Lex Imperii
"The Bulla Aurae"
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In fulfillment of the Imperial Mandate of King Victor First of the Name and the Imperial Decree of the Reichstag, the
Reichskammergericht is hereby brought into being on February 27th in the Year of Our Lord Fourteen Twenty-Six, to serve as the highest court of justice in the Empire. In accordance with the Imperial Mandate of Emperor Erich First of the Name, this new amended charter is brought into being.
Pares Primus:
Jurisdiction - The
Reichskammergericht shall hold jurisdiction over any and all Imperial citizens, lands, and properties, unless protected by rights and privileges hitherto enumerated.
The jurisdiction of the
Reichskammergericht does not extend to the subjects, lands, and properties of the Prince-Electors, unless a particular title should be unoccupied. The Prince-Electors themselves and their family shall be considered within the jurisdiction of the
Reichskammergericht. Should a Prince-Elector desire, he may convey a case to the
Reichskammergericht from his jurisdiction, but must accept the ruling of this court in such a case. The
Reichskammergericht may only hear cases of local principal law if it is decided that such cases extend beyond the jurisdiction of the principality.
Criminal Cases - The
Reichskammergericht shall be the sole court through which the Empire may try Imperial citizens for violation of Imperial Law. In cases where a violation of the local laws of an Imperial principality, supercedes the boundaries of said principality, the
Reichskammergericht may take up the case. In criminal cases, the Empire shall act as prosecutor, though this responsibility may be delegated to an Imperial prince or his duly appointed representative.
Civil Cases - In circumstances where no Imperial law is violated, but the principal judicial systems lack the jurisdiction to hear the case, the
Reichskammergericht may hear the case as a civil one. Such cases include but are not limited to violations of contracts, border disputes, inheritance disputes, and others that overlap principal jurisdiction.
Imperial Law - Imperial Law shall be known as the body of laws, agreements, decrees, rights, customs, and traditions that compose the Empire. Some incomplete examples of Imperial Law are:
Bulla Aurae, Past Decrees of the
Reichstag, Past Imperial Mandates, Past Verdicts and Sentences of the
Reichskammergericht, Salic Law, and others.
Pares Secundus:
Composition and Appointment - The
Reichskammergericht shall be composed of four judges from the ranks of good Catholic Imperial citizens. The first and foremost judge shall be the
Richter-Kurfurstrepresentative of the
Kurfursten; this title shall be held in perpetuum by the Counts Palatine of the Rhine as is their right guaranteed in the
Bulla Aurae, he may however delegate this role to another in his stead. Three other judges shall be chosen by the
Richter-Kurfurst to represent the Kingdoms of
Germania, Italia, and
Gaullia. After nomination, these three would be
Richters will then be subject to review by the
Reichstag for a period of one month(2 RL Days). If a majority of the Imperial delegates reject the nomination, the
Richter-Kurfurst may then nominate twice again subject to the same process of review. Should all three nominations be rejected it is the duty of the Emperor to appoint some Imperial citizen to the vacant
Richtership.
Indictment - The
Reichskammergericht may indict any Imperial citizen within its jurisdiction. An indictment may be overturned should any of the
Richters, the Emperor and a third of the
Kurfursten, or two-thirds of the
Kurfursten, object to the indictment. An overturned indictment may be reissued with a mandate from the Emperor, or a majority either of the
Kurfursten or the
Reichstag.
Subpoena - Any and all Imperial citizens may be subpoenaed by the
Reichskammergericht. Those under indicted by the court may and often are summoned before the court; however it is the power of the court to allow representatives both of those indicted and subpoenaed to be sent in their stead.
Verdict - The determination of the verdict of a case shall be carried out in the following manner. Each of the four
Richters will cast a single vote in favor of guilt or innocence. A simple majority is all that is required to determine the will of the court. Should a majority not be reached, it is the duty of the
Richter-Kurfurst to break any ties.
Sentencing - As only the
Kurfursten may depose the King of the Romans, the sentence in all cases will be determined by the
Richter-Kurfurst, with the assistances of the other three
Richters.
Pares Tertius:
Extraordinary Circumstances - Should a
Richter be indicted, he will cease to serve in his position as
Richter until the cessation of his indictment or the completion of the trial. During his absence, the Emperor will serve as
Richter until another
Richter is chosen. Should multiple
Richters be indicted or the Emperor be unable to serve on the
Reichskammergericht the case will be heard and decided by the
Reichstag followed by sentencing by the
Kurfursten. Should the
Richter-Kurfurst be indicted or unable to serve, the sentence shall be determined by the
Kurfursten.
