Laws of the Principality of Oertha

Current as of January A.S. XLVI

As proclaimed by Kylson and Anne in March A.S. XIX, and amended by Eric and Erlyn in July A.S. XXI, Nickolai and Annora in July-January A.S. XXII, Brendan and Aryana in A.S. XXIV, Phelan and Vanora in A.S. XXV, Brendan and Aryana in A.S. XXVII, Morbran and Margarita in January-July A.S. XXVII, Georg and Katarzina in July-January A.S. XXVII, Gregor and Alicianne in July-January A.S. XXX, Morban and Margarita in A.S. XXX, Gregor and Alicianne in July-January A.S. XXXI, Georg and Katarzina in January-July A.S. XXXII, Fergus and Margarita in July - January A.S. XXXVII, Cyrus and Caitriona in January-July A.S. XLI., Dietrich and Bianca July – January A.S. XLII, Fathir and Etain January XLIII – August, XLIV, and Rurik and Trava July XLVI - January XLVI.

ARTICLE I: LAW AND THE WORD OF THE CORONET

Section 1
The Word of the Coronet is Law, subject only to the Word of the Crown and the order of precedence established in the governing documents of the S.C.A., Inc.

Section 2
Any proclamation of the Coronet becomes the Law of the Principality from the moment it is spoken by the Coronet at court, subject only to the Word of the Crown and the order of precedence established in the governing documents of the S.C.A., Inc.

Section 3
Until a proclamation of the Coronet has been printed in the Kingdom newsletter, no subject of the Coronet shall be considered to be breaking the law if acting, through ignorance, contrary to that proclamation.

Section 4
Only those proclamations of the Coronet approved by the Crown and published in the official kingdom newsletter shall become permanent amendments to Principality Law. All other proclamations are understood to be in effect only for the duration of the Coronet's reign, and shall lapse with the investiture of a successor.

Section 5
The laws of the Principality of Oertha shall be published once a year in the official Principality newsletters. The Seneschal shall be responsible for providing the Chronicler with the current laws.

Section 6
If any officer of the Principality of Oertha receives instruction, directions, or orders, save only routine administrative directives, from anyone not having the authority by these laws to give such, that officer shall take no action without attempting to consult the Coronet as to its pleasure in the matter.

ARTICLE II: THE PROCESS OF ACHIEVING THE CORONET, AND THE RIGHTS OF FEALTY BETWEEN THE CORONET AND THE POPULACE

Section 1
The Prince and Princess Coronet Sovereign and Consort shall attain their Coronets in the following manner:

Section 1.1
The Princely Sovereign shall have won by combat the list at a duly authorized Coronet Tournament. The Princely Consort shall have been the inspiration of the Princely Sovereign at that tourney.

Section 1.2
Upon Investiture, the Prince and Princess Coronet Sovereign and Consort-elect shall swear their fealty to the people of the Principality of Oertha, and to uphold the laws of the Principality of Oertha and the laws of the Kingdom of the West, and that oath shall be given to the reigning Prince and Princess Coronet Sovereign and Consort, or their representatives and be witnessed by the Principality Seneschal, Principality Herald, or their representatives, and the Principality Marshal or such members of the marshallate and Chivalry of the West as have witnessed the Coronet lists and will bear witness to the validity of the claims of the tournament winner and consort.

Section 2
It shall be the right of the Prince and Princess Coronet Sovereign and Consort of Oertha to present the following awards:

Section 2.1 Armigerous Awards
Any such armigerous awards as may be approved by the Crown of the West.

Section 2.2
The Companions of the Diamond Willow to any of Their subjects who have performed outstanding service to the Principality. The token for this award shall be a diamond willow pendant hung from a cord in Principality colors.

Section 2.3
The Order of the Snowy Owl to any of Their subjects who have notably enriched the Principality in the fields of Arts and Sciences. The token for this award shall be a blue glass bead etched with a feather, or a snowy owl in flight, hung from a cord in Principality colors.

Section 2.4
The Oerthan Order of Grace to any of Their subjects who display commendably courteous or chivalrous behavior. The token for this award shall be a silver snowflake pendant hung from a cord in Principality colors.

Section 2.5
The Princess' Riband to any of Her subjects whose talents and unstinting service have uniquely enriched the Princess' reign. The Riband holds no precedence and may be given to the same person as many times as various princesses deem he or she is worthy. The token for this award shall be uniquely determined by the Princess bestowing it.

