Many decades ago, a man named Thomas Aquinas took up such a fake name so as to preserve his own Liberty of Conscience, so that he might express his opinions without fear of persecution. I do the same, and remain anonymous, for the same reason. I am known as ‘The Young’ to distinguish myself from my predecessor. I can tell thee truly, I am not actually all too young, however.
It is under such a persona that I will express my views freely: on the state of Oren, her faith, and her peoples. The institutions of Empire and Popery are surely to strike at me under any other circumstance. Therefore, know that my words are honest, and informed by no degree of fear, anxiety or self-interest. They know not even my sex, or whether I am theologian, artisan, or squire, or any number of professions.
It was some decades ago when the most belov’d and noble King Guy was murdered by an evil regicide. What wrath of God or Iblees powered his blade I know not, but, shortly after the King’s death, it was the ignoble John Horen who soon usurped the throne from her rightful rulers. Coming utterly out of the blue and with little legitimacy to speak of, he seized the crown from the Savoyards, who are known to be the true holders of the kingdom. Thus, did the tyrannical John establish his rule. For he was no king, but sat himself as if he were a Horen of old: namely, as an Emperor.
Determined to rule as one, he said ‘The State is Me’ and would have no word on it. Thus, did tyranny set herself over the realm. His heirs have done the same: few have dared speak openly of it. And now, the Kingdom of Haense wishes for independence from this - a perfectly understandable thing - and are condemned as traitors. Yet, is it treachery to seek freedom from a liege who does not fulfill his side of the bargain? People today often make the mistake of assuming all burdens and responsibilities lie upon the vassal’s head: this is patently false. I am of the opinion that a partitioning of the Empire into successor states is a necessary evil to acquire just rule. For then, our would be new king of Oren would be forced to compromise: therefore, there shall be no absolutism in rule, for the current check of power is merely a council of but a few fallible men, some of whom are sure to be corrupted and weak. This new king would naturally be whatever descendants of de Bar remain, and, if not they, then a man of de Savoie or of d’Amaury.
The monarchy should be elective from then on. By that I speak not of the foolish and imprudent burgher-loving ravages of democracy, but instead where the nobles of the realm should elect and approve of a king. This will create more stability as he has been chosen by his peers. Then, a Great Charter shall be drafted detailing the rights and liberties of each respective group, from villein to king. The king shall be subject to the law, and not the arbitrator of it.
Liberty of Conscience must be secured for honest people. That they may serve God without fear, and that all men be preserved within their just rights, whether civil or spiritual. For I would rather have an honest-speaking illiterate serf than the most eloquent of courtiers, but one who speaks in terms of sophistry and falsehoods.
I shall write on this and other matters in the coming years, and in greater detail.
Thomas Aquinas ‘the Young.’
Many decades ago, a man named Thomas Aquinas took up such a fake name so as to preserve his own Liberty of Conscience, so that he might express his opinions without fear of persecution. I do the same, and remain anonymous, for the same reason. I am known as ‘The Young’ to distinguish myself from my predecessor. I can tell thee truly, I am not actually all too young, however. It is under such a persona that I will express my views freely: on the state of Oren, her faith, and her peoples. The institutions of Empire and Popery are surely to strike at me under any other circumstance. Therefore, know that my words are honest, and informed by no degree of fear, anxiety or self-interest. They know not even my sex, or whether I am theologian, artisan, or squire, or any number of professions. It was some decades ago when the most belov’d and noble King Guy was murdered by an evil regicide. What wrath of God or Iblees powered his blade I know not, but, shortly after the King’s death, it was the ignoble John Horen who soon usurped the throne from her rightful rulers. Coming utterly out of the blue and with little legitimacy to speak of, he seized the crown from the Savoyards, who are known to be the true holders of the kingdom. Thus, did the tyrannical John establish his rule. For he was no king, but sat himself as if he were a Horen of old: namely, as an Emperor. Determined to rule as one, he said ‘The State is Me’ and would have no word on it. Thus, did tyranny set herself over the realm. His heirs have done the same: few have dared speak openly of it. And now, the Kingdom of Haense wishes for independence from this - a perfectly understandable thing - and are condemned as traitors. Yet, is it treachery to seek freedom from a liege who does not fulfill his side of the bargain? People today often make the mistake of assuming all burdens and responsibilities lie upon the vassal’s head: this is patently false. I am of the opinion that a partitioning of the Empire into successor states is a necessary evil to acquire just rule. For then, our would be new king of Oren would be forced to compromise: therefore, there shall be no absolutism in rule, for the current check of power is merely a council of but a few fallible men, some of whom are sure to be corrupted and weak. This new king would naturally be whatever descendants of de Bar remain, and, if not they, then a man of de Savoie or of d’Amaury. The monarchy should be elective from then on. By that I speak not of the foolish and imprudent burgher-loving ravages of democracy, but instead where the nobles of the realm should elect and approve of a king. This will create more stability as he has been chosen by his peers. Then, a Great Charter shall be drafted detailing the rights and liberties of each respective group, from villein to king. The king shall be subject to the law, and not the arbitrator of it. Liberty of Conscience must be secured for honest people. That they may serve God without fear, and that all men be preserved within their just rights, whether civil or spiritual. For I would rather have an honest-speaking illiterate serf than the most eloquent of courtiers, but one who speaks in terms of sophistry and falsehoods. I shall write on this and other matters in the coming years, and in greater detail. Thomas Aquinas ‘the Young.’