The King's Laws

The King's Laws

Definitions

King’s Protection: All people who reside in England are under the King’s Protection, and as such, covered under the King’s Law. Only those men and woman who have been named Outlaw by a Judge in court are not under the King’s Protection.

Freemen: Any man, or woman, who is not a noble or in service is a freeman. All peasants, merchants, Church members including knights under the Church, and members of the King’s Trust are liable to pay taxes. They must also pay any Fines from Court are as stated, and if judged, must serve as a Servant, or spend time in jail or stocks, as stated in the Law.

Wards: Any man, or woman, who voluntarily serves another to receive a wage or otherwise have their needs cared for is a ward. Examples of a ward are a child in the care of his parents, an employee or apprentice in service to his master, a wife in service to her husband. The Patron of the Ward is liable to pay on behalf of the Ward: half the base taxes, full Fines from Court, and if the Ward is sentenced are liable to spend time alongside their Ward in the Law in jail or stocks. The Parton of a Ward must be a Freeman or Freewoman. A Ward who pays their own taxes or fines is declared a Freeman.

Servants: Any man, or woman, who serves another to pay off debts owed. The common rate is one day of servitude is equal to one shilling, unless otherwise determined by the Regent. All servants are required to wear manacle cuffs (no chain in between) on each wrist, and all regents are to carry a Proof of Regency for each servant he oversees. Servants are not liable to pay taxes, and any Fines from Court are to be paid by the Servant’s Regent, and if judged, the Servant is liable to spend time as stated in the Law in jail or stocks.

Nobles: This includes Knights in direct service to the King and nobility by birth. English nobles of any station above King’s Trust, including Knights in direct service to the King, are required to carry on their person a proper signed and dated document by the proper authority over the noble, when traveling. A Judge in each township visited determines authenticity. Nobles are not liable to pay taxes, Compensation, Concealment, serve as a Servant, spend time in jail or stocks. Any Fines from Court are half the stated amount in the Law, rounded down.

Outlaws: Any convicted man, or woman, who has been deemed as outside the King’s Protection by any Judge in any Court. An outlaw can redeem himself, by turning himself into the nearest King’s Trust and carrying out the punishment that was laid upon him before he was fled and was named an outlaw. Outlaws can be slain without fear of the Law.

Collection of Taxes

Taxes are collected six times per year throughout England by Tax Collectors. Each Freeman and Freewoman are liable to pay one shilling and Wards are six pence. Nobles, King’s Trust, and Servants are not liable to pay taxes. Those unable to pay the required amount shall be named a Servant by the Tax Collector, placed into servitude of the King’s Trust. Anyone who publicly refuses to pay taxes, or evades the Tax Collector, shall be liable to pay Fines equal to Theft from a Noble.

Tax Collector: A Tax Collector shall be appointed by the Lord of the County to travel to all the townships within the lord’s county collecting tax from the townsfolk six times per year while accompanied by the Magistrate of the town, and ensure that all King’s Trust are paid the amount owed to them for their good services. The Tax Collector may also carry letters from anyone residing on his lord’s county and deliver the letter to anyone residing in the lord’s county.

Custodianship of Buildings

All land and buildings controlled in part or in whole by a person shall have a document signed and sealed by the Lord, Bishop or Judge of the land, or appointed servant thereof, proving their custodianship. Lands and buildings owned by the lord of the land may be rented at the Judges or Magistrates choosing, at the discretion of the local lord. All transfers of control shall be recorded in the court’s records with the Judge.

The King’s Trust

Each city, town, and village shall have a Magistrate, Sheriff and Deputies, and a Judge and Court Witnesses, except where some King’s Trust is deemed unnecessary by the ruling noble, or certain roles are combined as a Reeve is the combination of the roles of Magistrate and Sheriff. Throughout the Laws, only the title of who normally performs the described duty, carries out described punishment, and has the final word, will be named. However, the writs and the King’s Trust section of the Law describe the duties of each position, that includes filling in where one is absent, as allowed by Law. All members of the King’s Trust are required to carry on their person at all times a proper signed and dated Writ with the wax seal of the authority who approved the document. A Judge in each township visited determines authenticity. Writ-holding members of the King’s Trust are not liable to pay taxes, but are liable to pay any Fines, Compensation, and Concealment from Court are as stated, and if judged, must serve as a Servant, or spend time in jail or stocks as stated in the Law, and their Writ is revoked.

