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Consititution of the Imperial House of Selvidge
Constitution of the Imperial House of Selvidge
I. Imperial House of Selvidge
Art. 1. Nature and Membership
1) The Imperial House of Selvidge is an autonomous family community established and organized at the level of the Constitution of the United States of America and the Empire of Corumburg, on the basis of the provisions of the dynastic statute hitherto in force. Its membership shall comprise members by birth or members by marriage.
2) Emperor and all descendants in the male line of Adam Wesley Selvidge, of Knoxville (1987- ), being issue of a recognized marriage, are members by birth. A female whose membership is by birth does not lose such membership on her marriage. Nonetheless children born of such a marriage do not acquire membership by birth. Only when a female whose membership is by birth is called upon to succeed to throne will her children and descendants be recognized as members of the Imperial Family.
3) The wife of the Emperor and the wives of a male Prince, are members by marriage, provided the marriage is recognized in accordance with this dynastic statute. Membership acquired through marriage is retained during widowhood. It comes to an end where such widow remarries, unless the Emperor provides otherwise on her request. The same applies on the dissolution of the marriage bond, from the date on which the relevant decision takes effect.
4) The Emperor may also decide, if the situation arises, to recognize children of a female member by birth as members of the Imperial Family.
5) In addition, membership of the House of Selvidge is based on free will. Where membership is by birth, free will is presumed unless and until membership is renounced after attainment of full age by express, written declaration notified to the Emperor. Such declaration is irrevocable and is valid only for the person making it.
Art. 2. Title of members of the House of Selvidge
1) The Emperor shall bear the title:
Emperor of Corumburg, King of Lectoria, Grand Duke of Keran, Prince of Selvidge, Duke of Kentwood.
2) The consort of the Emperor shall bear the title:
Empress of Corumburg, Queen of Lectoria, Grand Duchess of Keran, Princess of Selvidge, Duchess of Kentwood. She shall retain this title during her widowhood.
3) The eldest son of the Emperor but if he shall predecease the Emperor leaving male issue capable of succeeding to the position of the Emperor, then his eldest son - shall bear the title:
Archduke; Crown Prince Imperial and Archduke of Corumburg, Royal Crown Prince of Lectoria, Hereditary Grand Duke of Keran, Prince of Jarnigan, Prince of Selvidge, Hereditary Duke of Kentwood.
4) All other members of the House shall bear the title:
A.) Archduke; Prince Imperial and Archduke of Corumburg, Royal Prince of Lectoria, Duke of Keran, Prince of Selvidge, Count of Kentwood;
B.) Archduchess; Princess Imperial and Archduke of Corumburg, Royal Princess of Lectoria, Duchess of Keran, Princess of Selvidge, Countess of Kentwood.
5) Members of the House shall be entitled to be addressed as "Imperial and Royal Highness” and to bear the family coat of arms.
6) The Emperor/Empress well be entitled to be addressed as "Imperial Majesty" and to bear the family coat of arms.
Art. 3. Citizenship
1) All members of the House of Selvidge are United States of America citizens, and Empire of Corumburg citizens.
2) The Emperor and the next descendant in the male line entitled to succeed to the position of the Emperor may not acquire foreign citizenship. In addition, any member succeeding to the position of the Emperor must renounce any foreign citizenship acquired previously.
3) In all other cases, American citizenship and Corumburg citizenship may be renounced with or without the acquisition of foreign citizenship only if there are substantial reasons for doing so. Before such a decision is put into effect, each member of the family must seek the agreement of the Emperor, indicating the reasons for such a step. If, subsequently, there is a significant change in the relevant circumstances, the member of the family concerned may apply to the Emperor for his American citizenship and Corumburg citizenship to be restored. After which the said happens, the Emperor will make the necessary previsions with the American Government to restore American citizenship. To restore Corumburg Citizenship the Emperor will simply reenact membership.
4) Any breach of these provisions shall be the subject of disciplinary proceedings in accordance with this Constitution.
Art. 4. Register
1) The Emperor, under his responsibility, shall keep a register of members of the Imperial House.
2) In particular, the principles of American law and Corumburg law, governing legal status shall apply by analogy, insofar as they appear necessary in order to put the provisions of this Constitution into effect. The keeping of the register is also intended to enable the order of succession to the position of the Emperor, of members of the House of Selvidge be apparent at all times.
