Canon of Obligations

The Canon of Obligations (: Canon de Obligaciones), sometimes called simply the Canon, is the third component of Ventora's, the Fundamental Law of Ventora. It was issued in 1282 by Queen Emiliana and spelled out certain obligations for the monarch as well as for the nobility. Over time it has been amended to expand its coverage so that today it serves as the country's basic document of rights.

Background
In 1274, Siquaerom ascended to the throne. He was a man given to excessive feasting. To support this, he began levying arbitrary taxes and increased the duties payable by the nobility. His lifestyle also led to him not paying proper attention to running the kingdom, leaving the affairs of state to either manage themselves or be carried, without official sanction or proper resources, by ambitious nobles who took advantage of the situation. This led to an increase in lawlessness, particularly in the Kanakan regions of the northern duchies. To counter this, the dukes established their own courts and meted out justice as they saw fit. In an effort to dispel complaints about his lack of control over the kingdom, Siquaerom took to visiting his dukes for extended periods, ostensibly to strengthen his reign in those regions. His lifestyle, however, caused strains on the finances of his vassals and their local economies. Siquaerom died in Cumeiro, Fonteo, on February 8, 1279, having reportedly choked to death on a chicken bone.

Emiliana, Siquaerom's sister, claimed the throne after his death since he had no children of his own. Despite her more astute governance, her reign remained contentious due to the fractious conditions that resulted from her brother's rule. At least a few dukes also questioned her legitimacy as queen despite the Mandate of Sovereignty's clauses on succession to the throne. By 1281, it became clear to Emiliana she needed to unify the dukes and solidify the monarchy. With the help of Olsuam Sixia Vupo, Baron of Nielur and an astute legal scholar, she devised a document entitled the Canon of Obligations that addressed some grievances of the nobility while also confirming certain obligations they had to the crown. Although not stated explicitly, it was assumed the Canon's principles would be applied at each level of nobility.

Called for by the Canon to monitor adherence to it, the Grand Council of the Realm was instrumental in establishing the Erári, a special treasurer responsible to both the monarch and the Grand Council, to reign in corruption in the collection and handling of taxes. The Grand Council of the Realm served as the foundation for Ventora's earliest parliament. In 1299, it became the upper house, today the Grand Council of State, when the People's Assembly was formed through the first addendum to the Canon.

Later constitutional documents, especially the Precepts Concerning the Nation, have affected the interpretation and application of provisions in the original Canon and its later attachments. Similarly, throughout the centuries, dozens of decrees and laws have been promulgated to implement the requirements in the Canon.

Content
The Canon was written on made from sheepskin without division into paragraphs or numbered clauses. The numbering convention used today was developed in 1601 by Axte Tuniur Ravoxys, a noted jurist of the time.