Magistrate: A Magistrate shall be appointed by the County lord to oversee the Sheriff, Judge, Deputies, Court Witnesses, and the folk of the town proper to which he was assigned. The Magistrate’s primary duty is to give collected Fines and Concealment from Court to the Tax Collector and accompany the Tax Collector while he collects taxes from the folk of the town proper. The Magistrate is required to keep a list of names of the folk in the town proper as a record of who lives in the town and who has or has not paid their taxes. The Magistrate may appoint a Sheriff, Judge, Deputy and Court Witness if and when needed. The Magistrate is to fill in for the Sheriff and Judge in the event of their absence, fulfilling the duties of those positions as written in the Law, until their return or replacement. The Magistrate may fill in as Court Witness in the event of their absence, until their return or replacement, if needed. If the Magistrate is not able to perform his duties due to absence from town or death, the Sheriff or Judge may perform the duties of Magistrate as written in the Law, until the Magistrate returns or is replaced. The Magistrate shall be paid by the Tax Collector three shillings every two months, and is exempt from taxes for the duration of his good service, and a room in the king's trust shall be supplied to the Magistrate free of charge. The Magistrate is empowered to keep copies, or request at any time, the records of the Court and the Sheriff, and the writs and deeds for his own record keeping.

Sheriff: A Sheriff shall be appointed by the County lord or Magistrate to oversee the lawfulness of the township. The Sheriff’s primary duty is to enforce the Law, apprehend those who violate the Law to be held for Court, keep a record of those who are apprehended and for what crime, and collect Court Fines and Concealment to be given to the Magistrate, or directly to the Tax Collector if the Magistrate is not available. The Sheriff may appoint up to four Deputies to assist him in upholding the Law. The Sheriff is to fill in for the Magistrate and Judge in the event of their absence, fulfilling the duties of those positions as written in the Law, until their return or replacement. The Sheriff may fill in as Court Witness in the event of their absence, until their return or replacement, if needed. If the Sheriff is not able to perform his duties due to absence from town or death, the Magistrate or Judge may perform the duties of Sheriff as written in the Law, until the Sheriff returns or is replaced. The Sheriff shall be paid by the Tax Collector two shillings every two months, and is exempt from taxes for the duration of his good service, and a room in the jail shall be supplied to the Sheriff free of charge.

Judge: A Judge shall be appointed by the County lord or Magistrate to oversee Court and lay down punishments, imprisonments and Fines with possible Compensation and Concealment within the Law, for those he finds guilty in Court. The Judge’s primary duty is to hold Court to determine if those accused before him is guilty or innocent, decide upon punishment for the guilty as defined by Law, record all Court proceedings, and collect Court Fines and Concealment to be given to the Tax Collector if the Magistrate or Sheriff is not available. The Judge may appoint up to three Court Witnesses as silent observers of the Court. The Judge is to fill in for the Magistrate and Sheriff in the event of their absence, fulfilling the duties of those positions as written in the Law, until their return or replacement. The Judge may fill in as Deputy in the event of their absence, until their return or replacement, if needed. If the Judge is not able to perform his duties due to absence from town or death, the Magistrate or Sheriff may perform the duties of Judge as written in the Law, until the Judge returns or is replaced. The Judge shall be paid by the Tax Collector two shillings every two months, and is exempt from taxes for the duration of his good service, and a room in the king's trust shall be supplied to the Judge free of charge.

