Adrian empire
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The Adrian Empire (sometimes known as Adria) is a non-profit educational organization dedicated to the study and re-creation of Western European culture in the years 1066 to 1603 (coinciding with the Battle of Hastings and the death of Elizabeth I of England).
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[edit] Description
The Adrian Empire is a historical recreation or living history organization founded on March 15, 1987 in Long Beach, California by eight (8) individuals then known as the "Founding Viscounts." The organization was originally founded as the "Kingdom of Adria". The head(s) of both the Empire and Kingdoms are decided by a war. Candidates must also be reviewed for their ability to meet the guidelines for the position, as well as their actual suitability for the position in terms of actual work.
[edit] Participation
Most local groups will usually meet once per month, although wars can occur two or three times per year. Members dress in authentic (or authentic-looking) clothes to lend to a feel genuine of the time period. Non-members are welcome to attend in their normal clothing.
There are four main types of participation:
- Combat - Adrian Combat consists of four types: Shinai, Renaissance Schlager, Renaissance Cut and Thrust, and Armored. It is the Armored combat which distinguishes Adria from most other historical reenactment groups. It consists of unchoreographed, live combat with real (although blunt) steel weapons, including swords.
- Archery
- Robe (Arts & Sciences)
- Ministry - Ministry covers most tasks which aid in the smooth running of an event. Participation can be gained by holding Ministry positions (e.g. being the head of an estate at any level) or by performing tasks during an event (such as water-bearing for combat participants)
An Adrian Empire War involves members deciding what side they will "fight" on and a series of competitions to decide the winner. This includes martial competitions of melee and ranged combat, as well as competitions in the arts, for a set list of points.
[edit] Organization
The Adrian Empire is a feudal-styled parliamentary republic. From the top down, every member is directly represented by somebody within the organization. And, unlike modern parliamentary governments such as that of England, the current ruling nobles (Crowns) share in the political process. The Adrian Empire is composed of the following types of chartered subdivisions, all of whom have a local government, as well as representation on the Imperial government:
The Empire: This includes all of the continental United States, whether or not there are other chartered subdivisions in the region. The Empire is governed by the Emperor and Empress (the corporate President and Vice President)
Kingdoms: These are chartered subdivisions that have 100 or more members. They are governed by a king and queen.
Archduchies: Smaller than kingdoms, these chartered subdivisions have memberships between 50 and 99. They are governed by an Archduke and/or Archduchess.
Duchies: Even smaller, these chartered subdivisions have a stable membership of at least 20. They are governed by a Duke and/or Duchess.
Shires: Newly formed chartered subdivisions who have members numbering between 1 and 19. They are governed by a Viceroy and or Vicereine, who act as the voice of the Emperor and Empress.
Any of the above estates may have a membership above the normal numbers for that level, if they have not existed at that level for long enough to be elevated. (Example: a shire may have more than twenty members, but has not existed the minimum one year or perhaps does not have active ministers, or has not been having events regularly enough to advance.)
The other type of political entity in Adria is called an estate, a non-geographic subdivision. Estates have different names based on size, ranging from the five person House up to 50+ member March. These estates can also be subdivided into other estates (for example, a 15 person barony can contain three houses). The heads of these estates have a noble title and may vote in their local rule-making body, called a local estates meeting. Large enough estates are considered part of the Estates Royal and may also vote in the Imperial rule-making body, as well as the two most senior estates for a subdivision
The third type of title available is a knighthood. There are four paths of knighthood, in ministry (service to the organization), combat, archery and the arts. Knighthood in the Adrian Empire is awarded following a merit-based system. For each discipline (arts, archery, combat, and ministry), there are certain time and skill milestones that must be met before advancing in rank. There are no restrictions to knighthood based on gender. Only combat (for safety reasons) has any minimum age requirements.