3) In order for the register to be kept properly, all members of House of Selvidge are under an obligation to inform the Emperor, without delay, of all events, which could entail an entry in the register of legal status kept by the Emperor, and to forward all relevant documentation at the same time.
4) Insofar as the keeping of the register requires the drawing up of documents, these shall be drawn up and signed (confirmed) by the Emperor.
5) The register shall be open to the family. All other persons may receive information relating to it only if they are able to show a legal interest therein and the Emperor gives his consent.
Art. 5. Adoption and extra-marital issue
1) Adoption can in no case give rise to membership of the House of Selvidge. Only in the case where the male line of the House of Selvidge is to die out may the last Emperor adopt a Hereditary Prince.
2) Where a member of the House of Selvidge nonetheless wishes to adopt a person outside the family, he must inform the Emperor thereof. The Emperor may confer another name or coat of arms and title on the person adopted, without that person having any legal right thereto. Adoption within the family shall not change the order of succession to the position of the Emperor.
3) If a member of the House of Selvidge is adopted by a person outside the family, the member and where the member is under age the guardian must seek the approval of the Emperor and state the reasons. The Emperor shall decide whether or not the member of the family is to remain part of the House of Selvidge.
4) In the case of issue born to a princess of Selvidge out of wedlock, the Emperor shall decide on their name and, where appropriate, their title and coat of arms. Where a child born out of wedlock to a prince of Selvidge is rendered legitimate by a subsequent marriage, the Emperor shall decide whether or not such legitimized child belongs to the House of Selvidge.
Art. 6. Coming of age
1) In the absence of any provision to the contrary, the coming of age of members of the House of Selvidge is governed by American law, and Corumburg law. In matters relating to the House of Selvidge male members are of full age on completion of their eighteenth year.
2) The Emperor may, where there are important reasons for doing so, for example in the case of succession to the position of the Emperor, regency or substitution, declare individual members of the House of Selvidge to be of full age even before they attain the age of majority laid down by the law. Where the Emperor is himself under age or lacking the capacity to act, this right shall pass to the other family members to make a decision.
Art. 7. Marriage
1) Where a member of the House of Selvidge has the intention to marry, he must inform the Emperor thereof and deposit with the Emperor all documents required under American law, and Corumburg law together with a written and unconditional declaration by the other party to the intended marriage that that party recognizes the binding nature of all aspects of this Constitution, for that party and all issue arising from the intended marriage. The Emperor shall examine the documents. If they are complete and the Emperor considers that all conditions for approval of the intended marriage are met, he shall declare that he consents thereto. The Emperor shall then notify all members of the House of Selvidge who are of full age thereof, at their last-known address.
2) Permission of the reigning Emperor is necessary for the marriage of every member of the Imperial and Royal House.
3) The Emperor’s decision on weather a marriage is approved or not approved is final.
4) Within one month of notification of the Emperor’s consent, any member of the House of Selvidge who is of full age may object to the intended marriage in writing. Such objection shall be admissible only insofar as it is based on the lack of capacity to enter into marriage on the part of one of the parties to the intended marriage, on the existence of any impediment to the marriage or on the ground that the marriage would be detrimental to the reputation, esteem or welfare of the House of Selvidge. The Emperor shall give a ruling on the objection, after hearing the parties to the intended marriage.
5) Without prejudice to the procedure laid down in paragraph 2, the Emperor shall inform the members of the House of Selvidge immediately of the lodging of any objection.
6) If a member of the Imperial Family marries without the consent of the Emperor, the said member automatically lose their titles, membership in the Imperial Family, and succession rights for themselves and their descendants of the said marriage.
7) After a member of the Imperial Family has married without the consent of the Emperor; the said member, his spouse, and descendants in the male line; shall be known as “His/Her Serene Highness (christian name), Prince/Princess of Selvidge”.
8) If a member of the Imperial Family marries without the consent of the Emperor, and in the future the said marriage ends in divorce or annulment, then the said former member of the Imperial Family shall regain all titles, membership in the Imperial Family, and succession rights for themselves as they did before the said marriage.
9) If no objection is lodged in respect of the Emperor ’s declaration of consent (para.1) or if the objections lodged are unsuccessful (Para. 2), the intended marriage shall be recognized for the purposes of this Constitution. The Emperor shall make the corresponding public announcement in the House of Selvidge. Recognition for the purposes of this Constitution shall cease if the wedding does not take place within one year from the date on which all essential conditions for the recognition of the marriage were met.
