Basic Information And Guides To The Oren Empire

[Braxis 813]

Oren Society

 

 

 

 

 

Monarch

 

 

Monarchy asserts that a Emperor is subject to no mortal authority, deriving his right to rule directly from the will of the Creator. The Emperor is thus not subject to the will of his people, the Nobility, or any other domain of the realm, including, the Church.

 

''The reign of Emperor’s is from Me, says the almighty one’’ and from this we may conclude that not only the rights of Imperialism are established by His laws, but also the choice of individual [to occupy the throne] is a result of His providence.

 

In affirming that the Emperor is answerable only to The Creator, however, emphasize that The Creator will hold the Emperor’s actions to special scrutiny, thus balancing an unchallengeable Divine Right with an inexorable Divine Responsibility.

 

Rights and duties of the Emperor is to protect the Human Structure of states, to defend and extend the boundaries of the Children of Horen by lawful means only, to protect and defend the faithful, the weak, the poor and vulnerable, and to protect the Church with the Emperor’s own life, if necessary.

 

The Domains of the realm is a broad community orders of the hierarchically considered culture, recognized. They are occasionally well-known as the three domains: the clergy, the nobility, and masses, and are often referred to by ranking of importance (as the hierarchy was ordained by The Creator) as the First, Second, and Third Domains respectively. In the scheme, The Creator ordained the ministry, which was necessary to adjudge the royalty and nobility, who settled rights on the more esteemed commoners, or burghers; henceforth the common mentions to the peasantry as the Fourth Domain

 

Nobles-Vassals

 

 

There are two major types of vassal; Counts, the junior nobility who generally command single demesnes or maybe a (very) small number of them, and Dukes, who, in addition to their own demesnes, command loyalty from the counts who hold land within the bounds of their Duchy, and who answer only to the king or emperor. This chain of command goes from the minor vassals, the mayors, barons and bishops who command the cities, baronies and bishoprics within counties, who are in turn commanded by the count or duke in charge of the county, with counts answering to a duke or, if there is no duke, answering directly to the king, and finally the king is who the duke takes orders from. Kings also are under the command of the emperor.

 

 

Rights

 

Noble privileges:

 

Nobles do not always stem their rights from just being nobles, but usually privileges were established with a specific title, office or estate. However, nobles are often treated better. Nobles often derive wealth from one or more estates, large or small, that might include fields, pasture, orchards, timberland, hunting grounds, streams, etc. It also may include infrastructure such as a castle, well and mill to which local peasants are allowed some access. Nobles typically commanded tribute in the form of entitlement to rents or usage taxes, labour and/or a portion of the annual crop yield from commoners or nobles of lower rank who lived or worked on the noble's fief or within his seigniorial domain. The local lord could impose restrictions on such a commoner's movements, religion or legal undertakings. The nobles enjoy the privilege of hunting. Nobles are exempt from paying the taille, the major direct tax. The peasants are not only bound to the nobility by dues and services. The nobility also have the jurisdictions of the courts and the police over them. The right of private war. The right to wear a sword and have a coat of arms. 

 

Duties:

 

 

However, the nobles also have duties. Nobles are required to honor, serve, and counsel their king/emperor. They are often required to provide military service.

 

The title of "noble" is not ineffaceable: certain actions could cause disgrace loss of nobility. Most commercial and manual activities are strictly prohibited, although nobles can profit from their lands by operating mines and forges etc.

 

Noble rights:

 

Jure uxoris:

 

means "by right of his wife" or "in right of a wife”. It is commonly used to refer to a title held by a man whose wife holds it in her own right. In other words, he acquired the title simply by being her husband.

 

Suo jure:

 

means "in her [or his] own right". It is commonly encountered in the context of titles of nobility, especially in cases where a wife may hold a title in her own right rather than through her marriage.

 

Clergy

 

 

 

Clergy is a generic term used to refer to the formal religious leadership of the Faith. A clergyman, churchman or cleric is a member of the clergy, especially one who is a priest, bishop, Pontiff, or other religious professional. The clergy take care of the ritual aspects of religious life, teach or otherwise help in spreading the Faith’s doctrine and practices.

