Season 2020 Progression The Emperor's Verdict On Count Harhold

[MonMarty]

A Communique directed from the Emperor to the Peerage and beyond regarding the trial Regalian State vs. Harhold 308 AC. This cover letter is signed by the Emperor's Ekhein and the Master of Letters.

We have followed the proceedings of this legal trial, one of the first great tests of our excellent and honorable new Grand Justicar, stepping in the great emptiness left behind by the late Grand Justicar Morgannan Kade, our paternal grandmother. The proceedings of the trial, as having been reported to the Imperial Seat by numerous Court officiates and specific persons sent to record the events in great detail, has left us with a great many impressions.

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The defense of the Count Harhold was, by most definitions of the words, distinctively atypical, in its approach. One begs to differ the question, 'Had I chosen another, how would my fortunes have fared'. It is this hindsight that plagues a great deal of many rulers, even up to the Imperial Seat, when it comes to the re-consideration of previously granted privileges and status.

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House Harhold has, in the wider sentiment of things, been a faithful loyal blueblooded family, that served both state and crown and people, the latter, within moderate reason. But we cannot ignore the wider implications of actions that have been found to be true by the Judiciary today. During an ongoing crisis, especially at the zenith of chaos and uncertainty, where we spoke about the need for unity and together-mindedness, to see one put political goals and self-satisfaction ahead of the common plight of the people, is concerning.

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Indeed, many would claim that the feudal contract, as such, has been declared null and void, because where else do the Nobility serve, than to serve at the behest of the Crown to set an example to the people. The Crown does not wish for the people to believe that when they cannot succeed within the framework of the law, that violent actions must be undertaken, regardless of the circumstances or the collateral damage inflicted on the Great Way.

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While we have to consider the Count Harhold's greater service to the Empire, equally as the legacy of his family, as a fellow Anglian of the southern parts, and as a Marshal of the Empire, we must also acknowledge the potentially disastrous consequences of unleashing civil unrest on the Empire in a time of need, and to inflict such wanton uncertainty on the people who are tasked to lead the common man and woman.

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We have received the Court's request to pass judgement, and we have received the Chancellor's recommendation for annulment of titles on the Harhold Family, but we also acknowledge that in both senses, these requests were made as recommendations from these acting parties, not demands or actual requests. We must as such acknowledge the preferable deference of the final judgement here, and the implications that are being made with regards to the effect of judgement.

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After deliberating with the Privy Council, it has as such been decided that Count Harhold's previous achievements and unusual mannerisms in politics have earned him enough credibility to be saved from complete non-existence in the eyes of the Court. Equally so, it has been decided that while the Crown bears judgement, that in many ways, we were transferred the responsibility of laying the judgement down as a means to deflect potential political unrest regarding the final outcome.

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It is without a doubt also, that many look to this judgement, as a measure for our current sentiment to State crimes, as well as the likelihood of personal injury for future plots and their risk assessments, as well as our comparative compassionate nature to those we have cooperated with in the past, versus those who must face judgement. It has always been our imperative to be seen as an Emperor that rules with the consent of the Nobility, even if this is seen as gratuitous, to be seen as a fair arbitrator, and perhaps even a wise messenger to deliver words that soothe, not words that inflict rage and suffering.

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It is as such, that we have decided to co-sign the state and Nobility itself to the judgement inflicted on House Harhold, so that all of the Nobility will share in the responsibility for reformation and forgiveness. To make Harhold's judgement a collective decision to uphold, or to abscond. Naturally, as part of any failure to uphold proper court behavior, Hengest Harhold shall have his title reduced from Count to Baron, however his noble privilege will remain, in defiance of the recommendation passed from the Chancellor and the Judiciary, if only because his past achievements shall act as a brittle shield to hold his chin high. Our administrators assure us that this reduction of title weight and the accompanied loss in tax privilege will result in a loss of ten percent income share from Harhold's total income total.

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Additionally, the past that allows us to tie the judgement of Harhold's crime to the State and Nobility, is our levy of a punitive tax on House Harhold, increasing the mandated state tax of twenty percent to thirty percent. We decree that Harhold's taxes may never be lowered, even if State-Tax is lowered below the twenty percent, always remaining at thirty percent. This punitive tax is indefinite, until the Assembly votes to repeal it by a majority of fifty percent of total voters plus one. We also decree that while the Chancellor and future Chancellors inherit this voting right from the Assembly, that no Chancellor may unilaterally revoke this punitive tax, unless a fifty percent plus one majority of the Assembly total votes is in agreement.

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This way, House Harhold will be adequately punished in their personal incomes for their crimes, their title is reduced to that of a Baron, and the State will benefit from the punishment of the now Baron Harhold, on account of having his additional punitive tax contribute to the further reduction of State Debt that we currently find ourselves in, which our administrators have informed us, is still over fife hundred thousand Regals in the negative.

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This concludes our judgement, in good faith that House Harhold will accept it honorably and with dignity, and that the Nobility collectively, Delmotte included, will feel responsible and driven to ensure the re-communication of Harhold's inclusion, so that the latter half of Harhold's punishment shall be lifted when the Peerage deems fit, and the former half will be removed when Baron Harhold himself has achieved the respectability in the eyes of the Court to be returned to his County title.

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We shall however pass one final message, words of encouragement, but also words that heed warnings on what may yet be to come. While past achievements are valid as a means of self-defense from complete dismissal, such defenses are, as stated before, quite brittle. 'My past efforts shall be the shields of my future' is a saying that is quite popular in Anglia, but it also underlines that shields do not last forever. The Nobility as urged by my predecessor Emperor Cedromar I, should endeavor to reap more achievements and more notabilities in the eyes of the people and the court, so as not to grow content and placid, and find that in future instances, those shields that once deflected and defended, are no longer there.

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TLDR;
- Title reduction from Count to Baron
- +10% punitive Tax that can be removed by 50%+1 vote in Assembly, but not Chancellors
- No further punishments

 

[NightLight12]

"In conclusion...get a better lawyer." A hunter after reading the post