10) The wedding shall take place in public in the presence of the Emperor, who may send a representative in his place, and of two witnesses, decided upon by the Emperor. As part of their agreement to marry, the parties to the marriage shall, in particular, make express vows to live together in an indissoluble union, to beget and raise children and to give each other mutual support. In addition, the laws of the place where the wedding is celebrated must be complied with, insofar as they are not contrary to the American Laws and Corumburg laws of public order.
11) The procedure laid down in the preceding paras. 1to 5 shall also apply by analogy in the case where the Emperor intends to enter into marriage, with the provision that the members of the House of Selvidge shall exercise all rights and duties to be exercised by the Emperor in respect of the procedure.
Art. 8. Disciplinary measures against members of the Imperial House
1) If the conduct of a member of the House of Selvidge has an adverse effect on the reputation, esteem or welfare of the House of Selvidge or Empire of Corumburg, the Emperor shall be authorized and under a duty to take disciplinary measures.
2) In disciplinary proceedings instituted by the Emperor, the member of the family concerned shall first be given the opportunity to give his views, in writing, of the charges against him. Then, where necessary, the facts shall be established and, in this regard, the Emperor may seek the official assistance of the Government and of the Court. Finally, the Emperor in person shall also hear the member of the family concerned.
3) The Emperor may take the following disciplinary measures against the member of the family concerned, by written decision setting out the reasons on which it is based:
a. Censure;
b. Loss of his title for a specified period. In such a case, the Emperor may, after hearing the person concerned, confer a title on him, notwithstanding that there is no legal right to such. Loss of title encompasses loss of the right to vote and to stand for election;
c. Loss of his name and title for a specified period. In such a case, the Emperor shall, after hearing the person concerned, decide on his name. In addition the provisions of point (b) apply.
d. Loss of his title for life, which includes exclusion from succession to the throne, and loss of membership in the Imperial Family. In such case, the member in question, will take the title of “Serene Highness (christian name), Prince/Princess of Selvidge”.
4) The disciplinary measures laid down in Para. 3 points (b), and (c) may be imposed for a maximum period of twenty years.
5) Once it has become final the decision to take disciplinary measures shall be notified to all members of the family.
6) Even after the decision to take disciplinary measures has become legally binding, the person concerned remains a member of the House of Selvidge, except in (d) of Section Three, subject to the limitations imposed in the disciplinary decision. The duration of the conditions imposed shall be calculated from the date on which the decision becomes legally binding. The period shall come to an end at the close of the final day of the term of the disciplinary measure, without the need for any further decision on the part of the Emperor. The member of the family subject to the disciplinary measures shall then automatically regain all his previous rights.
7) If a member of the family on whom the disciplinary measure laid down in Para. 3 point (b) and (c) has been imposed, enters into marriage during the period when that measure is in force, Para. 7 shall also apply to his wife and to any issue of the marriage, insofar as the marriage has been recognized for the purposes of this Constitution and in accordance with Article 7 thereof.
Early termination of a disciplinary measure is possible only by means of a pardon. The Emperor shall exercise the right to grant a pardon.
8) A disciplinary measure may be extended only as a result of further disciplinary proceedings.
II. The Emperor
Art. 9. Succession to the throne
1) Succession to the throne pursuant to this Constitution shall be governed by the principle of primogeniture with precedence for males. This means that the first-born male of the eldest line is always called to succeed to the throne. If no male heir can succeed to the throne, then the first-born female of the eldest line shall be called upon to become the Empress. The age of a dynastic line shall be calculated by reference to descent from Emperor, Carl I. of Knoxville (1930-1991). The rank of male members of the House of Selvidge shall depend on their position in the order of succession. The resulting order of rank shall be recorded in the family register (Article 4 (2)).
2) The female members of the House of Selvidge are not distinguished by rank but by order of precedence. In the case of female members by birth (Article 1 (2)), precedence is determined by their date of birth within the dynastic lines referred to in Para. 1. In the case of female members by marriage (Article 1 (3)), precedence is determined by the rank of their husband in the order of succession to the throne.
3) The Emperor and his consort must be of the Protestant or Catholic faith.
4) The heir apparent and his wife, of a recognized marriage, must be of the Protestant or Catholic faith.
