The Imperial Gazette | Volume 1

[FireAGN 1207]

 

 

 

 

Volume I

 

✠ FUNCTION OF THE GAZETTE ✠

 

The Imperial Gazette, established under the authority of His Imperial Excellency, the Archchancellor, serves as the official printed record of the Empire. Administered by the Master of the Imperial Gazette, under the purview of the Chancellery, it preserves all decrees, appointments, ordinances, and proceedings issued by all imperial institutions. Through the Gazette, every act from Imperial appointments to the deliberations of the Witenmot is faithfully recorded and made public, ensuring that the will and works of the Empire are preserved with dignity and precision.

 

This volume focuses exclusively on the most recent Witenmot session, with subsequent editions documenting notable events, decrees, and other acts of state. 

 

Citizens of the Empire wishing to serve as chroniclers, reporters, or scribes may address a letter of interest to the Master of the Imperial Gazette and arrange an interview at his office within the Rathaus.

 

WITENMOT, 626 AA SESSION

 

The Inaugural session of His Imperial Majesty’s Witenmot (The Wise Assembly) has been concluded. The following is a record of the events that occurred therein;

 

✠ Identification of the Oudbard

In cases where the Speaker is unavailable, the oldest sitting member is charged with the duties of the Speaker. This was identified as Folkman Leonstadt, Sir Stanton Stroheim.

 

✠ Election of the Lord Speaker

 

The Witenmot deliberated the election of a Lord Speaker.

 

• Folkman Steinwal, Parzival von Augusten - 9 Votes

• Folkman Tarnavon, Holly Rodham - 8 Votes

• Folkman Berzyn, Kajus Joren Vandas - 3 Votes

 

THUS, it is resolved that Folkmen Steinwal shall hold the office of Lord Speaker of the Witenmot for the First Composition.

 

✠ Non-Human Tax Rate

 

The Witenmot deliberated on whether an increase in the existing non-human residential tax was necessary. 

 

• 10 Imperial Farthings - 10 votes

• 20 Imperial Farthings - 5 Votes

• 30 Imperial Farthings - 2 votes

 

THUS, it is resolved that non-human denizens shall be charged 10 farthings upon their properties.

 

✠ Minimum Drinking Age

 

The Witenmot deliberated a minimum age for the consumption of alcohol.

 

• 21 Years - No Votes.

• 18 Years - 2 Votes.

• 15 Years - 2 Votes

• No Minimum - 10 Votes

 

THUS, it is resolved that there shall be no age requirement to consume alcohol within the Empire. 

 

✠ Medical Subsidies

 

The Witenmot deliberated Crown subsidies of medical professionals.

 

• Subsidize - 11 Votes

• Subsidize for Members of the Guard - 2 Votes

• No Subsidies - 3 Votes

 

THUS, it is resolved that the Crown shall subsidize medical professionals.

 

STANDING ORDERS OF THE WITENMOT

 

Whereas the orderly conduct of a deliberative body is essential to the making of sound policy, and whereas the Lord Speaker is entrusted with the authority to preside over and administer all sittings of the Witenmot, this document shall set forth the procedural rules governing the meetings of, and interactions among, its members.

 

Article I – Quorum & Vacancies 

i. There is no quorum required for the Witenmot

 

ii. In the event a seat is vacant due to death, resignation, or removal, the Witenmot shall hold the seat empty until the next Composition

 

Article II – Procedure

i. All sessions shall be conducted under the direction of the Lord Speaker. In the Lord Speaker’s absence, the Oudbard shall preside and take an official register of all members in attendance.

 

ii. The session shall open with a Prayer, led by the Lord Speaker. All members are expected to genuflect and maintain silence in respect of the moment’s sanctity. During this prayer, the Lord Speaker shall hold aloft the Golden Mace of St. Alexander Frederick of Furnestock.

 

iii. Matters shall then proceed as listed on the Official Agenda, distributed before the sitting. For each matter:

• Time for debate shall be afforded, the limits thereof set by the speaker,

• An official vote shall be taken, and

• Any motions of amendment shall be heard.

 

iv. Upon the completion of all procedural requirements and deliberation of the agenda, the Witenmot shall close with a final Prayer led by a Godsman.

 

Article III –  Motions & Amendments

i. Any member, during the course of a moderated debate, only after being recognized by the Lord Speaker, may make a motion to amend the voting options available to Witenmot. The Lord Speaker may reject such motions if they deem this amended voting option beyond the competence of the Witenmot. 

 

ii. Any member may, during another member's comment, call for a ‘Point of Order’ if they believe the member is acting out of turn. If the speaker finds the point valid, they will issue a verbal warning. If a second point of order is found valid against another member of the House, they may be ejected for the given sitting. 

 

iii. The Lord Speaker may restrict a member’s ability to raise points of order if they are found to be using it politically, to interrupt the orderly and timely deliberations of the Witenmot, or to use it to target/censor another member's speech directly. 

 

iv. A 2/3rds majority vote may amend the Standing Orders of the Witenmot. Such a vote can be initiated by; 

• A member informs the Speaker that they wish to add a Standing Order Amendment vote to the Agenda before the start of an Assembly's sitting.

• The Speaker announces a Standing Order Amendment Vote at any time, notwithstanding a moderated debate comment or opening, or closing prayers.

 

CLOSING STATEMENT

Thus it is that the Witenmot is hereby established, and shall begin its workings for the betterment of the Holy Imperium and all her citizens.

 

An involved Citizen-- is a Virtuous Citizen. Sessions shall be held every other Saints’ Year, where citizens may bear witness to the legislative and advisory activities of the Witenmot.

 

Petitions may be heard through your local member. Please contact them and they will convey any relevant information or queries to the Witenmot.

 

 

AVE IMPERIUM

 

 

H V M A N I T A S    I N V I C T A

 

HIS IMPERIAL MAJESTY, Tiberias I of the House Horen, by the Grace of GOD,  Emperor of Man, Holy Imperator, King of Burgundy, Seventis, Salvus, Renatus & Oren, Duke of Middelan, Helena, Lorraine, Sunholdt and Reutov, Protector of Grense, Protector of the Heartlanders, Patriarch of House Horen & the Tiberian Dynasty, Captain-General of the Church, Defender of the Faith.

 

 

HIS IMPERIAL EXCELLENCY, Ledicort de Senna, Imperial Archchancellor.

 

 

HIS EXCELLENCY, Parzival von Augusten, Viscount of Azor, Heir to the House of Augusten, Lord Exchequer of Alba, Lord Speaker of the Witenmot, Folkman of Steinwal, and Sergeant of the Prince’s Army of Alba.

 

 

HIS EXCELLENCY, Ezra de Senna, Master of the Imperial Gazette.