Laws of the Kingdom of Lochac

1. Definitions

   1. Royalty

      
      

      1. The Crown

         
         Crown means the King and Queen of Lochac, acting together.

      2. Sovereign

         
         Sovereign means the winner of the Crown Tournament and who has been crowned with the title of King or Queen.

      3. Consort

         
         Consort means the person who was fought for in the Crown Tournament and who has been crowned with the title of King or Queen.

      4. Regent

         
         Regent means the person who administers the affairs of the Kingdom if the Crown is unable to reign.

      5. Crown Prince and Crown Princess

         
         Crown Prince and Crown Princess means the winner of the most recent Crown Tournament and the winner's consort.

   2. SCA Definitions

      
      

      1. Laws

         
         Law or Laws used without qualifiers means the Law or Laws of the Kingdom of Lochac.

      2. Mail

         
         Unless specifically stated otherwise the term mail includes email and postal mail.

      3. Official Event

         
         An official event is an SCA event as defined in the governing documents of the SCA.

      4. Pegasus

         
         PEGASUS is the official newsletter covering Australia.

      5. SCA

         
         SCA means the Society for Creative Anachronism, Incorporated in South Australia

      6. Seneschal

         
         Unless specifically stated otherwise references to the Seneschal refer to the Lochac Kingdom Seneschal.

      7. Subscribing Member

         
         A Subscribing Member is a member of the SCA who receives the official newsletter of the SCA.

      8. Registrar

         
         Unless specifically stated otherwise references to the Registrar refer to the registrar of the Society for Creative Anachronism, Incorporated in South Australia)

2. The Law

   1. Precedence of the Law

      
      The order of Precedence of the Law shall be as defined in the governing documents of the SCA.

   2. Source of the Law

      
      

      1. Word of the Crown

         
         The word of the Crown is Law, subject to the governing documents of the SCA and the modern laws of jurisdictions in which the kingdom is situated.

      2. Proclamations

         
         Proclamations of the Crown come into effect from the moment they are spoken, and are binding on all subjects of the Kingdom with knowledge of the terms of the proclamation to the extent of that knowledge, during the reign of the Crown who made the proclamation. However, they do not change or rescind existing laws unless proclaimed and published as provided below.

   3. Changes to the Law

      
      

      1. Proposed Laws

         
         Proposed laws are any changes or additions proposed for these Laws. The Crown must present all proposed laws to the Seneschal. The Seneschal is required to provide advice to the Crown within 60 days of receiving the proposed law. Once the Seneschal has provided advice to the Crown on the proposed law or the 60 days has expired, the Crown may act to proclaim and publish the law change.

      2. Proclamation and Publication of Law Changes

         
         Changes to these Laws shall be proclaimed by the Crown at an official event and published in Pegasus. All changes must be presented as changes, additions or deletions to specific articles or sections.

   4. Publication

      
      The Laws shall be published once each year in the July edition of Pegasus. Any changes since the last publication of the Laws shall be specifically mentioned and all amendments not incorporated therein are rescinded. The Seneschal shall be responsible for providing Pegasus with the current Laws.

   5. Combat

      
      The laws concerning combat in Lochac are as defined in the governing documents of the SCA; and in the Conventions of Combat, the War Rules (including Archery Rules), and the Rapier Rules of the Kingdom of Lochac, as maintained by the Earl Marshal.

3. The Crown

   1. Eligibility for the Crown Tournament

      
      All authorised fighters resident in the Kingdom of Lochac have the right to compete in the Crown List, provided they are in compliance with the Rules of the List, the Laws of the Kingdom, the governing documents of the SCA and have not been excluded by the Crown for reasons it deems valid. Each fighter must have a consort who is also resident in Lochac, and who is subject to the above conditions. At least one of each fighter and consort shall be aged eighteen years or above. All fighters and their consorts must be acceptable to the Crown.

      1. Requirements for Entry

         
         Each fighter entering the Crown Tournament, and his or her consort must be current members of the SCA, at least one of which must be at least a subscribing member. Membership must be maintained by the winner and his or her consort throughout their tenure as Crown Prince and Princess and Crown.

      2. Membership Requirements

         
         In order to qualify as a current member, fighters and consorts must be listed in the Registrar's data base as a current member on the first day of the month in which the Crown Tournament is held.

      3. Fealty

         
         On entering the Crown Tournament, a fighter and his or her consort shall swear that should they win, they will attend their Coronation, the following Crown Tournament and the Coronation of their successors, and that they are willing and able to swear fealty to Lochac for the duration of their reign.

