PRECEPTS OF NOBILITY AND TITLEAGE

[bickando 3967]

 

PRECEPTS OF NOBILITY AND TITLEAGE IN THE EMPIRE OF RENATUS
“IN NOMINE DEI”
Issued and confirmed by His Imperial Majesty, Godfrey III of the House of Horen, 14th Horen’s Calling, 1718

For too long have the dark-age procedures of Aegisian nobility been thrown upon an advancing society; for too long has mankind found itself without the instruments to encourage and regulate the betterment of the empire through its subordinates. It is the opinion of the Imperial Crown that such a state shall continue no longer; by His Imperial Majesty’s will, the reformation that began with the House of Horen shall bleed through to the greater Nobility of the Empire.

 

-=-

 

On the Age of Houses; On Regimes Past

In the early iterations of Empires of All Mankind, various forms of regulating the power structure while accounting for resurgent and aspiring houses were tried, and various forms failed. Even now, the classes of nobility border on defunct; the difference between old and new, once compared to fine wine, now believed by many a signal of skeletons. To reinforce the importance of lineage and of the good rule of patriarchs past, noble houses will be classified in one aspect by age. This is to be called the Heritage System, and shall help to usher in a golden era in the keeping of ledgers and records, and in the long-term security of the Empire.

 

Ancient Houses
Houses born and landholding from at least the time of and, at one point, under the First Empire, oft with legendary origin, sainted and blessed ancestry, and multiple storied figures. With such a lengthy heritage, these hold the highest prestige under the Heritage System.

 

Houses considered Ancient and landed within the Imperium Renatum or its vassals;

 

 

The House of Horen

 

 

Ennobled the Year of Our Lord, 1 as Lords of Jrent
Considered August under the Empowerment System

 

The House of Stafyr

 

 

Ennobled the Year of Our Lord, 1382 under the House of Horen
Considered Noble under the Empowerment System

 

Elder Houses
Houses born and landholding from at least the time of the Descendants’ reign on Athera. Within those on the same titled level, there are rarely those considered more prestigious under the Heritage System.

 

Houses considered Elder and landed within the Imperium Renatum or its vassals;

 

 

The House of Ruric

 

 

Ennobled the Year of Our Lord, 1465 as Lords of Norland
Considered Royal under the Empowerment System

The House of Staunton

 

 

Ennobled the Year of Our Lord, 1476 as Lords of Courland
Considered Royal under the Empowerment System

 

The House of Barbanov

 

 

Ennobled the Year of Our Lord, 1481 under the House of Carrion
Considered Royal under the Empowerment System

 

The House of Kovachev

 

Ennobled the Year of Our Lord, 1483 as Lords of Akovia
Considered Noble under the Empowerment System

 

Middling Houses
Houses born and landholding from 100 years in the past and before. At any given time, ducal and above houses should come from at least this class under the Heritage System.

 

Young Houses
Houses born and landholding for under 100 years. The vast majority of nobility in modern systems, especially those of the baronial level. Oft known for overeagerness, ambition and as upstarts, many more fall than succeed in surviving to greater status.

 

-=-

 

On the Titleage of Houses

The Empire has been found wanting of official prescription of territory and title; in lieu of such, barbaric slights, causing in turn coups and rebellions, have been found altogether too often enabled. Thus, the birth of the Empowerment System has been necessarily instituted, and with it all rules found herein.

 

On the Imperial Level
Within the Imperial Level, all such Houses are considered August, and their title in common equivocated to ‘Empire’. Qualification for the level, in the belief of the Imperial Crown, is that of the subjugation or vassalization of at least two other kingdoms; for in years past, two crowns alone have been kingdoms always; three, and Empires have been formed. They are by title considered Imperial Royalty, and gain all the rights, privileges, and responsibilities inherent to such a position. In the holding of Imperial Court, those of such houses are afforded the seats and placements closest to the Emperor, and are to be announced firstly when such official occasions are held. Imperial Titles can be created by holders of three Kingdoms, though Empires of All Mankind require the conquest or holding of the titles of the Kingdom of Renatus or Oren (whichever at the time exists), the Kingdom of Salvus, the Kingdom of Hanseti (in modernity the Kingdom of Hanseti-Ruska, or colloquially Haense), and the Kingdom of Seventis, the four constituent realms of the original Holy Orenian Empire. In addition to subordination requirements, an Imperial title requires at the very least a declared capital city.