 

Current law prescribes that to be destined a priest, an education is required of two years of scholastic philosophy study, and four years of theology; dogmatic and moral theology, the scriptures, and canon law have to be studied within an institute or an ecclesiastical faculty at a Abby or College. This reflects the academic and scholarly traditions of the Church.

 

Clergy have four main rights:

 

Right of Canon: whoever commits real violence on the person of a clergyman, commits a sacrilege.

 

Right of Forum: by this right clergy may be judged by ecclesiastical tribunals only.

 

Right of Exception: clergy cannot be called for military service or for duties or charges not compatible with their role

 

Right of Competency: a certain part of the income of clergy, necessary for sustenance, cannot be sequestered by any action of creditors

 

Bourgeois

 

 

The term bourgeois represent a social class that encompass the wealthier members of the Third Domain

 

if towns are granted self-governance by the Crown, at that point they become referred to as boroughs. The formal status of borough come to be conferred by Imperial Charter. These boroughs are generally governed by a self-selecting corporation (i.e., when a member died or resigned his replacement would be by co-option). Sometimes boroughs are governed by bailiffs or headboroughs.

 

Peasants

 

 

Serfs have a specific place in Oren society, as are barons and knights: in return for protection, a serf would reside upon and work a parcel of land within the manor of his lord. There is thus a degree of reciprocity in the manorial system.

 

One rationale is that a serf "worked for all," while a knight or baron "fought for all" and a churchman "prayed for all"; thus everyone has a place. The serf is the worst fed and paid, but at least he has his place and, unlike slaves, serfs have certain rights in land and property.

 

A lord of the manor cannot sell his serfs as a man might sell his slaves. On the other hand, if he chose to dispose of a parcel of land, the serf or serfs associated with that land went with it to serve their new lord, benefiting him from their long-acquired knowledge of practices suited to the land. Further, a serf cannot abandon his lands without permission, nor did he possess a saleable title in them.

 

Becoming a serf:

 

A freeman, that is to say one whose feudal land tenure was freehold, becomes a serf usually through force or necessity. Sometimes freeholders are intimidated into dependency by the greater physical and legal force of a local magnate. Often a few years of crop failure, a war or brigandage might leave a person unable to make his own way. In such a case a bargain is struck with a lord of a manor. In exchange for protection, service was required, in cash, produce or with labour, or a combination of all. These bargains were formalized in a ceremony known as "bondage" in which a serf placed his head in the lord's hands, akin to the ceremony of homage where a vassal placed his hands between those of his overlord. These oaths bound the lord and his new serf in a feudal contract and defined the terms of their agreement. Often these bargains were severe. "Oath of Fealty" states:

"By the Lord before whom this sanctuary is holy, I will to N. be true and faithful, and love all which he loves and shun all which he shuns, according to the laws of God and the order of the Empire. Nor will I ever with will or action, through word or deed, do anything which is unpleasing to him, on condition that he will hold to me as I shall deserve it, and that he will perform everything as it was in our agreement when I submitted myself to him and chose his will."

 

To become a serf is a commitment that encompassed all aspects of the serf’s life.

Moreover, the condition of serfdom is inherited at birth. By taking on the duties of serfdom, serfs bound not only themselves but all of their future progeny.

 

Serfdom's class system:

 

 

The social class of peasant is often broken down into smaller categories. These distinctions are often less clear than suggested by their different names. Most often, there is two types of peasants, freemen, whose tenure within the manor was freehold, and villeins. Lower classes of peasants, known as cottars, generally comprising the younger sons of villeins or bordars, and slaves, made up the lower class of workers.

 

Freemen:

 

Freemen, or free tenants hold their land by one of a variety of contracts of feudal land tenure and are essentially rent-paying tenant farmers who owe little or no service to the lord, and have a good degree of security of tenure and independence.

