The Ascalonian Book of laws laid out by King Roran I of Arescod remains the basis of Ascalonian justice and rule of law. However, it would be wrong to assume that Ascalonian law and practice has not changed or evolved since the reign of King Roran. In the time since his rule and the latest edition of the Book of Laws, Ascalonian law has changed with new cases, precedence and legislation. Nevertheless, the Book of Laws has remained a cornerstone of practice since it remains the only complete and full corpus of Ascalonian law easily accessible beyond court documents or specific judgements that serve as precedent. The courts and noble council, as well as the rulers themselves have in their time provided new laws, precedence, and important rulings in this respect. There are too many to mention here except in the briefest way, where noteworthy mention must be made of Queen Endymia Cindai, King Richard I of Arescod, the Talonclaw Regency, the de Villiers Regency, as well as the reign of King Rothrik de Villiers. More recent times with judgements made by Henry II of Arescod, as well as the Lévesque Regency are equally noteworthy. Each monarch and regent faced their own challenges, unique to their time that has come to shape any specific addition to law and practice. Nevertheless, these rulings, laws, and judgements were never published in such a corpus as the Book of Laws, and instead these remains as a patchwork of legislation, practices and codes, often brought about for specific cases and then served as precedence.
This is the first step in my role as Provost of the Regency Council, on the order of the Regent of Ascalon, to gather this more scattered legislation to create a new edition of the Ascalonian Book of Laws. This is, however, no simple process because it involves gathering legislation spanning decades from court documents. If the results of this work shall be effective and conclusive, however, it must ultimately begin with its foundation and most important document, the fourth edition of the Ascalonian Book of Laws.
Eormenraed
Provost of the Regency
High Judge of Virtue
Let it be known within the Realm of Ascalon and hereby decreed by the courts of this land, under the direction and guidance of the His Royal Highness King Roran I of Arescod, that: Those that move to the Realm of Ascalon will be assumed to have hailed the King Roran I or any of his descendants in the process and shall follow all decrees and edicts herein, even if no public declaration is made.
The word, spoken or in writing, from the King is the law of the land and will be obeyed by all the people regardless of residency. While within the Realm of Ascalon every person must follow the Laws and Edicts of the King and may be punished for any not followed. If the King is unavailable for any reason at any time during his reign then the person he has appointed to work on his behalf will assume the duties and responsibilities of the King until such time as the King returns or a new Monarch is elected.
I - Laws of Nobility: Only the King may appoint Nobility in Ascalon. Anyone claiming to be of Noble Ascalon heritage may contact the King with their credentials which will then be given due consideration. Any form of disrespect towards the King of Ascalon, or any member of the Ascalonian Nobility will not be tolerated. The Nobility should be addressed by their proper titles of Lord or Lady, or whatever is appropriate to their title. Also the Nobility, while deserving of respect must also hold themselves with bearing fitting of their position and should always behave in a way that will not disgrace themselves or the Realm of Ascalon.
II - Laws of Commoners: All people within the Kingdom of Ascalon are entitled to fair and equal treatment under the law, the right to live freely, worship freely and speak freely as long as that speech does not incite criminal acts, break other laws or insult the status of the nobles of Ascalon. Every person should behave respectfully to one another, avoiding the use of insults in speech or behavior to their neighbors and fellow citizens.
III - Laws of Treason: The actions of any person which causes harm or attempts to cause harm to Ascalon or any Ascalonian, to any city or town within Ascalon, to the Realm or to any of the Royal holdings will not be tolerated - no matter where the crime or attempted crime is committed.
IV - Laws of Revolt: Any revolt or attack, attempted or successful, against the Realm, Castle, any Ascalonian town, Temple, mine or territory will not be tolerated unless permission has been granted by the King or his trusted appointee (in absence of the King). Revolts exempt of prosecution are those sanctioned by the King or when the King is unable, then the appointee, with the backing of the Noble Council. V - Laws of Betrayal: Betrayal is a criminal act and punishment may range from mild to serious. Betrayal may be categorized as:
===> I - Perjury - Intentional deception in Ascalon's Court.
===> II - Contempt of Court - Failure to appear in the Court when summoned.
===> III - Abuse of Power - Any legally elected or appointed official who intentionally uses the powers of office for unnecessary individual gain. This includes favouritism that has resulted in harm to the Kingdom or Town.
===> IV - Neglect of Duty - Any legally elected or appointed official who intentionally fails to perform the duties of his/her office without due notice of absence and in such a way that the people, the towns or kingdom suffer damages as a result of that neglect.
VI - Robbery: Robbery and attempted robbery is illegal in Ascalon. Robbery may include but is not limited to the:
===> I - Robbery or attempted robbery within the Kingdom of Ascalon
===> II - Theft from any Ascalonian Town, regardless of how goods were obtained.
===> III - Theft from any Storehouse, building, or person regardless of how goods were obtained.
VII - Law of Armies: No armies are to be raised within or to enter the Realm of Ascalon without the express permission of the King. Armies allowed on Ascalonian soil are in the service of the Realm and are commanded by the King or by the Ascalonian nobles. In the event that the King is indisposed his trusted appointee will have the authority to take the helm, with the support and backing of the Noble Council.