 

In Common referencing, the holder of such titles is an Emperor or Empress, and his or her subordinated gentry Imperial Knights. Their spouse is referenced an Emperor-Consort or Empress, holding none of their powers unless granted regency or by the reigning Emperor or Empress, and their children Imperial Princes and Imperial Princesses. The heir of an Emperor is a Crown Prince of the Empire or Crown Princess of the Empire. The children of a Crown Prince or Crown Princess, similarly, are Imperial Princes and Imperial Princesses. The title of Imperial Prince or Imperial Princess is not revoked upon the passing of the Imperial Crown.

 

On the Royal Level
Within the Empowerment System, all such Houses are considered Great, and their title in Common equivocated to ‘Kingdom(s)’. Qualification for the level, in the belief of the Imperial Crown, is the control of vast swathes of territory under a lord with either Imperial Immediacy or no liege whatsoever. They are by title considered Royalty, and gain all the rights, privileges, and responsibilities inherent to the position. Sovereign kingdoms can be created on the acquisition of large enough territories to subordinate multiple duchies, or in the past territories of another, conquered Kingdom. Kingdoms can otherwise be created by those of the Imperial rank when their Imperial title prior held the kingdom in subordination, or when their Imperial title is considered the Empire of All Mankind. A landed title of the Royal level requires therefore at the very least a city with a keep subordinated and the land for another keep, and most often a city with a large town or four keeps subordinated.

 

In Common referencing, the holder of such titles is considered a King or Queen-Regnant, his or her subordinated gentry Royal Knights, and his or her lands a Kingdom. Their spouse is referenced a King-Consort or Queen respectively, holding none of their powers unless granted regency or by the reigning King or Queen, and their children Princes-Royal and Princesses-Royal. A non-hereditary holder of such a level is considered a Viceroy, and their lands a Viceroyalty, even should that title have previously been a Kingdom. Their spouse is referenced a Consort. If noble, their children are Masters and Ladies. If not noble, their children and spouse, like they, are not considered noble.

On the Princely Level
Within the Empowerment System, Princely Houses’ titles in Common equivocated to ‘Principality’. Princely Houses with both land and Imperial Immediacy are considered Great. Princely Houses that enjoy Imperial Immediacy, but are titular, are considered Noblesse. Princely Houses that are landed but do not enjoy Imperial Immediacy are considered Noblesse. Princely Houses that are neither landed nor immediate are considered Noble. They are by title considered Princely, and gain all the rights, privileges, and responsibilities inherent to the position. Princely Houses can be created only by those of the Royal or Imperial rank, or as sovereign by the will of the High Pontiff. Other Houses cannot themselves create Principalities.

 

In Common referencing, a holder of such titles with both land and Imperial Immediacy is considered a Prince-Palatine or Princess-Palatine, and his or her subordinated gentry Princely Knights. A prince with Imperial Immediacy but no land is a Prince of the Empire, and a prince without Imperial Immediacy is simply a Prince. Finally, a prince ruling a sovereign state is referenced Prince Sovereign. In any such case, associated lands are considered a Principality, their spouse a Prince-Consort or Princess, and their children Lords and Ladies.

