Septimus wrote:
I like the idea that the council can pass an executive order declaring the land claim to be unlawful
Well, technically there is nothing unlawful about claiming unclaimed land. It's about the Empire recognizing that claim. It's legal to claim land, but the nobles of the Empire just might not recognize that claim. It's not so much as an executive order as it is the Council voting to (as a body) recognize a claim or not.
Septimus wrote:
but I would stipulate that all parties should attempt arbitration before it reaches this point.
That would be the idea - that the person making the claim first has the responsibility to prove they deserve the claim. If they can't, then a King can initiate the aforementioned vote. This Council vote to decide on whether they recognize a claim or not does NOT apply to cases where there is an actual conflict. Conflict would happen only if there was no actual problem with an expansion, in terms of that realm being able to justify an expansion because they need/want a specific piece of land. This bill would NOT be used to prevent a war, for example.
Septimus wrote:
If, for example, a noble is claiming an additional 5 counties and is met with general disapproval from his peers, alternative claims should be discussed, such as reducing the above claim to 2 counties which may be more acceptable to the general community.
I actually think, and many others do as well, that there should just be set numbers for how much land a Count, Duke, King can claim at one time. There would need to be some exceptions, for example, if a person brings in Vassals and they literally have no other counties for them to settle - like in your case, in Wychwood, you'd have some kind of law saying it was ok for you to have claimed 2 counties at once. The few people I've heard discuss this seem to think that a Count can claim a single county at a time, a Duke/King up to three at one time.
Septimus wrote:
Perhaps the councils vote is only required upon the request of the House of Dukes?
Nicholas had a really good argument against that, but I don't recall the specifics. Personally, I feel that the Kings, since they set the standards for this stuff in terms of what is needed for rank ascension and expansions, should be the ones to have authority here. They also serve as a little less biased people to do so, as they really won't be expanding (except for the newest Kingdoms possibly).
Septimus wrote:
As for what would constitute an unruly claim, I believe it is not desirable to enshrine in law what is and is not acceptable with regards to land size and location. Each land claim will be different and each should be reviewed on a case by case basis.
There is merit to your argument. We can't create laws for every exact situation. However, there can be guidelines and very loose language to prevent things like the following:
* Single buildings being called a county (unless it's like a freaking complex or something astounding like that)
* a few buildings with no details and unfinished interiors being used to justify an expansion
* Gathering armies of vassals and claiming land despite some of those vassals quitting early on and leaving their areas basically devoid of anything
* Using a few towns barely good enough to justify massive, massive areas
Just my thoughts, others may not agree of course. Personally, I'd rather see smaller realms with more content and less space between settlements than sprawling empty areas with isolated settlements.