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{{GNGB|Government|Erbonian Coat of Arms.png|||His Majesty's}}
{{GNGB|Government|Erbonian Coat of Arms.png|||His Majesty's}}


The '''Government of Great Nortend''', formally known as '''His Majesty's Government''' or in Court Latin '''''Curia Regis''''', and also known as the Erbonian Government, the Nortish Government or in some contexts, the Crown, constitutes the government of the [[Great Nortend|Kingdom of Nortend, Cardoby and Hambria]], a 'semi-constitutional' mixed monarchy where the [[Monarchy of Great Nortend|Sovereign]], presently [[Alexander II of Great Nortend|Alexander II]], wields ultimate power delegated to the Curia Regis consisting of the various branches of government.  
The '''Government of Great Nortend''', formally known as '''His Majesty's Government''' or in [[Court Latin]] '''''Curia Regis''''', and also known as the Erbonian Government, the Nortish Government or in some contexts, the Crown, constitutes the government of the [[Great Nortend|Kingdom of Nortend, Cardoby and Hambria]]. It is a „semi-constitutional” monarchy where the [[Monarchy of Great Nortend|Sovereign]], presently King [[Alexander II of Great Nortend|Alexander II]], holds ultimate power exercised principally by delegation to his various officers.


The Government is split nominally into three branches: the executive branch composed of the [[Privy Council of Great Nortend|Privy Council]], which advises the Sovereign and whose role is mainly delegated to the [[Ministry of Great Nortend|Cabinet and Ministry]], led by the [[Lord High Treasurer of Great Nortend|Lord High Treasurer]]; the legislative branch composed of the [[Parliament of Great Nortend|Parliament]]'s House of Lords, House of Clergy, House of Burgesses, House of Knights; the judicial branch composed of the various civil, regular and ecclesiastical courts, wardens, judges and justices. However, there is no formal separation of powers, with the consequence being that many offices and institutions have roles in two or even all three of the branches. Examples include Parliament, which has judicial and legislative powers and the Privy Council, which has executive, legislative and judicial powers.
In practice the Government is often conceived as being split into three branches, although this makes for quite a poor analogy as there is little semblance of any separation of powers in Great Nortend. Nonetheless, these three branches are useful as they identify the day-to-day division of Government — the executive composed of the [[Privy Council of Great Nortend|Privy Council]], which advises the Sovereign and whose role is mainly delegated to the [[Ministry of Great Nortend|Cabinet and Ministry]], led by the [[Lord High Treasurer of Great Nortend|Lord High Treasurer]]; the legislative branch composed of the [[Parliament of Great Nortend|Parliament]]'s House of Lords, House of Clergy, House of Burgesses, House of Knights; and the judicial branch composed of the various civil, regular and ecclesiastical courts, wardens, judges and justices. These divisions notwithstanding, there is no formal separation of powers, with the consequence being that many offices and institutions exercise power in two or even all three of the branches. Examples include Parliament, which has judicial and legislative powers and the Privy Council, which has executive, legislative and judicial powers.


==The Crown==
==The Crown==
{{Main|Monarchy of Great Nortend}}
{{Main|Monarchy of Great Nortend}}
The Crown (Court Latin: ''Illud Regnum''), represented physically by the Sovereign, is the sovereign superior over all of Great Nortend, being considered the feudal liege lord, and ecclesiastical ruler appointed by God over his subjects. It has been held by members of the House of Anthord since 1519, with a brief interlude from 1762 to 1777.
The Crown (Court Latin: ''Corona''), represented physically by the Sovereign, is the sovereign superior over all of Great Nortend, being the feudal liege lord, and ecclesiastical ruler appointed by God over his subjects. It has been held by the head of the [[House of Anthord]] since 1519, with a brief interlude from 1762 to 1777.


The current Sovereign is [[Alexander II of Great Nortend|Alexander II]]. The heir apparent (''regulus apparens'') is William, Prince of Rhise.
The current Sovereign is [[Alexander II of Great Nortend|Alexander II]]. The heir apparent (''regulus apparens'') is William, Prince of Rhise. The Crown, in its various forms, is the head of the Curia Regis, and the font of all government power and is thus the „head of government”. It has the final say in all executive, judicial and legislative matters. The Crown’s sovereign powers, rights and duties are split broadly between the five Officers of State, each being authorised to exercise certain powers, being the :—


The Crown, in its various forms, is the head of the Curia Regis, and the fount of all government power and is thus technically the 'head of government'. It has the final say in all executive, judicial and legislative matters, specifically in the guises of His Majesty ''in camera'' in executive and judicial matters, and His Majesty ''in parlamento'' in legislative matters.
* Lord High Steuard, to lead the Royal Household and keep the Great Seal;
* Lord High Chancellour, to lead the Royal Chancery and keep the Privy Seal;
* Lord High Treasurer, to lead the Royal Treasury and keep the Quarter Seal;
* Lord High Admiral, to command the [[Navy Royal (Great Nortend)|Navy Royal]]; and
* Lord High Constable, to command the [[Royal Army (Great Nortend)|Royal Army]].
 
