Archduchy of Glorinel

The Archduchy of Glorinel is a Breton realm in the western part of High Rock. Its dominion ranges from the lowlands of the Azurefell heights to the waters of the [Sea].

Though his ascent to the throne was marked by some controversy, Louis VI has ruled as archduke since 3E 251. His reign is one marked by both turbulence and stability in turn.

City of Glorinel
Sitting atop the peak of a great rock, the capital of the realm is city and castle both. The fortress-city is considered to be one of the few great Direnni constructs extant in High Rock, boasting walls no shorter than sixty feet high. Its white bricks and red rooftops are as though they were taken from fiction. This in addition to the great halls and levels within the rock itself remind one of the city’s ancient origins.

The old goldmines beneath have long provided a steady source of coin, marking Glorinel as the richest city in Bretony. The influential Guild of Goldsmiths has made great profits in wealth and influence both. It is commonly said that there isn’t a crown in High Rock whose gold did not come from Glorinel. Furthermore, since the creation of the Third Empire, the city has had maintained a particular and special relationship with the Septim dynasty. At least one fifth of the coin found across Tamriel is minted in Glorinel.

While it does not house a population as substantial as those in the realm's other cities, the burghers rarely find themselves short of labour. Historic precedent and circumstance present a peculiar case in the Archduchy, where the landholding elite often hire out those in their custody. This relaxing of serfdom and the rather blunt way in which those with greater riches and power live higher in - or on - the rock lends itself to the Breton ambition. Ingrained in the cultural sensibilities of the Bretons is the desire to find a hill and make oneself king over it; in Glorinel, one finds the Rock and makes his climb to the top.

Feudal Nobility of Glorinel
In the Archduchy of Glorinel, code and precedent both dictate that the landholding elite must in times of war support the archduke. This support, the supply of troops or scutage as substitute, is returned with the formalisation and protection of titles and rights. Additionally, the archduke obligates counsel and is obligated to hear counsel.

Hereditary and non-hereditary members make up this class in twain, though usually only the former is held to the details of the aforementioned contract. A man may be a baron, a hereditary or non-hereditary viscount, a count, or a marquess. Though one’s title certainly does not guarantee their position in the hierarchy of actual power, those of greater rank take precedent over those of lesser rank in ceremonies and often in law. A marquess, for example, is strictly superior to a count, who in turn is superior to a baron. This rule holds true for all with the exception of one: the Count of Westmore, often called the Prince of Westmore, is heir apparent to the archducal throne and of penultimate rank.

This elite, called the feudal (or traditional) nobility, makes up the ruling class of the realm. While there does exist a common identity across Glorinel, where a man from Claer and a man from Esgair can be considered alike in loyalties and purpose, the land is controlled by dynasties. An individual’s allegiance is more commonly to his lord than it is to his country. Dual loyalties are ordinary and frequently cause disagreement and division. A serf must serve his immediate lord first, but he must also serve his lord’s lord: the archduke.

This particular symbiotic relationship between liege and liegeman does not extend to all those who hold land. A landed knight has no formal title and can neither expect the same rights or be held to the same responsibilities. Likewise, merchant landowners occupy a similar space in law and society.

Burghers and Citizenry of Glorinel
While the greater country is held by the ranks of the traditional nobility, the towns and the cities of Glorinel are governed by the immediate and common citizenry. To be a free citizen is to be a subject of the Archduke with the right of private enterprise and free movement. Entry into this urban class (called burghers) is often an uneasy process. Though each town and its community operate by their own customs, a key marker for free citizenship is the ownership of property.

Though membership in the Guilds is not strictly required for membership in this citizen class, burghers are nonetheless inextricably linked to these mercantile bodies. Promoting and protecting the interests of craftsmen, merchants, and others from their caste, the Guilds are the chief organisations amongst the bourgeoisie. Guilds often hold monopolies on particular products and services, making independent businesses difficult ventures. Access to a market is tied to membership of the ruling Guild or one of its partners. A rather useful function of the Guilds, which serves in theory to promote members in social rank, is the gathering together of the wealthy - the haves - and the less so - the have nots. The latter, given immediate access to the former, can seek aid and investment.

Guilds hold great influence over the governance of urban settlements. Villages in the country usually seek redress through their overlords, who in turn may petition the Archduke. On occasion, justice may be looked for through a court. Urban citizens, however, are given the autonomy to self-govern. Mayors (deferentially called Grand Mayors or Lord Mayors where appropriate) are elected by the free citizenry and made responsible for daily affairs. Prospective mayors are most often influential members of the Guilds, or otherwise backed by influential members of the Guilds.

One belonging to the burgher class receives altogether different rights and responsibilities to those within the feudal hierarchy. Citizens employed in a number of trades are protected from feudal conscription and may instead be paid for service in the Royal Army. Self-governance is afforded to this bourgeoisie, who in return pay several taxes not levied on the nobility.

The White Book
Although much of the legal business in Glorinel is conducted according to precedent, it remains the case that a significant part of the realm’s legal framework is codified in the White Book. This body of laws, contained within a series of large volumes, was commissioned by and compiled during the reign of Louis II.

Timeline
Timeline

3E 64 — The White Book is completed (236 years ago).

3E 213 — The Treaty of Westmore is signed (87 years ago).

3E 251 — Elisabeth I dies (49 years ago).


 * Her eldest son, Louis (VI), succeeds her as Archduke of Glorinel.
 * Her death marks the end of Callian rule.

3E 256 — Peasants revolt and capture the town of Briciau (44 years ago).


 * The plight of peasants following three successive years of poor harvests goes largely ignored. Uprisings occur around the realm.
 * Rebels occupy the town of Briciau, putting many patricians to death.
 * Though the uprising continues for another year in pockets, the occupation of Briciau lasts only a month. Sir Girart Garein leads a party of knights to retake the town and is reinforced by local militias.
 * Rebel peasants meet gruesome ends per the Eleven Punishments.

3E 278 — Charles, Prince and heir to Glorinel, dies (22 years ago).


 * Infected rat bites lead him into a critical state.
 * Barthelemy Luscan, the Archmagister, fails to save the prince. He is shortly executed by the enraged Archduke.
 * His only child, Louis, is made Count of Westmore and heir to Glorinel.

3E 300 — Present day.