On the Ducal Level
Within the Empowerment System, Ducal Houses with territories equivalent to a Kingdom, Imperial Immediacy, and two Ducal titles are considered Great. Below them, Ducal Houses with territories equivalent to a Kingdom or enjoy Imperial Immediacy are considered Noblesse. Finally, other Ducal houses are considered Noble. They are by title considered Ducal, and gain all the rights, privileges, and responsibilities inherent to the position. Duchies can be created by those holders of the Imperial or Royal rank, or as sovereign less legitimately by a noble with no liege and two subordinate counties. A landed duchy therefore requires at the very least a keep with a village and a keep with a stable, and most often a city or large town and a keep with a village.

 

In Common referencing, a holder of such titles is considered a Duke or Duchess, their spouse a Duke-Consort or Duchess (though with no inherent powers to the title), and their children Lords and Ladies. Their title is called a Duchy. A holder of two such titles and with Imperial Immediacy is referenced a Grand Duke or Grand Duchess of [Primary Title], thereafter referred to as a Grand Duchy, and a holder of three with Imperial Immediacy an Archduke or Archduchess of [Primary Title], thereafter referred to as an Archduchy.A holder of three such titles without Imperial Immediacy is referenced a Grand Duke or Grand Duchess of [Primary Title], thereafter referred to as a Grand Duchy. A holder of such a title with Imperial Immediacy is a Duke-Palatine or Duchess-Palatine, referred to as a Duchy Palatinate so long as its Imperial Immediacy exists.

On the Comital Level
Within the Empowerment System, Comital Houses that enjoy Imperial Immediacy are considered Noblesse, while all others are considered Noble. They are by title considered Comital, and gain all the rights, privileges, and responsibilities inherent to the position. Counties can be created by those of the Imperial, Royal, or landed Princely title, and by proxy and with permission of a holder of Imperial or Royal title by one of Ducal rank. A landed title of the Comital level requires at the very least a keep and a stable, and most often a keep and a village.

 

In Common referencing, a holder of such titles is considered a Count or Countess, their spouse a Count or Countess (though with no inherent powers to the title), and their children Masters and Ladies. The land encompassing the title is called a County.  A holder of such a title with Imperial Immediacy is considered a Count Palatine or Countess Palatine, and their title a County Palatinate. A holder of such a title granted court distinctions is titled Landgrave or Landgravine, and their title a Landgraviate. A holder of such a title tasked with defending a border is considered a Margrave or Margravine, and their title a Margraviate.

 

On the Viscomital Level
Within the Empowerment System, hereditary Viscomital Houses are considered Noble, while nonhereditary Viscomital Houses are considered Gentry for the duration of their rule. They are by title considered Viscomital, and gain all the rights, privileges, and responsibilities inherent to the position. Viscomital positions can be created by those of Imperial, Royal, or landed Princely title. A landed viscounty or burgraviate requires at the very least a keep, and most often a keep and a stable.

 

In Common referencing, a hereditary holder of such titles is considered a Burgrave or Burgravine, their spouse a Burgrave or Burgravine (though with no inherent powers to the title), their children Masters and Ladies, and their title a Burgraviate.

 

A non-hereditary holder, importantly, is considered a Viscount or Viscountess, their spouse a Viscount or Viscountess (with similarly non-inherent powers), and their title a Viscounty. Their children, like they, are not considered noble.

 

On the Baronial Level
Within the Empowerment System, hereditary Baronial Houses are considered Noble, while nonhereditary Baronial Houses are considered Gentry for the duration of their rule. They are by title considered Baronial, and gain all the rights, privileges, and responsibilities inherent to the position. Baronies can be created by those of Imperial, Royal, Princely, or by proxy and with permission of one of the prior three those of the Ducal or Comital rank. A landed barony requires at the very least a fortified manor and a village, and most often a keep.

 

In Common referencing, a holder of such a title is considered a Baron or Baroness, their spouse a Baron or Baroness, their children Masters and Ladies, and their title a Barony.

A non-hereditary holder is considered a Baronet, but their title a Barony. Their children and spouse, like they, are not considered noble.