Retrial - A retrial may be granted by an Imperial Mandate, two-thirds of the
Reichstag or
Kurfursten, in favor of such an action. The retrial shall follow the procedures outlined above for a standard trial. Should a second retrial be sought, an Imperial Mandate together with two-thirds of the Imperial Diet, may grant it. The second retrial will be heard before the
Reichstag and sentenced by the
Kurfursten.
Pares Quartus:
Appellate Courts - Each
Richter shall serve as sole judge of an appellate court to the
Reichskammergericht. The
Richter von Germania shall oversee the district of
Germania, as the
Richter von Gaullia, Gaullia, and the
Richter von Italia, Italia. The
Richter-Kurfurst alone shall have jurisdiction over the Prince-Electors, whose lands will not be considered part of the the other judicial districts. These courts shall remain forever subordinate to the will of the
Reichskammergericht.
South Germany - The
Richter von Sudd Germania shall oversee the administration of a court appellate to the court of
Germania, including the lands once included within Franconia, Swabia, and Bavaria. The
Richter von Sudd Germania shall not serve on the
Reichskammergericht.
Appeals - Any decision handed down by an appellate court may be appealed to a superior court. The
Reichskammergericht's decision however may only be appealed with a direct petition to the Emperor.
Secretariats - Secretariats may be created to advise the
Reichskammergericht during trials. Their right to speak during trials shall not be abridged except in the most extraoridinary of circumstances.
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Imperial Commerce Commission
Prima - In the Year of Our Lord Fourteen Twenty-Nine, in fulfillment of the Imperial Mandate of His August Imperial Majesty, Erich, First of the Name, a commission henceforth known as the Imperial Commerce Commission is hereby established to oversee all trade and commerce between and among the Imperial states and their subjects.
Secunda - The Imperial Commerce Commission shall be supervised by the Imperial High Treasurer, appointed by the Emperor. His duty shall be to establish rates of exchange throughout the Empire and to negotiate further trade agreements with extra-Imperial states regarding further trade.
Tertia - Currency throughout the Empire shall be standardized to the Imperial Solidus over a period of one quarter century. Mints shall be maintained by the Imperial Princes and shall be regulated by the Commission.
Quarta - All Imperial Princes are guranteed a base tariff of one twentieth on all goods entering and leaving their dominions. The Princes may waive this right, and the Commission may increase the rate of this tariff.
Quinta - In conjunction with the Emperor, the Imperial Commerce Commission may embargo extra-Imperial nations. No embargoes may be placed on loyal Imperial nations, however. Loyalty remains at the discretion of the Emperor.
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The Martial Bull
Prima - In the Year of Our Lord MCDXXX, with the consultation of the Most August Reichstag, His Most Serene and Pacific Majesty, Erich, First of the Name, Emperor of Humanity, hereby enacts this Martial Bull as the Law of the Empire.
Secunda - Henceforth never shall an unjust state of war exist between the loyal states of the Empire. Never again shall Imperial Princes breach the Emperor's Peace and violate the sovereign boundaries of the Imperial States without a legitimate cause of war confirmed by the Emperor or his superior the Pope.
The Emperor, or in his absence his duly appointed Steward or Imperial Feldmarshal, has the right to declare any war between Imperial states unjust. Should a war be declared unjust the agressor state must sue for peace within three months or they will have to face the severe consequences including renouncing all rights, honors, privileges, titles, etc. once held by the state, its princes, or its ruling house.
Tertia - The Abgage Kaiserlich is henceforth created as an Imperial Levy, during times of Weltkrieg Kaiserlich or Imperial War. Should the Emperor in conjunction with the Reichstag issue a declaration of Imperial War, either in defense of the Empire proper or in defense of her external interests, all Princes of the Empire shall either join the war and send:
- at least a thousand knights and foot soliders (1LM) or make a payment of one thousand Imperial solidi (1 econ),
- or at least two thousand (2LM) knights and foot soldiers or payment of two thousand Imperial solidi (2 econ), should the state be larger then two provinces but smaller than seven,
- or at least three thousand (3LM) knights and foot soldiers or a payment of three thousand Imperial solidi (3 econ), should the state be larger then six provinces,
toward the war effort under the direction of the Imperial Feldmarshal, acting on behalf of His August Imperial Majesty. Payments shall be spread over the participants in the war, most notably the Imperial Feldmarshal, the Lords of the East and Western Marches, the Grand Admirals of the North and South and Imperial Generals.