 

Villeins:

 

A villein is the most common type of serf in the Empire. Villeins have more rights and higher status than the lowest serf, but exists under a number of legal restrictions that distinguish them from freemen. Villeins generally rent small homes, with or without land. As part of the contract with the landlord, the lord of the manor, they are expected to spend some of their time working on the lord's fields. The requirement often is not greatly burdensome, contrary to belief and is often only seasonal, for example the duty to help at harvest-time. The rest of their time is spent farming their own land for their own profit. Like other types of serfs, they are required to provide other services, possibly in addition to paying rent of money or produce. Villeins are tied to the land and can not move away without their lord's consent and the acceptance of the lord to whose manor they proposed to migrate to. Villeins are generally able to hold their own property, unlike slaves. A variety of kinds of villeinage exist Half-villeins receive only half as many strips of land for their own use and owe a full complement of labor to the lord, often forcing them to rent out their services to other serfs to make up for this hardship. Villeinage is not, however, a purely uni-directional exploitative relationship. Land within a lord's manor provided sustenance and survival, and being a villein guaranteed access to land, and crops secure from theft by marauding robbers. Landlords, even are legally entitled to do so, rarely evict villeins because of the value of their labour. Villeinage is much preferable to being a vagabond, a slave, or an unlanded laborer.

 

A villein could gain freedom by escaping from a manor to a city or borough and living there for more than a year; but this action involved the loss of land rights and agricultural livelihood, a prohibitive price unless the landlord is especially tyrannical or conditions in the village were unusually difficult.

 

Bordars and cottagers:

 

The status of bordar or cottager ranked below a serf in the social hierarchy of a manor, holding a cottage, garden and just enough land to feed a family. This is between about 1 and 5 acres (10-20 blocks).

 

Slaves:

 

The last type of serf is the slave. Slaves have the fewest rights and benefits from the manor. They own no tenancy in land, work for the lord exclusively and survived on donations from the landlord. It is always in the interest of the lord to prove that a servile arrangement exist, as this provided him with greater rights to fees and taxes. The status of a man was a primary issue in determining a person's rights and obligations in many of the manorial court cases. Also, runaway slaves could be beaten if caught.

 

The serf's duties:

 

 

The usual serf (not including slaves or cottars) pays his fees and taxes in the form of seasonally appropriate labor. Usually a portion of the week is devoted to ploughing his lord's fields held in demesne, harvesting crops, digging ditches, repairing fences, and often working in the manor house. The residue of the serf’s time was devoted to tending his own fields, crops and animals in order to provide for his family. Most manorial work is segregated by gender during the regular times of the year; however, during the harvest, the whole family was expected to work the fields. A major difficulty of a serf's life is that his work for his lord coincided with, and took precedence over, the work he had to perform on his own lands: when the lord's crops are ready to be harvested, so are his own. On the other hand, the serf of a benevolent lord could look forward to being well fed during his service it was a lord without foresight who did not provide a substantial meal for his serfs during the harvest and planting times. In exchange for this work on the lord's demesne, the serf had certain privileges and rights, including for example the right to gather deadwood from their lord’s forests, an essential fuel source. In addition to service, a serf is required to pay certain taxes and fees. Taxes are based on the assessed value of his lands and holdings. Fees are usually paid in the form of agricultural produce rather than coin. The best ration of wheat from the serf’s harvest often went to the landlord. Generally hunting and trapping of wild game by the serfs on the lord’s property is prohibited. When a family member died, extra taxes were paid to the lord as a form of feudal relief to enable the heir to keep the right to till what land he had. Any young woman who wished to marry a serf outside of her manor is forced to pay a fee for the right to leave her lord, and in compensation for her lost labor. Often there are arbitrary tests to judge the worthiness of their tax payments. A chicken, for example, might be required to be able to jump over a fence of a given height to be considered old enough or well enough to be valued for tax purposes. The restraints of serfdom on personal and economic choice were enforced through various forms of manorial customary law and the manorial administration and court.