Section 2.6
The Order of the Oerthan Sword for martial prowess and chivalrous behavior on and off the field. This award is presented from the hand of the Princess, usually upon the consideration of candidates proposed by the Knights Council. The token for this order shall be a belt sword ring made of blue leather and metal.

Section 2.7
The Order of the Raven's Heart to their younger subjects (under 17 years of age) for exceptional contributions to the Principality. The token for this order shall be a heart within a circle, both made of hematite. This award may be given to the same person as many times as various Coronets deem he or she is worthy.

Section 2.8
The Order of the Polaris to Their subjects who foster tradition and teach the customs and ways of the Society to the populace. The token of this award shall be a sphere of interlocking pearls suspended on a blue silk ribbon.

Section 2.9
The Order of the Silver Ulu for notable achievements in the practice and research of the culinary arts. The token for this award shall be a silver ulu pendant hung from a cord of Principality colors.

Section 2.10
The Order of the Bards of Oertha.
The Coronet may elevate any of Their subjects to the Order of the Bards of Oertha, who have notably enriched the Principality in the bardic arts. The Coronet may decide to present this recognition directly, or may determine the individual to be awarded through a contest. The token of this award shall be a golden harp pendant hung from a cord of Principality colors.

Section 2.11
The Order of the Argent Stylus
The Order of the Argent Stylus is given to Their subjects who have made notable achievements in the art and service of scribing.

Section 2.12
Order of the Glove
The Order of the Glove to Their subjects who have displayed chivalry and prowess on the rapier field and possess the qualities of a courtier. The token for this award shall be a blue leather glove decorated with the white Oerthan wolf.

Section 2.13
The Ursa Minor
The Ursa Minor may be given upon successful completion of the Oertha Page School program, in recognition of the service and knowledge gained through the program. The Page School officer shall maintain the program, and will advise the Coronet of participants who, through service and learning, have shown maturity in the customs of the Society and Principality. The token for this award shall be a bear charm, hung from a cord of Principality colors.

Section 2.14
The Argent Flame
The Argent Flame is given to those who show true Oerthan hospitality to strangers and friends to our fair Principality. Who through their generosity and charity provide for the needs of newcomers and members alike. The token is a silver flame formed into a pendant.

Section 2.15
The Order of Orion
The Coronet may elevate any of their subjects to the Order of the Orion who have excelled in the Art of Archery.  The token for this award is an arrowhead of Or for fostering Art of Archery, an arrowhead of Argent for excellence in Target Archery, an arrowhead of Azure for excellence in Combat Archery.

Section 2.16
The Ursa Major
Their Highnesses may bestow the Ursa Major on any of Their subjects whose outstanding efforts and unstinting service have positively guided the Treasures of Oertha. The token for this award is a Bear Sow with cub suspended on a cord of Principality colors.

Section 3
In recognition of the fact that fealty is a reciprocal oath, and that the Prince and Princess Coronet Sovereign and Consort are considered by the Coronet oath to be Liege Lord and Lady to each and every subject of Oertha; the following shall be the rights of every subject of Oertha as granted by the Coronet and law:

Section 3.1
The Right of Complaint to the Coronet. It shall be the right of every subject of Oertha to address grievances directly to the Coronet.

Section 3.2 The Right to Sport Combat.
It shall be the privilege of the Prince and Princess Coronet Sovereign and Consort, should He or She either choose, to take the field of honor to sport in combat, at pleasure in His or Her own name and honor, subject to only that He or She does not enter the Coronet List to succeed Himself or Herself, and subject to the normal rules of the List of the West Kingdom. Striking the Prince or Princess Coronet Sovereign or Consort in this sport shall in no way be conceived of as treasonous to their Person. Should the combatant choose, he or she may request, in courtesy to the Coronet, that the Prince or Princess Coronet Sovereign or Consort acknowledge a "killing" blow verbally rather than, as is customary, allowing them to fall to the ground but failure to make the request shall not be construed as disrespect to the Person or Title of Prince or Princess.

Section 4 - Curia Princeps

Section 4.1
It shall be the right and privilege of the Coronet to convene and hold a Curia Princeps for the purpose of hearing counsel, discussing, or making pronouncements on any issue of concern to the Principality of Oertha.