Deputy: Up to four Deputies shall be appointed by the County lord, Magistrate or Sheriff to assist the Sheriff in enforcing the lawfulness of the township. The Deputies primary duty is to assist the Sheriff in Law enforcement, apprehend those who violate the Law to be held for Court, and report the apprehension to the Sheriff. A Deputy is to fill in for the Sheriff in the event of his absence, fulfilling the duties of those positions as written in the Law, until their return or replacement. A Deputy may fill in as Court Witness in the event of their absence, until their return or replacement, if needed. If a Deputy is not able to perform his duties due to absence from town or death, another Deputy be assigned, until the Deputy returns or is replaced. Each Deputy shall be paid by the Tax Collector one shilling every two months, and is exempt from taxes for the duration of his good service, and a room in the king's trust or jail shall be supplied to the Deputy free of charge by the King's Trust.

Court Witness: Up to three Court Witnesses shall be appointed by the Magistrate or Judge to sit in Court as silent witnesses to each proceeding. The Court Witnesses primary duty is to silently observe the proceedings of each Court held, that they may be called upon as witnesses in future recalls of a court case. A Court Witness is to remain silent unless called upon to speak by the Judge. If a Court Witness is not able to perform his duties due to absence from town or death, another Court Witness shall be assigned, until the Court Witness returns or is replaced. Each Court Witness shall be paid by the Tax Collector six pence every two months, and is exempt from taxes for the duration of his good service.

Court Procedures

Requesting Court: Anyone who has a case of accusation, or dispute, may request a court holding with the Judge. State your case and the reason you are asking for court, providing names of all who are involved. The Judge will review your case for approval, and must determine within 24 hours if court is necessary for your case. If you have been accused of a crime, you may plead your innocence to the Judge, or request court to prove your innocence.

Officially Calling Court: A Judge, and any King’s Trust filling in as Judge, shall officially call court. Once a case has been reviewed and approved by the Judge, he shall announce the court date to the town proper that the residents may attend, and issue summons, written or verbal, to the plaintiff, defendant, Sheriff and Court Witnesses, to be carried out by any King’s Trust member. Additional witnesses for a case may also be summoned. Court may also be called if the Judge doubts the claimed innocence by an accused.

Those Who Attend Court: Court in any village, township, city and fiefdom shall require; a Judge to hear and name final judgments or punishments, the Sheriff to name aloud the names of the plaintiff, defendant, and the crime or dispute, and at least one Court Witnesses who remain silent during the proceedings. Official records must also be kept. Residents of the town are welcome to attend Court as an audience to the proceedings and additional witnesses. The County lord may attend court proceedings as he wishes, or if court is held in accusation of a King’s Trust member, then the County lord or other ruling noble may call court with himself as Judge to keep the court record, and to name aloud the names of the plaintiff, defendant, and the crime or dispute, and call for the Court Witnesses to remain silent during the proceedings.

Punishments: All who have been convicted of a crime must carry out the judged punishment immediately. If the convicted refuses to obey the punishment, and he escapes, the Judge shall announce the convicted as an Outlaw and may name a reward for the outlaw’s capture. Refer to Punishments: Fines and Compensation.

Pleading & Deliberation: If after the Judge announces his judgment and punishment upon the convicted, and anyone, regardless of man or woman, noble or not, feels the punishment is too harsh for the crime, then let that person plead out to the Court and let that person be heard. A Deliberation shall commence and last until the pleading and the Court is satisfied. Deliberation may also occur if a pleading is due to the punishment not being harsh enough to match the crime.

Court Records: Written by the Judge or appointed scribe during or immediately after each court proceeding recording the subject of the court proceeding, the verdict including time to be served and fines paid, and the names of the plaintiff, defendant, Sheriff present, Court Witnesses present, and any summoned witnesses. These are public records.