However, should a state supplied with legitimate reason, recognized by the Emperor and majority of the Reichstag, or the Imperial Feldmarshal or Steward in the Emperor's absense, that he cannot anyhow support the war effort such state can be excluded from the Abgage Kaiserlich. Should such state not receive such recognition, severe consequences not limited to the demotion, removal of titles, rights, privileges, et cetera.
Quarta - Henceforth all conflicts between Imperial States that cannot be handled through normal interstate diplomacy shall be resolved by the Reichskammergericht or petition to the Emperor. Should the nature of the offense be such that it cannot be resolved by the Lex Imperii, notably slights of honor and insults, those in conflict may engage in a duel, preferably via champions on a Tourney field, provided that they follow the regulations that shall be ennumerated in future Lex Imperii. Should such a duel would be inadequate a state of war could exist between two imperial states providing that they receive the sanction mentioned in Pares Secunda.
Quinta - The Princes of the Empire guarantee free passage for all troops of all loyal Imperial Princes through their lands. This right of universal passage may be removed from a Imperial Prince upon his rebellion against the Empire, or as part of a temporary punishment.
The Emperor or the Imperial Feldmarshal acting for His August Imperial Majesty may grant this right of universal passage to foreign Catholic princes on a temporary basis and subject to the review of the Emperor. All Imperial Princes further take an oath to forbid their soldiers from damaging in any way the lands or peoples of those lawful Imperial States they are passing through.
Sexta -Concerning the Imperial Feldmarshal-
With accordance with above-mentioned Martial Bull and Appendix I the position and title of Imperial Feldmarshal is hereby created.
The Imperial Feldmarshal shall be appointed solely by the Emperor as his director of all martial affairs in the Empire, and shall upon the acceptance of his commission swear an oath of loyalty and allegiance to the Emperor and Empire before the Reichstag.
Only from the loyal subjects of the Empire may the Imperial Feldmarshal be chosen, and only he may carry the Imperial Standard into war, unless he should delegate this duty to another. He bears the title of the Bearer of the Imperial War Flag
During times of Weltkrieg Kaiserlich, his authority in military matters is second only to that of the Emperor himself and he shall receive utmost compliance in the swift execution of the Imperial War.
He is the supreme military leader of Imperial Army during the time of peace and war. With accordance with the Emperor and His Generals, he is the one who is responsible for final decision pending the moves of the army, their supplies, relocation etc. etc.
He has the right to appoint Imperial Generals, in consulation with the Emperor, who will serve under the Imperial Feldmarshals command in the Imperial Army
He shall be the leader of the Kaiserschwerter or Imperial Guard and a title of Schwertermeister will be reserved for him. However, under his command will be the Kaiserschwerter Captains who will be directly responsible for leading the Kaiserschwerter in his absence. The Kaiserschwerter shall be an elite military guard composed of young noblemen of the highest calibre and shall swear a sacred oath to defend the Emperor and the Imperial House with their lives.
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An offcial ruling concerning the Martial Bull.
Originally posted by josefgiven
- HRE MARTIAL BULLE + RoP -
Following talks with your most esteemed Treaties-Juggler extraordinairre behind the scenes, it turns out there's some confusion about where the HRE Martial Bull, and the game mechanical effects it has, start and end.
First things first - ultimately, it's just another treaty. Like all the rest, it has no direct game mechanical effects. I've included the snippet that's caused the problems at the bottom for your reading pleasure.
Never mind what the snags were, here are the solutions we're implementing to them that you need to know about. You have until the turn deadline - Sat/Sun 14th/15th of September - to get any concerns you have about them to me via PM and not on the forum. After that, it's too late, at least for this turn and until a future review.
Here we go, this is the important bit:
* As of now, it is assumed that all Imperial realms - the ones in BRONZE on the map below - NPC or played, grant all other Imperial realms Right of Passage and wish to continue doing so.
Any Imperial player has the right to deny any other Imperial realm, NPC or PC, Right of Passage at any time. I recommend players who wish to exclude certain realms do so NOW!! before the end of the turn.
* The HREmperor may not grant RoP through any Imperial realm other than his own to another realm.
* As per RPG policy, when an NPC Imperial realm becomes played again, all its former RoP agreements, as well as all its other game-mechanical agreements are made null and void by default. This means that realm's player will need to sign the Martial Bull again by posting confirmation in the Nat Stats thread. How they are convinced to do so is up to the HREmperor and his government.
* The HREmperor has no game-mechanical powers to enforce the Bull and neither will the game's system do so directly. However, the HREmperor's power and influence may be backed up via the events system, should players defy the Emperor's will. It is recommended to HRE players that they follow the Emperor's wishes in order for a peaceful, long-lived game.
