Familial Law Codex

[Virú 112]

 

 

This codex applies specifically to the major peerage and noble families of Viru, and any that wish to apply for peerage. At the time of writing, there are:

 

House Leomonte

House Salazar

House De Trastamara

And House Mondblume

Peerage and nobility families are not exempt from standard Virúvian laws, and will be punished for any crimes committed just as any non-nobility citizen would be.

 

Article I: Qualifications

 

To qualify for the status of a peerage family, the family in question must;

 

• Live within Virú for a minimum of 12 years.
• Have 5 or more active members.
• Be sponsored or nominated by another family.
• Show to be a valuable asset to the community.

 

They may then apply to the council to be elevated to peerage status. Elevation of status requires a majority council vote.

 

To retain peerage status, the family in question must also:

 

• Continue to support the community by hosting one event every 4 years.
• Have an active member in the military.
• Have an active member in the government or courts.
• Swear loyalty to the Lord or Lady of Virú.
• Retain 5 or more active members. (The council may grant temporary exceptions to this in cases of exemplary service)

 

Should these guidelines be met, and the family chose to rise to peerage, the family will become eligible to be nominated for council positions and Lordship of Virú; as well as have a voice in the development, maintenance, and decision making of Virú. With this in mind, all families must follow a set of strict laws to keep their peerage or nobility status. Failure to do so will result in appropriate penalties and possible removal from peerage, or banishment; depending on what is deemed suitable by the council.

 

Article II: Loyalty

 

The family must remain loyal to the head of said family, with only the Lord or Lady of Virú being above them. 

 

Members of a peerage family must ask the head for permission to marry, or to leave Virú. Failure to do so or mutiny against the head may result in the revocation of their name and titles and all permission to use them, under penalty of death.

 

Article III: Succession

 

The heir of the family is chosen by the current head, who may elect anyone, with some exceptions, within the family. The Lord or Lady of Virú retains the authority to veto the head and anoint someone else should they think it necessary. 

 

The heir may not be a convicted criminal by the laws of Virú and its liege lords. They must keep their family name, and whoever they marry must take on the family name as well. 

 

The position of familial head may not pass to someone married into the family, or someone adopted into the family.

 

Each family must have a designated or apparent heir. If not, the Lord or Lady of Virú holds the right to nominate someone until a suitable heir is found.

 

If the head is convicted of a crime, they are liable to be removed by the council. If the council otherwise believes the head to be unsuitable, they may remove them with a majority vote.

 

If the head is a part of the council and is being subjected to a vote, they may not vote. Tie breaks will go to the court chamberlain. 

 

Article IV: Land

 

A peerage family is entitled to their own land and manor with which to do as they please, so long as it follows Virúvian laws. However, taxes will still be applicable, with a minimum of 50 mina per year, and a 10 mina increase per additional person within the house, to a maximum of 120 mina per year.

 

Peerage families are still liable for being evicted if they do not pay their taxes. If a peerage family leaves Virú, they are liable to have their titles and special permissions revoked on a case by case basis. 

 

Article V: Titles

 

Any peerage family may become a noble family, at which point they may use the title “Lord” or “Lady.” A peerage family may use the titles of “Dama” and “Don.”

 

If a family abandons Virú in times of war, vows loyalty to another nation, or commits treason against the Lord or Lady of Virú, they will be banished in addition to having their titles revoked; under penalty of death. If said family has their banishment overturned, they will be barred from applying for peerage or nobility status again during the lifetime of the offending parties.

 

A family head retains the right to disown any member of the family, in which their titles and special privileges within Virú will be revoked. These decisions may be overturned by a majority council vote.

 

Signed by,

Her Ladyship, Lady Anacleta Paqar Leomonte, Lady Paramount of Viru and Knight of the Realm

Legislator, Dama Evangeline Mara Salazar