Charter of Heyst (Merveilles du Monde Map Game)

On the 21st of March 1312 the Duke of Brabant and Limburg, Count of Holland, Zeeland, Dalhem and Aalst signed the Charter of Heyst. This Charter with its rights and local representation is often referred to as a Constitution, Some calling it the "Heyst Constitution". This is even the first charter to give estates the right to participate and make democratic decisions.

Terms

Duke John II and his descendants promise:

1. That no taxes or any other demand for resources will be levied than those which are known as the 3three feudal cases:
   • At the Knighthood of John III and him becoming an adult.
   • At the wedding of any Member of the Brabant-Lotharingia family.
   • That if the Duke should be taken captive. The taxes shall not increase and will be based on the minimum tax agreement.
2. An honourable Jurisdiction for all cases and people: rich and the poor.
3. To recognise the freedoms of all towns
4. To establish a council which shall be comprised of:
   • 20 Knights and Nobles:
     • 5 Knights or Nobles from Holland
     • 5 Knights or Nobles from Brabant
     • 3 Knights or Nobles from Zeeland
     • 1 Knight or Noble from Malines
     • 2 Knights or Nobles from Limburg
     • 2 Knights or Nobles from Aalst
     • 2 Knights or Nobles from overmuese
       • 1 Knight or Noble from Dalhem
       • 1 Knight or Noble from Hertogenrade
   • 25 Representatives from the 14 Cities as follows:
     • 3 representatives from Brussels
     • 3 representatives from Den haag
     • 2 representatives from Antwerp
     • 2 representatives from Louvain
     • 2 representatives from Aalst
     • 2 representatives from Amsterdam
     • 2 representatives from Middelburg
     • 2 representatives from Limburg
     • 2 representatives from Rotterdam
     • 1 representative from Malines
     • 1 representative from Leiden
     • 1 representative from Den Bosch
     • 1 representative from Delft
5. This council will be allowed to meet every two weeks in "Berghe Huische" to monitor if any of the laws are being followed.
6. That in the future improvements are introduced to make administration easier and simpler.
7. Upon the death of a council member a new one will be designated. Method depending on the case of the Member.
8. That members of the council take an oath to the sacred scripture that they will pursue the best interests of the public.
9. That people have the right to resist the duke and his descendants if they stop following the Charter of Heyst.

Current Terms and seats

1. That no taxes or any other demand for resources will be levied than those which are known as the 3three feudal cases:
   • At the wedding of any Member of the Brabant-Lotharingia family.
   • That if the Archduke should be taken captive. The taxes shall not increase and will be based on the minimum tax agreement.
2. An honourable Jurisdiction for all cases and people: rich and the poor.
3. To recognise the freedoms of all towns
4. To establish a council which shall be comprised of:
   • 37 Knights and Nobles:
     • 14 Knights or Nobles for Nordgau
       • 3 Knights or Nobles from Zeeland
       • 5 Knights or Nobles from Brabant
       • 2 Knights or Nobles from Aalst
       • 1 Knight or Noble from Malines
       • 3 knights or Nobles for Loon
     • 7 Knights or Nobles for Seegau
       • 5 Knights or Nobles from Holland
       • 2  Knights or Nobles from Frisia
     • 6 knights or Nobles from Westgau
       • 3 Knights or Nobles from Hainault
       • 2 Knights or Nobles from Namur
       • 1 Knight or Noble from Doornik
     • 5 Knights or Nobles from overmaas
       • 2 Knights or Nobles from Limburg
       • 1 Knight or Noble from Dalhem
       • 1 Knight or Noble from Hertogenrade
       • 1 Knight or Noble from Gulik
     • 5 Knights or Nobles from  Rheinland
       • 3 Knights or Nobles from Luxembourg
       • 2 Knights or Nobles from Loraine
   • 47 Representatives from the 23 Cities as follows:
     • 3 representatives from Brussels
     • 3 representatives from Den haag
     • 2 representatives from Antwerp
     • 2 representatives from Louvain
     • 2 representatives from Amsterdam
     • 2 representatives from Aalst
     • 2 representatives from Middelburg
     • 2 representatives from Limburg
     • 2 representatives from Rotterdam
     • 2 representatives from Bergen
     • 2 representatives from Valencijn
     • 2 representatives from Hasselt
     • 2 representatives from Tungorum
     • 2 representatives from Verdun
     • 2 representatives from Luik
     • 2 representatives from Gulik
     • 2 representatives from Namur
     • 2 representatives from Luxembourg
     • 1 representative from Doornik
     • 1 representatives from Binche
     • 1 representatives from Borgloon
     • 1 representative from Turnhout
     • 1 representative from Malines
     • 1 representative from Leiden
     • 1 representative from Den Bosch
     • 1 representative from Delft
     • 1 representative from Nancy
   • 2 Clerical Representative
     • 1 Bishop from Verdun
     • 1 Bishop from luik
5. This council will be allowed to meet every two weeks in "SchepenHuische"  in malines to monitor if any of the laws are being followed.
6. That in the future improvements are introduced to make administration easier and simpler.
7. Upon the death of a council member a new one will be designated. Method depending on the case of the Member.
8. That members of the council take an oath to the sacred scripture that they will pursue the best interests of the public.
9. That people have the right to resist the duke and his descendants if they stop following the Charter of Heyst.