      4. Intent to Reign

         
         No one shall compete for the Crown of Lochac without intending to reign should he or she win.

      5. Successive Reigns

         
         The Crown of Lochac may not succeed themselves as either Sovereign or Consort of Lochac.

   2. Succession

      
      

      1. Failure to Attend Coronation

         
         Should the Crown Prince and/or Princess, through no fault of their own, be unable to attend their Coronation, such steps as are necessary and acceptable to them and to the Crown shall be taken, that they may be Crowned.

      2. Sovereign or Consort Unable to Reign by Cause of Illness or Death

         
         If the Crown Prince or Princess become seriously ill or die between the time of the Crown Tournament and their investiture as Crown, the remaining Crown Prince or Princess may reign alone, vested with the full powers of the Crown.

      3. Crown Prince and/or Princess Unwilling to Reign

         
         If the provisions of the previous subsection do not apply and the Crown Prince and/or Princess are unable or unwilling to start their reign, a Curia Regis shall be called to make preparations for a Crown Tournament which shall be held at the beginning of the Coronation event or, if this date shall have passed, at the earliest date practicable. Entry into this Tournament shall be restricted to those fighters and consorts who were eligible to enter the previous Crown Tournament and who remain eligible, except for the victor of the previous Crown Tournament, and their consort who shall both be barred. The winner and consort of this Tournament shall be Crowned immediately.

      4. Inability to Complete Reign

         
         Should either the Sovereign or Consort become unable or unwilling to complete their reign, the other may continue to reign alone and shall contain all the power of the Crown.

      5. The Regent

         
         Should the Crown become unable or unwilling to complete their reign, the Champion of Lochac shall be Regent, and shall have all the powers of the Crown with the exception that the Regent may not change the Laws or give out awards.  The Regent may not fight or be fought for in the Crown Lists.

      6. Duties of the Regent

         
         If the Crown has abdicated without heirs, the Regent shall crown the winner and consort of the next Crown Tournament as King and Queen immediately. If the Crown fails to complete their reign after Their heirs have been chosen, the Regent shall crown the Crown Price and Princess at the next scheduled Coronation event.

   3. Selecting The Crown

      
      

      1. Conduct of Combat

         
         The conduct of combat, Rules of the Lists, requirements of arms and armour, and rules concerning the use of horses shall be governed by the Conventions of Combat of the Kingdom of Lochac.

      2. Tournament Form

         
         The Crown shall choose the tournament form by which their successors shall be chosen.

      3. Standard List

         
         The standard list for Lochac Crown tournaments is a double elimination list conducted in accordance with the guidelines given in the Kingdom Conventions of Combat.

      4. Entry in Crown lists

         
         Candidates for the Crown must be eligible as defined in Article III Section 1.

      5. Opponents

         
         Each fighter by entering in the Crown Lists, declares willingness to fight all opponents in the Lists.

      6. Crown Prince and Princess

         
         The winner of the Crown Tournament, and his or her consort, shall bear the titles of Crown Prince and Princess of Lochac.

      7. Champion of Lochac

         
         The fighter who is runner up in the Crown Tournament shall bear the title of Champion of Lochac for the duration of the reign of the winner of this Tournament.

   4. Coronation

      
      

      1. King and Queen

         
         At their Coronation, the Crown Prince and Princess of Lochac shall assume the titles of King and Queen as appropriate to their gender and shall be vested with the full powers of the Crown.

4. Officers

   1. Kingdom Officers

      
      
      1. There shall be eight Great Officers in Lochac. They shall be the Seneschal, the Crux Australis Herald, the Earl Marshal, the Minister of Arts and Sciences, the Chancellor of the Exchequer, the Chronicler, the Chirurgeon and the Constable.
      2. There shall be nine Lesser Officers in Lochac. They shall be the Keeper of the Lists, the Hospitaller, the Provost of the College of Scribes, the Archery Marshal, the Rapier Marshal, the Heavy Marshal, the Equestrian Marshal, the Keeper of Regalia, and the Historian.
      3. The normal term of office for a Kingdom officer shall be two years. This term shall only be extended in exceptional circumstances. No Officer may serve for more than four years consecutively.

   2. Responsibilities

      
      The Greater and Lesser Officers are responsible to the Crown for carrying out the Laws and administering the affairs of Lochac. They owe allegiance to the Crown in the performance of their offices. In addition to the specific duties defined hereunder, each Officer shall carry out such other duties as are appropriate to the Office, or as are directed by the Crown.
      As part of their responsibility to the administration of the Kingdom, the Greater and Lesser Officers shall seek approval of both the Crown and the Kingdom Seneschal for any changes to the governing documents or written policies of their office.

