The '''Collegial Electorate''' was the body of prince-electors (''Latin: Princeps Elector'') of the Holy Levantine Empire responsible primarily for electing the Emperor of the Levantines, though some members of the Electorate also held additional High Offices of the Empire. The body was created via the Pragmatic Sanction of 997, and in most forms, they held responsibility for electing the Emperor from then to the dissolution of the Empire with an exception during the late 18th century. It was one of the three colleges of the Imperial Diet, and the senior-most of the three.
[[File:Ursinethrone.jpg|thumb|right|An artists rendition of the initial Ursine Throne prior to the creation of the guardian bears.]]
The '''Ursine Throne''', alternatively the '''Imperial Seat''' (''Sede della Imperatore'', "Seat of the Emperor") is a term used to describe both the head of state of [[Aciria]], the [[Emperor of Aciria]] and his aides, and the literal throne used by the current [[Emperor of Aciria]].
== Contents ==
Literally, the Ursine Throne refers to the throne located in the Imperial Palace in [[Trossera]]. The thrones located in places like the Imperial Retreat on [[Montverde]] are used during the imperial stay there, when imperial matters are directed there, but generally remain unnamed, the Ursine Throne being used exclusively for the one in [[Trossera]].
* 1 History
==History==
* 2 Election Procedure
The term Ursine Throne traces its roots back at least to the establishment of the [[Kingdom of Aciria]] in 220 BC, from when the first descriptions of the Ursine Throne have been found. The throne was described as the Ursine Throne due to the two statues of bears made of pure gold that sat next to the throne, guarding the King. Bears were chosen as the guardians due to the historical religious importance that the bears had in the region, with bears being seen as both strong and wise.
** 2.1 Initial Organization
** 2.2 Dress
** 2.3 Entrance Procession
** 2.4 Election Process
* 3 Final Composition (1935)
* 4 See Also
== History ==
During the initial years of [[Caphiria|Caphirian]] rule, nobility often respected and looked to the Ursine Throne for guidance and directed their allegiance here over [[Venceia]]. Some early [[Aciriani people|Acirian]] sources claim that due to this, the Caphirian legion stationed at [[Trossera]] at some point destroyed the Ursine Throne and brought the bears to Venceia where they were eventually smelted. The first modern Ursine Throne was constructed in 1815 by Emperor Enrico to honour his father, but it was replaced in 1905 by the current throne, and the initial modern Ursine Throne was taken to the Imperial Museum in [[Trossera]].
The Leonine Dynasty, created by Emperor Leo I of the Holy Levantine Empire and having been responsible for reuniting the Empire in 965, found itself without a strong male-line claimant by the late 990s, as Leo's heirs failed to produce suitably progeny. An attempt by a Leonine-dominated regency council to install a 4-year old boy descended through Leo's sister sparked revolt among the vassals of the Empire, including the Archduke of Urceopolis. Following the Leonine defeat in the field to a predominantly Urceopolitan force lead by Archduke Julius III, the regency council agreed to the issuance of the Pragmatic Sanction of 997, which permitted for nine electors of the Empire to select the next Emperor, a number that has since been expanded. The Bishop-Electors were added via the Golden Bull of 1207, issued by Emperor Niall I.
After the issuance of the Pragmatic Sanction of 1701, women could sit in the Electorate. Elections during the period known as the Recess of the Julii necessitated procedural reforms to the quorum of the body as the Apostolic King of Urcea - the Elector of Canaery - refused to participate in the election. The Pragmatic Sanction of 1896 allowed popularly elected, term-based leaders to serve in the Electorate, one of several late 19th Century reforms to the Empire intended to maintain its viability.
==During Imperial Reclusion==
During times of Imperial Reclusion, the term Imperial Seat refers not to the Emperor, but the various aides the Emperor uses. These include but are not limited to the [[Arm of the Emperor]], [[Voice of the Emperor]] and the [[Eye of the Emperor]]. The reclusion periods mean the Emperor staying away from the public eye for extended periods of time, which is when he uses the various aides of his to ensure his will is followed through. Only the Arms of the Emperor are personally appointed by the Emperor, but both the Voice of the Emperor and the Eye of the Emperor are selected by him, while the Arm of the Emperor reaches out to those selected to recruit them.
