On Fri, 2002-05-31 at 13:42, Paul MacArthur wrote:



I think the principalities played a large part in the old empire. They
served as a more direct ally for the Roele line with immediate relatives
overseeing vast domains for the emperor. So with the emperor (according to
your initiative idea) having such a large initiative and large landed
princes with dukes under him Cerilia could be in the grasp of such a
dynasty. Of course efficiency is the topic thus an emperor carefully
designs each vassals domain in accordance to his abilities of rule (bld str)
allowing the Emperor and his standing army to get the initiative on any
would be traitors.

The princes probably did play a large part. Just how the principalities
were organized is however a matter of conjecture. In English peerage for
example, a Baron is the principal holder of land. A Duke is the highest
title you could hold however this doesn`t entitle you to any land at
all.
e.g. Prince Charles is a prince of the realm by virtue of birth, he`s
also Prince of Wales which doesn`t help with land either. His next title
is Duke of Cornwall and Duke of Rothesay. Then Earl of Carrick, which
is the position of chief royal representative to that county(shire).
Finally, he`s Baron Renfrew - now he gets land. So a title may give you
great authority and standing without entitling the holder to a great
domain. (p.s. Charles is also Lord of the Isles and Great Steward of
Scotland - which are Scottish titles)


On another note, Avanil was a principality, not sure if a prince ruled it or
if the emperor himself did. Vague is the history of this empire and its
structure.

Was it a principality or was it a duchy with a prince as its regent ? A
prince need not always rule a principality. Assuming that it (the title)
has something to do with Avan`s heritage - somehow he was a member of
the Imperial family, it doesn`t appear that this meant the Avan`s were
in line for the Iron Throne.

If it wasn`t immediately apparent (and I rather think that it was - the
Gorgon wouldn`t have kept quiet) that the last Roele was dead, why
wasn`t the Avan claim to the throne upheld ? Why was there no clear line
of succession ? It would certainly have been in the best interests of
the empire to have chosen *someone*. The conclusion that I draw from
this is that there wasn`t *any* suitable candidates. i.e. Both Avan and
Boeruine were disqualified in some way - and they continue to be so,
many generations later.

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