Fines, Compensation & Concealment

Fines, Compensation, Concealment, and Servitude cannot be collected or issued by any member of the King’s Trust at any time before Court is held for the accused. The Jail or Stocks can be used to hold the accused until such time Court is called for the accused. Any King’s Trust who violates this law shall have his title revoked and be liable to pay six shillings. Punishments are served in Court in the following order:

First: Fines – Fines may also include Compensation and Concealment. All who have been convicted of a crime must pay the required amount of shillings and pence for the crime as stated in the Law, immediately to the Sheriff. If the convicted is unable to pay the shillings or pence, then he is to be jailed or stocked, or serve as a servant. Fines, Compensation and Concealment paid are to be given to the Sheriff, and can only be demanded of the guilty in Court. Any shillings or pence paid by an offender to a member of the King’s Trust without the sanction of the Court is to be punished as Bribery.

Second: Jail or Stocks – If the convicted is unable to pay the Fines, and it is judged that he is to be jailed or stocked, then he is to serve ten minutes per three pence of the Fine owed. Or, Servitude – If the convicted is unable to pay the Fines, and it is judged that he is to be a servant to any member of the King’s Trust the Judge determines, then he is to serve thirty minutes per three pence of the fine owed.

Second Conviction – If a person is convicted of any crime, not of murder, a second time, then the Fines for the crime is double, jail and stock time is double, and servitude time is double. A second conviction of murder shall be triple shillings, and jail, stock or servant time, or expulsion from the area for one month. OOG: one month = the rest of the event, and the player can choose to play the character in disguise or hiding, or choose to play NPCs for the rest of the event.

Third Conviction – If a person is convicted of any crime, not of murder, a third time then the Fines for the crime is triple, jail and stock time is triple, and servitude time is triple, or expulsion from the area for one month. A third conviction of murder shall be death by public execution. OOG: one month = the rest of the event, and the player can choose to play the character in disguise or hiding, or choose to play NPCs for the rest of the event.

Fourth Conviction – The punishment for a fourth conviction of any crime is up to the Judge, be it shillings of any amount, or jail, stocks, servitude, expulsion for any length of time, or death by public execution, or any other type of punishment the Judge can determine fits the crime and the convicted.

Compensation: Compensation is an addition Fine, relating to the amount of time the party was wronged. Compensation is to be paid, in witness of the Court, by the convicted who gives the shillings and pence to the Sheriff who will give it to the wronged party. Nobles are not liable to pay Compensation.

Compensation for Theft is six pence for each day between when the theft was reported to the King’s Trust to the day of the item’s return to the rightful owner, or the day when the guilty was convicted in Court. Compensation for Servant Abduction is eight pence for each day between when the abduction was reported to the King’s Trust to the day of the servant’s return to the rightful owner, or the day when the guilty was convicted in Court. Compensation for Murder is two shillings for each day between when the murder was reported to the King’s Trust to the day when the guilty was convicted in Court. The shillings are to be paid to the slain’s spouse, or nearest relative or to the one who reported the murder. A murdered servant is one shilling for each day to be paid to the Regent. A murdered noble or King’s Trust is three shillings per day to be paid to the slain’s spouse, nearest relative, or to the Court as an additional Fine. Compensation for All Other Crimes is four pence for each day between when the crime was reported to the King’s Trust to the day the guilty was convicted in Court. The shillings are to be paid to the party wronged, or to the Court as an additional Fine.

Concealment: Concealment applies to a killed person, either by accident or intention, whose body was hidden by the killer for any reason. Concealment is paid by the convicted to the Court as an additional Fine. Nobles are not liable to pay Concealment. If the body is hidden in a lived in house, the fine is six shillings. In a tavern, ten shillings. In the jail or church, twelve shillings. In a noble or member of the King’s Trust lived in the house, fifteen shillings. If the owner of the building knows the body is hidden in their building, the fines listed above are also to be paid by the owner. If the body is hidden in a vacant house, building, or outside, the fine is four shillings. If the body is sold to someone to dispose of it and that someone is not the village gravedigger, then the killer and the buyer is to pay six shillings each.