Section 4.2
The Curia Princeps shall consist of the Prince and Princess Coronet Sovereign and Consort who convene the court and preside over it, any Ministers as may be concerned with the subject of the court, and other persons as the Coronet may desire to include in a particular meeting of the court.

Section 4.3
Any subject of the Coronet of Oertha may attend the sessions of this court and may petition the Coronet upon matters relevant and appropriate.

Section 4.4
Decisions of the court shall be made by the Prince and Princess Coronet Sovereign and Consort after hearing the advice of the Ministers and the populace present. All decisions of the court must be printed in the next newsletter to be considered official.

Section 4.5
When the Coronet has declared a Principality investigation complete and the decision final, no officer may reopen the investigation or overrule the decision, save at the direction of the Crown of the West or the Board of Directors of the Society for Creative Anachronism.

Section 4.6
Notice of a Curia Princeps must be printed in the Guardian before the meeting, with an agenda of topics to be considered and the time and location of the court.

Section 4.7
The business of the Principality of Oertha is not secret from the subjects of the Coronet.

Section 5
Should the Prince and Princess Coronet Sovereign and Consort for any reason whatsoever be unable to complete their reign, a Regency Council composed of the Principality Seneschal, Marshal, and Exchequer shall be created. The Council shall act in all ways as the Coronet subject to the following limitations:

Section 5.1
All actions of the Council must be taken under unanimous agreement of its members.

Section 5.2
The Council shall have the power to change the laws of the Principality only to the extent required to correct any contradictions between the laws of the Principality, and the Kingdom laws, the governing documents of the S.C.A., Inc., or mundane law.

Section 5.3
Any changes enacted by a Regency Council must be publicly confirmed by the next Prince and Princess Sovereign and Consort of Oertha or they shall be automatically rescinded.

Section 5.4
A Regency Council shall have no power to grant awards.

Section 5.5
The reign of the Council shall cease upon the investiture of a Prince and Princess Coronet Sovereign and Consort who have been selected via the usual manner as prescribed in these Laws.

ARTICLE III: OFFICERS AND GUILDS

Section 1
The Greater Officers of the Principality of Oertha are the Seneschal, the Stellanordica Herald, the Knight Marshal, the Minister of Arts and Sciences, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Chronicler, the Chirurgeon, and the Constable. Lesser Officers of the Principality need not swear direct fealty during the Coronet Investiture, and include the Chatelaine, the Clerk of Regalia, the Rapier Marshal, the Archery Marshal, the Minister of Lists, and the Stellanordica Scribe.

Section 2
These officers shall have the same duties within the Principality as do their superior officers in the Kingdom of the West, except that they shall directly obey the Coronet, subject to the ultimate obedience of all subjects to the Crown of the West.

Section 2.1
Each greater officer shall swear fealty to the Coronet of Oertha at each Investiture. If it is impossible for an officer to attend the event a written oath of Fealty should be sent to the Principality Herald or with their deputy to be read at Investiture.

Section 2.2
Each officer of the Principality is responsible for encouraging and assisting their subordinate officers in the performance of their required duties to ensure the smooth functioning of the Principality. As part of this responsibility, each officer shall maintain regular communications with their subordinates.

Section 2.3
With sufficient evidence that an officer is not fulfilling the duties of that office, the Coronet may petition their Kingdom officer for removal and replacement.

Section 3
The officers of the Principality shall inform the Prince and Princess Coronet of the state of the Principality in writing at Investiture. Failure to do so may result in removal from office at the Coronet's discretion, subject to Article III, Section 2.3.

Section 4
Each officer will appoint one deputy capable of assuming the office at anytime. This deputy need not be the replacement in cases where a replacement for the officer is needed. Each officer may appoint deputies to serve specific functions of the office.

Section 5
Each officer shall submit a roster of local officers and Principality deputies at least a month before each Kingdom Coronation to the Coronet for signature.

Section 6
There shall be an Exchequer's Council consisting of the Prince and Princess Coronet Sovereign and Consort, the Seneschal, and the Exchequer. All expenditures shall have approval of the Council.

Section 7
Only guilds recognized by the Coronet may hold contests at Principality events. All others are subject to Section 8.