 

On the Disinherited Level
Those noble houses disgraced or otherwise removed from power are considered Disinherited, and without the official recognition of the Crown in some capacity are removed similarly from the rights of the positions they held in years prior. They are not listed herein, as far more have been disinherited than not; over the centuries many Great Houses fallen by the wayside, and many are sure to follow. Even so, a man or woman of an Elder or Ancient Disinherited House is sure to enjoy more familial prestige than many more modern Houses. Their patriarchs and spouses are considered Lords and Ladies, and their children Masters and Ladies.

On the Knightly Level
Within the Empowerment system, knights are arranged firstly by their liege and secondly by their order. A knight serving the Emperor directly, for instance, has far more prestige than a knight serving a baron after his release from original vows of fealty; this is reflected in future procedure. Furthermore, an older, Imperial Order will take precedence over a younger Royal Order. Knights are by default sworn to he or she that raised them to gentry; upon their liege’s death, they may be released from their vows by the incumbent lord or lady of the title, and so may take a new liege of any level Noble and above, including the spouses or children of the holders of such titles.

 

-=-

On the Translation of Current Titleage

The old system, with failures in systemic naming and other circular references, holds many titles in incorrect naming. Therefore, all titles granted before the date of 14^th of Horen’s Calling, 1718 are to be altered as follows;
Earldoms are hereafter translated to Landgraviates, with the styles and addresses therein.
Marches are hereafter translated to Margraviates, with the styles and addresses therein.
Hereditary Viscounties are hereafter translated to Burgraviates, with the styles and addresses therein.

 

-=-

On the Natural Passage of Titles

Titles of Nobility and their associated lands are by right passed from holder to heir and future legitimate issue so long as they remain loyal. In the case of the death or vacancy of a holder, however, the title reverts to the Crown, to be held as its title until duly issued in letters patent once more. The absence of letters patent or otherwise signed-and-sealed approval of the Crown means that the House occupying the aforementioned territories illegitimately holds them, or in more legal terms considered ‘de facto’ rather than ‘de jure’. At the first possible time, they are to be removed from said illegal territory by treatise or by force.

 

-=-

On the Holding of Imperial Court

In the proceedings of Imperial Court, the entrance and seating of each member of nobility is to be arranged and announced by those of the Ministry of the Interior and by the personal heralds of the nobles respectively. In the holding of Imperial Court, those firstly seated by the side of His or Her Imperial Majesty are those of their House and therefore of August power. To their right is to sit the Crown Prince(ss), and to their left the Empress-Consort. In the absence of either, their seats are to remain vacated. In the absence of the Emperor, the arranging member of the Imperial Court is to stand before His throne but not to sit. Allowed on the dais are those of the Privy Council, the Grandmasters of the Imperial Orders of the Red Dragon and of Pertinax if separate from the Grand Knight, and the immediate and prior approved family of His Imperial Majesty. Below sit the Kings, Queens, and Viceroys of the Realm, followed by the Princes and above by court procedure. Following sit the Dukes and Counts Palatine, including Archdukes and Grand Dukes, and below them sit those of the Ducal and Comital ranks, then nobility of the Viscomital and Baronial ranks. Those not noble are not, unless by the Emperor’s release, allowed to sit in his presence.

 

By herald, the nobility of the Empire are to be announced as;
[Style] [Name] of the [Heritage] and [Empowerment] House of [House], [Titles]

 

They are, by court procedure, arranged in full (with consorts to be sat next to and males title holders firstly);

 

Imperial Prerogative

 

Emperor
Style: His Imperial Majesty
Letter Salutation: Your Imperial Majesty
Oral Address: Your Imperial Majesty, and thereafter as Majesty or Sire.

 

Empress
Style: Her Imperial Majesty
Letter Salutation: Your Imperial Majesty
Oral Address: Your Imperial Majesty, and thereafter as Majesty or Ma’am

 

Emperor-Consort
Style: His Imperial Highness
Letter Salutation: Your Imperial Highness
Oral Address: Your Imperial Highness, and thereafter as Sire.

