First Laws of Aedelmen

The First Laws are the fundamental law code of Aedeland.

Section 1: Concerning the Laws

• Article 1 - Universality of the Laws: These are the First Laws of the Aedelmen to which all men are subject, and no man is above.
• Article 2 - Supremacy of the Laws: There shall be no other law.
• Article 3 - Declamation of the Laws: The laws shall be declaimed on the anniversary of Midsummer's Eve, and no new law shall be binding before its second declamation so that no man may claim ignorance.

Section 2: Concerning Causes

• Article 1 - Proper Causes: Where there is no law, there is no cause.
• Article 2 - Limit of Causes: No cause, whether well-founded or not, shall be brought or determined five years after the transgression.
• Article 3 - Power of Subpoena: When a just complaint has been made, necessary testimony shall be compelled.
• Article 4 - Law Shall Decide: All those who are brought before the law shall, under no circumstances, settle by compromise before the cause has been decided.
• Article 5 - Credible Witnesses: No witnesses shall be permitted to testify without having first been sworn. Nor shall any witness testify if under the age of majority, an outlaw, or a malefactor. Kinsmen shall not be permitted to give evidence in court against strangers.
• Article 6 - Limit to Guilt: No man shall be held liable who has not been adjudged to be guilty. He alone shall be adjudged to be guilty who is responsible for the offense, and the crime shall die with him who committed it.

Section 3: Concerning Infamous Crimes

These infamous crimes shall be punished:

• Article 1 - Murder: A man who kills another without cause of enmity against him shall not be guilty, nor shall a man who kills another to defend his person and property from malice, nor shall a man who kills an opponent in arranged combat, nor shall a man who kills a thief at arms or in the act, neither a husband nor father who kills an adulterer along with the adulteress. But a man who otherwise kills another intentionally is liable and, being free of redemption and rights, shall receive an "M" to his right hand as his mark.
• Article 2 - False Testimony: A man who compels an innocent man to be summoned or brought without cause or otherwise bears false testimony against him is liable and, being free of redemption and rights, shall receive an "X" to his right hand as his mark.
• Article 3 - Adultery and Rape: A man who adulterates another man's wife or daughter is liable and, being free of redemption and rights, shall receive an "A" to his right hand as his mark.
• Article 4 - Sexual Immorality: A man who defiles a child who has not yet reached the age of majority or engages in the unnatural act of sodomy, bestiality, or incest is liable and, being free of redemption and rights, shall receive a ⚥ to his right hand as his mark.
• Article 5 - Theft: A man who willfully deprives a rightful owner of his property, real or personal, including his life, family, good name, labor, or the product of his labor by use without consent or by failing to pay a debt or through theft (including theft by deception or extortion or by failing to return found property or by gross negligence or by robbery or burglary or by arson or destruction or by looting or by vandalism) is liable and shall restore sevenfold its value. But a man who confesses and restores the property shall pay a fifth of its value. He who fails to make expiation shall be compelled to do so by garnishment or forced labor until the debt is paid. A man who has been found thrice liable of the same shall receive a "T" to his right hand as his mark.
• Article 6 - Offense Against the Person: A man who strikes another in resistance to violence shall not be guilty, but a man who wantonly molests, defiles, or otherwise causes another man to endure ignominies is liable and shall endure the same. A man who has been found thrice liable of the same shall receive an "F" to his right hand as his mark.
• Article 7 - Aiding and Abetting: A man who willfully aids and abets in the committing of a crime or willfully harbors an outlaw shall be liable for the same.

Section 4: Concerning Lesser Crimes

These lesser crimes shall be punished:

• Article 1 - Disturbing the Peace: A man found liable for disturbing the peace shall receive two strokes.
• Article 2 - Disobeying Lawful Authority: A man found liable for disobeying his master shall receive three strokes.
• Article 3 - Defamation: A man found liable for defamation shall receive three strokes.
• Article 4 - Trespassing: A man found liable for trespassing shall receive five strokes.
• Article 5 - Moral Corruption: A man found liable for moral corruption shall receive fifteen strokes.
• Article 6 - Breaking the Hvǫldardagur: A man found liable for violating the Hvǫldardagur shall receive twenty strokes.
• Article 7 - Breach of Contract: A man who fails to fulfill his contractual promise is liable and shall forfeit surety.

Section 6: Concerning Unlawful Obligations

• Article 1 - Obligations in Duress: Any obligation conceived through force shall be rendered null and void.
• Article 2 - Obligations Without Witness: Any obligation conceived without witness shall be rendered null and void.
• Article 3 - Unconscionable Obligations: Any obligation unconscionably conceived shall be rendered null and void.
• Article 4 - Revoked Obligations: Any obligation revoked before the third day shall be rendered null and void.
• Article 5 - Annulled Obligations: Any obligation annulled by mutual consent shall be rendered null and void.
• Article 6 - Expiration of Obligations: Any obligation carried beyond the Frihetsåret shall be rendered null and void.