Let’s Talk about the Law

Table of Contents

Week 1: What do we want to see?
Week 2: Types of Government
Week 3: Constitutions and Charters

Introduction

Greetings

Well met, fellow Elyrians!

And welcome to another week of the “Let’s Talk about the Law.” I am the Chief Justicar to High King Evelake Rhyne of the Kingdom of Vornair, responsible for establishing the courts and laws, and providing legal advice to the Crown.

On a personal note, Webber, my black lab, has adjusted well to his new life in the last week. He’s showing excellent leash discipline, and when off leash, he doesn’t leave my side. He’s finally accepting of belly rubs (when I first picked him up he refused to let anyone go near his belly). He still has separation anxiety, but he’ll get over that in time.

Purpose

The purpose of “Let’s Talk about the Law” is to mince ideas as to what we’d like to see, and discuss how we may be able to execute our designs.

Disclaimers

It’s the same every week. Click here if you want to read it.

Now, let's talk about the law.

This Week’s Question

What do you hope to see in your Kingdom’s constitution or charter?

As Vornair’s legal head, I’ve been taking the intentions of King Rhyne and codifying them in a singular charter. It’s a lengthy process requiring specific writing, but it doesn’t always have to be. Personally, I am very focused on the details, because details are what make the truth.

Now, the primary difference between a charter and constitution is the origin of authority. Generally, a constitution’s authority is of the people, or of the collected states and/or territories, whereas a charter’s authority comes from a singular point. Constitutions invest authority within themselves. Charters divest authority from a person. This is why the Magna Carta was called a charter and not a constitution.

Historically speaking, the Magna Carta, Latin for the “Great Charter” was the document signed by England’s King John, which placed him and other nobles under the rule of law. And while historians understand that the document was signed under duress, as King John was facing rebellion by many powerful barons, its effect was the same: it reined in the monarch’s absolute authority.

While the contents of each type of document are very similar, each can vary wildly in length—the United States Constitution is the shortest in the world, with seven articles and over 4,500 words, while the longest is India, with 444 articles, and over 146,000 words. So what you put into it is up to you. But generally, you’ll find the structure of government, the systems of voting, the function of the economy, the military, and rules that allow the creation of rules outside of your charter.

Why all these rules? Because everything has to have some authority in order to exist. It’s easy with an absolute monarchy: the monarch signs an edict, and it becomes law. But when you have a larger, more organized, and more complicated system of government, all power must stem from some other source of power, ultimately leading back to your charter or constitution.

So what do you think would make good additions to a charter? Or what would you like to see in your kingdom? What are your thoughts?