Duchal Charter of the Kingdom of Somercrag under King Tyon I Cray
I, ser Tyon I Cray, King of Somercrag, hereby declare that my Dukes and Duchesses shall henceforth be bound by the following charter, with the expectation that they shall honour the responsibilities herein else they should forfeit the rights of their position:
- Duchal Houses shall be expected to maintain a relationship with each of their own vassal houses; maintain the relationships between each of their vassal houses with one another; and maintain the relationships between their own vassals and the vassals of their neighbours. This responsibility includes an expectation that a Duchal House will treat each of their vassals in a way that seems fair to the Royal Court; will step in to settle disputes between their vassals in a way that does not show undue favouritism in the eyes of the Royal Court; will defend their own vassals in name and deed to the other Duchal Houses. Should the vassals of a Duchal House not feel satisfied that this responsibility is being upheld they may petition the Royal Court to investigate the matter.
- Duchal Houses shall be expected, with the exception mentioned previously, to allow their neighbouring duchies to execute their rule as they see fit, unless specifically requested to become involved either by the Duchal House in question, or else by the Royal Court.
- Duchal Houses shall be expected to lay out the laws of the realm to their vassals so that each Lord and Lady can execute the law upon their subjects with the backing of the Duchal Houses. This should include the drawing of a charter such as this for each Duchal House so that their vassals are aware of the expectations of their own positions.
- Duchal Houses shall be expected to send at least one representative to sit on the Royal Council and speak on their behalf at Court. They are expected to send a member of their own household or a suitably powerful vassal of their own, and someone of suitable intellect and education. This representative is expected to be capable of speaking on the Duchal House's behalf in such urgent matters as require an immediate response; failure to provide one may mean waiving the right to voice an opinion on such vital matters as the declaration of war.
- Duchal Houses shall be expected to keep in their employ at least one member of The Spire and to follow their advice where it benefits their realm and their vassals. Where necessary the Royal Court is willing to provide candidates to The Spire to secure these advisors, but refusal to accept an advisor is not acceptable.
- Duchal Houses shall be expected to collect Taxes within their realm and to pay Tithes to the Crown Treasury. Duchal Houses are given the freedom to set their own Taxation levels so long as it does not have a negative impact on the lives of their people. The amount required by Tithe is one-fourth of the amount in the Duchal House's Coffers at the beginning of each month. The Royal Council's Seneschal is responsible for monitoring the flow of wealth throughout the Kingdom.
- Duchal Houses shall be expected to maintain a force of not less than four hundred men-at-arms between their own forces and those of their vassals. These men-at-arms should be of a suitably high quality in both their training and equipment to represent the Kingdom in battle at any moment.
- Duchal Houses shall be expected to maintain, where this is greater than already stated, enough forces at arms to defend their own borders against threats. These forces should be suitably equipped and trained for the potential threat represented by their neighbour, and may include an expectation to train the general populace in certain areas.
- Duchal Houses shall be expected not to initiate hostile action against any foreign powers or individuals without the explicit decree of the King.
- Duchal Houses shall be expected to inform the Royal Council of any plans for any member of their household to marry. The Royal Court holds the right to veto any match they deem unsuitable, though they will be expected to compensate the parties appropriately and to make other arrangements where necessary.
Failure by a Duchal House to uphold the responsibilities outlined herein may result in punishment, including but not limited to:
- Duchal Houses shall be expected to provide recommendations for new incumbents of seats, titles and other positions under their authority, however the Royal Court holds the final right of appointment on all such positions.
- Sanctions imposed upon a Duchal House in the form of enforced guardianship; fines of goods or coin; siezing of land; transferral of vassals.
- Removal of a Duchal House from their position, by force if necessary, either to become a vassal of the new incumbent, or to be stripped of their lands and titles entirely.
- Exile from the lands of Somercrag and the Continent of Greland itself.
Each Duke or Duchess is expected to attend Bayglen in person immediately to sign this document in the presence of King Tyon I Cray. Each succeeding Duke or Duchess is expected to attend Bayglen immediately upon their succession to sign this document, however they are bound by this charter inherited from their predecessor even until they sign their own name to it.
- To be put to death.
Document Structure
Publication Status
The original copy of this document is displayed in the chambers of the Royal Council in Bayglen Castle. A copy of the document is also sent to of the Dukes and Duchesses.
Type
Decree, Royal
Medium
Paper
Authoring Date
March 443KS
Location
Signatories (Characters)
Signatories (Organizations)
Comments