IMPERIAL PROCLAMATION | City Charter of Rittersberg

[cadazio 2105]

CITY CHARTER 

FOR THE FREE AND IMPERIAL 

CITY OF RITTERSBERG

Issued and averred by the office of,

His Imperial Excellency, Ledicort de Senna, Imperial Archchancellor

6th of Aurelian’s Glory, 634 AA

✠ HEED, LEAL SONS OF HOREN; 

 

That the Free and Imperial City of Rittersberg holds the status of imperial immediacy, as the direct competency to the Imperial House of Horen; in opposition to a territorial township under a vassal coronet. Thus, in this document are granted particular rights and freedoms through the Emperor of Man' delegated authority.

 

As a cosmopolitan melting pot of Imperial statecraft, courtesan culture, bustling business and humble commonfolk, Rittersberg is aimed to become the glimmering jewel of the Imperial Crownlands and Mankind; it is by this instrument that the Crown aims to aid in its development.

 

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The Capital City is henceforth privileged under a renewal of the Gradic Rights by His Majesty, Hadrian I. These rights, originally outlined to the Imperial City of Felsen and attributed to Emperor John II, set a historic foundation for municipal authority and legal practice. 

 

It is therefore that the Senno-Vigian Rights come into effect as of the promulgation of this missive, to be in effect unless amended by express and exclusive permission of the Emperor of Man.

 

The Senno-Vigian Rights, c. 634 AA/2061

HITHERTO; the peoples of Rittersberg shall be constituted as legally immediate to His Majesty, to be governed only by His Crown.

 

HITHERTO; the peoples of Rittersberg shall be permitted self-governance under Imperial supervision,

✠ HENCE; to elect a representative Mayor, the First Citizen, from among its populace,

✠ HENCE; to form a City Bench, as an executive body of consultation,

✠ HENCE; to have the right of exemption from serfdom.

 

HITHERTO; the peoples of Rittersberg shall be permitted to produce and promulgate laws as pertains itself,

✠ HENCE; to elect representatives into the City Bench, who shall propose and debate over laws,

✠ HENCE; to remain in constant communication with the Imperial Archchancellor, who holds complete veto power.

 

HITHERTO; the peoples of Rittersberg shall be afforded the rights of all Men, as defended by His Imperial Majesty,

✠ TO LIFE; that none but the Crown's authority may bid a man be sent to the Lord in the Skies,

✠ TO LIBERTY; that none shall be shackled to slavery or indentured servitude, 

✠ TO ASSOCIATION; that any man may pursue common interests in legal gatherings

✠ TO BUSINESS; that any man may conduct legal business at their leisure, with freedom of transit,

✠ TO PETITION; that any man may petition his lord or lady. 

 

AS JURISPRUDENCE…

The Old Gradic Rights, c. 1557

 

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EXECUTIVE CITY BENCH

FOR THE MAYORAL OFFICE OF

GRAND RITTERSBERG

 

The Crown, through the Chancellery, has deemed the creation of the following offices for the governance of the Imperial City, to function under the prescriptions detailed herein:

 

LORD MAYOR of the CITY OF RITTERSBERG

The Lord Mayor of the City of Rittersberg is elected by popular vote, serving a term of four years.

 

This edict delegates to the Mayor of Rittersberg the following competencies in the Municipal Government of the City of Rittersberg;

✠ The Mayor is bestowed the responsibility to appoint (or recommend appointments, in certain cases) municipal officials for purposes of delegation of duties, able to forcefully remove (or recommend removal) in case of inefficiency.

✠ The Mayor is afforded the competency to propose, draft, and present laws before the Privy Council as regards the governance of the Imperial City.

✠ The Mayor is granted the authority to banish or evict lowborn criminals from the City of Rittersberg, with consultation to the Lord Marshal or Imperial Archchancellor and not without due process.

✠ The Mayor has been instructed to budget, supply material, and oversee construction and demolition in the City of Rittersberg, under guidance of the Privy Council.

✠ The Mayor is responsible in representing the will of the citizens of Rittersberg, and over the duties and doings of any subordinates in their employ.

