Etiquette of Beleth | On Honorifics

[The Court of Roses 61]

 

 

THE COURT OF ROSES

 

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IT is within any civilized society that you would find societal norms, courtly etiquette and due respect. Such may vary wildly, from nation to culture, and yet all hold one thing in common: Civility. What shall be catalogued first is the honorifics of our home, the etiquette to be expanded on in further editions.

 

 

ON HONORIFICS

From Serf to Royal, there is a way to refer to your fellow man. It showcases civility and knowledge, even in times of war.

 

Within an Empire, the ruling monarch and their spouse is referred to as His/Her Imperial Majesty.

Their children and siblings are commonly known as His/Her Imperial Highness.

 

Within a Kingdom, the ruling monarch and their spouse is referred to as His/Her Royal Majesty.

Their children and siblings are commonly known as His/Her Royal Highness, save for the heir, in which is known as His/Her Serene Highness.

 

On rare occasions, when granted by the church, the titles above may become His/Her Apostolic Majesty.

 

In one specific instance, the Belthian Federation, more commonly known as Beleth, there exists a Diarchal structure of ruling, in which the Diarchs will each be respectively styled His/Her Royal Majesty, with their families following the same conventions as Kingdoms; however, should both Diarchs be present, the most senior Diarch shall be referred to first in any address, and the Diarchs shall be referred to with the addition of their regional identifier.
For example, “His/Her Royal Majesty of the East”.

 

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If we are to look at history, we would learn that these titles above are not the only form of royalty.

 

There is that of the Princess-Royal, commonly overseeing the courts, and often granted the title of Duchy of the capital of her nation. Uncommonly, though in existence, is the equal in which is the Prince-Royal, often granted a martial title under a Marchdom. They are separate to the Crown-heir entirely.

 

There are nations in which celebrate the non main-line, a lower form of royalty in which they have royal perks but to a lesser degree than their main-line cousins. They are often known as His/Her Highness.

 

Principalities and Archduchies are similar, in which the title-holder is known as His/Her Serene Highness or His/Her Royal Highness, often depending upon preference. Their heir taking the secondary title, and further children taking on His/Her Highness.

 

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Grand Margrave and Grand Margravines are referred to as His/Her Serenity, the highest title one can earn before venturing into Royal territory.

Their children are known as His/Her Lordship, but in some cases, the heir may be known as a lesser honorific, namely Your Grace.

 

Dukes and Duchesses are referred to as His/Her Grace.

Their children are known as His/Her Lordship, but in some cases, the heir may be known as a lesser honorific, namely The Most Honorable.

 

A Marchdom, Margrave and Margravine, are referred to as His/Her Grace.

Their children are known as His/Her Lordship, but in some cases, the heir may be known as a lesser honorific, namely The Most Honorable.

 

A Palatinate, in which the Serene Count and Countess are acknowledged as His/Her Serene Lordship.

Their children are known as His/Her Lordship, but in some cases, the heir may be known as a lesser honorific, namely The Most Honorable.

 

Within a County, the Count and Countess are known as the Most Honorable.

Their children are known as His/Her Lordship, but in some cases, the heir may be known as a lesser honorific, namely The Right Honorable.

 

Within a Viscounty, the Viscount and Viscountess are known as The Right Honorable.

Their children are known as His/Her Lordship, but in some cases, the heir may be known as a lesser honorific, namely The Honorable.

 

Within a Barony, the Baron and Baroness are known as the Honorable.

Their children are known as His/Her Lordship, alongside their heir.

 

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Baronetcies, a Baronet and Baronetess, take on the styling of His/Her Lordship.

Their children take on common titling, namely Mister and Miss, while their heir boasts the styling of their parents as His/Her Lordship.

 

Landed Knighthoods, namely the Gentry, are known as Ser/Sir and Dame, depending upon their region. They may also take on the styling of His/Her Lordship.

Their children take on common titling, namely Mister and Miss.

 

Last but not least are those of the commonhood, referred to as Mister and Miss.

