Phantaria/Charter of the Grand Principality of Phantaria

The Charter of the Grand Principality of Phantaria

Preamble. Henceforth, the Duchy of Phantaria shall be broken apart from all former legal ties to the Republic of Terran and shall exist as a sovereign and independent realm under the laws and legal codes set forth within this Charter.

Section 1.1 The ratification of this Charter by the Nobility of Phantaria shall formally establish the Grand Principality of Phantaria as the rightful and legal government of the Duchy of Phantaria.

Section 1.2 The Grand Principality of Phantaria shall be ruled by a Grand Prince who shall be elected once by a vote of the Nobility of the Grand Principality in which all Noble’s votes are equal.

Section 1.3 At the Grand Prince’s appointment shall serve the Commandant at Arms who shall act as the chief military officer of the Grand Principality.

Section 1.4 At the Grand Prince’s appointment shall serve the Coffermaster who shall oversee the finances and the harvests of the Grand Principality.

Section 1.5 By the quarterly election of the Noble’s of the Grand Principality, in which each Noble’s vote is equal, shall serve the High Constable of the Grand Principality who shall be responsible for the enforcement of the realm’s laws.

Section 2.1 The Grand Principality of Phantaria shall adhere to formal and proper feudal hierarchy in which power delineates downwards from the Grand Prince to the Landed Nobility to the Unlanded Nobility, and so forth. All Nobility are guaranteed the rights that are due to their station and title.

Section 2.2 Feudal Oaths are to be sworn by every vassal to his liege. These oaths may either be made publicly, or merely before the vassal, liege, Lord Chancellor, King and witnesses. Whilst it is recommended that oaths be made in person, sealed letters may be used in absentia. The oath must satisfy the Grand Prince, the vassal and the liege. Violation of this oath will be punished to the fullest degree of the law. It is important to note that an oath between Vassal and Lord does not necessitate or excuse wrong doing against other Nobility or against the Grand Principality.

Section 2.3 Each landed Lord of the Grand Principality shall serve in the Diet of the Wood. Within the Diet the day-to-day affairs of the Grand Principality shall be managed among the Lords.

The Grand Prince and the realm councilors shall have observatory membership to the Diet if they are not already landed Lords.

The Grand Prince shall have the responsibility of keeping the Diet informed of realm affairs, especially those concerning foreign realms.

Section 2.4 The Diet of the Wood shall possess specific powers:

Any alteration of to Sections 1 and 2 of this Charter shall require a 3/4 vote of the Diet. Any alteration of Section 3 of this Charter shall require a majority vote of the Diet. The Grand Prince must seek a majority vote of approval from the Diet before declaring war.

Section 3.1 The Laws of the Principality shall be handled by the High Constable. This includes decisions to be made in a manner fitting the situation as the High Chancellor decides, and punishment to be decided upon at the discretion of the High Chancellor. All decisions made by the High Constable are final.

Section 3.2 Nobles are free to and encouraged to express their opinion in a constructive manner, but inflammatory or insulting statements may be referred to the High Constable for disciplinary action.

Section 3.3 All nobles, be they of the Grand Principality, an ally to the Grand Principality, neutral to the Principality, or an enemy to the Principality, shall be treated in a manner befitting a noble. This includes, but is not limited to addressing nobles by their proper title, speaking with nobles in a respectful manner, and maintaining an appropriate level of decorum.

Section 3.4 Lords are responsible for the behavior of their vassals. At the discretion of the High Constable, a lord may share in a vassal's punishment if the lord is found to be lax in his responsibility for his vassal.