   3. Reporting

      
      

      1. Written Reports

         
         There Shall be four Written Reports per year  to be submitted.
         At least three weeks prior to each Coronation and mid reign each Great and Lesser Officer shall give a written report on the state of their Office to the Crown, to the Crown Prince and Princess of Lochac and to the Seneschal. Failure to so report without appropriate explanation is grounds for the Crown to suspend that Officer for that reign, or to remove that Officer from office.

      2. Rosters

         
         Each Great and Lesser Officer shall submit a roster of local officers and their deputies to the Crown for their signature, at least three weeks prior to each Coronation. Failure to so submit without appropriate explanation is grounds for the Crown to suspend that Officer for that reign, or to remove that officer from Office.

      3. Financial Reports

         
         Each Great and Lesser Officer in Australia shall, by the 31st of July each year, provide a financial report to the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Deputy for Australia, for the previous Australian financial year.
         
         Each Great and Lesser Officer in New Zealand shall, by the 30th of April each year, provide a financial report to the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Deputy for New Zealand, for the previous New Zealand financial year.
         
         Failure to so report without appropriate explanation is grounds for the Crown to suspend that Officer for that reign, or to remove that officer from Office. At the time a new Kingdom Officer is appointed, the outgoing Officer shall prepare a financial report for that Office. Both the outgoing and incoming Officers are to sign that report and a copy is to be sent to the Exchequer.

   4. Appointment of Officers

      
      

      1. Warrants

         
         Appointment to and removal from all Offices at all levels shall be according to the procedures established for warrants or for official rosters, as provided by the governing documents of the SCA.

      2. Removal of an Officer

         
         With sufficient evidence that an Officer is not fulfilling the duties of that Office, the Crown and the Seneschal may remove and replace that officer.

      3. Suspension of an Officer

         
         An officer may be suspended by the Crown for failing to perform his or her duties, or for failing to report, as detailed under Article IV Section 3. The duties of a suspended officer shall be performed by that officer's deputy for the duration of the reign. If there is no rostered deputy then the duties of a suspended officer shall be performed by the Seneschal.

   5. Duties of Officers

      
      

      1. The Seneschal

         
         The Seneschal is the chief administrative officer of the Kingdom and shall:
         • serve as the principal mundane legal representative of the SCA within Lochac
         • receive reports from all other Great and Lesser Officers on the status of their office
         • make such reports as may be required by the Crown
         The Seneschal is ineligible to enter or be fought for in Crown Tournaments for any reign that would coincide with their term of office.

      2. The Crux Australis Herald

         
         Crux Australis Herald is the principal heraldic officer of the Crown, and the Head of the College of Heralds in Lochac, and shall be responsible for:
         • providing the Crown's voice at events
         • the registration of names and armoury
         • the maintenance of the Order of Precedence of Lochac
         • the providing of new ceremony
         • and the devising of new protocol for Lochac subject to the Crown's approval

      3. The Earl Marshal

         
         The Earl Marshal is the principal martial officer of the Crown, and the Head of the Marshallate in Lochac, and shall be responsible for:
         • Development of the new combat standards of the Kingdom as required
         • Encouraging the development of chivalry on the field
         • Maintenance, publication and enforcement of the Kingdom standards for construction and use of weapons and armour
         The Earl Marshal, in consultation with the Crown, shall appoint deputies in the areas of Rapier, Archery, Equestrian and Heavy to perform duties in respect of the Marshallate. Further deputies with specific duties may be appointed by the Earl Marshal, in consultation with the Crown. The Earl Marshal may subsume one or more of these roles into their own office should they so desire. The Earl Marshal shall be a warranted marshal in the Kingdom. In regards to all matters martial if a grievance procedure is conducted the Earl Marshal may suggest to the Crown that a Quarter Court be held

      4. The Minister of Arts and Sciences

         
         The Minister of Arts and Sciences shall be responsible for:
         • the encouragement of Period Arts and Sciences in Lochac
         • conducting the Annual Lochac Arts and Sciences Competition

      5. The Chancellor of the Exchequer

         
         The Chancellor of the Exchequer is the chief financial officer of the Kingdom, and shall be responsible for:
         • collecting, safeguarding and disbursing the monies of the Kingdom
         • maintaining the records of the assets of Lochac
         • receiving financial reports from the local groups of Lochac and from the Kingdom Officers of Lochac, at least  annually

      6. The Chronicler

         
         The Chronicler is responsible for:
         • the monthly publication and distribution of the official newsletter PEGASUS
         • for the accounting of the Corporate Stipend and other Kingdom newsletter income, reporting such income and expenditures to the Society Treasurer for Australia and the Lochac Chancellor of the Exchequer, as required by those officers