Section 7.1
A guild shall become an official Oerthan guild upon submitting a charter and a minimum of six signatures, of which at least one shall be from each geographic area. New groups will be placed in the appropriate area for guild determination. A guild shall remain official and active by submitting a minimum of six signatures, of which at least one must be from each area, on a dated roster to the incoming Prince and Princess at Their Investiture. One half of the active guilds in Oertha shall report at Summer Coronet, and the other half shall report at Winter Coronet. Guilds shall maintain a contact with the Seneschal, who shall determine which guilds submit a roster at which Investiture. Failure to submit a roster could result in the guild losing official status. It is the right of the Coronet to accept or deny a guild's petition of official or continuing status.

Section 8
The Principality arts and sciences competitions will be administered by the Minister of Arts and Sciences. All other contests at Coronet Tournaments and Investitures will be held at the discretion of the Autocrat.

Section 9
The Coronet of Oertha shall be notified in writing about all gifts to Principality Regalia before it is made or presented. All gifts given without prior notice shall be returned to the donor at which time the donor can clarify whether the gift is regalia or a personal gift.

Section 10
All monies collected through auctions, shilling, donation, etc. that are "ear-marked" for Oerthan coffers shall be turned in to the Oerthan Exchequer within thirty (30) days of the event at which they are collected.

Section 11
There shall be a Commission of Regalia. The Commission shall consist of the Prince and Princess, the Seneschal, the Stellanordica Herald, the Exchequer, and the Clerk of Regalia or their designated representatives.

Section 11.1
The duties of the Clerk of Regalia shall include the following: The Clerk shall maintain an inventory listing of all Principality regalia including the declared value of each item and the name of the individual in possession of each item. The Clerk shall store items of regalia that are retired or used only for special purposes, communicate to the Principality Chancellor of the Exchequer the inventory information for financial reporting purposes, and make efforts that the Principality Commission of Regalia meet at least once during each Coronet reign. Upon the Investiture of a new Prince and Princess of Oertha, the Clerk shall conduct an inventory of all items of regalia prior to its transfer to the incoming Coronet, and afterwards shall make a written report to the Commission of Regalia and both incoming and outgoing Coronets.

Section 11.2
The duties of the Commission of Regalia shall include the following: The Commission shall advise the Coronet on the merit and value of Principality regalia and approve the specific acquisition, retirement or disposal thereof. At least once during each Coronet reign, the Commission shall meet and examine the regalia inventory report prepared by the Clerk of Regalia. The Commission shall determine if the outgoing Coronet or other individuals will be held financially responsible for loss or damage of regalia entrusted to their care. The incoming Sovereign and Consort will accept custody of regalia to be placed in Their care by signature receipt of the completed inventory, as acknowledgement of their financial responsibility for the care and custody of Principality property. A copy of the inventory shall be kept by each member of the Commission.

Section 12
All items of regalia are the property of the Principality and may be disposed of only with the approval of the Commission of Regalia. If the item has sufficient value to be declared in the Principality's annual financial report, then the approval of the Principality Exchequer Council shall also be obtained before disposal. Principality regalia shall be considered not only those items commonly used by the Coronet, but also items in the possession of Principality officers which are of substantial monetary, historical or ceremonial value.

ARTICLE IV: SUCCESSION, TOURNAMENTS, AND CONDUCT OF COMBAT

Section 1

Section 1.1
The fighter who achieves victory in the Coronet lists shall be invested as Prince or Princess, as the case may be. His/Her consort shall be invested as Prince or Princess Consort (See Article II).

Section 1.2
The fighter who placed second in the Coronet Lists shall, at the same event, be invested as the Lord or Lady Guardian. This title shall ordinarily hold no essential rights or privileges. Their Highnesses shall expect the Guardian and his/her consort to observe the procedures and bearing of the Coronet, so that they might be conversant in its ways should they, one day, be Prince and Princess in their own right.

Section 2

Section 2.1
No fighter or consort may succeed themselves.

Section 2.2
Should the Sovereign- and Consort-elect not intend to reign, and sufficient evidence of their failure be presented to the Coronet, or should they be unable to reign due to circumstance, the couple who placed second in the Coronet Lists shall be invested as Prince and Princess in their place.

Section 2.3
If during the reign the Consort is unable or unwilling to continue the reign, the position shall remain vacant for the remainder of the reign.

Section 2.4
Should the Sovereign become unable or unwilling to complete his or her reign, the Consort shall act as Regent and retain all the power of the Coronet.

Section 2.5
Should the Sovereign be unable to attend the Investiture of his/her successor, the Consort shall act as Regent.