VIII - Law of the Land: Prior to swearing fealty, people wishing to claim any settlements, territory, army, title or such must express their interest to the King or the Noble Council for an assessment of eligibility that will ensure their competency. Any person within the Realm of Ascalon may, by petitioning the King or the Noble Council, challenge any other person for the ownership of specific settlement, territory, army, title or such.
IX - Laws of Feudalism: After swearing fealty a noble of Ascalon is to uphold his oath of loyalty lest he forfeits his oath and all his holdings inside the Kingdom of Ascalon to the King. Should a noble be granted any lands to govern it is his duty to ensure the enduring prosperity and the protection of any regions they hold. Any liege lord has the right to demand a small tax from his vassal lords so long his demands remain reasonable and fair. The Crown of Ascalon reserves the right to exert a Royal Tax from the Duchies.
X - Market Laws: Market manipulation or any attempt by a person to control the prices or availability of items on any market within the Realm of Ascalon will not be tolerated. The wilful weakening of the economic status of any town within Ascalon will not be tolerated. Whosoever shall secure excessive amounts of resources, especially for unreasonable personal gain, and/or to cause harm to others, shall be charged with Market Speculation, which is punishable by the courts.
XI - Contractual Laws: Any person given a grant by the Realm of Ascalon or any of the towns or cities within Ascalon must abide by the terms of the grant’s contract. The agreed upon date and rules of return must be adhered to. Abuse of grants will not be tolerated.
XII - Laws of Court: All those brought into court are expected to respond and give testimony in a timely and respectable fashion. Any person is permitted to bring forth evidence and ask the Prosecutor to charge for a crime based on that evidence and the current Laws of the Kingdom. Any person falsifying evidence will be charged with fraud and disturbing the peace. The Prosecutor for the Kingdom is obligated to bring charges against any one, when evidence or suspicion exists of that person having violated a law or laws. It will be considered an abuse of office if the Prosecutor takes it upon themselves to decide a party is not guilty and therefore charges brought forth by a citizen are not worthy of their time. If found guilty all defendants are expected to either comply with court orders (i.e. pay their fines, do their jail time or to comply with any other punishment that was given them.) Violation of any of the above laws will be punished and punishment is at the discretion of the King.
XIII - Law of Bastards: All illegitimate children born in the Kingdom of Ascalon are to be given the surname of 'Oak' to indicate their status, named after the forest-rich land they are born in. The bastards of Ascalon keep their status as a noble and a claim on their father's lands, so long he may prove that he is indeed a true honourable noble. They cannot however inherit any lands or titles unless he or she is the last available direct heir, after female heirs.
XIV - Law of Religion: The Religion of the State in Ascalon is The Holy Trinity, and all official ceremonies shall be held in such fashion. All First Ones of Ascalon are expected to follow the Holy Trinity in order to preserve the religious unity and peace of the realm. First Ones of another religion may still hold land in Ascalon, but are not allowed to hinder the Holy Trinity or attempt conversion in favour of their own religion. Additionally, any religion involving the disturbance of public order and the harming of society is forbidden inside the Kingdom of Ascalon.
XV - Laws of Marriage: Any First One may marry another First One if both nobles agree, and have approval from their respective fathers to conduct the marriage. Should no fathers be present, grandfathers, uncles and finally mothers and so on shall be sought in the reversed rules of inheritance. If no family is present, the suitor is master over his or her own fate and shall be symbolically led to the altar by a noble of the realm.
===> I - Law of Incest - Marriage is forbidden between two parties when they can be linked by blood within two generations. This is done to prevent insulting their own ancestors and the Gods.
===> II - Process - Every marriage is announced first and both parties are from that point on engaged in a liaison. During this period it is the task of both parties to find a suitable date for marriage. The engaged couple will refrain from intercourse but may visit each other.
===> III - Marriage Ceremony - Once a date is agreed both parties prepare the event. A marriage is always accompanied by a feast indicating the status of the newly-wed couple.
===> IV - Mutual Loyalty - Once married the couple shall not betray each other and shall remain forever loyal to each other in their vows. Only death and divorce may part a wed couple.
===> V - Law of Divorce - Divorce between two married First Ones is only possible with the approval of the King of Ascalon. A divorce is the complete nullification of all vows of marriage, and the situation shall return to how it had been before the marriage.
XVI - Law of Duels - When in the Royal Court a quarrel or crime cannot be resolved to the King's approval with respect to justice, a lawful and official duel may be held between both parties. This duel, observed and monitored by the Royal Court will result in an unrevokable result for the question at hand. The challenge must be issued in the presence of a third party by the slap of the glove in the face, upon which the terms are stated. Amongst the terms must be whether the duel is to the first blood or to the death, the date of the encounter, and the bringing of one's own secondants or asking the King to supply them.
So long all aforementioned laws are adhered to, then any Ascalonian man, be he a First One or a commoner, is guaranteed to be free from prosecution and harm. However, should a deed unmentioned in this book of laws be recognised as a crime, it shall be added as such be added in this lawbook and the man responsible shall be punished accordingly.
May the Gods of Destruction strike down Ascalon's foes, may the Gods of Preservation protect Ascalon from harm, and may the Gods of Change teach Ascalon to adapt to its time. Amen.