      7. The Chirurgeon

         
         The Chirurgeon is the chief first aid officer of the Kingdom, and shall be responsible for:
         • advising the Earl Marshal on health related issues
         • supervising those Chirurgeons-At-Large and water bearers who provide first aid at any event within Lochac, excepting mundane authorities

      8. The Constable

         
         The Constable is the chief security officer of the Kingdom, and shall be responsible for:
         • the maintenance of order and security amongst the people at events
         • administering lost property
         • the staffing of the site entrance at events
         • providing Constabulary related documents as are required by the SCA and filing these, as required by the SCA

      9. The Keeper of the Lists

         
         The Keeper of the Lists shall serve under the Earl Marshal and shall be responsible for:
         • the organization and co-ordination of Tournaments as directed by the Crown and in co-operation with the College of Heralds and the Marshallate
         • maintaining the records and results of combats in the whole of Lochac including target archery
         • maintaining the list and documentation pertaining to Lochac's authorised participants in armoured fighting, combat archery (and other projectile weapons) and rapier combat

      10. The Hospitaller

          
          The Hospitaller shall serve under the Seneschal and shall be responsible for:
          • welcoming newcomers at events and answering their questions
          • coordinating public and media relations and encouraging the growth and integration of the Kingdom

      11. The Provost of Scribes

          
          The Provost of the College of Scribes shall co-ordinate the production of such scrolls as may be directed by the Crown, and as may pertain to the Lochac Kingdom awards; and shall provide such other documents as the Crown may require.

      12. The Archery Marshal

          
          The Archery Marshal shall serve under the Earl Marshal and be responsible for:
          • Encouraging the development of combat standards and chivalry on the field in all actions in Lochac involving archery and other projectile weapons, in co-operation with the Marshallate
          • The maintenance and enforcement of the Kingdom Standards for construction and use of projectile weapons and projectile armour

      13. The Rapier Marshal

          
          The Rapier Marshal shall serve under the Earl Marshal and be responsible for:
          • encouraging the development of combat standards and chivalry on the field in all actions in Lochac involving rapier combat or its derivatives, in co-operation with the Marshallate
          • the maintenance and enforcement of the Kingdom of Lochac's Standards for construction and use of rapier combat weapons and armour

      14. The Equestrian Marshal

          
          The Equestrian Marshal shall serve under the Earl Marshal and be responsible for:
          • encouraging the development of combat standards and chivalry on the field in all actions involving Equestrian martial arts or it’s derivatives, in co-operation with the Marshallate
          • the maintenance and enforcement of the Kingdom Standards for Construction and use of Equestrian Martial Equipment

      15. The Heavy Combat Marshal

          
          The Heavy Combat Marshal shall serve under the Earl Marshal and be responsible for:
          • encouraging the development of combat standards and chivalry on the field in all actions in Lochac involving heavy combat or its derivatives, in co-operation with the Marshallate
          • the maintenance and enforcement of the Kingdom standards for construction and use of heavy infantry weapons and heavy infantry armour

      16. The Keeper of Regalia

          
          The Keeper of Regalia shall serve directly under the Crown and have, through the Council for Regalia, authority regarding the purchase, maintenance, storage and transport of the Kingdom Regalia. The Keeper of Regalia is charged with ensuring that the Council for Regalia meets at least once each reign.

      17. The Historian

          
          The Historian shall collect and compile materials relating to the history of Lochac, and shall compose a chronicle of this history to be available to the people of Lochac.

   6. Territorial Barons and Baronesses

      
      

      1. Appointment

         
         The Crown shall appoint as Baron and/or Baroness those individual(s) deemed most fit to represent the Royal presence in the Barony. The Crown shall give consideration to the wishes of the populace of the barony and the advice of the reigning Baron and/or Baroness before making such an appointment.

      2. Vicars

         
         In the case of an extended, but temporary, absence of the Baron/Baroness, he/she may request that the Crown appoint a Vicar to fulfil the duties of Baron/Baroness until their return.

      3. Membership

         
         Landed Barons and Baronesses must maintain sustaining or family membership for the duration of their tenure.

      4. Reporting

         
         The baronial reporting schedule will be, on the society calendar, as follows:
         

         Odd-numbered years:

         May Crown; Innilgard

         July Crown; Stormhold, St Florian de la Riviere, Southron Gaard

         November Crown; Politarchopolis

         Even-Numbered years:

         May Crown; Ynys Fawr

         July Crown; Rowany, River Haven

         November Crown; Aneala, Ildhafn

         There will be no baronial reports at Twelfth Night. The verbal reports given in Court should be brief and informative.

