The Tarrapskin Family
More commonly referred to as the Dukes of Morton, the Tarrapskin family is descended from Cadric, one of the sons of Tarrap Hough, and one of the so called Younger Sons who settled the lands that became the heart of the Moran Duchy (see Annals of the Duchy - Chapter 2). Initially just one of the leading families of the newly settled area bordering on the Moran Mountains, they rose to become first among equals in that group and then the undisputed rulers of the Duchy.
As their position changed, so their power grew and with the growth of the Duchy through the addition of the Tithings of Highborough, Durranby and Morsby they came to see the laws which had bound their predecessors as more a matter of general guidance - they were above the laws of the Duchy for the Duchy the laws were formulated for was but a part of their lands.
This view, naturally did not go down well with the other great families of the Duchy but as the Dukes tended to stick to the general principles of the laws, if not the letter of them or the fine detail, the disquiet never escalated to rebellion. Indeed the "flexibility" that it introduced was on more than one occasion the key to resolving disputes that would otherwise have dragged out in legalism.
On the down side of course there was the risk of abuse though this was surprisingly rare - true, members of the Tarrapskins were known to leave debts unpaid, engage in forbidden practices and trades but the family could be surprisingly harsh on its members if they were seen to be bringing dishonour on the family. More than one heir apparent to the Dukedom was exiled from the duchy for life and rumours circulated of summary execution in some instances where exile had been announced.
Formally this situation came to an end in the reforms of Cadu the Second, in 262MD but to this day the Tarrapskins, even when their links to the Dukes date back four generations, are able to get away with minor infractions that would see their neighbours penalised, and those with closer links are often able to avoid becomming members of a Pledge.
Structure
Though many people nowadays can truthfully claim descent from one of the Dukes name the priviledges that come with membership were typically limited to those descending from the Ducal grandparent of the current duke. As inheritance passed the title down the generations, it was customary for those born to membership to remain part of the close family group, though this could never be counted on - the decision of the head of the family was the key factor.
The head of the family was normally the Duke, but where the Duke was considered too young an older member of the family would take the role in the manner of a regent, leaving the Duke with the title and governmental powers. Messy, and ill defined this certainly was; a source of friction and family conflict most definitely - and in the years of the second and third centuries when the Tarrapskins held themselves to be above the law more than a few assassinations are believed to have taken place attempts to fix the position of head of the family.
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