 

Crown Prince of the Empire
Style: His Imperial Highness, the Crown-Prince
Letter Salutation: Your Imperial Highness
Oral Address: Your Imperial Highness, and thereafter as Sire.

 

Crown Princess of the Empire
Style: Her Imperial Highness, the Crown-Princess
Letter Salutation: Your Imperial Highness
Oral Address: Your Imperial Highness, and thereafter as Ma’am.

 

Royal Prerogative

 

King
Style: His Majesty
Letter Salutation: Your Majesty
Oral Address: Your Majesty, and thereafter as Sire.

 

Queen or Queen-Regnant
Style: Her Majesty
Letter Salutation: Your Majesty
Oral Address: Your Majesty, and thereafter as Ma’am.

 

King-Consort
Style: His Highness
Letter Salutation: Your Highness
Oral Address: Your Highness, and thereafter as Sire.

 

Viceroy, if Noble and Male
Style: His Excellency, the Viceroy
Letter Salutation: Your Excellency
Oral Address: Viceroy, and thereafter as My lord.

 

Viceroy, if Noble and Female
Style: Her Excellency, the Viceroy
Letter Salutation: Your Excellency
Oral Address: Viceroy, and thereafter as My lady.

 

Imperial Prince
Style: His Imperial Highness, the Prince
Letter Salutation: Your Imperial Highness
Oral Address: Your Imperial Highness, and thereafter as My lord or Sir.

 

Imperial Princess
Style: Her Imperial Highness, the Princess
Letter Salutation: Your Imperial Highness
Oral Address: Your Imperial Highness, and thereafter as Ma’am.

 

Princely Prerogative

 

Prince Sovereign
Style: His Serenity, the Sovereign Prince
Letter Salutation: Your Serenity
Oral Address: Your Serenity, and thereafter as My lord.

 

Princess-Sovereign
Style: Her Serenity, the Sovereign Princess
Letter Salutation: Your Serenity
Oral Address: Your Serenity, and thereafter as Ma’am.

 

Prince-Palatine
Style: His Highness, the Prince-Palatine
Letter Salutation: Your Highness
Oral Address: Your Highness, and thereafter as My lord.

 

Princess-Palatine
Style: Her Highness, the Prince-Palatine
Letter Salutation: Your Highness
Oral Address: Your Highness, and thereafter as Ma’am.

 

Prince of the Empire
Style: His Highness, the Prince of [Principality]
Letter Salutation: Your Highness
Oral Address: Your Highness, and thereafter as My lord.

 

Princess of the Empire
Style: Her Highness, the Princess of [Principality]
Letter Salutation: Your Highness
Oral Address: Your Highness, and thereafter as Ma’am.

 

Prince-Royal
Style: His Highness, the Prince of [Kingdom]
Letter Salutation: Your Highness
Oral Address: Your Highness, and thereafter as My lord.

 

Princess-Royal
Style: Her Highness, the Princess of [Kingdom]
Letter Salutation: Your Highness
Oral Address: Your Highness, and thereafter as Ma’am.

 

Palatial Prerogative

 

Imperial Privy Councillor [Male]
Style: His Imperial Excellency, the [Office]
Letter Salutation: Your Excellency
Oral Address: Your Excellency, and thereafter as My lord or Sir.

 

Imperial Privy Councillor [Female]
Style: His Imperial Excellency, the [Office]
Letter Salutation: Your Excellency
Oral Address: Your Excellency, and thereafter as Ma’am.

 

Archduke
Style: His Highness, the Archduke of [Archduchy]
Letter Salutation: Your Highness
Oral Address: Your Highness, and thereafter as My lord.

 

Archduchess
Style: Her Highness, the Archduchess of [Archduchy]
Letter Salutation: Your Highness
Oral Address: Your Highness, and thereafter as Ma’am.