   7. Requirements for Holding Office

      
      

      1. Conflict of Interest

         
         No person may hold more than one kingdom Office excepting as noted under the Earl Marshal's office. No corporate officer of the SCA may hold any Kingdom Office. The Crown shall hold no other office in Lochac, or its subsidiary groups, during their reign. Offices normally held by them shall be filled by their Deputies, or such other persons as they may appoint for the duration of their reign.

      2. Kingdom Officers may not be Local Seneschals

         
         Because of the amount of work involved, no person may hold simultaneously a Kingdom Office and the office of Seneschal in a local branch of the Kingdom.

      3. Communication

         
         It shall be the responsibility and duty of each Great and Lesser Officer of the Kingdom to maintain regular contact with the local officers below them.

      4. Deputies

         
         It shall be the duty of each Great and Lesser officer, within six months of assuming office, to obtain a deputy capable of assuming their office in case of emergency.

      5. Membership

         
         All Great and Lesser Officers must be subscribing members, or family members of the SCA and shall maintain such membership while they are Officers. All local officers must be at least family or associate members of the SCA while they are officers.

5. Branches

   1. Creation of Branches

      
      The creation, advancement and management of branches within the Kingdom shall be governed by the regulations laid down in the governing documents of the SCA.

6. Awards

   1. Awards

      
      
      1. The Crown is the font of all awards. The sole power to create Patents, Grants and Award of Arms rests with the Crown.  The Crown hereby grants to the Coronet of each Principality the right to offer Awards of Arms to subjects of the Principality, and to offer a Patent of Arms with the title of Viscount or Viscountess to those who have served the Principality in the capacity of Sovereign or Consort for a full reign. The Crown specifically reserves the right to grant Patents and create Peerages for any other reason and title unto Themselves.
      2. It is the responsibility of the Crown giving Arms or other awards to ensure that the type of Arms or award, the date given, and the full name of the recipient be published within six months of the date of the Arms or award was given.
      3. The signatures of the Crown, or of any previous Crown, shall not be forged on any scroll or other document without express permission of the Crown.

   2. Royal Peerages

      
      Royal Peerages earned in the Kingdom of Lochac are accompanied by Patents of Arms. People earning such peerages shall be assumed to fulfil the basic requirements for the elevation to the Peerage.

   3. Patents of Arms

      
      All members of the Order of Chivalry, the Order of the Laurel, and the Order of the Pelican have the right to advise the Crown regarding selection of members for their Orders, and no member may be excluded from a conclave convened for that purpose.

   4. Grants of Arms

      
      
      1. The Crown may offer Grants of Arms to any individual whose substantial, unremitting, and excellent service is of great value to the Kingdom.
      2. There shall be created a Lochac Company of Archers. The members thereof shall have demonstrated high achievement and service to the Kingdom in archery. Further, they shall have demonstrated high levels of chivalry, courtesy and those aspects of courtly behaviour and accomplishment.
         1. The duties of the members of this Company shall be to promote and encourage their art within the Kingdom of Lochac. They are to advise the Earl Marshal and the Royal Archer on and do research into aspects of the art of missile weapons including, but not limited to: combat standards, tactics, marshalling, training, period research, qualification and competition.
         2. The selection of members of the Company will be at the pleasure of the Crown after consultation with the existing members of the Company.
         3. Membership in this Company shall carry a Grant of Arms. Membership in this Order shall carry a Grant of Arms, which will take precedence before simple Grants of Arms. The precedence of the Order shall be combined with that of the White Scarf of Lochac.
      3. There shall be created the Order of the White Scarf of Lochac. The members thereof shall have demonstrated high achievement and service to the Kingdom in civilian (rapier) combat. Further, they shall have demonstrated high levels of chivalry, courtesy, courtly behaviour and accomplishment as laid out in the Order's Charter.
         1. The duties of the members of this Order are to promote and encourage their art within the Kingdom of Lochac. They are to advise the Earl Marshal and the Marshall Rapier on all aspects of the art of rapier combat including, but not limited to: combat standards, tactics, marshalling, training, period research, qualification and competition.
         2. The selection of members of the Order will be at the pleasure of the Crown after consultation with the existing members of the Order.
         3. Membership in this Order shall carry a Grant of Arms, which will take precedence before simple Grants of Arms. The precedence of the Order shall be combined with that of the Lochac Company of Archers.
         4. All other matters shall be defined in the governing constitution of the Order, as maintained by the Principal of the Order.

