Heldannic Knight -- Later Reforms to the Law
by Bruce Heard This is an update to the original
Code of Conduct
Later Reforms
Married Knights (AC 1016): One of the major changes among both the
knighthood and priesthood was to allow married candidates in a
first move, and in a later move existing members to take a spouse
in our out of the Order. This naturally implies they may have
legitimate progeny. These changes to Heldannic Law came at a time
when the Order needed even more recruits and desired to relax some
of the older laws to adapt to the challenges of the day. There are,
however, conditions to the above.
There are no further restrictions on accepting new members married
before seeking to join the Order, as long as the intent of the 6th
Amendment is respected. Those members seeking marriage while
serving the Order have to go through a trial to determine whether
the law on Chastity was violated. If not, the wedding is approved.
If not, the petitioner(s) may be sentenced for breaking Heldannic
Law.
The spouse cannot be a spell-caster other than a priest of Vanya.
Members of the Heldannic Order must vouch for the virtue and honour
of their spouse, and bear responsibility for the acts of said
spouse. All progeny of the couple must be raised honouring Vanya.
Provided the couple has progeny capable of bearing arms, the couple
must provide at least one offspring to join the Order. Offspring
may include any legitimate or adopted sons or daughters (including
of a prior marriage) with proper rearing in regards to Vanya's
faith.
Land Grants (AC 1017): In order to make the Order a more attractive
prospect to experienced warriors - essentially members of Heldann
or foreign nobility - The Order began providing small dominions to
certain knights and priests as a reward for exemplary services.
This was aimed in particular at the younger members of large
warrior families who expected to inherit very little. These
warriors were needed because of their high education crucial for
their eventual gain of a higher rank among the Order. Most of these
high-born adventurers were married before they would join the
Order, which explains why the reform of AC 1016 on matrimonial laws
was needed before land grants could be considered. Naturally, the
grant of property comes with several obligatory duties.
Use and occupation of the dominion is permanent so long as the
family has a legitimate heir. Lawful inheritors includes all living
sons or daughters with direct blood lines to the original grantee
of the Heldannic dominion. Spouses of the grantee or of legitimate
heirs are not considered legitimate heirs themselves, but their
progeny is (unless adopted, illegitimate, or of a prior marriage).
Spouses and illegitimate heirs may become eligible if they are
active members of the Heldannic Order who have taken the Oath of
Service, and are in good standing. Following the grantee's death,
disability (either total or temporary), or disappearance, the Order
will appoint an administrator from The Voice as Heldannic Regent if
the legitimate heir is too young to take on the responsibilities of
rulership, usually less than fifteen-years-old. Should the grantee
pass out without acceptable inheritors, or repudiate the Order, the
dominion immediately reverts to the Order's ownership. The land and
its buildings cannot be sold as a whole or in part, or seized to
fulfil debts.
The grantee or the later heir owes fealty to his/her liege, the
Heldannic Order. The grantee cannot have other lieges and remains
under the jurisdiction of Heldannic Law. Should a grantee or the
lawful heir be tried for a crime and sentenced to Loss of the
House, the dominion is immediately seized and the whole family is
expelled from the land. Generally only the first four laws of the
Heldannic Code of Conduct (Devotion, Order, Obedience, and
Loyalty), apply to a later heir of a dominion, especially if not a
member of the Order.
The grantee must pay a 20% tithe to the Order, or a set minimum
determined when the land is granted. A specified number of good
quality troops must be maintained on the grantee's dominion, who
should be made available to the Order in times of war (treated as
mercenaries or foreign volunteers). Although no one in the
grantee's family may cast spells granted by other than Vanya,
spell-casting retainers may be employed.