The Laws of the King of England
Contents
• 1 - Definitions
• 2 - Nobility
• 3 - The King’s Trust
• 4 – Court Procedures
• 5 – Fines, Compensation & Concealment
• 6 – Crimes of the Court
• 7 – Bribery
• 8 – Harboring Criminals
• 9 – Paying & Evading Dues
• 10 – Theft & Lent Property
• 11 – Attacks
• 12 – Murder
• 13 – Restraining & Abduction
• 14 – Freeing Criminals & Servants
• 15 – Sorcery & Magic
• 16 – Impersonation & Forgery
• 17 – Touching Women
• 18 – Abusive Terms
• 19 – Fleeing to Church
• 20 – Attacks on the Township
• 21 – Agreements
• 22 – Ownership of Buildings
• xxx– Out of Game Notes
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 slave is a freeman. All peasants (serfs), King’s Trust, merchants, Church members including knights under the Church, are liable to pay taxes, 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.
Foreigners: Any man, or woman, not from England and regardless of nobility Proofed or not, are liable to pay taxes, any Fines from Court are double, and if judged, must serve as a Servant, or spend time in jail or stocks, twice as long as stated in the Law.
Servants: Any man, or woman, who voluntarily serves another to pay off debts owed at a rate of one day of servitude is equal to one shilling, unless otherwise determined by the Regent. Court-ordered Servitude is 10 minutes per three pence owed in Courts Fines. All servants are required to wear manacle cuffs (no chain in between) on each wrist, and all regents are to carry Proof’s of Regency for each servant he oversees. Servants are not liable to pay taxes, any Fines from Court are to be paid by the servants Regent, and if judged, are liable to spend time as stated in the Law in jail or stocks.
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. Back To Top
All positions of political power and station above the Magistrate are a noble under the Law. This includes Knights under the King and nobility by birth. All nobles of any station above King’s Trust, including Knights under 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, and any Fines from Court are half the stated amount in the Law, rounded down.
Dues Collector A Dues Collector shall be appointed by the Lord of the County to travel to all the townships within the lord’s county collecting dues from the townsfolk, while accompanied by the Magistrate of the town, therein once every two months and ensure that all King’s Trust are paid the amount owed to them for their good services. The Dues Collector may also carry letters from anyone residing on his lords county and deliver the letter to anyone residing on the lords county.
Earl of a Township The Earl of a township is appointed by the Lord of the County to oversee the King’s Trust within the assigned town. The Earl may rule over his town as he sees fit, within the Laws, and he is empowered to give or take King’s Trust Proof’s as he sees fit, within the Laws. The Earl may also fill in for any missing King’s Trust, he may call Court to occur immediately, and he may judge the Court if the accused is a noble or King’s Trust. Back To Top
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 Earl or ruling noble. 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 King’s Trust is required to carry on their person at all times a proper signed and dated document by the proper authority of the position, or the Earl or ruling noble. All Proof’s must have the wax seal of the authority, or Earl or ruling noble, who approved the document. A Judge in each township visited determines authenticity. 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 while Proof of King’s Trust is revoked.
Magistrate A Magistrate shall be appointed by the Earl 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 Dues Collector and accompany the Dues 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 Earl, 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 Earl or Dues 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 Earl 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 Dues 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 Earl, 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 Earl or Dues 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 Earl 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 Dues 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 Earl, 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 Earl or Dues 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. Back To Top
Deputy Up to four Deputies shall be appointed by the Earl, 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 Earl or Dues 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 Earl, 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 Earl or Dues Collector six pence every two months, and is exempt from taxes for the duration of his good service. Back To Top
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 An Earl or 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 of any village, township, city and fiefdom shall require; a Judge to hear and name final judgments, punishments and to keep court records, the Sheriff to name aloud the names of the plaintiff, defendant, and the crime or dispute, and the three Court Witnesses who remain silent during the proceedings. Residents of the town are welcome to attend Court as an audience to the proceedings and additional witnesses. The Earl may attend court proceedings as he wishes, or if court is held in accusation of a King’s Trust member, then the Earl 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 three 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 title, man, woman, noble, or servant, 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 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. Back To Top
5 - Fines, Compensation & Concealment
Fines, Compensation, Concealment, and Servitude cannot be collected or issued by any 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 three 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 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 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 Cast Characters 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 Cast Characters 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. Back To Top
Compensation Compensation is an amount in shillings and pence in addition to the Fines for crimes stated in the Law. 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 three 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 four 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 one shilling 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 two 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 three 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 three shillings. In a tavern, five shillings. In the jail or church, ten shillings. In a nobles or King’s Trust lived in 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 two 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 five shillings each. Back To Top