   5. Court Baronies

      
      
      1. The title of Court Baron and/or Court Baroness may be offered to those the Crown wishes to honour. This title carries with it an Award of Arms, and those entitled shall stand in precedence between holders of Grants of Arms and Orders of Achievement
      2. Upon retiring from their office a territorial Baron or Baroness may be offered the title of Court Baron or Baroness, at the discretion of the Crown.

   6. Orders of Achievement

      
      
      1. The Order of the Golden Tear may be offered to those the Crown finds deserving of honour for substantial and unobtrusive service to the Kingdom.
      2. The Order of the Lily may be offered to those the Crown finds deserving of honour, for achievement in the arts and sciences.
      3. Membership in these Orders will carry with it an Award of Arms, and members shall stand in precedence between holders of Grants of Arms and holders of Awards of Arms.
      4. The Coronet, with the permission of the Crown, shall offer Orders of Achievement to those residing within its Principality it finds deserving of honour. The Crown shall declare whether or not It intends to grant this permission at the commencement of each reign.

   7. Non-Armigerous Orders

      
      In addition to the armigerous Orders, the Crown may create orders that do not in themselves convey the right to bear arms.
      1. The Lochac Order of Grace, may only be awarded once per reign to that person the Queen regards as having displayed exceptional courtesy.
      2. The Order of the Rowan is given to those who have displayed exceptional and consistent grace and courtesy to all.
      3. The Order of the Shining Helm is given to those combatants who consistently present a good looking and period appearance on the field.
      4. The Order of the Southern Cross may be given to those who have performed service to the Kingdom, but who are not citizens of Lochac
      5. The Prix Jongleur may be bestowed on those who by way of performance consistently entertain the populace of the Kingdom.
      6. The Order of the Hasta Belli (Spear of War) may be offered to those the Crown finds deserving of honour, for achievement in the field of Heavy fighting.
      7. The Order of the Nock may be offered to those the Crown finds deserving of honour, for achievement in the field of archery.
         The award is presented on a red ribbon to indicate achievement in the area of target archery, and on a green ribbon to indicate achievement in the area of missile combat.
      8. The Crown may create and award Royal Cyphers to those people who have been thoughtful and helpful to the Crown during their reign.

   8. Principality/ Baronial Awards

      
      
      1. The Coronet of each Principality has the right to establish non-armigerous orders and awards to be recognized solely within the borders their Principality.
      2. The Landed Baron and/or Baroness of each Barony have the right to establish non-armigerous orders and awards to be recognized solely within the borders of their Barony.

   9. Immigrant Arms

      
      The Kingdom of Lochac recognizes the Arms and Orders awarded by other Kingdoms of our Society. Armigers moving to Lochac will be placed on the Lochac Order of Precedence as though they had received the equivalent Lochac awards.

7. Finances

   1. Financial Policy

      
      The Financial Policy of the SCA shall apply to the Kingdom of Lochac and to all groups within the Kingdom.

   2. Financial Reporting

      
      

      1. Groups reporting to the Lochac Exchequer

         
         
         • Each and every Australian group shall report annually to the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Deputy for Australia, by 31st July, on the monies and properties they held for their group or the SCA during the previous Australian financial year. Failure to so report without appropriate explanation is ground for the Chancellor to suspend the responsible officer in that group. Failure to so report within a further month without appropriate explanation is ground for the Chancellor to request the Crown to place the group in abeyance.
         • Each and every New Zealand group shall report annually to the Chancellor of the Exchequer's Deputy for New Zealand, by 30th of April, on the monies and properties they held for their group or the SCA during the previous Australian financial year. Failure to so report without appropriate explanation is ground for the Chancellor to suspend the responsible officer in that group. Failure to so report within a further month without appropriate explanation is ground for the Chancellor to request the Crown to place the group in abeyance.

      2. The Lochac Exchequer

         
         The Lochac Exchequer must report to the SCA Australia Treasurer and the Crown every year by the 31st of August, on the monies and properties of Australian branches of the Kingdom of Lochac. Failure to so report without appropriate explanation is grounds for the Crown to suspend the Exchequer, or remove the Exchequer from Office.
         
         The Lochac Exchequer must report to the Crown and the Kingdom Seneschal every year by the 31st of May on the monies and properties of New Zealand branches of the Kingdom of Lochac. Failure to so report without appropriate explanation is grounds for the Crown to suspend the Exchequer, or remove the Exchequer from Office.

