOTARIZED, ORGANIZED, SYSTEMATIZED, AND COLLATED by Paul Sarkozic, Seneschal of the Courts of Adria, 6th of Sun’s Smile, 1907.

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AMENDMENT, 2016

To ALL ARTICLES

It has been resolved by the Grand Duma of the Adrians that, to uphold modern standards, minor amendments in wording have been made. Furthermore, all mentions of "Duke" or "Duchy" have been amended to "Exilic Duke" or "Exilic Duchy," with the official designation of the "Exilic Duchy of the Adrians" replacing previous nomenclature where applicable.

To ARTICLES I: “LANDS AND TITLES BEHOLDEN TO THE DUCAL CORONET”

It has been resolved by the Grand Duma of the Adrians that, in order to maintain a well-updated and accurate collection of articles, the titles and properties beholden to the Ducal Coronet shall be accurately defined as held in the land of Aevos.

The text of ARTICLE I shall henceforth read:

I. Lands and Titles Beholden to the Ducal Coronet.

The following titles are hereby tied to the Ducal Coronet of the Adrians in perpetuity:

i. Exilic Duke of the Adrians;

ii. Lord of Beznov;

iii. Protector of Dumacracy;

iv. First Citizen of the Adrians.

The following properties are likewise tied to the Ducal Coronet of the Adrians in perpetuity:

i. The Free Town of Beznov.

No lawful claim to the aforementioned titles or properties may be made without first claiming and holding the Exilic Duchy of the Adrians.

RESOLVED, by unanimous vote

of the 4th Grand Duma of the Adrians,

18th of Harren's Folly, 2016.

THE PRECEDING HAS BEEN AFFIRMED, NOTARIZED, ORGANIZED, SYSTEMATIZED, AND COLLATED by Mateusz Sarkozic, Exilic Duke of the Adrians, 6th of Owyn’s Flame, 2016.

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AMENDMENT, 2020

To ARTICLE VI: “DEFINING THE DUMA”

It has been resolved by the Grand Duma of the Adrians that, in order to maintain active governance of the Adrian Holdings and, primarily, Beznov, the Duma must transition into a more structured national assembly, expanding its legislative function beyond its current scope.

The text of ARTICLE VI shall henceforth read:

VI. Defining the Duma.

The Duma shall be defined as the structured elected assembly representing the estates and citizenry of the Exilic Duchy of the Adrians, tasked with deliberating upon and rendering judgment on matters pertaining to the governance and welfare of the Exilic Duchy.

The Duma shall function as a structured elected assembly with clearly defined membership and established limitations, thereby reflecting the voice and will of the people of the Exilic Duchy of the Adrians. The Exilic Duke shall serve as the ceremonial head of the Duma. The assembly shall consist of representatives from the nobility, local governance, clergy, and commonsmen elected directly by the citizenry. The Lord High Chancellor of the Adrians shall act as the representative of the Exilic Duke within the Duma, presiding over its sessions and ensuring that proceedings align with the directives of the Exilic Duke.

The Duma holds the final authority on issues concerning laws, wars, alliances, and treaties, serving as the legislative and deliberative body of the Exilic Duchy.

The Duma is convened at the request of the Exilic Duke and, as stipulated by the Franciscan Articles, must be assembled at least once every two years.

Any property-holding citizen of the Exilic Duchy of the Adrians shall possess the right to speak before the Duma. Citizens may present proposals for acts, motions, or resolutions, provided such proposals adhere to the established procedural rules of the assembly. All proposals shall be subject to consideration, debate, and voting in accordance with the regulations and customs governing the Duma’s proceedings. The Lord High Chancellor shall ensure fair consideration of citizen proposals, maintaining orderly discourse within the assembly.

All amendments to the Franciscan Articles, as well as any documents or reforms necessitating changes to the Articles, must be deliberated and approved by the Duma.

For any motion to pass, it must achieve a clear majority among the assembled members, ensuring that decisions reflect the collective will of the estates.

To ARTICLE VIII: “PRIVILEGES OF THE FREE TOWN OF BEZNOV”

It has been resolved by the Grand Duma of the Adrians that, in order to ensure the governance of Beznov is executed properly and functions harmoniously within the broader framework of Ducal governance, certain autonomous rights and privileges must be rescinded or restructured to better integrate the township into the Ducal system.

The text of ARTICLE VIII shall henceforth read: