Magestrix of the Magistracy of Canopus

The Magestrix is the elected ruler of the Magistracy of Canopus.

History

Technically the position is open to any woman within the Magistracy, but by dint of their popularity House Centrella has dominated the role since the nation's founding. Once elected, Magestrix serve until death or incapacitation, and while they cannot designate a successor they can let it be known whom they would prefer succeed them.[1][2] The Magestrix traditionally rules and maintains her Royal Court on the capital world of Canopus IV, along with the rest of the Canopian government.[3]

The Magestrix is the head of state and commander-in-chief of the Magistracy Armed Forces, and has near-absolute control of both foreign and domestic policy for the Magistracy. While possessing tremendous autocratic powers, their rule is tempered by the Magistracy's democratic institutions and cultural traditions. A new Magestrix must first win the nomination of the Canopian Electors before being presented to the Central Committee for a final vote; if they do not win two-thirds of the Committee's vote, a new Magestrix must be nominated by the Electors. Once in office, the Central Committee has the power of reviewing all legislation proposed by the Magestrix and vetoing any which does not garner a two-thirds majority of support. The Magestrix can likewise veto legislation passed by the Central Committee, and with each side having differing goals the two frequently butt heads, though the need to compromise helps to protect the Canopian democratic system.[1][2]

The Magestrix is also obligated under the Canopian Constitution to "promote the general welfare of the Canopian people." Given the nation's history of strongly promoting personal freedoms and liberty, the best way of meeting this obligation has traditionally meant ensuring the government stayed out of people's way and let them live their lives as they saw fit. Should a Magestrix attempt to start legislate something as personal as morals or religion, they would quickly find themselves out of a job.[4]

List of Magestrixes of the Magistracy of Canopus

Name Reign
Centrella Magestrix (2530–2584)
Kossandra Centrella 25302548 [5]
Floral Centrella [6][7]
Coranna Centrella 25502569 [7]
Crystalla Centrella 2569 – 2584* [7][8]
Military Governors (2584–2604)
Ian Marik 2584 – 2588 [9]
Melissa Humphreys 2588 – 2604 [10]
Centrella Magestrix (2604–current)
Rinalla Centrella 2604 – 2612 [10]
Carla Centrella 2612 – 2654 [11]
Celine Centrella 2654 – 2656 [12]
Gorraine Centrella 2656 – 2680 [12]
Kim Centrella 2680* – 2712 [12]
Jehan Centrella 2712 – 2738 [13]
Vanura Centrella 2738* – 2760 [13]
Janina Centrella 2760 – 2802 [14]
Rwannah Centrella 2802 [14]
Michaela Centrella 2840 [15]
Tamara Centrella 3012 [16]
Kyalla Centrella 3012 – 3040 [16]
Emma Centrella 3040 – 3071 [17]
Naomi Centrella 3071 – 3085 [18][19]
Ilsa Centrella-Liao 31373152 [20][21]

Notes

  • Crystalla Centrella was stripped of power but allowed to keep her title during the SLDF occupation, styling herself "Magestrix-Dowager."[8]
  • Kim Centrella was interim Magestrix after Gorraine Centrella went missing on Adhara on 17 June 2680, becoming officially confirmed three years later when the wreckage of Gorraine's transport was found.[12]
  • Vanura Centrella was provisionally appointed Magestrix on 16 March 2738 while Jehan Centrella took leave, becoming officially confirmed on 1 August.[13][14]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 The Periphery, p. 90: "Magistrix - Central Committee - Canopian Electors"
  2. 2.0 2.1 Handbook: Major Periphery States, pp. 77–78: "Government and Politics - Magestrix"
  3. The Periphery, p. 89: "Sociopolitical Structure"
  4. Handbook: Major Periphery States, pp. 94–95: "Anything Goes: The Ethos of Openness"
  5. The Periphery, p. 22: "Magistracy of Canopus"
  6. The Periphery, p. 39: "Campaign Against the Magistracy"
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 Handbook: Major Periphery States, p. 77: "Government and Politics"
  8. 8.0 8.1 Historical: Reunification War, pp. 57–58: "Crystalla Centrella"
  9. Historical: Reunification War, p. 105: "Mopping Up (2584–2588)"
  10. 10.0 10.1 Historical: Reunification War, pp. 54–55: "Melissa Humphreys"
  11. The Periphery, p. 46: "Prince Charming"
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 The Periphery, p. 49: "Canopus in Mid-Century"
  13. 13.0 13.1 13.2 Era Report: 2750, pp. 87–88: "Vanura Centrella"
  14. 14.0 14.1 14.2 Historical: Liberation of Terra Volume 1, p. 65: "Janina Centrella"
  15. Handbook: Major Periphery States, p. 79: "Electors"
  16. 16.0 16.1 The Periphery, p. 101: "Kyalla Centrella"
  17. Handbook: Major Periphery States, p. 81: "Politics in the Magistracy"
  18. Jihad: Final Reckoning, p. 49: "The Jihad in Review"
  19. Field Manual: 3085, p. 149: "Periphery Military Forces - Magistracy Armed Forces"
  20. Era Report: 3145, p. 97: "Ari Humphreys"
  21. Empire Alone, p. 101: "Ilsa Centrella"

Bibliography