      3. Failure to Report

         
         Should it become apparent that the Lochac Exchequer is unable or unwilling to produce a financial report for a given financial year, then the Crown will consult with the SCA Treasurer and the Seneschal, and immediately appoint a person who is capable and willing to report on the finances of the Kingdom. This person shall perform the duties of the office of Kingdom Exchequer until a permanent replacement is found. The requirements of Article IV Section 7 may be temporarily waived by the Crown for this purpose. Should it be apparent that a group within the Kingdom is unable or unwilling to report, then this should be communicated by the Lochac Exchequer to the SCA Treasurer. The provisions of the SCA financial policy will then apply, including placing the group in abeyance for up to 1 year.

   3. Council of the Purse

      
      There shall be a Council of the Purse, consisting of the Crown (or Regent), the Seneschal, and the Chancellor of the Exchequer to determine matters of general finance and the distribution of funds during the reign. All members of the Council must agree to make a decision. The council of the purse is responsible for approving the budget for every Crown event. The heirs shall attend but not have a vote.

8. Kingdom Events

   1. Crown Events

      
      

      1. Crown Events

         
         There shall be two official Crown Tournaments and two official Coronations per year in the Kingdom. These shall be held on the first or second weekend of the following months:
         • January - Twelfth Night Coronation
         • May - May Crown Tournament
         • July - Mid Winter Coronation
         • November - November Crown Tournament
         Other events shall not be scheduled on any date where a Crown Tournament or Coronation is to be held without express permission of the Crown

      2. Event Hosting

         
         The hosting of the four official Crown Events shall be equitably distributed among the branches of Lochac as far as is possible.

      3. Bids

         
         Bids from groups wishing to host a Crown Event shall be collected by the Seneschal. The Crown shall choose between the bids at least nine months before the Crown Event, and earlier if They think advisable; but in no case shall the decision be made more than eighteen months before the proposed Event.

      4. Budget

         
         All bids for Crown Events must include a detailed budget. The proposed budget shall include a fee per person attending the event, as a contribution paid to the Kingdom Travel Fund. The amount of the fee shall be as determined from time to time by the Council of the Purse. The Council of the Purse may reject a bid entirely based on the proposed budget, however it may seek modifications to that budget in preference to rejection . Any modification to the budget must be agreed to by the Council of the Purse and the bidding group. After the budget for a Crown Event has been approved by the Council of the Purse, no changes shall be made to the budget without the approval of the Kingdom Exchequer.

      5. Finances

         
         The autocrat of each Crown Event shall submit a final financial report to the Lochac Exchequer within two months of the holding of the Event. If the report is not received in this time, the group may not hold any official events until a satisfactory report is received by the Lochac Exchequer.

      6. Profit

         
         The profit from each Crown Event shall be divided as 50% to the Kingdom and 50% to the hosting group. The autocrat of the event shall send the Lochac Exchequer a cheque for the Kingdom share of the profits within two months of the Event being held.

      7. Loss

         
         If the event makes a loss, 50% of the loss on approved budgeted items only shall be borne by the Kingdom with 50% borne by the hosting group. If the loss is as a result of expenditure outside of the approved budget, then the whole of the loss shall be borne by the hosting group.

      8. Variations

         
         The provisions of subsections "Budget" and "Loss" above may be varied in exceptional circumstances by unanimous decision of the Council of the Purse.

9. Curias and Councils

   1. Curia Regis

      
      It shall be the right and privilege of the Crown to convene and hold a Curia Regis for the purpose of hearing counsel, discussing or making pronouncements on any issue of concern to Lochac.

      1. Composition of Curia Regis

         
         The Curia Regis shall consist of the Crown who convene the Curia and preside over it, the Seneschal, any Kingdom Officers who may be involved in the subject matter of the Curia, and any other persons the Crown may desire to include at a particular meeting of the Curia.

      2. Notice of Curia

         
         Prior notice of a Curia Regis, with the time, location and subject matter, must be announced at an official event, and printed in PEGASUS or otherwise advertised throughout Lochac.

      3. Conduct of Curia

         
         Any subject of the Crown of Lochac may attend sessions of the Curia and may petition the Crown upon matters relevant and appropriate. The business of Lochac is not secret from the subjects of the Crown.

      4. Decisions of the Curia

         
         Decisions of the Curia shall be made by the Crown after hearing the advice of the Curia

   2. Council of Regalia

      
      There shall be a Council of Regalia. Its duties will be to advise the Crown as to the artistic, historical, and practical merit of proposed regalia and equipment. Further, the Council will specifically advise the Crown as to the acceptability of such items. All offers of donation, and all proposals for acquisition of Crown regalia will be handled through this Council. Any article of regalia given to the Crown without having first been approved by the Council will be deemed a personal gift to the King and/or Queen to whom it is presented. All items of regalia are considered the property of the Kingdom of Lochac and may be disposed of only with the unanimous consent of the Council.