 

Rights of serfdom:

 

Within his restrictions, a serf had some freedoms. Though common wisdom is that a serf owns "only his belly" - even his clothes were the property, in law, of his lord - a serf might still accumulate personal property and wealth, and some serfs can become wealthier than their free neighbours, although this is rare. A well-to-do serf might even be able to buy his freedom.

 

A serf can grow what crop he sees fit on his lands, although a serf's taxes often has to be paid in wheat. The surplus he can sell at market. The landlord cannot disposes of his serfs without legal cause and is supposed to protect them from the depredations of robbers or other lords, and he is expected to support them by charity in times of famine. Many such rights are en-forcible by the serf in the manorial court.

Serfs served on occasion as soldiers in the event of conflict and could earn freedom or even ennoblement for valor in combat. Serfs could purchase their freedom, bemanumitted by their generous owners, or flee to towns or newly-settled land where few questions were asked. For example a serf who made his way to a chartered town (i.e. a borough) and evaded recapture for a year and a day obtained his freedom and became a burgher of the town.

 

 

Oren Speech

 

 

 

A Guide to the Common Speech of the Holy Empire of Oren
By Imperial Scribe Cecil Virosi

 

 

 

 

((http://tinyurl.com/orenspeech'>Google Docs Version))

The Holy Empire of Oren is a noble land with a well-developed system of traditions and local accents. Although the near infinite dialects could not conceivably be catalogued in full, this Text will seek to acquaint the foreigner with the common speech of the Holy Empire of Oren, which is understood by all Orenians.

 

 

 

Section I
Ranks
The Empire places strong emphasis on hierarchy, order, and respect for one’s superiors. This is reflected in the multitude of speech forms used between members of each class. In order to simplify this otherwise complex system for the understanding of the foreigner, we will divide the Empire into seven primary class groups.

• The Peasantry
• All untitled and unskilled subjects of the Empire.
• The Burghers
• All untitled subjects of the Empire engaged in business or skilled in artisanal trades
• The Gentry
• All subjects with non-hereditary, non-religious titles.
• The Nobility
• All subjects with hereditary, non-religious titles.
• The Clergy
• All subject with non-hereditary, religious titles.
• The Royal Families
• The ruling families of each Kingdom of the Empire.
• The Imperial Family
• The ruling family of the Empire.

In the case of members of groups not outlined here, it is best to err on the side of caution and address members of those groups as if they were members of the noble class.

Section II
Greetings
The Empire places strong emphasis on hierarchy, order, and respect for one’s superiors. This is reflected in the multitude of greetings used between members of each class. The most important rule to remember is verbal greetings should never be initiated by an inferior; a peasant who wishes to acknowledge a noble or knight who has yet to acknowledge the peasant should bow or curtsy to make their presence known. This section will list greetings, when they should be used, and their translation in parlance more recognizable to a foreigner.

 

 

 

 

Section III
Farewells
The Empire places strong emphasis on hierarchy, order, and respect for one’s superiors. This is reflected in the multitude of farewells used between members of each class. The most important rule to remember is verbal farewells should never be initiated by an inferior; a peasant who wishes to leave the presence of a noble or knight should wait to be dismissed. This section will list farewells, when they should be used, and their translation in parlance more recognizable to a foreigner.

 

 

 

 

Section IV
Names
In Oren, names are only used between friends or other close intimates. Titles or other epithets should be used when addressing others, especially in formal settings. This section will outline words you can use to address people, when to use them, and their translation in parlance more recognizable to a foreigner.

 

 

 

 

Section V
General Synonyms
Oren has a diverse range of words unique to its culture. This section will outline each word, translation into the foreign parlance, an example of the use of the word, and a translation of said example into the foreign parlance.

 

 

 

 

Section VI
Verb Forms, Pronouns, and Abbreviations
Oren has multiple unique pronouns and verb forms to reflect formal and informal speech. “You” is respectful, whereas “Thee/Thou” is not. Anyone who would be addressed as “Sir” or “M’lady” or other formalities should never be addressed as Thee/Thou. This section outlines general speech in the Holy Empire.