5) All male members of the Imperial Family by birth, must be of the Protestant or Catholic faith. Although they may marry a non-Protestant or non-Catholic.
6) All female members of the Imperial Family by birth, must be of the Protestant or Catholic faith. Although they may marry a non-Protestant or non-Catholic.
7) The person succeeding to the throne as Emperor in accordance with the order of succession unites in his person the functions of Emperor, Ruler of the House of Selvidge and Chairman of the House of Selvidge foundations. These three functions may not be separated, subject only to the special case laid down in Article 17 (5). The function of Emperor may be given to the Hereditary Prince of Corumburg.
As Ruler of the House of Selvidge, the Emperor shall safeguard the reputation, esteem and welfare of the House of Selvidge in accordance with the rights and duties laid down in this Constitution. To this end, he shall have the assistance of all members of the Imperial Family, in their totality.
9) As Chairman of the House of Selvidge foundations and as the usufruct of the family’s assets, the Emperor can, if he so desires, support members of the House of Selvidge who find themselves in financial difficulty, insofar as the income from the assets so permits.
Art. 10. Abdication and renunciation of the right to succeed to the throne
1) Where the Emperor abdicates, he must do so by express written declaration given to the Crown Prince of Corumburg or successor to the throne, and to the other members of the House of Selvidge. Abdication is irrevocable and must be published in the Family Register.
2) All princes of Selvidge shall be entitled, on attaining their majority (Article 6), to renounce their right to succeed to the throne by express written declaration given to the Emperor. Such renunciation is irrevocable and applies only to the person making it. It does not affect the succession to the throne of the other members of the House of Selvidge.
3) All princesses of Selvidge shall be entitled, on attaining their majority (Article 6), to renounce their right to succeed to the throne by express written declaration given to the Emperor. Such renunciation is irrevocable and applies only to the person making it. It does not affect the succession to the throne of the other members of the House of Selvidge.
4) Where the Emperor abdicates or a prince renounces his right to succeed to the throne, the rank (Article 12 (1)) and precedence (Article 12 (2)) of his wife and any issue born after his renunciation shall be that which they would have enjoyed but for the said declaration, but only after that of the person who became Emperor as a result of the said declaration, his wife and their issue. However, if a member of the Imperial Family renounces their right of succession to enter into a contested marriage by the Emperor, then the said members wife and children will not be members of the Imperial Family (Article 7 (7)).
Art. 11. Removal from office of the Emperor and declaration of the Emperor ’s incapacity
1) If, as a result of serious physical or mental illness, the Emperor becomes permanently incapable of exercising the powers and duties assigned to him by this Constitution to promote the reputation, esteem or welfare of the House of Selvidge, the Imperial Family (with a two-thirds majority) shall, after careful clarification of the facts, call on the Emperor to abdicate.
2) If the Emperor is unable or unwilling to accede to this request within an appropriate period of time or if the attempt to make contact with the Emperor appears from the outset to have no prospect of success, the Imperial Family shall institute the procedure to relieve him of office or the procedure to have him declared incapable. The provisions of American law and Corumburg law, shall apply to the procedure for a declaration of incapacity, in each case subject to the following:
a. Insofar as the Emperor is unable to represent himself, he shall be assisted by a temporary representative for the purpose of the proceedings, appointed by the Imperial Family from suitable members of the family with the right to vote, other than the next person in line to succeed to the throne and his issue;
b. The physical or mental illness resulting in the Emperor ’s permanent incapacity for office shall be confirmed by reports drawn up by two experts independently of each other;
c. The procedure for a declaration of incapacity may be combined with the procedure for removal from office.
3) Where the Emperor disability, referred to in Para. 1 is only temporary but nonetheless so grave that the major interests of the House of Selvidge would seem to require action to be taken, the Imperial Family and/or parliament shall call upon the Emperor to remedy the situation by appointing a regent or substitute within the meaning of Article 13 (5). If the Emperor is unwilling to take such a step within a reasonable period, the rights and duties with regard to remedial measures pass to the Imperial Family.
