Laws of Avalon

## Key Customs and Common Laws in the Kingdom of Avalon

All realms within the Kingdom of Avalon are subject to the common laws established by the Crown. However, lords are permitted to have their own set of legal codes so long as they do not contradict the common laws of Avalon, and do not disturb the King's peace. The following is a list of some of today's most prevalent key customs and laws:

* Authority runs from the king, who is believed to be empowered by the Lady of Swanford, and serves as the Temporal Representative of the Lady on the mortal plane.
* Nobility have more rights and responsibilities than the smallfolk. Nobility are born into their status.
* Higher ranked individuals have more rights and powers than those of lower status.
* Men and women have equal rights under the law, however, social pressures still exist and sexism is not unheard of.
* The children of nobility inherit the same rights as their parents, unless they are born out of wedlock.
* Inheritance law is a key issue among the nobility, and follows one general rule: first-borns, regardless of sex, are the legitimate heirs and inherit everything. If the heir is dead, their offspring are next in line. If a line ends (there are no living offspring for that person), go up one generation and apply the rule to the next living heir.
* Bastards (natural sons and daughters) may be acknowledged by their parents, and they may even be given rights of inheritance in unusual situations, but normally they lose out to legitimate siblings in all cases.
* The lord of a region is the chief authority and can administer the king’s justice. It is a lord’s duty to keep the peace, hear petitions, and mete out justice and punishments, all in the name of his lord and, ultimately, in the name of the king.
* Lords have the right of “pit and gallows,” which means they have the king’s authority to imprison subjects or have them executed if the crime warrants it.
* Landed knights may also carry out justice, but they do not have the right of “pit and gallows.” They cannot, therefore, execute someone or imprison someone on their own initiative
* The king can pardon any criminal.
* A lord who is accused of a crime may request a trial by combat (of which there are several variations over the ages) or trial by lord, in which several other lords listen to the facts and pronounce judgment upon him.
* No one can be forced to marry if they refuse to say the vows, though familial pressures, and even threats of force, are not unheard of.
* Marriage contracts can be broken, especially if the marriage has not been consummated.
* Bastards, or natural children, are often looked down upon with suspicion and distrust. Born of “lust and lies,” a common belief is that they will grow up to do no good.

## Succession of the Avalonian Crown

The succession of the throne of Avalon traces back to the days of Sir Brigham, the first Knight, who passed the enchanted blade Cygnus to Sir Alfred Valdwyn. Sir Alfred founded the Kingdom of Avalon and was crowned King Alfred the First.

When the monarch dies, the body is transported to Swanford where it is buried in the Cemetery of Kings. The royal crown is returned to the Lady's lake and Cygnus is given to House Aldon, the ancestral caretakers of the holy blade. During the coronation ceremony, the Lady of Swanford personally crowns the next king of Avalon, while the Lord of House Aldon grants Cygnus to the newly anointed ruler.