Crimes of the Court

Failing to Heed a Court Summons: Lawful excuses are proven illness, occupied in King’s Trust duties, currently serving as a court-ordered servant, or death of a relative. If an accused acknowledges a court summoning, and he does not come to Court and if a lawful excuse has not detained him, then he shall be found guilty of the crime he was accused of, and pay an additional eight shillings to his Fine. If the one who made an accusation and called court, does not come to court himself and a lawful excuse has not detained him, then he is liable to pay eight shillings to the Court as a Fine, and the accused shall be ruled innocent.

False Accusations: If the Court finds that he who made an accusation and requested court, knowing that the accused is in fact innocent, then the accuser shall pay the Fines of the crime accused.

False Testimony: If the Court finds that any testimony given in an attempt to prove guilt is a falsehood and those who gave the testimony know it to be false, then the accuser and all those who gave the falsified testimony shall each pay the Fines of the crime accused.

Tampered Witnesses: If the Court finds that testifying witnesses was forced to give false testimony, then the one who forced the falsified testimony shall each pay the Fines of the crime accused.

Civil Crimes

Bribery: Anyone caught breaking the Laws and makes an attempt to pay any amount of shillings to any member of the King’s Trust to avoid Court, arrest, or punishment judged upon him in Court, shall be liable to pay a six shilling Fine. Any member of the King’s Trust who accepts such a bribery shall have his title and Writ revoked, and shall be liable to pay a six shilling Fine.

Harboring Criminals: Outlaw Hospitality: Anyone who assists a known Outlaw shall be liable to pay nine pence a day until the outlaw has served his punishment according to Law for all those things legally charged against him.

Failure to Report a Crime: Anyone who witnesses a crime and chooses not to turn the criminal in to the King’s Trust is helping conceal the crime. They shall pay the Fine of the crime, plus one additional shilling. If anyone tries to conceal a theft and secretly pays compensation without the judgment of a Judge, both he who made the compensation and he who received it are thieves. If anyone secretly accepts from a thief compensation for stolen property, let them both be guilty of theft.

Evading Taxes: Those unable to pay the required amount shall be named a servant by the Tax Collector, placed into servitude of the King’s Trust. Anyone who publicly refuses to pay taxes or evades the Tax Collector shall be liable to pay Fines equal to Theft from a Noble.

Breaking an Agreement: If one breaks an agreement with another, he shall have sixty days to make it right. If he who made a promise to pay for goods or labor does not wish to pay what he owes or if he who made a promise to provide goods or labor does not wish to pay what he owes, he who received the promise shall make the Magistrate aware of the broken agreement, who shall investigate the agreement and both men involved. If the man who refuses to pay what has been promised before the Magistrate or court, then let the Magistrate fine the man a shilling. If the man still refuses to pay the promised man, the Magistrate shall call a trial where the Judge shall determine if the promised payment is owed. If judgment is passed that the man must pay the man who received the promise, then the amount promised plus six shillings must be paid to the man who received the promise. If the man refuses to pay after he has been judged to do so, then let him face further punishment as defined in Court.

Failing to Defend the Township: In the event that a township is attacked by a foreign force, and the army is not available at the time, the populace must, to the best of their ability stand against them. Any who is able but refuses to defend the township, shall be found a traitor to the King and expelled from the town or pay twelve shillings. If the forces are deemed to be overwhelming, the township shall refrain from resisting so as preventing unnecessary loss of life and lost time. Any spoils acquired from said force must be turned over to the Sheriff, Magistrate, or Judge, who shall reward the finder with a percentage of the spoil’s value, not to exceed one-half. These spoils are to be used in the defense and betterment of the township.

Touching Women: A man who touches the hand, arm or finger of a woman who is not his wife or family member shall pay a eight pence Fine. A man who pulls the hair of a woman or causes her hair to become undone and that woman is not his wife or family member shall pay a two shilling Fine. If a man pulls a woman's hair covering so that it falls to the ground he shall be liable to pay two shilling.