== Election Procedure ==
The Arm of the Emperor is responsible for recruiting the other aides of the Emperor. The Arm is also expected to eliminate any threats to the Imperial Seat, either selected by the Emperor or spotted by the Eye of the Emperor. Those behind executing these orders are sometimes referred to as the Fist of the Emperor.
=== Initial Organization ===
The Voice of the Emperor is responsible for speaking in place of the Emperor, being the only one in regular, direct contact with the Emperor during the times of reclusion.
Following the death of an Emperor, any Elector of the Empire could call for a meeting of the electorate, and was not automatically triggered upon his death, which could sometimes lead to brief interregna. Upon a formal notice from an Elector to the Empire, the Collegial Electorate gathered in Corcra and in the Throne Room of the Imperial Palace. On the Throne, which is several feet above the floor of the room, sat the Crown, Scepter, and Orb of the Emperor with a black canopy hanging above. In front of the Throne, down on the floor of the chamber, sat the seat of the Mayor of Corcra, the non-voting presiding officer of the Collegial Electorate. Before him were two benches; facing the Throne, to the right, sat the benches of the Bishop-Electors of the Empire. They sat based on the seniority of their See, with the Prince-Archbishop of Carinella (the eldest See of Bishop-Electors) sitting closest to the Throne and the Bishop of Glendaire sitting furthest. Opposite the Bishop-Electors sat the Prince-Electors. The closest to the Throne was the Elector of Canaery (that is, the King-Elector of Urcea). He was followed, to his right, by the Elector of Adenborough (not traditionally so; this was changed in the 1750s in recognition of the Fiannrian state), then by the Count Palatine of Baylium, the most prestigious Elector from the Kingdom of Dericania. Following these three, the Electors sat in alternating order between the Kingdom of Ultmar and the Kingdom of Dericania by age of title; the Prince of Burgundie sat to the right of Baylium, followed by the Margrave of Eastmarch, continuing in such order until it reached the Duke-Elector of Allaria.
=== Dress ===
The Eye of the Emperor is responsible for watching out for threats against the Imperial Seat, the Emperor, and those pretending to be imperial aides without appointment. Sometimes in modern day the [[Polizia Amministrativa Imperiale]] are identified as the modern equivalent of the Eye of the Emperor, casting doubt on the need for the Eye of the Emperor in modern times.
The Electoral Regalia was the traditional garb worn by all Prince-Electors during the official sessions of the Collegial Electorate. The Bishop-Electors wore the traditional cassock; the Bishops accompanied by purple trim and the Archbishops by red trim (all Archbishop-Electors of the Empire were, by custom, also Cardinals). The Electoral Regalia had the same form for each member, but each Prince-Elector’s trim was according to the color of the traditional arms of his or her title. Accompanied by the Regalia is, all Prince-Electors were to wear the “hat” (moreso a silver crown) with two exceptions; the Elector of Canaery almost always wore his Crown as King of Urcea, and, after 1823, the Elector of Adenborough would not wear any type of headwear reflecting the democratic nature of Fiannria.
=== Entrance Procession ===
[[Category:Aciria]]
In the sight of the empty Throne, the members of the Collegial Electorate would file into the chamber in a line in order of seating; the Prince-Electors and Bishop-Electors enter from two separate doors to the side of the Throne Room and do not enter through the grand entrance, which by custom was not to be used while no Emperor sat on the Throne (the reason being that the door was supposed to only be opened or shut by the authority of the Emperor; if there was none, it was reasoned to remain shut). The Electors sat in silence until the Mayor of Corcra enters, when all stand. From here, there were two different ways to proceed.