==Common Council==
{{Main|Parliament of Great Nortend}}
The Common Council, or ''Commune Concilium'', is the body of the Royal Court consisting of the King along with his Privy Council, along with the other Lords, Clerks, Burgesses and Knights of the Shire. Under from the King, the senior-most officer of the Common Council is the Lord High Steuard who keeps the Great Seal of the Realm, which is necessary to give effect to writs addressed to „all whom these Presents shall come”. The formal function of the Common Council is to advise the King, and its consent is necessary to pass anything under the Great Seal without a writ from the Privy Seal.
 
The four estates represented split into houses, being the Houses of Lords, Clerks, Burgesses and Knights, each sitting separately. The consent of a majority of these houses became necessary for Acts of Parliament to pass under the Great Seal, which in practice means that Bills must pass both the Houses of Commons and the House of Lords before being granted [[Parliament_of_Great_Nortend#Assentus_Regis|Royal Assent]] by the King. Counsellors of State who are not otherwise qualified to sit in a house of Parliament may be entitled to sit in the House of Knights if summoned; however, they are never summoned.


==Privy Council==
==Privy Council==
{{Main|Privy Council of Great Nortend}}
{{Main|Privy Council of Great Nortend}}
The Privy Council comprises His Majesty's ministers, clerks and counsellours who have the formal role of advising the Sovereign on matters of governance. Counsellours are entitled to the style of 'The Right Honourable'.
The Privy Council, or ''Privatum Consilium'', is a subset of the Common Council consisting of His Majesty's Officers, Ministers, Clerks and other Counsellours of State who formally give more privy advice and counsel to the Sovereign as to the matters of day-to-day government. It is presided over by the Lord High Chancellour who keeps the Privy Seal of the Realm which is necessary to give effect to letters addressed to a particular officer of the Crown already holding power. Counsellours are entitled to the style of 'The Right Honourable”.


From the Privy Council are drawn the Officers of State and [[Ministry_of_Great_Nortend#Cabinet|Cabinet]]. [[Ministry_of_Great_Nortend#Utter Ministry|Junior ministers]] are not usually made Privy Counsellours. The most important of the ministers of the Crown (''minister regni'') is the [[Lord High Treasurer of Great Nortend|Lord High Treasurer]], who serves as de facto Prime Minister ''primus inter pares'', though in ceremonial contexts the Lord High Steuard ranks first.
In practice, the Privy Council is a body responsible for approving new regulations, government appointments, new charters, orders and other instruments which are in the ancient prerogative of the Crown as Sovereign as limited by the [[Carta_Erboniæ_Libertatum|Charter of Liberties]], or which are otherwise authorised by an Act of Parliament. By convention only Privy Counsellors who are government ministers or their appointees are summoned, as since the late 18th century counsellors generally retain their status for life until their death or until the demise of the Sovereign who appointed them. The Sovereign appoints his ministers based on the advice of the [[Lord High Treasurer of Great Nortend|Lord High Treasurer]] who is appointed by him upon the advice of the Common Council (in practice always the Warden of the [[List of political parties in Great Nortend|political party]] who holds a majority or confidence of the Houses of Commons.


===Cabinet===
===Cabinet===

Revision as of 12:20, 2 January 2023

His Majesty's
Government
Erbonian Coat of Arms.png
Part of a series on the
Government of Great Nortend
The CrownAlexander II
Departments
  • Exchequery
  • Clerk's Office
  • Trade Office

The Government of Great Nortend, formally known as His Majesty's Government or in Court Latin Curia Regis, and also known as the Erbonian Government, the Nortish Government or in some contexts, the Crown, constitutes the government of the Kingdom of Nortend, Cardoby and Hambria. It is a „semi-constitutional” monarchy where the Sovereign, presently King Alexander II, holds ultimate power exercised principally by delegation to his various officers.

In practice the Government is often conceived as being split into three branches, although this makes for quite a poor analogy as there is little semblance of any separation of powers in Great Nortend. Nonetheless, these three branches are useful as they identify the day-to-day division of Government — the executive composed of the Privy Council, which advises the Sovereign and whose role is mainly delegated to the Cabinet and Ministry, led by the Lord High Treasurer; the legislative branch composed of the Parliament's House of Lords, House of Clergy, House of Burgesses, House of Knights; and the judicial branch composed of the various civil, regular and ecclesiastical courts, wardens, judges and justices. These divisions notwithstanding, there is no formal separation of powers, with the consequence being that many offices and institutions exercise power in two or even all three of the branches. Examples include Parliament, which has judicial and legislative powers and the Privy Council, which has executive, legislative and judicial powers.

