Society

[Charles Rex]

Here you will find society-related articles.

[Charles Rex]

Preferment

The King granted preferments, that is offices, titles, posts, etc., as he saw fit. During his reign, Charles I granted preferments to many of his friends, and occasionally to those whom others considered his enemies. This was generally done to garner favour and cooperation, as well as to reward favours done for the Crown.

 

Charles II created 64 peers between 1649 and 1685. He also appointed all 26 bishops who sat in the House of Lords.

 

It was a tactic used also by ministers, such as Thomas Osborne, the Earl of Danby, whom had control over the disposition of various offices and pensions. Danby was said to have granted lucrative positions to many members of the House of Commons to gain influence in Parliament, and thereby the government, thus constituting High Treason.

 

Preferment is the term used to any side benefits that people can win for themselves. This includes titles (which comes with an extra estate) and offices. To gain these options you should wield Favor. Make sure that somebody higher up in the food chain owes you and then politely request the position, tax exemption etc.

 

Gaining a Position In-Game

 

Gaining Preferment by using Money

 

One can buy a title. Most often one would buy a Baronet or Knighthood. This is what Cedric Doolittle did, henceforth known as Sir Cedric. This position doesn't buy entry in the House of Lords, nor does it come with an estate. One must have an estate (land) already to be EITHER a baronet or a knight.

 

If a merchant wants to be come a Knight, it will generally take around 5,000 pound for The Chancellor's office to come up with an official achievement that merits the title. The title of Baronet will cost around 10,000 pound.

 

Theoretically one can buy a title of Baron (the lowest title that gives access to the House of Lords, as well as coming with an estate) but this would require quite a bit more than simply buying off The Chancellor's office. The King will require additional favours and a great deal more money.

 

Such a purchase can be done through the Player Compendium, for instance as part of Recess, though role playing it in part is recommended. Not all titles or positions can be purchased; it all depends upon your specific circumstances.

 

Gaining Preferment by Merit

 

An extraordinary achievement in the field of science, medicine, literature, military, etc. would warrant a title as Knight, or in exceptional cases Baronet, without extra money exchanging hands. Naturally moneys always smooths the way, but the King also wants to stimulate culture and scientific advancement, which adds to the greater glory of his reign, and this is his tool. If this is relevant one might also gain an office on the basis of merit.

 

Such occasions might arise both in Recess and in Season.

 

Royal Recognition

 

Anything ranking between ''Baron'' and ''Duke'' is reserved for royal favourites. This means the King uses raising a person to the peerage either to reward a favour done to him or to seek favour, like smoothing ruffled feathers or trying to convince his opponents to support a certain measure in Parliament.

 

How do you gain favour from the King? Large Loans to support the Privy Purse, or indeed large loans to Royal Mistresses are a sure fire way of making the ever poor King happy. It could also be taking a noted stance in favour of the King in Parliament when it mattered. Perhaps you have fulfilled a dangerous mission for the King himself. Ladies of course know that being a Royal Mistress or indeed a Ducal one where it refers to York, Monmouth, Buckingham (or other favorites close to the King) can be an excellent way of rising into favour, but a steadfast cultural or witty presence might also gain one recognition.

 

In short, this is a longer process, worked on In Character, and a reward not for a single thing, but a long standing reputation. It would help if bribes are offered to the Chancellor's office in the case of peerage, or the department where one seeks office, as well as gaining supporters who advise the King. In practical terms the King will need a vacated estate or extinct title before he gives it away. In some rare cases a true new peerage is created.

 

Preferment as a Benefit?

 

There is no benefit called Preferment. If you choose the benefit High Rank your character starts out with a higher preferment than others. You can add to that by having your family be a Famous Family or a Politically connected family.

 

Making Money out of Preferment

 

You don't want Preferment just because it looks nice. It brings in hard cash.

 

Selling an Office

Just as you can buy a position, you can also sell one once you are done with. If you are a military commander you might in fact be selling commissions to young officers (up to 500 pounds). The same is true for government positions. That might cover several thousand of pounds.

 

Bribery and Graft

 

Graft is the unscrupulous use of one's position to derive profit or advantages. Bribery is the offering, giving, receiving, or soliciting of any item of value to influence the actions of an official or other person in discharge of a public or legal duty. The bribe is the gift bestowed to influence the recipient's conduct. It may be any money, good, right in action, property, preferment, privilege, emolument, object of value, advantage, or merely a promise or undertaking to induce or influence the action, vote, or influence of a person in an official or public capacity.

 

This not only took place, it was expected of people to earn something on the side. If you have an official office you can use it to gain some profitable extras.

 

Lottery, Monopolies and Tax Exemptions

 

The King is key here, and of course his ministers like Arlington and Danby. The King could grant a character a single royal decree in which a lottery is allowed. Or a tax exemption on wine. Perhaps you fancy a monopoly on a product that needs to be imported. Or anything that would either reduce cost or would give you ready cash. The King of course is also the one to curry favour to if you want extra titles (and thus extra estates that might earn you extra money), or indeed one of his toadies such as the Duke of Lauderdale, the Duke of York or the Duke of Monmouth . Most peers have more than one estate. Don't miss out. Keep favour with the King and his royal favourites!

[Charles Rex]

Gift Giving

The sending and receiving of gifts (never money!) in exchange for recent or future favours is common practice all through courtly society. This is not considered corrupt. It's just the way things work. In fact, the system couldn't run without it.

 

There is no undue delicacy about defining what would be an acceptable gift, even to naming "a pretty dog" or a specific kind of hawk. Quails are a prime delicacy, and can be used to sweeten a request, attract attention, or turn away wrath. (In the '40s, Lord Lisle bought them in large lots to give away a dozen at a time.) You can send a gift just to let someone important know you're here, even without having a specific request or favour in mind. They'll owe you.

