The Constitution of Teutonia
Please find below, in accordance with a directive issued by The Senate, the Constitution of our beloved nation of Teutonia.
Read, learn, and obey!
The Constitution
All creatures are created equal, and are considered such in the eyes of the First, their King and their Law. The Physical embodiment of the Law, and the presence of the First within the people is the King, and as such, he is the Law.
Other than the King, all creatures are considered on equal terms, regardless of race or rank. Citizenship of Teutonia also confers equal guilt upon all, regardless of race or rank, where any transgression or crime, Constitutional or Lawful, is suspected.
Their religious beliefs are also protected and honoured by the First, their King and their Law provided they do not conflict with the word of the Law.
Freedom of thought and the written word is granted to all in the eyes of the First, their King and their Law.
The freedom to travel within the influence of the First unhindered, and claim only the hospitality that can be comfortably afforded, is the right of all.
1st Amendment
Sentient Creatures Act (Constitutional) 83, King Heinrich.Though all creatures are created equal according to the Constitution, only those of a sentient nature are to be henceforth subject to the will and word of the Law.
2nd Amendment
Licensed Undead Act (Constitutional) 267, King Gottfreid.Those Undead resulting from the Dominance of Mortis over Syth within the Cycle are to be considered Unlicensed, and may be exterminated where-so-ever they are being considered a pestilence.
Those Undead raised by Necromantic means for the serving of the population, are to be Licenced with the nearest city authority, on an individual basis, and instructed to cease and desist all activities to produce their licence when so ordered. Any Necromantically raised Undead that remain unlicensed, or fail to produce said licence when ordered may be exterminated, if their presence is to be considered a pestilence, with no consequences to the exterminator.
Any extermination of Licensed Undead by any means, provided verification of licencing has been established, is considered to be an act of property destruction, and financial reparation must be made, by the perpetrator to the Licencee.
Any act perpetrated by Licensed Undead, if in conflict with either the Law, or basic Constitutional Rights, will be deemed an act perpetrated by the Licence holder, for which they will be held accountable. Acts perpetrated by Unlicenced Undead raised by Necromantic means will be deemed as perpetrated by the Necromancer responsible for the initial raising, and held so accountable. Acts however, perpetrated by Undead raised as a result of the natural cycle of the First, are to be considered, in all ways, an act of god.
Amended in 638 by King Dietmer to remove the requirement for verification of licensing to be established regarding the act of property destruction. Henceforth, any extermination of Licensed Undead will required financial reparation regardless. It is the exterminators responsibility to establish whether an Undead is licenced or not. However, if a licence cannot be, or is not, produced, no financial reparation may be demanded.
Amended in 1107 by King Kainom to outlaw necromancy within the Teutonian Empire, for the purpose of creating new undead.
3rd Amendment
Amnesty Act (Constitutional) 341, King Gretchen.Within a Formal Alliance, citizens of the allied nations are to be considered under the protection of the First, their King, Constitution and their Law. However, when informal alliances are struck on the field of battle, they are to be honoured as a Formal Alliance until the following sunrise.
4th Amendment
Defence Act (Constitutional) 497, King Heinrich III.The Accused of any crime under Teutonian Law has the right to a Trial, to defend themselves at said Trial, or have a single defence council provided for them by the King for said Trial.
At the aforementioned Trial, they will stand before three of Nobility (subject to the Amnesty Act (C) of 341) appointed by the King.
Trial and Sentencing must be carried out within a single day, with execution of sentence being immediate upon completion of the Trial.
Amended in 532 by King Annastasia with regard to the crime of Treason. Whereby all Trials of this nature must be heard by the King in addition to three of the Nobility. In all cases, the King is given the casting vote and the right of setting sentence.
Amended in 576 by King Heinrich IV to allow for the Right of Appeal. The Accused may choose, to forgo the standard Trial by Nobility to include having their case heard by the King.
Amended in 638 by King Dietrich to allow for the inclusion of the Right of Ultimate Appeal, constituting of Trial by Single Combat, to be personally undertaken against the King.
Amended in 743 by King Dieter II with regard to the conclusion of a Trial being an Acquittal. If such a conclusion is reached, whether by Trial by Nobility, or Trial by Throne and Nobility, the Accused may never be tried for the same single crime again.
Amended in 747 by King Dieter II to allow the Accused to elect a champion from within Teutonia, or of her Formal Allies, to stand for them within the Right of Ultimate Appeal.
Amended in 1094 by King Nikolai to allow crimes to be both Tried and Sentenced in the absence of the Accused. In such an instance, one of Nobility is to be charged with the gathering of evidence, and presenting a case for the defence in the absence of the Accused. They will be given a period of up to one month to compile their case. If, within this time period, the Accused shall present themselves, or be presented, for Trial, said Trial shall be conducted immediately. However, if a Trial is conducted in the absence of the Accused, they forgo all Rights of Appeal, though not the Right of Ultimate Appeal.
Note, this is the only ruling made by the Cobra Usurper, Nikolai Pregorin which was not repealed on his expulsion. All other amendments, Constitutional or Lawful, have been repealed and stuck from the record.
Amended in 1106 by Lord Protector Duke Kainom following the abolishment of the citizenship status of Nobility to allow any member of the Teutonian Council as defined by the rules of government to stand in the place of Nobility.
Amended in 1107 by King Kainom, following his coronation, to repeal the above amendment to abolish the citizenship status of Nobility
Amended in 1109 by King Hapsburg: repealing the amendment of King Dietrich 638 “The Right of Ultimate Appear” constituting of Trial by Single Combat, to be personally undertaken against the King
Amended in 1109 by King Hapsburg repealing the Amendment of King Heinrich IV in 576 to allow for the Right of Appeal. The Accused may choose, to forgo the standard Trial by Nobility to include having their case heard by the King.
Amended in 1109 by King Hapsburg to redefine the Trial by Nobility, where the defendant will stand before three Princes of Teutonian, as a Crown Court.
5th Amendment
The Royal Succcession (Constitutional) 1109, King Frederick von HapsburgWhere the Succession to the kingship remains unclear the Prince Electors of Teutonia will gather to form an electoral council and decide the King-elect.
The electoral council must comprise a least three quarters of the Prince Electors of Teutonia.
The electoral council must come to their decision by a clear majority.
The King-elect must appeal before the gods of Teutonia for approval before their coronation.