In the first form of the entry, the Mayor of Corcra carried the Imperial Seal and a message from the Pope regarding the convocation of the College. The Mayor would hand the message to the Prince-Archbishop of Carinella, who read it and then followed with an opening prayer. The opening prayer had no traditional text and is invented by the present Prince-Archbishop. Following the conclusion of the prayer, the Elector of Canaery and Prince-Archbishop stood in the center of both benches. The Elector and Prince-Archbishop were handed the seal of the Emperor. The Prince-Archbishop would state that “through the death of Christ, in your death, like his, your Imperial Majesty, you find life as he did; as such, he commends your soul to Eternal life” and the Elector would state “through your death, your Imperial Majesty, in the sight of your subjects, we commend your soul to History”, after which point the two destroyed the seal with two blows of a hammer. Returning to their seats, all sat.
In the second form of the entry, the Mayor of Corcra would enter and announce the presence of the Pope. The Pope stood at the front of the room, in front of the Mayor’s seat, and all the Electors formed a line (following their order of seating but further alternating between Bishop-Electors and Prince-Electors; the Elector of Canaery followed the Prince-Archbishop of Carinella, symbolizing the preeminence of the Church) and knelt before the Pope, kissing his ring and returning to their bench. The Pope would then say the convocation prayer and bring the Imperial Seal to the two Electors. Following the completion of the destruction of the Seal, the Pope would leave, stating that he “commends the election of the Most August Servant of the Church on Earth to you, the Electors, knowing that you bear the heavy weight of selecting the temporal protector of the Holy Catholic Church established by our Lord”, at which point he left through the door of the Bishop-Electors, after which point all the Electors sat.
=== Election Process ===
As the actual election process begins, the Mayor would sit and take a roll of those present by title. This was considered to be the point in which the ceremony ends and the selection began; the Electors would silently raise their hands to make a point of discussion or to question the present speaker and was recognized by the Mayor. The Electors would generally spend the first day discussing the challenges facing the Empire and what, in their opinion, the next Emperor would have to embody and what his general policies would be. It was considered extremely impolite and improper to forward oneself as a candidate, though the Electors could speak freely of others they considered worthy of the Imperial dignity. In particular times of crisis the discussion regarding the situation of the Empire could extend beyond one day. In successive days, the Electors would lay before the body whom, in their view, the Electorate should consider. An actual vote could be called for by any Elector at any time.
In order to be elected, one had to receive a simple plurality of the thirty Electors so long as they received ten votes. The Emperor was very rarely elected on the first ballot. Electors voted anonymously by paper ballot put in a box in front of the Mayor’s seat, proceeding in order (again, with the Prince-Archbishop of Carinella, followed by the Elector of Canaery). Successive ballots could take place on the same day. After an individual reached the required threshold, no celebratory ceremony took place; a message is conveyed to the Pope (who could veto a candidate if they failed to receive 16 or more votes) and the elected individual is informed. The next day, should the Pope not have vetoed and should the individual physically have been present (and have accepted the dignity), those present would swear allegiance to him as King of the Levantines, King of Dericania, King of Culfra, and Sovereign Protector of Urcea, though he would not formally become Emperor until his coronation. The Mayor would dismiss the Electors following a closing prayer by the Prince-Archbishop of Carinella. The Emperor-elect, however, would remain in the Throne room alone for the remainder of the day, seated upon the Throne in the crown of the King of Dericania. This was a symbolic reminder to the individual that he was now alone in his responsibilities as protector of the Church and sovereign of the Empire, which was the highest temporal authority in Christendom. The Emperor-elect, upon retiring from the Throne, would write a letter to the Pope, eventually receiving the Pope’s well wishes while beginning the planning for the Coronation.