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 five 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 seven 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. Back To Top
Anyone caught breaking the Laws and makes an attempt to pay any amount of shillings to any King’s Trust to avoid Court, arrest, or punishment judged upon him in Court, shall be liable to pay a four shilling Fine. Any King’s Trust who accepts such a bribery shall have his titled revoked and shall be liable to pay a three shilling Fine. Back To Top
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 choose not to turn the criminal in to the King’s Trust, instead concealing the crime, 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. Back To Top
Taxes are collected regularly throughout England by Dues Collectors. Each Freeman and Freewoman are liable to pay six pence, except peasants and married women are liable to pay three pence, and Foreigners are liable to pay an additional two 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 Dues Collector, placed into servitude of the King’s Trust, and serve for ten minutes per pence owed. Anyone who publicly refuses to pay taxes, or evades the Dues Collector, shall be liable to pay Fines equal to Theft from a Noble. Back To Top
Property is defined as any item, including shillings, that is known to be owned by a single person, or by a community of person’s. Lent property that is not returned to its rightful owner, shall be treated as stolen items. Theft of an item from a person’s home is a one shilling Fine plus Compensation, three shillings if the home is that of a noble, or King’s Trust, four pence if the building is servant quarters. Theft of an item from a church or tavern is a two shilling Fine plus Compensation. Theft of an item from a conscious person is a nine pence Fine, one shilling and six pence if the conscious person is a proven noble or King’s Trust, four pence if the conscious person is a servant. Theft of an item from a sleeping person is a three shilling Fine, six shillings if the sleeping person is a proven noble or King’s Trust, six pence if the sleeping person is a servant. Theft of an item from a dead body is a one shilling and six pence Fine, four shillings if the dead body was a proven noble or King’s Trust, six pence if the dead body was a servant. 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 owners permission, is an additional one 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 two 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. Fines for Attacks, if applicable, shall be in addition to Theft Fines. Back To Top
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. Three shillings if the victim is a noble or King’s Trust. One shilling if the victim is a servant. Four shillings if the victim is a woman. Attempts to strike, with any weapon, at another and the blow hits, is an three shilling Fine. Five shillings if the victim is a noble or King’s Trust. Two shillings if the victim is a servant. Six shillings if the victim is a woman. 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 six pence Fine. One shilling if the victim is a noble or King’s Trust. Two pence if the victim is a servant. One shilling if the victim is a woman. Attempts to strike, with flat hand or fist, at another and the blow hits, is an one shilling Fine. three shillings if the victim is a noble or King’s Trust. Four pence if the victim is a servant. two shillings if the victim is a woman. 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 and 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. Fines for Theft, if items were stolen from the victim, shall be in addition to Attack Fines. Back To Top
The intentional killing of another is a five shilling Fine. Ten shillings if the murdered is a noble or King’s Trust. two shillings plus Compensation if the murdered is a servant. six shillings if the murdered victim is a woman.
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 two shilling Fine shall apply to murder that happened on a road. An additional three shilling Fine shall apply if the murdered victim was a deeded owner of a building. An additional three 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 Four 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. Back To Top
Restraining The restraining, by any means, of another by anyone who is not King’s Trust or noble, is liable to pay one shilling. Two shillings if the restrained person is a noble or King’s Trust. four pence if the restrained person is a servant, plus Compensation. One shilling and six pence if the restrained person is a woman. A servant who restrains a person is liable to pay double the above Fines paid by the Regent. A Regent who orders his servant to restrain another is liable to pay double the above Fines. If the Regent is a King’s Trust or noble, then he is not liable to pay any shillings.
Abduction Anyone who takes a person against their will and holds them, by any means, in another place, shall be liable to one shilling. Three shillings if the abducted person is a noble or King’s Trust. Four pence if the abducted person is a servant, plus Compensation. Two shillings if the abducted person is a woman. A servant who abducts a person is liable to pay double the above Fines paid by the Regent. A Regent who orders his servant to abduct another is liable to pay double the above Fines. If the Regent is a King’s Trust or noble, then he is not liable to pay any shillings. Back To Top
14 – Freeing Criminals & Servants
Freeing Criminals Anyone who attempts to free a convicted serving jail or stock time, and the convicted does not flee, shall be liable to three shillings. If this is done during a public execution, he shall be liable to pay five shillings for each prisoner he attempted to free. If the convicted does flee, then the releaser shall pay six 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, and 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. Back To Top
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 three 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 six 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 nine 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.))
Adjusted Fines If the victim of the spell, Relic or potion is a noble or King’s Trust, the Fine is double. If the victim is a servant, the Fine is half round down.