 

Grand Duke
Style: His Grace, the Grand Duke of [Grand Duchy]
Letter Salutation: My Lord Duke
Oral Address: Your Grace or My lord.

 

Grand Duchess
Style: Her Grace, the Grand Duchess [Grand Duchy]
Letter Salutation: My Lady Duchess
Oral Address: Your Grace or Ma’am.

 

Prince
Style: His Highness, the Prince
Letter Salutation: Your Highness
Oral Address: Your Highness, and thereafter as My lord.

 

Princess
Style: Her Highness, the Princess
Letter Salutation: Your Highness
Oral Address: Your Highness, and thereafter as Ma’am.

 

Duke-Palatine
Style: His Grace, the Duke-Palatine of [Duchy Palatinate]
Letter Salutation: My Lord Duke
Oral Address: Your Grace or My lord.

 

Duchess-Palatine
Style: Her Grace, the Duchess-Palatine of [Duchy Palatinate]
Letter Salutation: My Lady Duchess-Palatine
Oral Address: Your Grace or Ma’am.

 

Count-Palatine
Style: The Right Honorable Count-Palatine of [County Palatinate]
Letter Salutation: My lord
Oral Address: My lord

 

Countess-Palatine
Style: The Right Honorable Countess-Palatine of [County Palatinate]
Letter Salutation: Madam
Oral Address: My lady

 

Ducal Prerogative

 

Duke
Style: His Grace, the Duke of [Duchy]
Letter Salutation: My Lord Duke
Oral Address: Your Grace or My lord.

 

Duchess
Style: Her Grace, the Duchess of [Duchy]
Letter Salutation: Madam Duchess
Oral Address: Your Grace or Ma’am.

 

Comital Prerogative

 

Landgrave
Style: The Right Honorable Landgrave of [Landgraviate]
Letter Salutation: My lord
Oral Address: My lord

 

Landgravine
Style: The Right Honorable Landgravine of [Landgraviate]
Letter Salutation: Madam
Oral Address: My lady

 

Margrave
Style: The Right Honorable Margrave of [Margraviate]
Letter Salutation: My lord
Oral Address: My lord

 

Margravine
Style: The Right Honorable Margravine of [Margraviate]
Letter Salutation: Madam
Oral Address: My lady

 

Count
Style: The Right Honorable Count of [County]
Letter Salutation: My lord
Oral Address: My lord

 

Countess
Style: The Right Honorable Countess of [County]
Letter Salutation: Madam
Oral Address: My lady

 

Viscomital Prerogative

 

Burgrave
Style: The Right Honorable Margrave of [Margraviate]
Letter Salutation: My lord
Oral Address: My lord

 

Burgravine
Style: The Right Honorable Margravine of [Margraviate]
Letter Salutation: Madam
Oral Address: My lady

 

Viscount, if Noble
Style: The Honorable Viscount of [Location]
Letter Salutation: My lord
Oral Address: My lord

 

Viscountess, if Noble
Style: The Honorable Viscountess of [Location]
Letter Salutation: Madam
Oral Address: My lady

 

Baronial Prerogative

 

Baron
Style: His Lordship the Baron of [Location]
Letter Salutation: My lord
Oral address: My lord

 

Baroness
Style: Her Ladyship the Baroness of [Location]
Letter Salutation: My lady
Oral address: My lady

 

 

Those not Noble
 

Viceroy [IF IGNOBLE]
Viscount [IF IGNOBLE]
Baronet
Dragon Knight
Red Knight
Imperial Knight
Royal Knight
Princely Knight
Ducal Knight
Comital Knight
Baronial Knight
Hedge Knight
Knight Errant

 

-=-

 

[OOC]

Spoiler

Thanks to our shadow dictionary Medvekoma. Let me know if your house is old and landed but I forgot you, and give me its sigil, ennoblement date, and first title/who it was first vassalized to.