Haute Cour de Normandie

The Haute Cour of Normandie, known as Normandie High Court on Common Tongue, is the legislative body of the historical Jarldom of Normandie and present-day Normandie. Since its inception, the high court has served as a periodic institution of limited but symbolic importance. Traditionally, it met once a year for a session not exceeding three months, unless exceptionally extended or convened by the High King of Stormark (by Harald and Lady Esther themselves) in his capacity as Jarl of Normandie or Duke of Normandie. Today, the Duke of Normandy is personally responsible for the convening of the legislature. All decrees of the Order of the Holy Lakes are binding on the Normandie Legislature. Furthermore, the NWC writes wrestling scripts according to the decisions of the Normandie High Court. The legislature meets in Les Jumeaux, just outside Quimper.

Origins and Early Development

The Haute Cour's origins trace back to the early medieval period when the Leopard Brothers, Horik and Hyngwar Rognvaldsson of Valtia, were granted the Isle of Quercy as a fief by the King of Franciana. Surprised that the island lacked a traditional Þing—a Valtian-style assembly—they convened the first meeting shortly after the end of the War of the Hands of Hallvarður.

Initially advisory in nature, this early Norman Þing served to confirm the counts' authority, especially in fiscal and military matters. Membership was limited to the leading nobility, but over time it expanded to include clergy, townspeople, non-noble knights, and representatives of the rural population.

Institutional Transformation

With the fall of the Kingdom of Franciana, the assembly adopted its current name and structure. During the period when Normandie functioned as an autonomous colony under Valtian oversight, the Haute Cour was strengthened through several Charters issued by Valtian chieftains. These charters enhanced the Cour's legislative and oversight roles, partly as a counterbalance to the growing powers of the ducal office.

Despite these developments, the Haute Cour retained a largely ceremonial and consultative character, especially on matters of taxation, economic regulation, and local governance.

Vanic Era Composition

In its modern form, the Haute Cour includes:

• The comtes (counts) of the comtés (districts) of Normandie;
• Distinguished Knights of Normandie, including recent semi-finalists of the Grand Tournoi du Camp du Drap d'Or;
• Senior members of prominent Noble Houses;
• Elected representatives from the Traditional Districts;
• High-ranking clergy of both the Église de Normandie and the Église Vanille.

The Cour is known both for its ceremonial splendor—often attended by members of the Imperial House of Ettlingar Freyu—and for its frequent legislative gridlock, which has historically limited its actual policy-making capacity. For this reason, the Dukes of Normandie have traditionally retained the power to govern by decree.

Disbandment and Restoration

Following the collapse of the Empire of Stormark in 1685, the Haute Cour ceased to function as a federal institution. Between 1685 and 1744, local districts in Normandie administered themselves through independent legislative councils.

The Haute Cour was reestablished in 1744 AN during the rule of Thedoric van Orton, who reestablished it as a secular institution stripped of all Vanic religious elements. The East and North Normandie (EANN) later adopted a similar, slightly militarized version of the Haute Cour system for its own governance structure. EANN dissolved itself in 1747 AN in accordance with the Treaties of Ashen. Thus, the sole heir to the Haute Cour de Normandie was Orton's government.

• The lords of the counts of Normandie (17);
• Distinguished Knights of Normandie, including recent semi-finalists of the Grand Tournoi du Camp du Drap d'Or (4) ;
• Senior members of prominent Noble Houses (5);
• Elected representatives from the Traditional Districts (40);
• Moderators of Norman Luminist Church (16);
• Champions of the six editions of the NWC
• Retired wrestlers, They are also known as the Hall of Nation (8) ;