Art.12. Motion of no confidence in the Emperor
1) Where the members of the House of Selvidge have passed and notified a motion of no confidence in the Emperor, which is admissible under the provisions of the Constitution, it shall be acted upon expeditiously in accordance with Article 11 subject to the following:
a. The parliament has no right to take a decision but merely a right to make a proposal to the members of the House of Selvidge with the right to vote, in their totality. The parliament must exercise its right to make a proposal within two months; otherwise it shall be forfeit;
b. The members of the House of Selvidge with the right to vote, in their totality, shall take their decision within such a period that the total duration of the procedure conducted in accordance with this Constitution, including the notification required under para.1, does not exceed six months. If such period is exceeded the motion of no confidence shall be considered to have been rejected out of hand.
Art. 13. Guardianship and regency
1) A guardian or legal representative shall be appointed for a member of the House of Selvidge in all cases where a guardian or legal representative is to be appointed for an American national. In this connation, the provisions of American law and Corumburg law shall apply by analogy, with the proviso that the decision shall be taken by the Emperor in place of the court. In taking his decision, the Emperor shall have regard, so far as possible, to the proposals of the next-of-kin of the member of the family for whom an appointment is made, unless there are substantial reasons for not doing so. The same applies, by analogy, where an appointment is to be made for the Emperor, his consort or one of their children; but with the proviso that the decision shall be taken by the Emperor’s next-of-kin of age, in place of the Emperor.
2) Where the Emperor is lawfully deposed in accordance with Article 11 or removed from office or declared incapable in accordance with Article 12, his rights and duties shall be exercised by a regent until his successor accedes to the throne. The member of the House of Selvidge with the right to vote who is next in line to succeed to the throne shall become regent. Whilst the Emperor is a minor or some other member of the House of Selvidge who is a minor is in line of succession before the regent, the Imperial Family (with a two-thirds majority) has the right to remove the regent where there are serious grounds for doing so. In this connation, the procedure laid down in Article 11 shall apply by analogy, with the proviso that a prior censure is not needed in order to remove the regent. If the regent becomes incapable of exercising his office through no fault of his own, he shall be relieved of office by the Imperial Family. After the regent has been removed or relieved of office and as long as the conditions for a regency persist, the member of the House of Selvidge with the right to vote who is next in line to succeed to the throne shall become regent.
3) The commencement and termination of regency, and any change thereto, shall be notified, on entry into force, to all members of the House of Selvidge and shall be published in the Family Register.
4) The regent cannot be appointed as guardian or legal representative of an Emperor who is a minor or of the Hereditary Prince of Selvidge who is a minor.
5) It shall be open to the Emperor to appoint the member of the House of Selvidge with the right to vote who is next in line to succeed to the throne as regent or substitute. Such regency or substitution may relate to all three functions referred to in Article 9 or to any part thereof.
III. Final Provisions
Art. 14 The status of this Constitution and future amendments
1) This Constitution shall enter into force on the day of its promulgation.
2) The Constitution of the House of Selvidge can be neither amended nor repealed by the Constitution of the United States of America, or the Constitution of the Empire of Corumburg. The same applies to any international treaty concluded by the United States of America and the Empire of Corumburg.
3) A proposal to amend this Constitution may be put forward only by the Emperor, or at least ten per-cent of the members of the House of Selvidge with the right to vote. A two-thirds majority of all members of the House of Selvidge with the right to vote is needed for the proposal to be adopted. Where an amendment is adopted after its having been proposed by the requisite number of members of the House of Selvidge with the right to vote, the Emperor may veto the change within two months. In such a case, however, the Emperor must simultaneously put forward a detailed counter-proposal. If, within a further period of ten months, the Emperor and the proposers of the amendment are unable to agree on a common text to be put to a ballot, the members of the family with the right to vote shall choose between the two proposals. In that connation each member of the House of Selvidge with the right to vote may vote for only one of the two proposals but may reject both of them. With regard to this ballot, the proposal for which there is a two-thirds majority of those entitled to vote shall be adopted.
4) On certain circumstances the Emperor may amend or change the Constitution of the House of Selvidge. When this occurs the Emperor will add the new section of the constitution or make the change, followed by the date at which it was added.
5) The Emperor has the final vote on amendments to this constitution. The Emperor may amend this constitution without any other support of members of the House of Selvidge. This may impart have its own consequences (the rules for deposing the Emperor), but the Emperor has the executive power of the House of Selvidge.
HIM Emperor Adam I., Emperor of Corumburg, King of Lectoria, Grand Duke of Keran, Prince of Selvidge, Duke of Kentwood
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