A Crusader with System in the Middle Ages

”Finally, regarding the Charter of the Kingdom. The Charter will serve as the supreme law of the Kingdom, and no local law may run contrary to it.

It is intended to protect the inherent privileges of the nobility, as well as the protection and justice that the subjects of the Kingdom ought to receive from the King. Therefore, it shall be of long-standing effect, rooted in ancient traditions and customs.

Allow me to propose the following articles:

The Charter shall not be altered by the King’s will alone. If an amendment is required, a meeting of the Royal Court must be convened for a collective referendum by the lords spiritual and temporal.

Article One: In all future successions to the throne, the Normandy Duchy and all continental territories shall be inherited by the King’s eldest son, along with the England Kingdom. This article shall be upheld by the collective members of the Royal Court.

Article Two: When levying a national war tax or any surtax, the King must convene the Royal Court for collective deliberation.

Article Three: Unless in accordance with the law of the land, through the lawful judgment of his peers, no free man or nobleman shall be arrested, imprisoned, stripped of his property, exiled, or destroyed in any way.

Article Four: To no one shall right or justice be sold, nor shall it be denied or delayed.

Article Five: Every free man and serf of the Royal Domain shall enjoy the principle of presumption of innocence. Until formally convicted of a crime, any accused person shall be presumed innocent.

Article Six: The King shall not compel, nor permit anyone including himself to compel, any widow or heiress to marry against her will and without the consent of her heirs and kin. Nor shall he seize, or permit anyone to seize, her dowry or any part thereof.

Article Seven: The freedom of the Church shall be protected by the King; it shall enjoy its rights in their entirety and its liberties inviolate.

Therefore, upon the death of an Archbishop, Bishop, or Abbot, Church property shall not be sold or leased, nor shall anything be taken from the Church’s lands or its personnel, until a successor has taken up his office.

Furthermore, the King shall protect the ancient system for electing senior clergy within the English Church. High offices such as Bishop and Abbot shall be filled by election, with votes cast by the members of the diocesan assembly. The final candidate must be approved by the King and confirmed by the Pope.

The Pope shall permanently retain the right to nominate the Archbishop of Canterbury.”

The seven articles proposed by Eric were largely a reaffirmation of the traditions and customs of the Norman nobility. The few extra articles concerning the law of succession and the presumption of innocence did not affect the nobility’s own territorial laws, making the charter exceedingly moderate.

The barons had few objections. As for the sections concerning the Church, they were well within the bounds of what was acceptable—so long as there was no mention of them having to return Church lands.

However, a few barons and bishops still requested to add and amend certain articles. After a tripartite vote and with Robert’s confirmation, these were added to the Charter.

Article Eight: When any Baron, Count, or lesser lord dies, the inheritance relief paid by his heir shall be within reasonable and proper limits.

Article Nine: If for the purpose of constructing or repairing the local parish’s church, or any other building related to serving God, building materials may be procured from the stone quarries and woodlands of the nobility at a price no more than half the local market rate.

The bishops had also intended to expand the jurisdiction of the Church courts, but this was rejected by the barons.

The townsfolk, for their part, demanded freer trade and the removal of customs barriers. The barons partially consented, indicating that some could be removed, but only a very few.

However, the townsfolk’s demand to reopen the Channel was passed. Although it was not added to the Charter, Robert said he would give them a formal written document.

”By the grace of God, we have successfully completed all items on the agenda for this council. However, before I formally close this meeting of the Royal Court, I must ask again, as is custom: My vassals, are there any further motions to be proposed?” Robert said from his high seat.

The benches of the nobility and the Church remained silent. However, just as Robert prepared to conclude the meeting...

A representative for the townsfolk stood up from his seat. ”His Majesty the King, on behalf of the common folk, I’d like to ask... is there still a free banquet tonight?”

”That was the very question I was hoping for. But rather than asking me, you should ask the Earl of Gloucester. In fact, my cousin Arno and I have made elaborate arrangements for the banquet’s festivities... however, the final say belongs to our host here, Gloucester.”

Robert glanced at Eric, then left the council hall with a smile, leaving the space to his vassals.

The barons nearby also turned their gazes to Eric.

”Hey, we’ve got to get something out of this!”

”That’s right! Gloucester is a wealthy domain!”

”Come on, Gloucester, be generous! Don’t embarrass yourself.”

”It should be ready by now. At my castle. For those of you without a horse, it’s a ten-minute walk.” Eric stood up, somewhat helplessly, and announced to the crowd.

The Royal Court meeting promptly broke up in a hubbub.

As Eric walked out of the council hall, a figure appeared at his side.

It was William Rufus.

”Sometimes I can’t help but marvel at how generous my foolish brother is. He seems capable of forgiving anyone—even me. And who am I? The Earl of York. Hmm... that name has a nice ring to it,” Rufus chuckled, then turned to Eric. ”But in all seriousness, when I heard in Rouen that he was going to grant me a title, I thought he was going to give me his throne.”

”You should tell that joke to his face,” Eric said as he walked toward his horse. ”I’m sure you’ll get a crown, alright—in heaven, perhaps. You should thank him for sparing your life. The humiliation and defeat you suffered won’t be washed clean by a single jest of yours.