Chapter 24: The Ceremony of Succession

In addition to Baron Stuart, there were five other nobles in Brittany above the rank of field baron, and they had to be invited. There were no more than twenty hereditary honorary nobles above the rank of baron, and they also had to be invited.

The two ranks of Lord and Knight did not need to be invited, but of course their own vassals had to attend.

Each nobleman has a villa built specifically to entertain other visiting nobles, and Baron Stewart's domain is so wealthy that the standards are based on those of the city of Rennes, to the great satisfaction of the nobles who come to celebrate.

The host is responsible for all the guests' accommodation and meals. Although the standards are different for nobles of different ranks, as long as they meet the standards, they will not lose face. However, if they can offer something better, they will be praised.

Christine is willing to spend money, so the standard of hospitality for everyone has been raised by one level, making everyone happier.

On the day of the celebration, banners embroidered with the Stewart family crest were hung on the interior walls of the newly renovated castle.

The crest was a silver shield with bands on either side, symbolising the title of Baron, with a flying dragon above, symbolising the dragon vein and bloodline, and a long sword and staff crossed underneath, symbolising the family's production of a Knight of the Fifth Class and a Mage of the Fifth Class. At the bottom was a thorn bush, symbolising the family's battles for the kingdom.

On one side of the wide square, the original parade platform had been repainted and decorated with flowers as a ceremonial platform, and on the back hung a huge banner embroidered with the Stewart family crest.

A red carpet ran down to the platform, with the nobles on either side watching the ceremony and their attendants behind them.

Behind them were 50 soldiers, dressed in chain mail on the outside and cloaks embroidered with the Stewart family crest on the inside. They held long spears with flags embroidered on the top with the family crest, showing the lord's power.

The bells in the clock tower rang out, signalling the start of the succession ceremony.

To the music of the trumpeters, Christine walked calmly from one end of the red carpet in a ceremonial gown of blue with red copper patterns.

The sunlight shining on her face added a touch of the divine and she was truly exceptionally beautiful.

The ceremony began.

The envoy of the Kingdom, Hartmann Segura, Honorary Hereditary Count, presided over the ceremony on behalf of the King and the Council of the Nobility of the Kingdom of France.

Originally, the Council of Nobility could have sent an honorary hereditary baron, or at most a viscount, to preside over the baronial succession ceremony, but Christine was willing to pay extra, so they sent an honorary hereditary count.

Even an honorary peer has to make a living and earn a decent living.

Bishop Antonius Harewood came from the capital to give his blessing on behalf of the Church of the Dragon God.

Bishop Sylvain Cross of the Church of the God of Order in the city of Rennes witnessed the ceremony.

Mage Dubois Deldor came to attend the ceremony on behalf of the Rennes City Mage Guild.

Master Adret Morningstar, a 15th level mage, came to the ceremony on behalf of the elves. He was also the one the elves sent to oversee the construction of the Mage Tower.

Incidentally, there are no more than twenty mages of 15th level or higher in the entire kingdom of France, not counting the great churches of the true gods and the great guilds. If it weren't for the construction of the High Mage Tower, which must be presided over by a Master, the Elves would not have sent Master Adret Morningstar.

Christine walked slowly to the podium, and the hereditary Honorary Count of Teman Segura read the documents of succession. The content was no more than official rhetoric about upholding the noble covenant, loyalty to the king, love of the people and glorification of the Stewart family name.

After the reading, Christian affixed the Stuart family seal with his signet ring and signed it. The Hereditary Honorary Count of Teman Segura, as reader, affixed his seal, and the Bishop of Selman Cross, the God of Order, also signed and sealed.

The document was made in triplicate, one copy was kept by Christian, one copy was sent to the Council of Nobles in the capital for safekeeping, and one copy was kept by the Church of the God of Order.

Bishop Antonius Hallerwood then blessed Christian by sprinkling him three times with holy water. The holy water also had the power to identify evil, and anything unusual would be revealed beneath it.

The ceremony of succession was now complete and Christian had become Baron Stewart.

Inside the hall, the applause of the noble spectators, the cheers of the soldiers and the music of the trumpeters combined to celebrate the succession of a new Baron.

The ceremony was followed by a great banquet.

Its richness amazed all the nobles present.

A sea fish weighing more than 100 catties from the Principality of Wend, the price of the fish was only 50 gold coins, but the shipping cost was 1,000 gold coins. It was frozen by magic, then transported to the Mage Guild of Rennes City by a transnational teleportation array, and then delivered to Baron Stewart's territory by a fast horse, which ensured its freshness to the greatest extent.

Together with other fine ingredients and drinks, this banquet alone cost 3,000 gold coins. It was the most extravagant feast in Brittany in the last century. No nobleman would waste 1,000 gold coins on just one dish.

Christine did it on purpose. She wanted to use the ceremony of the baron's succession to spread the wealth of the Stewart barony. And the money was not spent in vain. As with this banquet, it not only increased her popularity in aristocratic circles, but also increased the wealth of the Stewart barony.

Under the rule of a noble lord, there are slaves, serfs and freemen. Slaves, of course, are considered private property. Free people literally mean that they can move around and live wherever they want, but they must obey the orders of the local lord. Serfs can be considered free people who cannot leave the jurisdiction of the lord.

Half of the free people were craftsmen or professionals, such as blacksmiths, tanners, merchants, adventurers and minstrels. After all, you cannot move land with them, and you cannot survive without skills.

Christine naturally spread the word of the area's wealth to attract these free people. The next step is to start building the port of Salzo. You can't build a city without people. You can't just wait patiently for a generation to grow up.

Christine's succession to the title of Baroness was a great event, and the people of Baron Stewart's entire territory naturally wanted to share in the joy.

Celebrations were held in every village and town in the area, organised by the village leader and the priest. Merchants passing through could also take part. Although each person was given only one spoonful of stewed mixed meat, they could eat as much black bread and pumpkin, carrot and vegetable soup as they wanted, but they could not take it away.

Those with official duties, such as the village headman, militia captain and mill manager, would also receive a small piece of roast meat, while the village headman and the priest could enjoy as much white bread and roast meat as they liked.

In fact, there were many such feasts throughout the year, such as the Feast of the Incarnation, the Autumn Harvest Festival and the New Year. If the lord was generous, the people would eat well; if the lord was stingy, the people would eat poorly, but the feasts would not be cancelled.

The celebrations did not cost much, and Christine wanted to use the opportunity to spread the wealth of the kingdom, so she treated the people well.

The next day, after the ceremony, the noble guests left, taking with them the good reputation of the Barony of Stewart.