Rights of the Nobility

Nobles in the Empire of Surrach have several inherent rights that separate them from commoners. Some of these are backed by law, while others are merely tradition, but violating any of them will prompt a reaction.

Legal Rights

Harness. All plate armors from the Carolingian era inherently belong to the nobility in whose demesne they are found or first enter.

Arming. The right to carry a weapon in public or even in the presence of their liege lord in any structure not on the battlefield.

Scholasticism. The right to education in formal institutions of learning.

Forfeiture. The right to pay a fine to escape most severe punishments

Jurisprudence. The right to judgement by peers (commoners can be judged and sentenced by a noble or designated magistrate, but a noble can only be judged by other nobles)

Judgment. The right of judgment (nobles act as judge in legal matters)

Powers. The right to forces (allowed to raise, train and maintain a body of warriors)

Legal Rights

◦The right-of-way on the streets (peasants, commoners, etc. must yield to him)

◦The right of first refusal when making purchases (noble picks first, commoners must wait and buy what noble has already passed on)

◦The right to demand shelter

Related Ethnicities

• The Valaisien