 

 

 

• Word Order
• Alter the order of words in a sentence so that “Do not be afraid.” becomes “Be not afraid.” and “Do not go there.” becomes “Go there not.”
• Alter Verb Conjugation
• Add -st to singular second person verbs and “-th/-eth” to singular third person verbs. For example “How are you doing?” becomes “How dost the?” and “How is he doing” becomes “How doth he?”
• Use Shall
• Shall expresses obligation in the first person. When used with Thee/Thou “will” becomes “wilt” and “shall” becomes “shalt”.
• Abbreviate “It”
• Abbreviate “it” in sentences so “it was” becomes “‘Twas” and “Do it” becomes “Do’t”.
• Thee/Thou
• Thee/Thou are informal, and should only be used when addressing equals or inferiors; superiors will take great offense to being addressed this way.
• Thee is used when the person being addressed is the object of the sentence, as in “I shall tell thee a secret.” or “He kicked thee in the bottom.”
• Thou is used when the person being addressed is the subject of the sentence, as in “What hast thou done?” or “Thou art beautiful.”
• If you have trouble, try replacing the word in question with “him/her” and see if it still fits. For example “He kicked him in the bottom” makes sense, but “What hast him done?” does not. If “him/her” would be acceptable in the same place, then use Thee. If “he/she” would be acceptable, use Thou.
• Thy/Thine
• Thy is the 3rd person possessive pronoun used for words beginning with consonants. For example “Thy dog is fat as hell”
• Thine is the 3rd person pronoun used for words beginning with vowels. For example “Thine eggs are too broken to count.”
• You
• Used for people you don’t know well or want to be respectful to.
• Used the same as in foreign parlance.
• Ye
• This is “You” in plural. If you are speaking to a crowd, you would say “Ye fools must flee!”
• Also used as an informal contraction for “You”, as in “Ye are me best friend, Darius”.

 

Section VII
Examples

 

 

 

“Forsooth, methinks I shalt but walk down to the market where upon I shalt but make a purchase which doth consist of a bucket of milk.”
“She hath the inclination to engage in some illicit activities, certes.”
“Thou art the apple of my eye”
“Dost thou have the time, mistress?”
“I shalt be in the privy, Father Culpepper”
“As you will, sir.”
“Zounds! Such a tosspot hath never before been seen in fair Arethor!”
“Verily I should like to see thee stabbed!”
“Come hither, little sirrah, the master is calling for thee and eventide is rising.”
“We shalt be carousing ere long, fellows!”
“As you wish, M’lady.”
“Perchance I shall see thee here oft, most comely maiden?”
“Fie on thee, cutpurse!”
 

Section VIII
Final Word

 

 

 

When speaking in the Holy Empire, the best rule of thumb to follow is this;
Where you can use one word, use two.

 

 

Guide to Orenian Titles

 

 

A Guide to the Titles and Styles of the Holy Empire of Oren

By Scribe Cecil Virosi

 

 

 

((Google Docs Version))

 

 

 

The Holy Empire of Oren is a noble land with a diverse range of titles, owing to the many constituent counties, duchies, and kingdoms which make up the Empire. Within this text we seek to acquaint those unlearned in the respected art of formal address with the complex system which governs the ruling classes of Oren.

 

 

 

Section I
A Primer on the Terms utilized within this Text

 

 

 

Before this text could hope to instruct the unacquainted in the noble art of formal address, it must first explain the terminology used. Take the time to learn and memorize these terms, and they will help you greatly in understanding that respected art.

 

 

 

• Title- An appellation prefixed to the name of the holder, denoting office and social status.
• Style- An honorific prefixed to the title of the holder, denoting formality and special honor.
• Salutation- A greeting used at the beginning of a letter to a titleholder.
• Valediction- A farewell used at the end of a letter to a titleholder.
• Oral Address (Formal)- An appellation used when addressing a titleholder directly for the first time or continuously in an especially formal setting.
• Oral Address (Semi-Formal)- An appellation used when addressing titleholder directly after the first time.
• Titleholder- One who possesses legal right to use a title.
• Styleholder- One who possesses legal right to use a style.