      1. Composition

         
         Voting members of the Council shall be the Sovereign and Consort, the Keeper of Regalia, the Exchequer and a representative of the Laurel Council.
         Non-voting members shall be the Royal Heirs, and such persons the crown deems relevant to the subject matter.

      2. Council for Regalia

         
         The Council for Regalia will conduct an inventory of the Royal Regalia immediately prior to its transfer from the outgoing to the incoming Crown. A representative of both sets of Crowns should be present. The Council shall determine if the outgoing Crown shall be held fiscally responsible for loss or damage to regalia entrusted into their care. The new Crown shall acknowledge in writing the receipt of those items of Regalia coming into their possession. Other items of Regalia shall remain in the possession of the Council's representative.

10. Conduct of Persons

    1. Fealty

       
       

       1. Great Officers of State

          
          All Great Officers shall pledge fealty to the current Crown.

       2. Lesser Officers of State

          
          All Lesser Officers may pledge fealty to the current Crown.

       3. Territorial Barons/Baronesses

          
          Each territorial Baron and Baroness shall pledge fealty to the current Crown.

       4. Peers

          
          Knights shall swear fealty to the Crown.
          Masters and Mistresses of the Pelican, Laurel, At Arms and Royal Peers have the Right to Offer fealty to the Crown. If any peer is unable to do so in person, they may, if they choose, offer their fealty to the current Crown through the Baron/Baroness of the territory in which they reside as the Crown's representative. This fealty shall then be passed to the Crown by the Landed Baron/Baroness.

       5. Other Cases

          
          No subject of Lochac shall be required to pledge fealty to any branch below the level of a Principality, nor to any individual save the Crown of Lochac.

       6. Violation of Fealty

          
          No statement which suggests or advocates violation of fealty to the Kingdom shall be used, by any person, group or entity in Lochac. Fighters advocating such violations shall at once be forbidden to participate in any Society combat. Officers advocating such violations shall at once be suspended from office. If an entire branch advocates such violations, it shall be suspended. The above suspensions and restrictions shall remain until they have been considered in Curia by the Crown or Its appointed representatives, at which point the suspensions shall be lifted or confirmed. At the same occasion, other penalties may be assessed, if such is the pleasure of the Crown. Any restriction, suspensions, or other penalties assessed will be forwarded by the Crown to the Board of Directors of the Society if necessary to ensure their enforcement.
       7. Fealty shall be read as that sworn by the individual at court and as appendixed  to these Laws. Alternatives may be used with the Agreement of the Crown and shall carry the same intent.

    2. Clothing

       
       In accordance with the guidelines of the SCA, all people attending official SCA events shall be wearing an attempt at a style of pre 17th Century dress.

    3. Grievances

       
       Anyone having a dispute with, or grievance against another in Lochac shall first attempt to settle the matter as follows:

       1. First Stage

          
          The person shall hold a direct and private discussion with the other and attempt to come to a resolution.

       2. Second Stage

          
          If the matter cannot be resolved, the person shall bring the matter to the attention of the most appropriate local officer, or the Local  Seneschal if there is no appropriate local officer. If the dispute is with someone outside the local area, the dispute will be brought to the Kingdom officer. If the grievance is against a landed Baron or Baroness, the dispute will be brought directly to the Crown. The relevant officer should then attempt to arbitrate a resolution.

       3. Third Stage

          
          If the dispute cannot be settled at a local level, it should be brought to the attention of the most appropriate Kingdom Officer. The relevant officer should then attempt to arbitrate a resolution.

       4. Serious Disputes

          
          If the dispute is of such magnitude that all steps above have failed and a formal complaint is necessary, copies of such complaints shall be sent to the person being complained against, the local Seneschal, the Seneschal, and the Crown via the Seneschal. Complaints against any officer shall be directed to the officer's superior in addition to the above.
          In matters concerning the Marshallate the Crown may convene a Quarter Court to judge a matter being disputed. The Quarter Courts rulings are binding in their result and not subject to appeal within the Kingdom. The Quarter Court is composed of the Crown, Earl Marshal and a member of the Chivalry.
       5. at all stages of any grievance both parties must be given the opportunity to declare their views and be given equal hearing

Laws of the Kingdom of Lochac - http://www-personal.usyd.edu.au/~gavin/dev/laws/
Last Updated: 25/06/2003
Gui von Oberhausen (Gui@sca.org.au)