Decretals
After a traditional opening greeting, the Canon contains 22 original clauses, called decretals since they are each a decree by the monarch. The decretals are summarized as follows:
 * 1) The sovereign shall rule fairly. Vassals and subjects shall be treated dispassionately according to their stature.
 * 2) The sovereign shall not unfairly burden vassals with unreasonable lodging and board at the expense of the vassals without just remuneration.
 * 3) Taxes and duties shall be fairly and reasonably determined. They shall be paid in a timely manner.
 * 4) Requisitions for horses, carts, timber, and weaponry may only be enforced with consent of the owner. Requisitions must be justly compensated within reasonable time.
 * 5) Noblemen and freemen shall not be arrested, imprisoned, or deprived of their rights or possessions, or usage thereof, without benefit of law and.
 * 6) Property shall pass to the heir of a deceased upon payment of the property duty. If no heir can be found, then property shall pass to the nearest living relative or to the superior if none can be found.
 * 7) Inheritance shall not relieve any lawful encumbrance.
 * 8) Restitution shall be paid to those unlawfully dispossessed of “lands, castles, liberties, or of his right.”
 * 9) Courts shall be established and administered fairly by officials knowledgeable in the law.
 * 10) Decisions of the courts shall not be for sale nor denied or impeded without due cause.
 * 11) Decisions of the courts shall allow for proper amends and shall not be arbitrary or capricious in nature nor deprive a man of his livelihood.
 * 12) Noblemen shall be equal before the law and have the right to trial before the crown or by a jury of his peers
 * 13) Noblemen shall be obliged to service in defense of the realm, for providing the castle-guard, and seeing to the maintenance of order in their domain or pay a duty in lieu of such service.
 * 14) Subjects in service shall be accorded suitable and appropriate conditions of service as may be feasible in the circumstances.
 * 15) No one shall be compelled to ascribe to a religious faith. All creeds shall be equal under the law.
 * 16) Noblemen and freemen may travel throughout the land and shall be considered according to their stature and office throughout the realm.
 * 17) Noblemen and freemen may conduct temporary travel abroad without prejudice to their allegiance except in times of war or other strife.
 * 18) Commerce and trade shall not be unfairly inhibited.
 * 19) Foreign merchants shall be granted unrestrained entry and exit of the realm, when done without malice, except during times of war or strife.
 * 20) A Grand Council of the Realm shall oversee the fulfillment of these obligations.
 * 21) The Dukes shall each have an equal vote and be bound to exercise that privilege for benefit of the realm.
 * 22) A nobleman shall have a right to resist unlawful exercises of the sovereign. He shall not be held to account for treason in doing so.

Stipulations
There is no official means for amending the Canon. Through, certain specific declarations have been considered as attachments to the Canon. Called stipulations (estipulacións) from the title in the 1299 decree, some more explicitly extended rights, first to freemen and then to all citizens. Other stipulations added rights and obligations in order to codify their recognition as significant to the people and state. Like the original clauses of the Canon, the stipulations were not originally numbered until Axte Tuniur started the practice.
 * 1) A consultative body shall be called to represent the advice of noblemen and freemen to the monarch. (1299)1. Noblemen and freemen shall be represented in accordance with their stature and enumeration.

2. All noblemen and freemen not under penalty of felony shall be entitled one vote and bear the responsibility to exercise that vote.
 * 1) Freemen shall be obliged to provide service for the defense and peace of their district or pay a duty in lieu of such service as may be agreed to. (1338)
 * 2) Freemen shall enjoy the rights, freedoms, and protections as accorded to the nobility. (1354)
 * 3) Freemen shall enjoy the privilege of determining the means of their livelihood so long as they can attain membership in their chosen chamber if such exists. (1426)
 * 4) All citizens shall equal under the law regardless of class or stature. (1649)1. Each shall enjoy all of the rights, freedoms, and protections codified in the Canon and other laws.

2. All citizens shall be proportionally represented in the People's Assembly according to a national census.

3. Each citizen shall enjoy a single vote and make every effort to cast their vote in all elections to which they are entitled.
 * 1) No person shall have his freedom of thought and expression unduly abridged. (1766)1. Acts and utterances considered treasonous shall be substantially exemplified in law to ensure such proscribed behavior is unambiguous.

2. Intentional defamation of character and honor shall be actionable as injurious and counter to good order.
 * 1) Military service shall no longer be excepted through payment of a duty. (1904)1. All citizens shall be liable to the same military service obligation regardless of class or stature.

2. Alternatives to military service may be offered according to law provided such options are equitably available to all citizens.
 * 1) Basic education shall be made available to all persons residing lawfully and beneficially. (1923)
 * 2) Good health being an integral element in a happy and fulfilling life, all citizens shall be ensured equal access to requisite and essential healthcare in a manner to be regulated by law. (1949)
 * 3) In recognition of the tenets of basic human dignity, all citizens shall be entitled to reasonable and suitable shelter as well as adequate sustenance which shall be guaranteed by appropriate law. (1978)