Constitution of Cadenza

The Constitution of the Cadenzan Duchy (Khadenz: Lantaië ti'Berent Khadeg, or Constitution of the Cadenzan Duchy) is the fundamental legal document governing Cadenza. It protects certain fundamental rights and sets out the nature of the independent Cadenzan state and its government as a unitary, oligarchic, constitutional republic with an executive duke elected by the nation's traditional earls in addition to a popularly elected lower house.

Enacted in 1795, it is the third constitution governing the Cadenzan state.

Text

Preamble

The people of Cadenza,

Under the guidance of the divine Thaera, protector of all the Ethlorek peoples, and the mighty shield of God the Most High who alone is our salvation,

Staunchly affirming the Nation's rights to freedom and self governance for which our forebears toiled through years without number,

And mindful of our obligation to protect our Society, its members and values, for the preservation of the general peace,

Do create for ourselves and so adopt this Constitution.

The Nation (Articles 1-2)

Article 1

The Cadenzan Nation claims as its own citizens all those born on the islands of Cadenza and within the dominions of the Cadenzan state. It is the indefeasible entitlement and birthright of same to be a part of the Cadenzan Nation and the entitlement of those qualified in accordance with law to be citizens of Cadenza, and so subject to its laws and protections.

Article 2

The Cadenzan Nation affirms its inalienable, indefeasible and sovereign right to determine its own form of Government, its laws and its relations with other nations.

The State (Articles 3-7)

Article 3

1. The name of the State shall be the Cadenzan Duchy.
2. As a sovereign Nation of the Trellinese Empire and a Protectorate of the Sidereal Crown, it shall be permissible to refer to the State as the Cadenzan Protectorate.
3. As the legal successor to the Cadenzan Maritime Republic, its territories and dominions, its treaties and agreements, it shall be permissible to refer to the State as the Cadenzan Republic.

Article 4

1. The principal and immediate responsibility of the State shall be the protection of the rights and well-being of its citizens and the Cadenzan Nation, to which all other responsibilities are secondary and subsidiary.
2. The State’s primary responsibility shall not be overridden by the State’s obligation to protect itself and its integrity.

Article 5

The national flag is divided diagonally from the lower hoist-side corner into two triangles, the upper of blue and the lower of silver, with the Canve compass adorning the upper triangle. The flag shall be twice as wide as it is high.

Article 6

1. The Khadenz language is the first and national language.

2. 1° The Trellinese language is recognised as the second language.

   2° Provision shall be made for the use of the Trellinese language in matters of State.

Article 7

The State is one and indivisible. It shall not be subject to any foreign claims on the territory over which it maintains jurisdiction, nor shall it be obliged to yield its jurisdiction over any territory, whether by treaty or otherwise, without the consent of the Cadenzan Nation.