 

BAILIFF of the CITY OF RITTERSBERG

The Bailiff of the City of Rittersberg is nominated by the sitting City Council from the city’s garrison, to be confirmed by the Lord Marshal and the Archchancellor. They are to serve indefinite terms unless expressly discharged by the City Council, with the Lord Marshal’s approval.

 

This edict delegates to the Bailiff of Rittersberg, head of the Bailiff’s Office, the following competencies in the Municipal Government of the City of Rittersberg;

✠ The Bailiff is responsible for the enforcement of Imperial and Municipal Laws.

✠ The Bailiff is granted the authority to detain suspected criminals within city limits.

✠ The Bailiff is permitted to collaborate with the Imperial Guard to deputize active service members in the enforcement of the rule of law within the city.

✠ The Bailiff is required to establish a clear budget for the payment of staff and operations, further charged with assembling funds to muster munitions and pay wages.

✠ The Bailiff is hereby charged with garrisoning fortifications, patrolling highways, and protecting smallfolk within municipal boundaries, alongside the Imperial Guard.

 

HEAD STEWARD of the CITY OF RITTERSBERG

The Head Steward of Rittersberg is appointed exclusively by the Imperial Lord Treasurer, though may be placed under audit by the Privy Council for matters of transparency.

 

This edict delegates to the Head Steward the following competencies in the Municipal Government of the City of Rittersberg; 

✠ The Head Steward is instructed to oversee matters of real estate within the City of Rittersberg, be it for residential or commercial use. Furthermore, to monitor municipal property and ensure fluid operations.

✠ The Head Steward is tasked with monitoring activity and evicting derelict or abandoned properties.

✠ The Head Steward, under supervision of the Imperial Treasurer, is to oversee timely taxation within the set tributary standards.

✠ The Head Steward is charged with employing, organizing, and dismissing the city’s stewards as most benefits the city’s governance.

 

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CITY COUNCIL AND

REPRESENTATIVE ASSEMBLY OF

GRAND RITTERSBERG

 

CITY COUNCIL of the CITY OF RITTERSBERG

The City Council of Rittersberg is the legislative body of the Imperial City of Rittersberg, charged with the creation and amendment of law and judicial statutes. The council is made up of the most influential citizens and burghers of the city. It consists of the following offices:

 

• THE MAYOR
  • The Mayor is the head of the city council as its highest elected office. They represent the people’s will and are the chief executive officer of the city, under the Crown.
• THE BAILIFF
  • The second highest elected office is the second senior-most office in the city council. They represent the city’s enforcement of the law on the council.
• THE HEAD STEWARD
  • The Head Steward acts as the head of the city’s stewardry, they are in charge of property distribution. They are appointed by the Imperial Treasury, and therefore represent its interests.
• THE TAVERN MASTER
  • The Tavern Master is the proprietor and director of the Rittersberg Tavern Guild. They represent the interests of the city’s collective tavernfolk.
• TWO GUILD MASTERS
  • The Guild masters are the representatives of the Rittersberg Business Association. They act as liaisons between business interests and the government.

AVE IMPERIUM

 

H V M A N I T A S    I N V I C T A

 

HIS IMPERIAL EXCELLENCY, Ledicort de Senna, Imperial Archchancellor.

MISTER, Gennad var Vigo.

[Publius 4098]

Gennad var Vigo received the missive at the Pour House, and was overjoyed - he quickly distributed it to the staff and fellow members of the Rittersburg Business Association.

 

A bright day was dawning on the Imperial Capital…

[_Bueno_ 492]

Jannis var Vigo would celebrate the passing of the city charter alongside Gennad at the Pour House. "A round for everyone on us!" He'd shout in jubilation. 

 

Unfortunately for everyone Jannis got far too inebriated that evening and started a fight with his brother over his exclusion from the document. One could hear him incoherently yelling in the streets in the wee hours of the morning after getting cut off, "I -hic- wrote the goddamned thing!" He'd eventually tire himself out and pass out at his usual fishing spot. He'd return to work that evening the laughing stock of the tavern staff, his only consolation was the hope they would soon forget the Vigo's drunken hijinks.

Edited December 28, 2025 by _Bueno_