The First and Second Estates

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The Legislation Format Act - Motions and setup of bills proposed in all Estates.

Membership in the upper house, also known as the First and Second Estates, is restricted to titled nobility and/or clergy. Anyone with a title of nobility (Baron or greater - knighthood, while an exalted rank, does not ennoble) may claim a seat, and an appropriate number of votes, in the First and Second Estates. A member of any major church in Madland may claim a seat. Until a member claims his seat, the votes accorded thereto are not counted.

A member may resign his seat at any time, but a seat so resigned may not be reclaimed for a period of three months.

Votes are given according to the tables below:

(1) - belong to First Estate
(2) - belong to Second Estate

Highest title Votes
Prince (1) 6
Grand Duke (1) 5
Duke (1) 4
Count (1) 3
Baron (1) 2
Lord (1) 1
The Emperor
(or his proxy) (1)		 (+)1
Supreme Leader of Church (Ex. Pope) (2) 5
Cardinals (2) 4
Archbishop (2) 3
Bishops (2) 2

Supplementary Votes
Each additional
title of equal
or lesser rank (1)		 +1
Each additional
ecclesiastical title
of equal or lesser
rank (2)		 +1

In general, the functions of the First and Second Estates are similar to those of the Third Estate in legislating, debating and questioning the executive. There are two important exceptions: members of the First and Second Estates do not represent constituencies, and are not involved in matters of taxation and finance. The role of the First and Second Estates is generally recognized to be complementary to that of the Third Estate and it acts as a revising chamber for many of the more important and controversial bills.

All bills go through all Estates before becoming Acts, and may start in either Estate. Normally, the consent of the First and Second Estates is required before Acts of Parliament can be passed, and the First and Second Estates can amend all legislation, with the exception of bills to raise taxation, long seen as the responsibility of the Third Estate. Amendments have to be agreed to by all Estates. The First and Second Estates is as active as the Third Estate in amending bills, and spends much of its time revising legislation.

The Speaker of the First and Second Estates has traditionally been known as the Grand Duke of the Estates.