Principality of Cespar

County of Kasuf

County of Malja

County of Zula

2E 390 (Principality of Cespar)

The **Principality of Cespar** is a Breton realm with dominion over the island of Cespar in the Abecean Sea.

## **History**

**1E 2868 — Cespar is conquered by Guerin Corseul *(665 years ago)*.**

* Corseul claims the city of Cespar and declares himself *Duke of Cespar.*
* Corseul's lieutenants claim fiefdoms throughout the island, establishing five lordships in vassalage to the new duke.

**1E 2919 — Cespar is recognised as a kingdom *(614 years ago).***

* Duke Guerin II, grandson of the first duke, weds the King of Daggerfall's daughter and is recognised as a king.

**2E 4 — The Order of the Chalice is founded *(609 years ago)*.**

**2E 390 — The Regicide *(224 years ago)*.**

## **Government**

The conquering Bretons in the twenty-eighth century of the First Era imported the governmental customs of High Rock - namely feudalism - to Cespar.

### **Feudalism**

Feudalism is a hierarchical structure defined by reciprocal obligations between lords and vassals, whereby land is held in exchange for service or labour.

#### **Prince of Cespar**

In Cespar, the Prince is the paramount liege lord. The Prince possesses diluted powers and prerogatives wielded by his royal predecessors. Whereas the erstwhile Kings of Cespar ruled by hereditary right (an almost universal custom in High Rock), each Prince is elected by and from the five counts. On the death of a Prince the five counts convene in the Hazim Palace to elect his successor, who rules for life.

The Prince is owed fealty and service from the four counts (himself being the fifth). He is also due the loyalty of the Hazim Guard and the Knights of the Chalice. From the Hazim Palace, the Prince rules the capital city of Cespar (and the surrounding demesne) directly - deriving a bountiful income from taxation and tariffs.

Unlike the Corseul kings of old, a Prince seldom interferes in the affairs of the island's fiefdoms - permitting the counts a significant degree of autonomy. The count are, however, expected to render service to the Prince when called upon (namely in times of war). To ensure the loyalty and obedience of the counts, Princes are entitled to the wardship of a count's heir apparent from the age of seven. These wards are accorded places of honour in the Prince's household - serving as pages and squires - whilst receiving an education in the illustrious palace school. Obedience to the Prince is encouraged, as well as fellowship between future count.

#### **Counts of Cespar**

The five counties of Cespar were carved out by the lieutenants of Guerin the Conqueror. Originally held in fealty to the Kings of Cespar, these fiefdoms are now vassals (at least nominally) of the Prince of Cespar. The successors of the original conquerors rule by hereditary right, in a male preference primogeniture succession (whereby a daughter may only inherit if she lacks legitimate male brothers).

The count of Cespar generally enjoy minimal interference from the reigning Prince. Beside fulfilling their feudal obligations to the Prince, the counts are at liberty to govern their fiefdoms as they please; the administration of justice and collection of taxes being their principal prerogatives.

One of the counts' most important functions is the election of the Prince. On the death of a Prince, the counts convene in the Hazim Palace to select his successor; three votes are required to secure election (assuming that a count votes for himself, he only needs to solicit two additional votes).

## **Diplomacy**

The principality is, quite uniquely, one of the few Breton states not afflicted by the land disputes which plague High Rock; its sovereignty over the island of Cespar is absolute and uncontested. It is also immensely wealthy (the port of Cespar being one of the busiest trade hubs on the Abecean Sea) and boasts a powerful navy.

These attributes are invariably advertised by the principality's diplomats throughout the west. As such, Cespar is regarded as an attractive diplomatic partner. The Kings and Princes of Cespar have traditionally presented themselves as arbiters and peacemakers in High Rock's incessant warfare - their mediator status substantiated by the island's distance from the mainland. Cespar has, however, actively participated in numerous wars throughout its history.

Despite its wealth and naval strength, Cespar's elective succession has impaired its ability to secure marriage pacts (the cornerstone of any enduring alliance) with the great lords and kings of High Rock. *"Today my daughter is wed to the son of a grand prince,"* one such monarch explained, *"and on the morrow she is a poor count's wife."*