Imperial Court of Natopia

The Imperial Court of the Bovic Empire of the Natopian Nation is a constitutionally-defined organ of the Natopian Imperial Government. It is often compared in its powers and responsibilities to the Imperial Chancellery of Natopia. The exact nature and composition of the Imperial Court can have a wide variety of interpretations based on the ambiguity of terminology in the Caprine Code. However, in the strictest and narrowest interpretation, the Imperial Court consists of the Emperor, the Regent, the Secretary for Foreign Affairs, and the Secretary for Defense. The Supreme Court of the Natopian Nation exercises judicial power in the name of the Emperor and is sometimes, for ceremonial purposes, included in the Imperial Court, but the Supreme Court is legally distinct from the Imperial Court. To reflect their legal defintion as extensions of the Imperial Court, the offices of the foreign and defense secretaries are also referred to as Courts and the two secretaries are thus Chamberlains. His Most Bovic Majesty's Secretary for Foreign Affairs is the Chamberlain of the Court of the Calm Waters and His Most Bovic Majesty's Secretary for Defense is the Chamberlain of the Court of the Verdant Gardens.

The Court's Imperial and Royal Tradition

The Imperial Court is the center of Natopia's imperial traditions. The Emperor is given the power to regulate the Court and serve as head of state. Through the Imperial Court, the Emperor guides Natopian culture, society, foreign policy, and commands the military. The Emperor is expected to build on, clarify, and solidify the concept of a central, unifying figure. The exact legal extent of the Emperor's power has been challenged, and his rule is not absolute. The Natopian tradition of monarchy has been on a slow, but steady, process of liberalization and benevolence and it is often compared favorably to the early forms of Natopian republicanism which resulted in totalitarian states or total societal collapse. Natopians have come to embrace their monarchs, but are always wary of overzealous leaders becoming too powerful. It is the Emperor's moral responsibility to continue to make the monarchy a positive element in Natopian society, and never a burden upon the people.

Court Uniforms

Emperor Naian reestablished and codified the practice of formal dress guidelines for Natopian officials to wear when attending Imperial Court functions. A five tier system of guidelines and uniform patterns were provided for the Emperor (first tier), the Chancellor, Chief Justice, Regent (second tier), demesne leaders (third tier), Secretaries, Ministers, Associate Justices (fourth tier), Frenzy Representatives, and Ambassadors (fifth tier). Members of the military would wear their Defense Force uniforms.

• 
  Emperor-/Empress-regnant
• 
  Regent
• 
  Chancellor
• 
  Chief Justice
• 
  Demesne Leaders(or local costume)
• 
  Secretaries, Ministers, Associate Justices
• 
  Frenzy Representatives, Ambassadors

The Court's Composition

In a broader sense, the Imperial Court can be used to refer to the personal court and appointees of the reigning Emperor. The Imperial Consort, the heir-designate to the Caprine Throne, ambassadors, members of the military, and their supporting staff, have been considered members of the Imperial Court, and thus must follow lawful directives and decrees of the Emperor. The size of the Imperial Court is largely dependent on the personality, wishes, and preferences of the reigning Emperor or Empress.

Members' Obligations to the Imperial Court

The extent that listed successors given the title of Prince/Princess of Natopia are in the Imperial Court is a matter of legal debate. It is assumed that a Prince or Princess of Natopia would be a full member of the Imperial Court if they have no other positions that would constitute a conflict of interest. For instance, the Kaiser of Shireroth is presently a Prince of Natopia, but it is not expected that the rules and regulations of the Natopian Imperial Court could be enforced. Also, for a time the Chancellor of Natopia was also a Prince of Natopia, but the Natopian Caprine Code defines a clear separation of powers between the Emperor and Chancellor, so the Chancellor could not fulfill obligations to the Imperial court that conflicted with his or her duties to the Chancellery or Frenzy.

The Full Achievement of Emperor Zakyrr

Simplified coat of arms used by the Imperial Court

The Imperial Court of Emperor Zakyyr

Role	Holder	Tenure
Regent	Christo Eucalyptos	1648-pres.
Secretary for Foreign Affairs	King Noah	1651-pres.
	Janus Eadric	1646–1651
Secretary for Defense	Marco Lungo	1651–pres.
	Kyle Kilynn	1648–1650
	Isabella Kalirion	1638–1648
Imperial Consort	Li Naomiai	1647-pres.
Princes and Princesses	Nathan II, Heir-Designate	1648-pres.
	Vidar Ayreon-Kalirion	1648-pres.
	Thorstein Noah	1648-pres.
	Benjamin Meir	1648-pres.
	Isabella Kalirion	1648-pres.
Justices of the Supreme Court	Ivo Angus, Chief Justice	1624-pres.
	Thorstein Noah, Associate Justice	1631-pres.
	Kurai Darkmoon, Associate Justice	1633-pres.