 

 

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FORMALLY, INFORMALLY AND IN WRITING

Below details the varying ways, in short form, that you may address the titles above.

 

Commonry

Mister/Miss

[Name] of [Region]

 

Government

His/Her Excellency - Your Excellency 

His/Her Excellency, [Name], [Title]

 

Landed Knighthoods

Sir/Dame - His/Her Lordship

The Knight of [Title]

Sir/Dame [Name] of [Title]

All children are known as Mister and Miss.

 

Baronetcies

His/Her Lordship

Baronet/Baronetess of [Title]

My Lord/My Lady - Lord/Lady [Title] or [Surname]

Baronet/Baronetess [Title]

Children are known as Mister and Miss, and the heir as His/Her Lordship.

 

Baronial Titles

His/Her Lordship

Baron/Baroness of [Title]

My Lord/My Lady - Lord/Lady [Title] or [Surname]

Baron/Baroness [Name]

All children are known as His/Her Lordship.

 

Viscomital Titles

The Honorable Lord/Lady

Viscounty/Viscountess of [Title]

My Lord/My Lady - Lord/Lady [Title] or [Surname]

Viscount/Viscountess [Surname]

All children are known as His/Her Lord/Ladyship.

 

Comital Titles

The Right Honorable Lord/Lady

Count/Countess of [Title]

My Lord/My Lady - Lord/Lady [Title] or [Surname]

Count/Countess [Surname]

Children are known as His/Her Lord/Ladyship, and the heir as the Honorable.

 

Palitanates

The Serene Lord/Lady - Your Serene Lordship/Ladyship

Serene Count/Countess [Surname]

My Lord/My Lady - Lord/Lady [Title] or [Last Name] - My Lord/Lady Palatine - Lord/Lady Palatine [Title] or [Surname]

Palatine [Title] or [Surname]

Children are known as His/Her Lord/Ladyship and the heir as the Right Honorable.

 

Margraviates

His/Her Grace - Your Grace

Margrave/Margravine [Surname]

My Lord/My Lady - Lord/Lady [Title] or [Surname] - My Lord/Lady Paramount - Lord/Lady Paramount [Title] or [Surname]

Children are known as His/Her Lord/Ladyship and the heir as the Right Honorable.

 

Duchies

His/Her Grace - Your Grace

Duke/Duchess [Title] or [Surname]

My Lord/My Lady - Lord/Lady [Title] or [Surname]

Children are known as His/Her Lord/Ladyship and the heir as the Right Honorable.

 

Grand Marches

His/Her Serenity - Your Serenity

Grand Margrave/Margravine [Surname] - Grand Lord/Lady [Title] or [Surname]

My Lord/My Lady - Lord/Lady [Title] or [Surname]

Children are known as His/Her Lord/Ladyship and the heir as the Right Honorable.

 

Principalities and Archduchies

His/Her Royal Highness - His/Her Serene Highness - Your Royal Highness - Your Serene Highness 

Prince/Princess [Surname] - Archduke/Archduchess [Surname]

Your Highness [Title] or [Surname]

Children are known as His/Her Highness and the heir and Princess/Prince-Royal as His/Her Royal Highness.

Diarchies

His/Her Royal Majesty - Your Royal Majesty 

Lord/Lady Diarch [Title]

Your Majesty [Title]

Children are known as His/Her Royal Highness, the heir as His/Her Serene Highness and the Princess/Prince-Royal as His/Her Royal Highness.

 

Kingdoms

His/Her Royal Majesty - Your Royal Majesty 

King/Queen [Title]

Your Majesty [Title]

Children are known as His/Her Royal Highness, the heir as His/Her Serene Highness and the Princess/Prince-Royal as His/Her Royal Highness.

 

Empires

His/Her Imperial Majesty

Emperor/Empress [Title]

Your Majesty [Title]

All children are known as His/Her Imperial Highness.

 

SIGNED,

 

HER ROYAL HIGHNESS, Angelika Morgause, Princess-Royal of Beleth and Eicharia, Duchess of Southspire and Countess of Gwendolen