 

 

 

Section II
On Those who Shall be Accorded a Titles, Styles, and other Forms of Formal Address

 

 

 

In order to properly use one’s knowledge of formal address, one must know whom to address formally. This section will outline who shall be accorded the honor of formal address and the title they shall be accorded.. Reigning or Sovereign shall be used to denote the spouse who holds the title by virtue of birth or appointment rather than marriage. For those eligible for multiple titles, the highest ranking title shall be used.

 

 

 

• Reigning Emperor or Empress- The Imperial Title appropriate to their Gender.
• Spouse of Reigning Emperor or Empress- The Imperial Title appropriate to their Gender.
• Children of Reigning Emperor or Empress- The title Imperial Prince or Princess, appropriate to their Gender.
• Brothers or Sisters of Reigning Emperor or Empress- The title Imperial Prince or Princess, appropriate to their Gender.
• Spouses of Imperial Princes or Princesses- The title Imperial Prince or Princess, appropriate to their Gender.
• Children of Imperial Princes or Princesses- The title Imperial Prince or Princess, appropriate to their Gender. This does not extend to Children of the Siblings of the Emperor.
• Reigning King or Queen- The Royal Title appropriate to their Gender
• Spouse of Reigning King or Queen- The Royal Title appropriate to their Gender
• Children of Reigning King or Queen- The title Prince or Princess, appropriate to their gender.
• Brothers or Sisters of Reigning King or Queen- The title Prince or Princess, appropriate to their Gender.
• Spouses of Princes or Princesses- The title Prince or Princess, appropriate to their Gender.
• Children of Princes or Princesses- The title Prince or Princess, appropriate to their Gender. Does not extend to Children of the Siblings of the King or Queen
• Prince Archbishop- Shall be of the male gender.
• Archbishop- Shall be of the male gender.
• Bishop- Shall be of the male gender.
• Sovereign Duke or Duchess- The Ducal Title appropriate to their Gender.
• Spouse of Sovereign Duke or Duchess- The Ducal Title appropriate to their Gender.
• Eldest Child of Sovereign Duke or Duchess- The Viscomital Title appropriate to their Gender.
• Younger Children of Sovereign Duke or Duchess- The title Master or Mistress, as appropriate to their Gender.
• Sovereign Count or Countess- The Comital Title appropriate to their Gender.
• Spouse of Sovereign Count or Countess- The Comital Title appropriate to their Gender.
• Eldest Child of Sovereign Count or Countess- The title Lord or Lady, as appropriate to their Gender.
• Younger Children of Sovereign Count or Countess- The title Master or Mistress, as appropriate to their Gender.
• Sovereign Baron or Baroness- The Baronial Title appropriate to their Gender.
• Spouse of Sovereign Baron or Baroness- The Baronial Title appropriate to their Gender.
• Eldest Child of Sovereign Baron or Baroness- The title Lord or Lady, as appropriate to their Gender.
• Younger Children of Sovereign Baron or Baroness- The title Master or Mistress, as appropriate to their Gender.
• Knight- Shall be of the male gender.
• Baronet or Baronetess- The Baronetial Title appropriate to their Gender.
• Squire- The Title shall be used for both the Male and Female Gender

 

 

 

Section III
On the Styles accorded to their Associated Titles

All Titles have Associated Styles which shall be used during formal proclamations, introductions, or descriptions. The abbreviation {Name} shall be used to denote the name of the titleholder and the abbreviation {Location} shall be used to denote the fief the titleholder administers. Styles separated by commas indicate multiple acceptable uses. All styles are prefixed to the title of the styleholder. In the case of a titleholder eligible for several titles, the styles should be listed in order from least to most precedence.

