The Stewart
The Stewart is the right-hand man of a chieftain. The Stewart seconds the clan Chieftain in a lot of areas. He (rarely she) advises the Chieftain in business, but also in familial matters. After the Chieftain and his Heir, the Stewart is the most influential and powerful person within a clan.
The Stewardship cannot be given to a nonmember of the clan. The choice of Steward also needs to be approved by the majority of The Clanbearers. The Clanbearers are the executive branch of the clan: they usually include the chieftain's family and the most influential clansmen in the territories.
The Stewart will oversee the running of the clan businesses. He or she will check that the accounts for revenues and taxes are correct, and will okay loans and other trade expenses. To help him/her in this function, the Stewart will work closely with The Clan Bursar and The Clan Clerk.
The Stewart is the Chieftains' chief advisor in matters of alliances, contracts, and land arbitration.
When clansmen and clanswomen want to marry, they will file bans with the Stewart of their clan. If the betrothed belongs to two different clans, they will have to make a choice as to which clan they will belong to once linked. Cross-clan alliances are still very rare in Alven. Most clansmen marry within their own clan. However, in the more cosmopolitan urban centers of Alven, cross alliances are beginning to become more common.
Once the bans have been declared, the Stewart will then asks one of The Clan Seers to officiate the ceremony for the betrothed. In modern times, impediments to alliances and even cross-clan alliances are very rare.
The Stewarts will wear The Chieftain's Stone of his clan so he or she might be recognized throughout the territories. The Stone can be made into a brooch, pendant etc, and is usually a representation of the clan animal. For example, the Stone of Clan Ravensen is an engraved silver medallion showing a flying Raven carrying a twig in its beak.
It is very rare for a Stewart to be demoted or removed. Sometimes, a chieftain will have to pick a second Stewart if his first choice falls ill or passes away.
If a Stewart was ever to lose its title, it would be for disloyalty to the clan. This is a very serious offense indeed that would invariably mean being thrown out of the clan and exiled. The man and his family would become the Cleavers.
Appointment
When a Chieftain comes into his powers, one of his first decisions is to appoint his Stewart. The Stewart is usually an experienced, close family member that can be trusted to have the clan's best interests at heart, an older uncle or cousin is the preferred choice, but sometimes, the Chieftain might choose a friend or a mother.The Stewardship cannot be given to a nonmember of the clan. The choice of Steward also needs to be approved by the majority of The Clanbearers. The Clanbearers are the executive branch of the clan: they usually include the chieftain's family and the most influential clansmen in the territories.
Duties
Trade
The Stewart will oversee the running of the clan businesses. He or she will check that the accounts for revenues and taxes are correct, and will okay loans and other trade expenses. To help him/her in this function, the Stewart will work closely with The Clan Bursar and The Clan Clerk.
Family and Clan Business
The Stewart is the Chieftains' chief advisor in matters of alliances, contracts, and land arbitration.
When clansmen and clanswomen want to marry, they will file bans with the Stewart of their clan. If the betrothed belongs to two different clans, they will have to make a choice as to which clan they will belong to once linked. Cross-clan alliances are still very rare in Alven. Most clansmen marry within their own clan. However, in the more cosmopolitan urban centers of Alven, cross alliances are beginning to become more common.
Once the bans have been declared, the Stewart will then asks one of The Clan Seers to officiate the ceremony for the betrothed. In modern times, impediments to alliances and even cross-clan alliances are very rare.
Accouterments
The Stewarts will wear The Chieftain's Stone of his clan so he or she might be recognized throughout the territories. The Stone can be made into a brooch, pendant etc, and is usually a representation of the clan animal. For example, the Stone of Clan Ravensen is an engraved silver medallion showing a flying Raven carrying a twig in its beak.
Removal or Dismissal
It is very rare for a Stewart to be demoted or removed. Sometimes, a chieftain will have to pick a second Stewart if his first choice falls ill or passes away.
If a Stewart was ever to lose its title, it would be for disloyalty to the clan. This is a very serious offense indeed that would invariably mean being thrown out of the clan and exiled. The man and his family would become the Cleavers.
Type
Familial
Form of Address
Stewart
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