Introduction to the Duchy of Wessex

[Azzerhoden Razeri]

Duchy Wessex Intro.pdf

[Azzerhoden Razeri]

Updated the pdf with the changes discussed for LIF

[Jaidyn Sothenic]

First paragraph there's a grammar mistake. In the Mayor part it mentions the exchequer.
I've read up to the clerks for now. I'll continue when I wake up.

[Azzerhoden Razeri]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! I very much appreciate this feedback as this document will often be the first official piece of information other players review to get to know us. So it needs to be 100% accurate.

First paragraph there's a grammar mistake. In the Mayor part it mentions the exchequer.
I've read up to the clerks for now. I'll continue when I wake up.

Fixed. I did a search on the term and replaced all occurrences. Should have done this yesterday! Also ensured the term commodore and ranger is also only used where now appropriate EXCEPT for one section on page 5 under Baronet. It says:

A baronetcy is most often bestowed by the Duke onto skilled civil servants, successful burgesses or mayors and rangers that have made significant contributions to the Wessex community.

I think Ranger should be removed, as they would be made knights now, correct?

[Randver Jormunrekson]

Found an error on page 14.

"The chain of command is thus: The Duke, Constable, Warden/Admiral,
Commander/Commodore, Captain, Marshal/Forester/First-Mate,
lieutenant/mate,Serjeant Major, First Serjeants, Serjeants, Armsman"

But besides that, it's a perfectly good little introductory guide.

[Altus Whyte]

Page 3

I believe the following is a limitation to a landed knight's recruitment abilities that was introduced by the KoW regime. Whether it should be kept or not would be up for the current cabinet to decide.

FIEFS
Are the land grants given to vassals, but we specifically use this term for
the land granted to vassal knights. The administration of a fief, while
delegated to the knight, will still be supervised by the ducal court
especially as regards recruitment and ceremony. The power to grant full
member status will remain with the ducal court.

Page 4

Not all Lords are Magnates. I'd replace the following with "Lords (Nobility)"

Can also remove the multi-game related stuff

Gentry are those that hold any of the following titles:
· King (Rex)
· Lords (Magnates)
· Knights/thanes/baronets (Equites)
· Esquires/pages (Escutari)
Gentry’ titles are not county specific and will stay with a member
regardless of the game he or she is playing.

[Azzerhoden Razeri]

Page 3

I believe the following is a limitation to a landed knight's recruitment abilities that was introduced by the KoW regime. Whether it should be kept or not would be up for the current cabinet to decide.

Page 4

Not all Lords are Magnates. I'd replace the following with "Lords (Nobility)"

Can also remove the multi-game related stuff

I stripped that awful power grab from the Fiefs section, and updated to Lords (Nobility). Question on the following section under fiefs:

The Duke and his cabinet retain the right to summarily exile any resident.

My understanding was that exile required a trial. Cabinet members should not be able to summarily exile anyone, let alone someone from another fiefdom! His Grace, yes. Even then though I believe he would prefer to leave the matter to the lord of that fiefdom, or if absolutely necessary hold a trial first. I think that statement should be re-wrote to:

The Duke retains the right to summarily exile any resident, though preference is always given to the lord of that fief or to normal trial proceedings.

[Altus Whyte]

My understanding was that exile required a trial. Cabinet members should not be able to summarily exile anyone, let alone someone from another fiefdom! His Grace, yes. Even then though I believe he would prefer to leave the matter to the lord of that fiefdom, or if absolutely necessary hold a trial first. I think that statement should be re-wrote to:

There is no law that requires trials in general. Freemen and gentlemen are given the right to assize trials when it comes to fines assigned by royal courts. Freemen/gentlemen are also given the right to judgement by their peers when there are no laws on the matter at hand.

Carta Solis:

18. Any serf or vagabond of any shire may be distrained upon by the Crown and immediately exiled if such is found by the Crown to be in the interest of the realm at large. No freeman or gentleman shall be executed, or disseized, or outlawed, or exiled, or in any way harmed-nor will we go upon or send upon him, save by the lawful judgment of his peers or by the law of the land.
21. For a trivial offence, a free man shall be fined only in proportion to the degree of his offence, and for a serious offence correspondingly, but not so heavily as to deprive him of his livelihood. In the same way, a merchant shall be spared his merchandise, and a serf the implements of his serfdom, if they fall upon the mercy of a royal court. None of these fines shall be imposed except by the assessment on oath of between three and six reputable men of the neighbourhood of the accused who shall be chosen by the sheriff and called as a jury of assize.

There is really nothing that prevents the kicking of a member by the shire leadership. If a member is exiled from the whole kingdom, that judgement can always be appealed to royal courts.

Technically all fiefs and vassals of Wessex would fall under the jurisdiction of wessex law. The duke and the chancellor would be the two with the power to make shire-level judgements.

As a general policy it would make sense for the duchy to let the fiefs manage their own members as much as possible, but if the fief members start causing trouble that goes outside the fief, shire-judgments could be made.

Your version seems good.

[Azzerhoden Razeri]

Found an error on page 14.

"The chain of command is thus: The Duke, Constable, Warden/Admiral,
Commander/Commodore, Captain, Marshal/Forester/First-Mate,
lieutenant/mate,Serjeant Major, First Serjeants, Serjeants, Armsman"

But besides that, it's a perfectly good little introductory guide.

Thank you Randver, Fixed this. Also stripped out the first use of the word 'experienced' which we discussed yesterday.

[Altus Whyte]

Page 2

The key reason for the restructuring, and redefinition of certain positions,
was to accommodate Wessex as a multi-game clan instead of focusing
exclusively on one “flagship” game. This approach has opened up much
possibility for individuals to be involved in essential hands-on
management duties than ever before.

This is all about the multi-game community concept which Manus undid, so it needs to be removed.

Also a defunct concept from the kingdom era:

Wessex members are active in
various game worlds and each of those form part of one single shire.

This too:

COUNTY
Is the term used for the territory in a world in which Wessex has a
significant presence. The cabinet officers will usually appoint a Bailiff
to administrate it, if required. If a member holds a county specific
position, rank or title it is forfeit if he changes game, unless he is
specifically reappointed by the cabinet or Bailiff of his new county.