Sorcery & Magic: Spellcasting, potion giving, and Relic use is legal under the Law, if the recipient is willing and the magic does not cause bodily harm. Casting spells, giving a potion to drink, or using a Relic against the recipient’s will that causes him to become sick, the Fine is six shillings. Casting spells, giving a potion to drink, or using a Relic against the recipient’s will that causes him to become wounded in need of medical attention, the Fine is ten shillings. Casting spells, giving a potion to drink, or using a Relic against the recipient’s will that causes him to become unconscious or die, the Fine is twelve shillings plus Compensation, and if applies, Concealment. OOG Note: This applies to any supernatural power that is not deemed as a 'miracle' by the Church. Hence, no matter what supernatural creature you might be, you will be treated as a human and your powers will be seen as 'spells' under this Law thus treated as such. Fetishes are relics.

Abusive Terms: He who calls someone else a pederast shall pay a four pence Fine. He who claims that someone else is covered in dung shall pay a two pence Fine. He who calls someone else a prostitute and cannot prove it shall pay a two shilling Fine. He who calls someone else a fox shall pay a eight pence Fine. He who calls someone else a rabbit shall pay a ten pence Fine. He who calls someone else an informer or liar and cannot prove it shall pay a ten pence Fine.

Freeing Criminals & Servants: Freeing Criminals: Anyone who attempts to free a convicted criminal who is serving jail or stock time, but the convicted does not flee, shall be liable to six shillings. If this is done during a public execution, he shall be liable to pay six shillings for each prisoner he attempted to free. If the convicted does flee, then the releaser shall pay eight shillings, and the escaped convict shall pay double the Fine of the crime he was convicted for. If this is done during a public execution, he shall be liable to pay twelve shillings for each prisoner who flees. Freeing Servants: Anyone who attempts to free a servant serving voluntary or court-ordered servitude, but the servant does not flee, shall be liable to two shillings. If the servant does flee, then the releaser shall pay five shillings plus Compensation.

Serious Crimes

In addition to the fine amounts listed below for each crime, there is a further one shilling fine if the victim is a woman or a clergyman. All fines are double if the victim is a noble or member of the King's Trust.

Theft of Property: Property is defined as any item, including shillings, that is known to be owned by a single person, or by a community of persons. Lent property that is not returned to its rightful owner, shall be treated as stolen. Theft of an item from a home is a two shilling Fine plus Compensation. Theft of an item from a church or business is a three shilling Fine plus Compensation. Theft of an item from a conscious person is a nine pence Fine. Theft of an item from a sleeping person is a three shilling Fine. Theft of an item from a dead body is a one shilling and six pence Fine. All failed attempts of theft of an item from anyone or any place is a one shilling Fine. Additional Fines: Breaking into a building, where the building is entered without the owner’s permission, is an additional two shilling Fine. If any conscious, sleeping or dead person who is stolen from was on the road, then there shall be an additional two shilling Fine. An additional four shilling Fine shall apply if the item’s owner was a plaintiff against the thief in a previous Court case, if proven by Court Records.

Attacks: Attacks are intentions of doing another unjust harm, where the victim is surprise attacked, unarmed, or did not agree to any type of sparring or combat. Attempts to strike, with any weapon, at another and the blow misses is a two shilling Fine. Attempts to strike, with any weapon, at another and the blow hits is a four shilling Fine. The attacker is also liable to pay the victims medical costs. Attempts to strike, with flat hand or fist, at another and the blow misses is a nine pence Fine. Attempts to strike, with flat hand or fist, at another and the blow hits is a one shilling Fine. The attacker is also liable to pay the victims medical costs. Additional Fines: An additional one shilling Fine shall be applied to all attacks with hand or weapon, misses or hits, that happened on a road. An additional five shilling Fine shall apply if the attacked victim was a plaintiff against the attacker in a previous Court case, if proven by Court Records.

