This marks the first of hopefully twelve letters delivered from the quill of the Crown of Ardesca during Our reign. Each putting Our thoughts before you, Our citizens, and providing fodder for the imaginations and intellect of all. As there seems to be some misconceptions regarding our understanding of Ardescan fealty, We have chosen it as the topic de jour.
A fundamental principle, upon which the Empire Of Medieval Pursuits was founded was the ability to form groups with people whom an individual's heart is drawn to. A Lord’s lands are literally a map drawn upon the hearts and minds of their citizens, and upon this topography, Ardesca lives. When we talk about Our Branches and Fiefs, these groups are formed of individual citizens who, each and every year, are making the choice to band together no matter how distant from one another.
Fealty is the term describing the contract between a Lord and their vassal outlining the boundaries of their stratified relationship. The Kingdom of Ardesca is united by the hierarchic relationships between Sovereign and Lord, Lord and Citizen. The lower station offers, the higher station reciprocates. The vassal offering up a portion of their autonomy and industry in exchange for protection, resources, and guidance.Through this system Ardesca’s governance is realized. These relationships, based upon trust and honor, are both given and received.
When a Lord swears fealty to the Crown they are swearing to abide by the written laws of both the Empire and Kingdom and to support their Kingdom with both wisdom and virtuous enterprise. In return the Crown offers the same and further, the resources and vision necessary to maintain the Kingdom as a whole.
Having described what We believe fealty to be, it is time to clarify what Ardescan fealty is not; to whit: slavery. Our understanding of fealty does not demand that you “bend the knee,” in fact what We seek are Lords of commitment, courage, and action; rather than those who would hope that We be the answer to all their pleas. This is seen most plainly in the fact that every Lord of the Empire has a sacred duty to judge the works of their Crown and call for a veto for those they find abhorrent. This is about as far from supplication as We can imagine.
The only other option within Our current structure is to be in rebellion. It is to this end that We require the fealty of the Lords of Ardesca.
So say We, Aveloc Rex and Yeshika Regina, Iron Phoenix