Avalon/Constitution

Hear ye Hear Ye Nobilty of Avalon,

With proud I present to you, the third draft of the Constitution of the Avalon Democracy.

The first part is about Basic Law: Constitution of the Avalon democracy

Basic laws

  1. All government members are elected monthly by the Noble of Avalon. Votes are counted on equality: All votes are alike.
  2. No noble can hold two or more power positions at the same time. If one noble is elected for two or more power positions, the noble will have to step down from one or more government positions.
     Elections will then be held to refill the empty power position(s).
     Power positions are all government positions and Dukes.
  3. Every noble has the right to file complaints at the High Council.
  4. Every noble has the right of free speech, if the noble keeps in mind whom he speaks to.
  5. Every noble has the obligation to honor the oath to his liege.
  6. Privacy of letters is a given, except on order from the judge.
  7. Nothing is punishable but by law or oath.
  8. The judge has the final word in every law case.
  9. Every noble has the right to call for aid in administrative and legal issues.
 10. The high council can add minor changes to the Constitution by vote. If two-thirds of the High Council favors the minor change, the Constitution will be changed accordingly by the Judge, who will also notify the public. The changes in the Constitution are in power from the moment the judge notifies the public.
     b. On propositions is voted in the High Council. If founded major, they will be taken into the realm, who will then hold a popular referendum. Votes are counted on equality: All votes are alike.

The ruler

  1. The Ruler is bound by the Constitution of Avalon, as is each noble of Avalon
  2. The rulers is (re-)elected monthly. The current ruler is allowed to be re-elected.
  3. In case of absence of the ruler, either by death, (great) wounds or stepping down, elections will be within one day. Current other government members are electable, if they are willing to give up their current government position.
  4. The high council can decide by vote if the ruler will have to step down from his position if he is judged to be incapable. Two-thirds is required in order to make the Ruler step down.
  5. In absence of the ruler, the high council takes decisions according a majority vote.
  6. The ruler can issue a Royal Pardon once a month.
  7. In case of a tie vote within the High Council, the ruler decides, being chairman of the High Council.
  8. The ruler is responsible for, is in care of and has the last word in diplomatic affair’s.
  9. In times of crisis, the ruler has the right to do as he thinks is best for Avalon.

Other government positions

The general

  1. The general is responsible for all military affair’s. This does not include a noble breaking the military code, that is a matter for the judge.
  2. The general has the last word in military affair’s, but will relay his orders to the marshals.
  3. The general decides the military chain of command.
  4. The military consists of volunteers and draftees (bound by oath to their liege).

The judge

  1. The judge has the final word in every law case, both in civil as in military matters.
  2. The judge decides the severity of punishments when a offender is considered guilty.

The banker

  1. The banker is responsible for and in care of realm taxes. Region lords are responsible for and in care of region taxes.
  2. The banker is not responsible and is not in care of food distribution.
  3. The banker is responsible for and in care of (the stimulation of) free trade.

The High Council

  1. The High Council represents the nobility of Avalon. It has an advisory function.
  2. The ruler is chairman of the High Council, in case of a tie, the chairman decides.
  3. The High Council consists of all government members and maximum four other members, whom are chosen through popular vote by the entire realm.
  4. Elections are by anonymous vote. Nobles holding government positions are excluded from election.
  5. Duration of a member in the High Council is two successive months. After two months, the member will have to leave and new elections will follow, including the old member.
     Government positions are excluded of this law.
  6. The High Council can be disbanded by the ruler at the start of his first term.
     Government positions are excluded of disband.
  7. War can only be declared in agreement of the majority of the High Council.

Region lords

  1. A region lord will be elected by popular referendum. Votes are counted on equality: All votes are alike. All nobles can be elected.
  2. In case of absence of a region lord, ea because of a recent take over, a temporary steward will be immediately appointed by the ruler or duke. This steward will be in power until a region lord has been chosen, the steward will then step down on upon arrival of the elected region lord.
  3. If a region lord is considered unfit for rulership of a region, the duke must present a formal complaint to the High Council. If the High Council decides in favour of the Duke, the region lord must step down immediately.
     In case of imperial regions, a member of the High Council must file a complaint.

Of Religions

  1. The official religion of Avalon is the Order of the Druids. All priests of the Order of the Druids have the constitutional right to transit and preach in any region belonging to Avalon.
  2. Priests of other religions are only welcome within regions of Avalon if they have permission of the region lord.
  3. The region lord is responsible for authorizing and supervising the construction of temples and shrines of any religion, including the Order of the Druids. A temple or shrine built without authorization is immediately forfeit to the lord to act upon it as he sees fit, and all possessions of the temple might be confiscated by the lord.
  4. A religion whose priest(s) is found to act against the welfare of the state, i.e. inciting of rebels, et cetera can be banned from Avalonian lands by the High Council. A majority of two-thirds is necessary for the banishment to come into effect. Regardless of the final decision of the council, any priest engaged in such activities is immediately entitled to arrest by the region lord in question.
  5. Priests of banned religions inform their presence and ask for permission upon entering Avalonian lands. Any attempts to preach or otherwise spread his religion will result in immediate arrest and punishment by the Judge.

Constitution as drafted by Gwen Vando, Baroness of Norjke, Banker of Avalon.

Additional drafting by Your Excellency Apothes The New Paradigm, Ruler of Avalon,

And Bulwyf Uth Korallen, Baron of Henhower, Judge of Avalon,

And Grimson Pelgrim, Knight of Zod.

Avalon

---

Ideas for a constitutional change

Here is space for ideas for a change of the constitution of Avalon.