Captaincy of the Three Ports
The Captaincy of the Three Ports is a series of important coastal ports and towns in the Kingdom of Ransenar.
These are:
Goldfield is called the "fourth port", but as it is the capital of the Kingdom, it is considered separate from the Captaincy of the Three Ports.
The chief obligation laid upon the ports, as a corporate duty, was to provide up to 57 ships for military or civilian service to the Queen annually, each port fulfilling a proportion of the whole duty. In return these ports receive the following privileges:
- Exemptions from certain taxes;
- Exemptions from certain duties and fees relating to shipping and commerce;
- Exemptions from taxes, duties, and fees on shipbuilding and financial services.
A Lord Captain of the Three Ports is appointed by Royal Decree to administer the system and ensure that the cities are keeping up with their requirements and responsibilities. The Lord Captain of the Three Ports also maintains its own law enforcement agency with jurisdiction over the Three Ports.
The Captaincy of the Three Ports was dissolved in 1678 AN, when the Territorial Organization Act was passed.
The Captaincy of the Three Ports were subsequently reactivated by the High Presidium of the Benacian Union in 1723 AN with the obligation to render unto the Union-State the former aid promised to the Crown of Ransenar, namely to establish a coastal and riverine auxiliary force to support the operations of the BUDF on the River Elwynn.
The Captaincy of the Three Ports was subsequently mobilised in 1729 AN to support the shipbuilding programme of the Naval Construction Office as part of the envisaged expansion and reconstruction of the Maritime Forces of the Benacian Union.
Corps of River Fencibles
As the Shiro-Benacian Cold War worsened, amongst the responses of the population of Ransenar to the fear of an impending Shirerithian invasion was the raising of a "Corps of River Fencibles" at Teldrin during 1733 AN. This corps of rivermen, comprised of meritorious subjects brought together by voluntary association and sponsored by the Honourable Company and the Guild of Factors, would swiftly be joined by contingents forming at Borden and Tyrelwynn. This corps, upon receiving formal standing in the form of letters patent from the crown, was made subject to the Captaincy of the Three Ports.