 

You may also pass on a request from someone else, for example:

• "My friend, if you will send my lord of Leicester that hound of yours that he admired, he'll know it came from you and that I suggested it. He and I will both be in your debt, and he will be in mine."

 

Typical Gifts

Most frequent douceur (sweetener) type gifts include:

• Game: (often quail or deer) Includes all game birds, such as herons, plovers, cranes, egrets, as well as cooked venison, boar's head, sturgeon, wild swine, salmon. May be cooked or caged, as appropriate.
  
• Wine: The best wines are clarets from Gascony, though tastes differ.
  
• Hawks: All kinds of hawks are good. So are caged song birds, such as linnets.
  
• Hunting Dogs: Mastiffs, Talbot hounds, bloodhounds, coursing hounds, and so on.
  
• Rare or Special Books: Manuscripts in Greek and Latin, translations from Arabic and Hebrew, certain devotional texts.
  
• Homemade Things: marmalade, beer, and honey. Could also include embroidered handkerchiefs and the like.

Courtship Gifts

• Gloves: Chivalrous gentlemen in England often sent a pair of gloves to their true loves. If the woman wore the gloves to church on Sunday it signalled her acceptance of the proposal.
  
• Dating back to 17th century Wales, ornately '''carved spoons''', known as lovespoons, were traditionally made from a single piece of wood by a suitor to show his affection to his loved one. The decorative carvings have various meanings - from an anchor meaning "I desire to settle down"to an intricate vine meaning "love grows."
  
• Flowers
  
• Jewelry
  
• Fans

 

Royal Gift Giving

The King, and to a lesser degree his heir the Duke of York and other highly placed nobles, has a standard budget for gift giving, to which he makes sure Baptist May, Keeper of the Privy Purse, attends.

 

All gifts are to be seen as a reward for good IC play.

 

Small Gift

 

A royal letter of appreciation, a piece of jewellery, a bottle of valuable wine from the royal cellars, a piece of clothing that he might like (a plumed hat or some such that he's like to see around court), or a gift he received from an envoy in years past that he no longer wants.

 

These can be given weekly/monthly for characters that have, even if for but a moment, caught his eye.

 

Medium Gifts

This includes the right to have a lottery, nicer presents in terms of value. A small office around the palace that might pay a small stipend (e.g. Assistant Chamberlain, Deputy Master of the Horse, Assistant Master of Revels, etc.) that could pay something like 10 pounds a month and allow someone to flaunt an office.

 

These can be given to characters which have caught the royal eye after a considerable feat. This includes mistresses of the confidential dalliance or past regard category.

 

Major Gifts

Monopolies, land grants, titles and the like. They are awarded for cultivating royal favor over the long term and not just catching his eye during the season. This includes mistresses of the currently in favour and kept mistresses after a particular feat.

[Charles Rex]

General Education

Gentleman of Quality

 

A member of the aristocracy should learn at least one or more of the classic languages, such as Latin or Greek. It is absolutely necessary that he know French. In addition, he should study at least one other language, this commonly being Italian. Since most operas are written and performed in Italian, knowledge and understanding of the language will enlighten and enhance his experiences at the opera.

 

It is also essential that a nobleman learn philosophy; mathematics; the laws of the country; the customs, laws and manners of other nations; literature; poetry; painting; music; dancing; fencing; riding, and architecture.

 

Above all, a nobleman's obligations to his estate and the necessity of him recognizing others' woes demands he have an honest heart. Lastly, to uphold his authority and position, he must never fall a slave to any irregular passion.

 

Male Gentry

 

The education of a man of gentry status is dictated by the order of his birth. If he is born first and is to inherit his parent's estate, then he should be raised with an education much like a nobleman's. It is highly probably that the inheritor will rise in his position after receiving his inheritance and he must be prepared for that responsibility.

 

The younger sons will be engaging in some sort of profession for advancement in the world. Other than the learned professions, the younger sons will also have open to them the sea, the army, and the Exchange.

 

It is important to remember not to push any son into a profession he does not desire to follow, this will only discourage him and most likely set him in a position he is under qualified to fill. Likewise, young men are fanciful, they may on many occasions state a desire to fill multiple differing professions. Hence, do not jump and run out to purchase your son a uniform the moment he states a desire to join with the army, the next week he may already be of a different mind.

 

Woman of Quality

 

To ensure happiness, a woman of quality must have all her passions regulated.

 

To achieve the standards of her class she should learn: reading, writing, needlework, dancing, French, and music. In reading she should have good understanding of the material she recites, so that she may give passages proper emphasis. With writing she should use proper spelling accompanied by an elegant hand. In addition to the subjects listed above, a woman of quality should have knowledge of arithmetic, geography, drawing, and moral and experimental philosophy.

 

Women should always speak clear, without vulgarity. All her studies should be directed toward wisdom, goodness and modesty, so that she is generous, benevolent and sweet in temper. Remember always, woman may be a weaker vessel than her counterpart, but she is not entirely without strength and, in order to make a proper companion and keep her husband engaged, her facilities must be developed to their full capacity to best fit her station in life.

 

Young Lady of Second Rate

 

If the young lady be first born and heiress, she should receive an education equal to that of a woman of quality. In inheriting her parent's estate, it becomes possible for her to better her class standing and rise to a lady of quality. Hence, she must be educated in a manner to prepare her for the transition. If she is a younger daughter, her education need not be so brilliant. However, she should not be neglected. Her education should include a thorough knowledge and proficiency in her mother tongue; she should be educated to write, dance, speak French and have mild proficiency in music. In addition to these and domestic cares she should have knowledge of arithmetic, drawing and geography. Like the woman of quality, all that she learns should be fitting to her life station.