Section 3
There shall be two Coronet Tournaments a year, held approximately the third weekends in January and July. The Coronet Investitures shall be held within thirty hours of the tournament. The responsibility for selecting the dates for the Coronet Tourneys and Investitures shall rest with the Seneschal. Dates will be announced at the first of each year. The locations will be rotated throughout the regions, with any group eligible to place bids.

Section 3.1
Coronet Tournaments locations shall be selected using the priority bid system described in Sections 3.2 and 3.3.

Section 3.2
Branches wishing to host a Coronet event must submit a written bid to the Coronet, Exchequer, and Seneschal. This bid must provide the specifics of autocrat, date, location, and accommodations for the List and Investiture. Final bid approval will be verified by the Coronet who will be reigning during the event.

The following points will be considered with regard to bids:

Section 3.3
A branch that has not held a Coronet event in as many times as there are eligible branches may submit a bid that asserts priority. In the case of multiple priority bids, the branch that has not held a Coronet event in the longest time shall receive higher priority. A priority bid that meets the standards set forth in these Laws shall be strongly considered in preference to any other bid. The final decision for the winning bid will rest with the Seneschal.

The following points will be considered with regard to bids:

Section 3.4
The Principality Seneschal shall have primary responsibility for working with the hosting branch. The autocrat of the Coronet event shall be responsible to the Seneschal, who is in turn responsible to the Coronet in all matters involving the Coronet Tourney and Investiture. Any decision to replace the appointed autocrat will by made by the Seneschal after consultation with the Coronet.

Section 4
All authorized Oerthan fighters have the right to compete in the Coronet Lists of the Principality of Oertha unless they are in violation of the rules of the lists, the Bylaws and governing documents of the Society, or the laws of the Principality or Kingdom. All fighters must be acceptable to the Coronet of Oertha.

Section 4.1
By entering the Coronet Lists, a fighter declares his or her loyalty to the Coronet, the Principality Laws, the Populace of Oertha, and the Crown of the West.

Section 4.2
Fighters and consorts must have physically resided and participated on a regular basis in the Principality during the most recent reign. Regular participation shall be defined as attendance at three or more published activities, such as: fighter practices, local events, officer or guild meetings. Fighters and consorts must agree to reside in the Principality for the duration of their reign.

Section 4.3
Each fighter, by entering the Coronet Lists, declares the he or she will be able to attend his or her Investiture, the following Coronet Tournament, and the Investiture of his/her successor, for no one shall compete for the Coronet of Oertha without intending to reign, should he or she win. Each person entering the Coronet Lists shall fight for some person of the opposite sex, whom he or she shall name as Consort Princess or Consort Prince should he or she win. This person shall be willing and able to attend his or her Investiture, the following Coronet Tournament, and the Investiture of his or her successor.

Section 4.4
The conduct of combat, rules of the lists, and the requirements for arms and armor shall be exactly as stated in the laws of the Kingdom of the West except that the Prince, Princess, and the Knight Marshal of the Principality shall act in the place of the King, Queen, and Earl Marshal where so stated. The final responsibility for the lists will rest with the Principality Marshal.

Section 5
The Coronet Lists shall have present representatives of the Principality Seneschal, Herald, and Marshal in addition to either Sovereign or Consort. Combat will not be held unless five fighters enter the list. Should any of these conditions not exist on the weekend appointed for the Coronet Lists, a Regency Council will be convened to reschedule the tournament at the first reasonable opportunity. The Council shall consist of the Prince and Princess, Seneschal, Marshal, and Exchequer and shall be subject to the limitations of Article II, Section 5.

ARTICLE V: BRANCHES

Section 1
Elevation of any branch to the status of Barony or Province shall be in accord with the Laws of the West and the governing documents of the SCA, Inc. However, the petition for such status may be forwarded through the Coronet of Oertha and the Principality Seneschal to the Crown.

Section 2
A new branch below the level of Barony or Province may be founded within the Principality when such a proposed branch has at least five subscribing members of the Society for Creative Anachronism, at least three officers, including a Seneschal, and Exchequer and either a Herald, a Marshal, or a Minister of Arts and Sciences, and when such a proposed branch shall find favor with the Prince and Princess of Oertha, and be granted existence by the Crown of the West. If such a branch shall require proficiency in any office, most especially the marshallate (due to considerations of safety in combat), it may request that a deputy of that office be sought of the corresponding Principality officer who will give what aid and training may be practical until a branch member is qualified to receive appointment within that office.