The Melding of Families

Seven hundred years ago, King Artemus IV realized a profound problem existed within the royal family. The problem was not unique to the House of Edgam. Many of the noble houses in Tjiramor suffered from the same ... inherent ... issue: inbreeding.
Simply put, the noble houses had tied themselves so closely together through marriage that little distinguished an Egdam from Noitalle. Every noble was another's cousin.
In addition to the rampant hemophilia and six-fingered dukes, the intermingling of noble families had led to a distinct lack of what King Artemus IV could only call pizazz. Life under his rule differed little from life under his father's or great-grandfather's, for that matter. The occasional war with a neighboring kingdom would crop up but it all felt like going through the motions.
Now, King Artemus IV was faced with sorting through various proposals for his two sons and three daughters. Which first cousin would be the next queen? He was tired of the lot.
The Royal Chamberlain Bertrand Ilvornay, himself a second cousin to the current king and a first cousin to the current queen, encouraged Artemus IV to think differently. After all, he was king; surely, Tjiramor's ruler could come up with a solution.
Ilvornay had no idea what the solution might be. In his private journal, now accessible through Annanport's Royal Library to scbolars, Ilvornay wrote that he thought the king might amuse himself with the problem for a fortnight or three and then accept some of the proposals in front of him.
Ilvornay was among those completely surprised when, after four days, Artemus IV ordered the Royal Printers to produce hundreds of copies of a new decree. Knights from the Royal Army were ordered to ride across Tjiramor spreading the news of the new order.
Fortunately, or unfortunately depending on your point of view, Artemus issued the printing and distribution orders in the middle of the night. The decree was on its way throughout the kingdom and being nailed to tavern doors by the time Ilvornay woke.
The decree nearly led to, first, a rebellion by the other noble houses; second, the assassination of Artemus IV by Artemus V; and, third, a civil war. The first was averted by Artemus IV's refusal to reconsider the decree unless someone could come up with a reason other than "it's the way things have always been." The half-born plans of the second were set aside when Artemus V's bodyguard introduced him to his half-sister. The half-sister, who became Queen Trella the Peacemaker, was well loved by the people of Tjiramor and threats of a civil war died on the vine.
The original draft of the decree now hangs behind a magical shield in the throne room. Copies can still be found posted throughout the kingdom.

ROYAL DECREE

by

HIS EMINENCE ARTEMUS IV

issued on this day

the 18th of DAGGER

in the year of 289 PD

Let it be knowne from this day hence that all Royale Issue shall not enter in Marriage with Progengy of any Royale House. These Houses today being known as Egdam, Dtharim, Gonlothe, Ilvornay, Noitalle, Pembrooke, Reimzelle, Southwick, Sutton, and Van Marlsburg.

To Thicken the Bloode of the Royale Line, all Royale Issue shall take Husbandes and Wifes from Tjiramor Citizens of the Merchant, Agriculture, Scholar, Industrie, Militarie, and Serving Professions. Property Ownership is Not a Requirement for Marriage.

Further, ALL Noble Houses shall seek to Marry Their Issue outside of Noble Houses. We decree that Even-born Issue must seek Husbandes and Wifes from Tjiramor Citizens not belonging to Noble Houses.

Children born from Royale Unions and other Unions that venture outside of Noble Houses shall be Entitled to ALL Rights of Inheritance and Opportunities as Issue from Noble House Unions.

The Royale Line may be extended by Marriage to Citizens of other Kingdoms so long as those Citizens are not of Noble Birthe. Noble Houses outside the Royale Line of Ascendancy may also Marry Their Issue outside of the Kingdom of Tjiramor with the Eminence's position.

So shall it be known. So shall it be from this day hence until Tjiramor sinks below the Seas.

Type

Decree, Royal

Medium

Paper

Signatories (Characters)

• STUB - Artemus IV