''Prince-Electors of the [[Imperial Kingdom of Urcea|Kingdom of Urcea]] (1)''
* Duke of [[Canaery]] (held by the Apostolic King of Urcea)
''Prince-Electors of the Kingdom of Culfra (7)''
* Prince of Adenborough (held by the ruler of [[Fiannria]])
* Duke of Arfenglen
* Duke of Glenmoor
* Duke of Roln
* Margrave of Westmarch
* Duke of Solibris
* Duke of Collendum
''Prince Electors of the [[Kingdom of Dericania]] (7)''
* Margrave of Eastmarch
* Landgrave of Lucarnia
* Prince of Burgundie
* Duke of Aedanica
* Duke of Hollona
* Duke of Allaria
* Count Palatine of Baylium (held by the Prince of [[Burgundie]])
''Bishop-Electors (15)''
* Prince-Archbishop of Martinsburg
* Prince-Archbishop of Ardebriga
* Prince-Archbishop of Röthenau
* Prince-Archbishop of Carinella
* Prince-Bishop of Cantadunum
* Prince-Bishop of Kronensburg
* Prince-Bishop of Præconditum
* Prince-Bishop of Ehrenfell
* Archbishop of Patronum
* Archbishop of Portstark
* Archbishop of Ramsaburg
* Archbishop of Kilnaig
* Bishop of Glendaire
* Bishop of Cashel
* Bishop of Campubeg
== See Also ==
* Holy Levantine Empire
* Emperor of the Levantines
Revision as of 11:00, 12 May 2022
An artists rendition of the initial Ursine Throne prior to the creation of the guardian bears.
The Ursine Throne, alternatively the Imperial Seat (Sede della Imperatore, "Seat of the Emperor") is a term used to describe both the head of state of Aciria, the Emperor of Aciria and his aides, and the literal throne used by the current Emperor of Aciria.
Literally, the Ursine Throne refers to the throne located in the Imperial Palace in Trossera. The thrones located in places like the Imperial Retreat on Montverde are used during the imperial stay there, when imperial matters are directed there, but generally remain unnamed, the Ursine Throne being used exclusively for the one in Trossera.
History
The term Ursine Throne traces its roots back at least to the establishment of the Kingdom of Aciria in 220 BC, from when the first descriptions of the Ursine Throne have been found. The throne was described as the Ursine Throne due to the two statues of bears made of pure gold that sat next to the throne, guarding the King. Bears were chosen as the guardians due to the historical religious importance that the bears had in the region, with bears being seen as both strong and wise.
During the initial years of Caphirian rule, nobility often respected and looked to the Ursine Throne for guidance and directed their allegiance here over Venceia. Some early Acirian sources claim that due to this, the Caphirian legion stationed at Trossera at some point destroyed the Ursine Throne and brought the bears to Venceia where they were eventually smelted. The first modern Ursine Throne was constructed in 1815 by Emperor Enrico to honour his father, but it was replaced in 1905 by the current throne, and the initial modern Ursine Throne was taken to the Imperial Museum in Trossera.
During Imperial Reclusion
During times of Imperial Reclusion, the term Imperial Seat refers not to the Emperor, but the various aides the Emperor uses. These include but are not limited to the Arm of the Emperor, Voice of the Emperor and the Eye of the Emperor. The reclusion periods mean the Emperor staying away from the public eye for extended periods of time, which is when he uses the various aides of his to ensure his will is followed through. Only the Arms of the Emperor are personally appointed by the Emperor, but both the Voice of the Emperor and the Eye of the Emperor are selected by him, while the Arm of the Emperor reaches out to those selected to recruit them.
The Arm of the Emperor is responsible for recruiting the other aides of the Emperor. The Arm is also expected to eliminate any threats to the Imperial Seat, either selected by the Emperor or spotted by the Eye of the Emperor. Those behind executing these orders are sometimes referred to as the Fist of the Emperor.
The Voice of the Emperor is responsible for speaking in place of the Emperor, being the only one in regular, direct contact with the Emperor during the times of reclusion.
The Eye of the Emperor is responsible for watching out for threats against the Imperial Seat, the Emperor, and those pretending to be imperial aides without appointment. Sometimes in modern day the Polizia Amministrativa Imperiale are identified as the modern equivalent of the Eye of the Emperor, casting doubt on the need for the Eye of the Emperor in modern times.