The Crown

The Crown (Court Latin: Corona), represented physically by the Sovereign, is the sovereign superior over all of Great Nortend, being the feudal liege lord, and ecclesiastical ruler appointed by God over his subjects. It has been held by the head of the House of Anthord since 1519, with a brief interlude from 1762 to 1777.

The current Sovereign is Alexander II. The heir apparent (regulus apparens) is William, Prince of Rhise. The Crown, in its various forms, is the head of the Curia Regis, and the font of all government power and is thus the „head of government”. It has the final say in all executive, judicial and legislative matters. The Crown’s sovereign powers, rights and duties are split broadly between the five Officers of State, each being authorised to exercise certain powers, being the :—

  • Lord High Steuard, to lead the Royal Household and keep the Great Seal;
  • Lord High Chancellour, to lead the Royal Chancery and keep the Privy Seal;
  • Lord High Treasurer, to lead the Royal Treasury and keep the Quarter Seal;
  • Lord High Admiral, to command the Navy Royal; and
  • Lord High Constable, to command the Royal Army.

Common Council

The Common Council, or Commune Concilium, is the body of the Royal Court consisting of the King along with his Privy Council, along with the other Lords, Clerks, Burgesses and Knights of the Shire. Under from the King, the senior-most officer of the Common Council is the Lord High Steuard who keeps the Great Seal of the Realm, which is necessary to give effect to writs addressed to „all whom these Presents shall come”. The formal function of the Common Council is to advise the King, and its consent is necessary to pass anything under the Great Seal without a writ from the Privy Seal.

The four estates represented split into houses, being the Houses of Lords, Clerks, Burgesses and Knights, each sitting separately. The consent of a majority of these houses became necessary for Acts of Parliament to pass under the Great Seal, which in practice means that Bills must pass both the Houses of Commons and the House of Lords before being granted Royal Assent by the King. Counsellors of State who are not otherwise qualified to sit in a house of Parliament may be entitled to sit in the House of Knights if summoned; however, they are never summoned.

Privy Council

The Privy Council, or Privatum Consilium, is a subset of the Common Council consisting of His Majesty's Officers, Ministers, Clerks and other Counsellours of State who formally give more privy advice and counsel to the Sovereign as to the matters of day-to-day government. It is presided over by the Lord High Chancellour who keeps the Privy Seal of the Realm which is necessary to give effect to letters addressed to a particular officer of the Crown already holding power. Counsellours are entitled to the style of 'The Right Honourable”.

In practice, the Privy Council is a body responsible for approving new regulations, government appointments, new charters, orders and other instruments which are in the ancient prerogative of the Crown as Sovereign as limited by the Charter of Liberties, or which are otherwise authorised by an Act of Parliament. By convention only Privy Counsellors who are government ministers or their appointees are summoned, as since the late 18th century counsellors generally retain their status for life until their death or until the demise of the Sovereign who appointed them. The Sovereign appoints his ministers based on the advice of the Lord High Treasurer who is appointed by him upon the advice of the Common Council (in practice always the Warden of the political party who holds a majority or confidence of the Houses of Commons.

Cabinet

The Green Chamber is where Orders in Council are officially made and sealed.

The Cabinet serves as the main decision-making body of the Erbonian Government. It is constituted as a committee of the Privy Council, and by convention includes only those members thereof currently sitting in Parliament or entitled to do so. The Cabinet is headed by the Lord High Treasurer, primus inter pares holding the informal position of Prime Minister.

The Officers of State hold seats in Cabinet ex officio; however, it is rare for the Lords High Steuard, Admiral, Constable and Chamberlain to sit in Cabinet meetings, owing to their mostly ceremonial or administrative roles. Most Orders in Council of the Privy Council are made with the presence of at least one Cabinet member.

Not all cabinet members head a government ministry. In particular, the masters and lord masters of several important government boards do not head ministries, yet still form part of the Cabinet.

Utter Ministry

The Utter Ministry comprises of junior Ministers of the Crown who are not entitled to sit in Cabinet yet still form part of the serving government. As they are not members of Cabinet, they do not ex officio receive membership of the Privy Council. However, some junior ministers are nonetheless Privy Counsellours.

Legislature

The main legislature of Great Nortend is the Parliament of Great Nortend. The Parliament is a quadcameral legislature, with four formal chambers. In practice however, the House of Lords and the Houses of Commons, the latter comprising the formally separate House of Burgesses and House of Knights, effect a standard bicameral system. The ecclesiastical House of Clergy or Proctors only rarely meets and is often considered to be separate from the main secular Parliament, though Lords Spiritual do sit in the House of Lords.

Judiciary

Ministries

A ministry is a office of the Curia Regis headed by a minister of the Crown who is appointed by the Sovereign in camera. Ministers are always Privy Counsellours, whence they derive their name.

Presently, there are nine ministries in His Majesty's Government. The list does not include offices and boards subordinate to another ministry, such as the Board of Railways or the Board of Agriculture. It also does not include non-ministerial departments, such as the Lord High Treasurer's Office or departments unconnected to government.