Artistocracy

Concept and Written by James Woodwright and Edited and Co-written by Flubb2
For more information (See the Government Article)

Meta Quote: I had looked into what this government type is called and no one coined this term before.

— James Woodwright, Author of The Artistocracy Chronicles.

An Artistocracy is a government type. It is made up of those who are Artisans, tradesmen, and women, they are the people who can have a say in the governing of the country of Willinghurst Cray. Artistocracy comes from the Latin for Artisan - Artifex and Ancient Greek for rule - Kratos. The Grand Artisan, acts as the ruler of the Country. As part of the Artistocracy, there are two houses of government, the Governmental Room and the Court Room. The Grand Artisan has their role for life, and is chosen from the group of Doctors.

Houses

This government type has two main houses the Court Room (Our world's House of Commons) and the Governmental Room (Our world's House of Lords / Senate). The Grand Artisan is a leader of the government that runs it, a form of prime minister, as well sitting in both houses.
The Grand Artisan sits where the speaker of the House of Commons would, in both the Canadian and British Parliaments with less seats in front of them.

Court Room

The Court Room was originally part of the King's court, in the modern sense. The Grand Artisan takes the position of the King. In writing laws it is the Court that proposes laws.
The room, for this House of Government, is in the same room as the former King's Court.

Governmental Room

The Governmental Room is a larger space, allowing for 150 trades, of which two members of each trade sit, which is 300 in total. The ranks of these members are one Master and one Doctor. It is the Masters that are for the general population and the Doctors for the University. The Members sit opposite each other, with the Grand Artisan, in the middle and at one end.
In this house it is the Grand Artisan that sits between the two sides of the chamber and acts as the speaker of the house. On their left are the Doctors while it is the Masters on the right.
In passing laws this is the house that scrutinises the law. It is also the house where it is ultimately passed.

Structure

The Artistocracy in Willinghurst Cray, uses the Lavandula Palace as a seat of governance as well as a University of trades. As part of this, it has limited control over the Medica, in which it allows the University members into the Medica only if they have a University Medallion. This has changed from previous practices, where no such qualification was required apart from being interested in Medicine. The Medica in turn is allowed to continue growing their own plants and produce to their own ingredients. They are also allowed to buy ingredients produced by the University's students, for the purposes of experimentation.

Culture

The Artistocracy centres around the University. The culture lies in the fact that Artisans and Tradespeople are the bedrock of the economy. Therefore the driving force of any innovation is through them and should give them the right to say how society progresses governmentally.

Public Agenda

Their public agenda is one of innovation and creating a long-lasting legacy of artisans and tradespeople. The Artistocracy through the University gives out University Marks and University Medallions to those who have achieved and succeeded to the correct rank.
Through the University, members can learn more about their trade and have stable employment and living conditions. If they don't want either of the two awards, they will still need to provide something in the form of knowledge or innovation.

Assets

The assets that the Artistocracy has within Willinghurst Cray  are:

• All Settlements on the island
• The University
• The University Marketplace
• The University Library
• The Medica (and have given them rights)
• All coinage and taxation from the previous government types
• All resources from the lands
• The right to allow the University to take charge in any situation that is related to knowledge and research, (with compensation)

History

Spoilers for Book 2

After the poisoning of King Richard III and overthrowing the subseqent government. Thomas Roberts set up an Artistocracy, using the Lavandula Palace as Lavandula University .

Demography and Population

As part of living in Willinghurst Cray, all people have pale white skin, and as part of their personal history of slavery, only their racial demographic can stand for government and live in Willinghurst Cray, however tourism is allowed from other islands.
This attitude may seem harsh. However, this is a reaction to what happened with the slavers. Even though people were allowed to be ‘free’ this didn’t go as far as mixed marriages. This so annoyed the then government of Willinghurst Cray when they found out, that the policy of residence was enforced and remains to the current time.

Territories

They only have Willinghurst Cray.

Foreign Relations

The Artistocracy of Willinghurst Cray, has relations with the island north of them. From the end of the slave trade, of which they were victims, they have engaged in trade. This trade is spices from the north and metals and potions from Willinghurst Cray.

Trade & Transport

Transport is mainly by foot. However, is can also be done by horse or other animal such as bison. Roads are often well kept to make them usable. The best kept road is Artisans Way. As well as being the most well-kept, it is famous for having guards along its stretch and for being made of blocks of stone. The road itself runs from Grey Harbour to Draurough and Draurough to Blackridge.

Education

Before the University, education was parental or generational. With the younger generation being taught by the older generation. Once the University started, the generational education still occurred. This, however, was now to give them the information to pass their Admittance Test, if they were going to the University.

Appears in
The Artistocracy Chronicles Books 2 - 4

Type

Governmental, Senate/Parliament

Capital

Draurough

Ruling Organization

University

Leader Title

Grand Artisan

Economic System

Market economy

Gazetteer

• Artisan Way
• Draurough
  • Draurough Lighthouse
• Wimbourne
• Grey Harbour
• Blackridge

Currency

The coinage they use in their daily lives are called Defeni, which is made up of Copper, Silver and Gold Coins.

Judicial Body

From issues originating from previous government types, an Artistocracy finds it acceptable to use the previous government type's laws as a form of justice. Law breaking since the Artistocracy is in affect, prefers to use law by jury procedure.

Official State Religion

The Ten Tigers

Location

Draurough

Related Ethnicities

• Crayan

Important People

Spoilers to Books 2 - 4

Grand Artisan
Thomas Roberts (Book 2 and 3)
Zachary Potter (Book 4)
Founders
Thomas Roberts
Marcus (Gave Assistance)