En 03d At War

Ott 2023

3d. Folksmother and Kings at War

[023/07] These are the rights of the Folksmother and the kings:

1. If war breaks out, the mother sends her messengers to the king, who sends messengers to the reeves to mobilize the militia.

2. The reeves convene all burg lords and determine how many men they should send.

3. All of their resolutions must immediately be sent to the mother with messengers and witnesses.

4. The mother has all resolutions compiled and announces the ‘golden number’, which is the median of all resolutions together. This is adopted through the consent of all the burg lords and of the king.

5. When the army is afield, the king needs to consult only his headmen, but there must always be three burg lords of the mother present, sitting in front, [024] with no vote in the matter. These burg lords must send messengers to the mother daily, so that she will know if anything is done that is in conflict with the laws or Frya’s counsels.

6. If the king wishes to do anything which his council opposes, he may not persist in it.

7. If the enemy appears unexpectedly, then the king’s orders must be obeyed.

8. If the king is not available, the one who is next in command must be obeyed, and so on in succession, according to rank.

9. If there is no headman, one must be chosen.

10. If there is no time, he who feels capable to lead shall appoint himself headman.

11. If a king has defeated a feared enemy, his descendants may use his name after their own. If he wishes, the king may choose a place on an uncultivated site for his house and yard. That yard may consist of a surrounding field so large that he can walk seven hundred steps from all sides out of his house before he reaches its boundaries. [025]

12. His youngest son may inherit this estate, and that son’s youngest after him; then the community shall take it back.

Sandbach 1876

[p.35 cont.] These are the Rights of the Mothers and the Kings.

1. If war breaks out, the mother sends her messengers to the king, who sends messengers to the Grevetmen to call the citizens to arms.

2. The Grevetmen call all the citizens together and decide how many men shall be sent. [p.37]

3. All the resolutions must immediately be sent to the mother by messengers and witnesses.

4. The mother considers all the resolutions and decides upon them, and with this the king as well as the people must be satisfied.

5. When in the field, the king consults only his superior officers, but three citizens of the mother must be present, without any voice. These citizens must send daily reports to the mother, that they may be sure nothing is done contrary to the counsels of Frya.

6. If the king wishes to do anything which his council opposes, he may not persist in it.

7. If an enemy appears unexpectedly, then the king's orders must be obeyed.

8. If the king is not present, the next to him takes command, and so on in succession according to rank.

9. If there is no leader present, one must be chosen.

10. If there is no time to choose, any one may come forward who feels himself capable of leading.

11. If a king has conquered a dangerous enemy, his successors may take his name after their own. The king may, if be wishes, choose an open piece of ground for a house and ground; the ground shall be enclosed, and may be so large that there shall be seven hundred steps to the boundary in all directions from the house.

12. His youngest son may inherit this, and that son's youngest son after him; then it shall return to the community.

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