Murder: The intentional killing of another is a six shilling Fine. Additional Fines: Concealment Fines may be in addition if the murdered victim’s body was hidden. Theft fines shall be in addition if any items were stolen from the murdered victim. Attack fines shall be in addition if the murderer Attacked the murdered victim, and the victim’s death is the result of that attack. An additional three shilling Fine shall apply to murder that happened on a road. An additional four shilling Fine shall apply if the murdered victim was a deeded custodian of a building. An additional four shilling Fine shall apply if the murderer was hired by another to kill the victim. The one who paid for the assassination shall be liable to pay the above Fines, where applies, plus Compensation, plus six shillings for Conspiracy to murder. An additional ten shilling Fine shall apply if the murdered victim was a plaintiff against the murderer in a previous Court case, if proven by Court Records.

Restraining & Abduction: The restraining, by any means, of another by anyone who is not a member of the King’s Trust or King’s Guard, is liable to pay two shillings. Anyone who takes a person against their will and holds them, by any means, in another place, without proper authority to do so, shall be liable to two shillings.

Impersonation & Forgery: Impersonation: Any who claims to be a noble and cannot prove it by writ or proper documentation shall be liable to pay eight shillings. Any who claims to be a member of the King’s Trust and cannot prove it by writ or proper documentation shall be liable to pay four shillings. Forgery: Any who falsifies a document to claim nobility and it is found by a Judge not to be true shall be liable to pay four shillings, plus Impersonation. Any who falsifies a document to claim membership of the King’s Trust and it is found by a Judge not to be true shall be liable to pay two shillings, plus Impersonation. Any who falsifies a document to claim ownership of a building and it is found by a Judge not to be true shall be liable to pay one shilling. Any who falsifies a document to claim Regency over a Servant and it is found by a Judge not to be true shall be liable to pay one shilling.

Fleeing to Church: He who is accused or convicted of a crime and flees to Church to avoid Court and punishment cannot be forcibly removed from the Church, or from within twenty feet from the outside walls of the church building - any who remove such a man shall pay a three shilling Fine. If he who fled to Church has been summoned to Court or found guilty in Court, a Judge, Sheriff, Magistrate, or noble may remove him from the Church to appear in Court for a trial or sentencing only if a member of the Church residing within has given permission to do so.

Laws of the County Palatine of Durham

These Laws are issued by the Office of the Prince-Bishop of Durham and are in addition to and alongside the King’s Laws of England.

Collection of Tithes

Tithes are collected six times per year throughout the County Palatine of Durham by Tithe Collectors. Each business, large or small, stationary or traveling trader, shall give 1/12th of their income directly to the Church. A business is defined by the selling of goods or services. If a man or woman has more than three wards who are not direct family members he may be subject to this as well - if he is wealthy enough to support others, he is wealthy enough to support The Church. The tithe collector may require an accounting the business’s incomings and expenditures. Nobles and members of the King’s Trust are not exempt.

The Tithes are held in Durham. A priest or other caretaker of church property may petition a study once per year to see if they are eligible to receive funds to better their buildings for the Glory of God.

Tithe Collector: A Tithe Collector shall be appointed by the Office of the Prince-Bishop of Durham to travel to all the townships within the County Palatine of Durham collecting tithes from the townsfolk six times per year. The Tithe collector may be the same person as the Tax collector. In this case the two may be collected at the same time, but noted separately.

Church Law

All members of the Church, of any station from Friar or Monk to Priest and up to Bishop, provided they are literate and can prove their dedication to Our Lord, has the privilege to be judged for any accusations by a Church Court under Church Law, and may petition the Office of the Prince-Bishop for such a Court. A Clergyman may waive this privilege and accept the ruling of a common Judge. Members of the Clergy are exempt from becoming a Servant, or being placed in Stocks or other public humiliation. They are not exempt from Fines.

Indulgences: There are some things which are sins, but are not crimes. If a member of the Church is found to have committed a sin that is not a crime under English law, they may be asked to seek an Indulgence.

Decency

Everyone should know and follow the Ten Commandments brought to us from God by Moses. Both men and women should dress conservatively, and women in particular should cover their heads while outdoors. Those who behave immodestly in public shall be given appropriate penance by the Church. Those who behave obscenely in public shall additionally be fined two shillings.