If the spellcaster, Relic user or potion giver is a noble, there is no Fine. If King’s Trust, the Fine is half rounded down. If a servant or a woman, the Fine is double. Back To Top
Impersonation Any who claims to be a noble and cannot prove it by writ or proper documentation, shall be liable to pay five shillings. Any who claims to be a King’s Trust and cannot prove it by writ or proper documentation, shall be liable to pay two 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 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 nine pence. One shilling and three pence if the forced servant is proven noble or King’s Trust. Back To Top
A man who touches the hand, arm or finger of a woman who is not his wife or family member, shall pay a four pence Fine. One shilling if the woman is a noble. One pence if the woman is a servant and the man is not the servant woman’s Regent.
A man who pulls the hair of a woman who is not his wife or family member, shall pay a one shilling Fine. Two shillings if the woman is a noble. One shilling if the woman is a servant and the man is not the servant woman’s Regent.
If a man pulls a woman's hair so that her hood falls to the ground, he shall be liable to pay one shilling. But if he undoes her headband so that her hair falls to her shoulders, he shall be liable to pay two shillings. If the woman is a proven noble, the fines are double. three pence if the woman is a servant and the man is not the servant woman’s Regent. Back To Top
He who calls someone else a pederast shall pay a two pence Fine. He who claims that someone else is covered in dung shall pay a one pence Fine. He who calls someone else a prostitute and cannot prove it shall pay a one shilling Fine. He who calls someone else a fox shall pay a six pence Fine. He who calls someone else a rabbit shall pay a eight pence Fine. He who calls someone else an informer or liar and cannot prove it shall pay a ten pence Fine. Back To Top
He who has committed 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 does this shall pay a three shilling Fine. If he who fled to Church has been found guilty in Court, a Judge, Sheriff, Magistrate, or noble may remove him only if a member of the Church residing within has given permission to the Judge, Sheriff, Magistrate, or noble to do so. If he who fled to Church has been found guilty in Court, any member of the Church residing therein can revoke his stay at the Church in which he must leave the Church proper immediately, or pay a three shilling Fine. If he who fled to Church to avoid Court and punishment for a crime he may or may not have committed, a member of the Church residing therein may allow him to stay, represent him in Court, or revoke his stay at the Church in which he must leave the Church proper immediately, or pay a three shilling Fine. The fleeing man cannot be forcibly removed from the Church proper. Any who does this shall pay a three shilling Fine. A Judge, Sheriff, Magistrate, or noble may remove him only if a member of the Church residing within has given permission to the Judge, Sheriff, Magistrate, or noble to do so. Back To Top
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 ten 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. Back To Top
All agreement cases require at least one person who witnessed the agreement take place in order for the Court to make a fair decision. Anyone who makes an agreement with another who refuses to carry out the agreement after shillings have been paid for the agreement, the one who disputes the agreement shall be given sixty days by the Court to carry out the agreement. If a man makes an agreement with another man and will not carry it out, then the one to whom the promise was given shall in sixty days come to the man who made the promise with the witnesses who were present when the agreement was made and with those who will evaluate the amount in dispute to demand the promised amount. And if he who made the promise 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, does not pay the man, who received the promise, 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 to court the man who refuses to pay and the man who received the promise 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 three 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. Back To Top
All land and buildings owned in part or in whole by a person shall have a document signed and stamped by the Judge or Magistrate proving their ownership. All other lands and buildings not owned by a specific person or persons shall be considered the property of the lord of the land who rules of the fiefdom. Lands and buildings owned by the lord of the land may be rented at the Judges or Magistrates choosing. Purchase of property shall be at the owner’s discretion. All sales shall be recorded in the court’s records with the Judge.
Taxes
Owners of buildings used to run a business is to pay one shilling per ten shillings earned from the business, every two months. The Dues Collector may require to see records of earnings. Owners of any other building are to pay six pence, every two months. No more then one shilling every two months may be collected for each such building.
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These laws are used by characters In-Game and are loosely based on real world medieval law. They have been adapted for WoD LARP play. Because these laws are considered In-Game, they are subject to any creative interpretation the players can come up with. This is a role-play tool. (Based on MT in-game laws by M. Coyne) This is the 2010 version for players adapted by Russell F. Smith.
Note: Paper was expensive in the middle ages and a luxury. On top of that the services of a scribe would be needed to reproduce more copies. It would be unheard of for many people to have a copy of the King's laws. If they did have a copy it would be on parchment paper. That did not mean peasants did not get to know the gist of most of the laws and you can feel free to bone up on them but think twice about bringing a copy into game in character. Ask yourself: “Does it make sense for my character to have an expensive copy of the King's laws”. If yes then bring a copy on some nice period looking paper. If not, well feel free to have a out of game version along for the ride. Have fun and enjoy! :) -RFS Back To Top