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eulaliaThings about Veridia/the wider kingdom of Abona that I wrote down so it's not just floating around in my head.
Lawspeakers:
This borrows from Germanic and Scandinavian tradition. A lawspeaker is someone who can recite the country's legal code from memory; it is an oral practice. They are obliged by oath to render judgement or advice when requested or if they witness a situation they feel calls for it.
Lawspeakers do not have jurisdictions and it's not uncommon for some of them to travel around Abona. People may request a non-local lawspeaker to come hear a dispute if they believe a local one would be prejudiced. If someone thinks a lawspeaker is corrupt or behaving poorly in their duties, they may take the matter to Abona's king and his assembly.
Lawspeakers are taught by other lawspeakers in a sort of apprenticeship situation. It's a bit unusual that a small settlement like Veridia has more than one.
Inheritance in Abona:
Abona practices a kind of partible inheritance. It's important that the child who is most suited inherits their parent's business or land, to ensure continued success; this is not necessarily the eldest child. Other children are not left out in the cold, though, and will inherit wealth or a portion of land.
In the case of landholders, the land may be divided up amongst the heirs. Ideally this is done equally, but it's not legally required. Favoritism does play a role. Divided land often ends up re-consolidated over time when holders without children die. Very Merovingian of them.
Leaders:
Villages and towns in Abona are governed by underkings, headwomen/men, chiefs, or by a small group of whoever is able in the case of the smallest villages. The different titles are mostly inherited from before Abona was united under one seat and are largely ceremonial. The title may or may not be inherited and can be overturned. In turn, these people are pledged to the overking (currently Maccus).
A leader is entitled to a small portion of the village or town's annual tithe to the king, which can include grain, animals, wool and cloth, ore, coin, or other valuables. In return, they are expected to protect and care for the village and ensure that it continues to function (e.g., Norweni recruiting a new midwife when the previous one in Veridia died). In a small place like Veridia, the leader is expected to be very hands on, but responsibilities may be delegated in larger towns.
If a leader is behaving poorly, residents may take their case to the king's assembly to have them punished or removed. Or they may just gather enough numbers (and possibly weapons) to deal with it themselves; it's entirely possible for a leader to be removed in one way or another and a replacement elected. It's advisable for leaders to either listen to their residents or to amass a decent number of loyal soldiers.
The overking (or just king):
A person (not necessarily male) commonly thought to carry a mark of favor from the gods... or at least that's the rumor their family line has encouraged over the years.
King Maccus's father died when Maccus was an infant, and his throne was seized by an enterprising relative. His mother fled with him to a neighboring kingdom and sought refuge there. Maccus was raised in Queen Icena's court and eventually conspired to seize what he considered his throne by right, aided by Icena and his own army made up of old loyalists and some newcomers. He also instituted a tax reform! I am not writing about the tax reform. But it exists.
Not unlike smaller leaders, the king is expected to protect and manage the kingdom, protect Abona's borders, attempt some sort of diplomacy with neighboring countries, and to provide succor to residents in times of famine or other disaster. The king is also responsible for participating in certain annual religious ceremonies alongside priests to encourage the kingdom's continued prosperity. These are not magic in nature... probably.
Lawspeakers:
This borrows from Germanic and Scandinavian tradition. A lawspeaker is someone who can recite the country's legal code from memory; it is an oral practice. They are obliged by oath to render judgement or advice when requested or if they witness a situation they feel calls for it.
Lawspeakers do not have jurisdictions and it's not uncommon for some of them to travel around Abona. People may request a non-local lawspeaker to come hear a dispute if they believe a local one would be prejudiced. If someone thinks a lawspeaker is corrupt or behaving poorly in their duties, they may take the matter to Abona's king and his assembly.
Lawspeakers are taught by other lawspeakers in a sort of apprenticeship situation. It's a bit unusual that a small settlement like Veridia has more than one.
Inheritance in Abona:
Abona practices a kind of partible inheritance. It's important that the child who is most suited inherits their parent's business or land, to ensure continued success; this is not necessarily the eldest child. Other children are not left out in the cold, though, and will inherit wealth or a portion of land.
In the case of landholders, the land may be divided up amongst the heirs. Ideally this is done equally, but it's not legally required. Favoritism does play a role. Divided land often ends up re-consolidated over time when holders without children die. Very Merovingian of them.
Leaders:
Villages and towns in Abona are governed by underkings, headwomen/men, chiefs, or by a small group of whoever is able in the case of the smallest villages. The different titles are mostly inherited from before Abona was united under one seat and are largely ceremonial. The title may or may not be inherited and can be overturned. In turn, these people are pledged to the overking (currently Maccus).
A leader is entitled to a small portion of the village or town's annual tithe to the king, which can include grain, animals, wool and cloth, ore, coin, or other valuables. In return, they are expected to protect and care for the village and ensure that it continues to function (e.g., Norweni recruiting a new midwife when the previous one in Veridia died). In a small place like Veridia, the leader is expected to be very hands on, but responsibilities may be delegated in larger towns.
If a leader is behaving poorly, residents may take their case to the king's assembly to have them punished or removed. Or they may just gather enough numbers (and possibly weapons) to deal with it themselves; it's entirely possible for a leader to be removed in one way or another and a replacement elected. It's advisable for leaders to either listen to their residents or to amass a decent number of loyal soldiers.
The overking (or just king):
A person (not necessarily male) commonly thought to carry a mark of favor from the gods... or at least that's the rumor their family line has encouraged over the years.
King Maccus's father died when Maccus was an infant, and his throne was seized by an enterprising relative. His mother fled with him to a neighboring kingdom and sought refuge there. Maccus was raised in Queen Icena's court and eventually conspired to seize what he considered his throne by right, aided by Icena and his own army made up of old loyalists and some newcomers. He also instituted a tax reform! I am not writing about the tax reform. But it exists.
Not unlike smaller leaders, the king is expected to protect and manage the kingdom, protect Abona's borders, attempt some sort of diplomacy with neighboring countries, and to provide succor to residents in times of famine or other disaster. The king is also responsible for participating in certain annual religious ceremonies alongside priests to encourage the kingdom's continued prosperity. These are not magic in nature... probably.
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