 

 

 

• Emperor or Empress- His/Her Imperial Majesty
• Imperial Prince or Princess- His/Her Imperial Highness the Prince/Princess
• King or Queen- His/Her Majesty
• Prince or Princess- His/Her Royal Highness the Prince/Princess
• Prince Archbishop- The Most Reverend and Right Honorable Excellency Archbishop {Name} of {Location}
• Archbishop- The Most Reverend and Right Honorable His Eminence the Archbishop of {Location}
• Bishop- The Right Reverend Lord Bishop of {Location}
• Duke or Duchess- His/Her Grace the Duke/Duchess of {Location}
• Landed Viscount or Viscountess- The Right Honorable Viscount/Viscountess of {Location}
• Count or Countess- The Right Honorable Count/Countess of {Location}
• Unland Viscount or Viscountess- The Right Honorable Viscount/Viscountess
• Baron or Baroness- The Baron/Baroness, The Lord/Lady
• Knight - Ser {Name}
• Baronet or Baronetess- Sir/Madame {Name}, The Baronet/Baronetess
• Squire- Squire

 

 

 

Section IV
On the Manner of Oral Address

When addressing a titleholder directly in a formal setting, it is appropriate to utilize Oral Address. There are two types of Oral Address; formal and semi-formal. Formal is utilized the first time one is addressing a titleholder in this setting, while semi-formal is used continuously after the first time. Formal may also be used continuously in especially formal situations; ceremonies, proclamations, and petitions to the sovereign titleholder are all appropriately formal to warrant continued use of Formal Oral Address.

 

 

 

• Emperor or Empress-
• Formal- Your Imperial Majesty
• Semi-Formal- Sire or Madam, as appropriate to gender
• Imperial Prince/Princess-
• Formal- Your Imperial Highness
• Semi-Formal- Sir or Ma'am, as appropriate to their gender
• King or Queen-
• Formal- Your Majesty
• Semi-Formal- Sire or Madam, as appropriate to gender
• Prince/Princess-
• Formal- Your Highness
• Semi-Formal- Sir or Ma'am, as appropriate to gender
• Prince Archbishop-
• Formal- Your Excellency or Your Grace
• Semi-Formal- Father, Sir, or Prince Archbishop
• Archbishop-
• Formal- Your Eminence
• Semi-Formal- Father, Sir, or Archbishop
• Bishop-
• Formal- My Lord Bishop
• Semi-Formal- My Lord, or Bishop
• Duke or Duchess-
• Formal- Your Grace
• Semi-Formal- Sir/Ma’am, Your Grace, or Duke/Duchess
• Viscount or Viscountess-
• Formal- Your Right Honor
• Semi-Formal- Sir,/Ma'am, or Viscount/Viscountess
• Count or Countess-
• Formal- Your Right Honor
• Semi-Formal- Sir/Ma’am or Count/Countess
• Baron or Baroness-
• Formal- My Lord Baron
• Semi-Formal- My Lord/Lady, or Baron/Baroness
• Knight-
• Formal- Honored Ser
• Semi-Formal- Ser
• Baronet or Baronetess-
• Formal- Sir/Ma'am
• Semi-Formal- Sir/Ma’am
• Squire-
• Formal- N/A
• Semi-Formal- N/A

 

 

 

Section IV
On the Manner of Salutation and Valediction

 

 

 

Formality is not confined to verbal communication. When communicating in writing to a titleholder, one should use the appropriate Salutation in the beginning of the letter, and the matched Valediction at the end of the letter. The abbreviation {Full Name} is used here to denote the writer’s full style, title, and name. The abbreviation {Name} is used here to denote the receiver’s name. The “Vassal Valediction” is used only by those residing in the realm and under the jurisdiction of the receiving titleholder. If there is no Vassal Valediction provided, one should always use the provided Valediction. In the case of a superior writing to an inferior, the rules are not so stringent, and are primarily at the discretion of the writer.

 

 

 

• Emperor or Empress-
• Salutation- Your Imperial Majesty,
• Valediction- Your Most Humble and Loyal Servant, {Full Name}
• Imperial Prince/Princess-
• Salutation- Your Imperial Highness,
• Valediction- Your Humble Servant, {Full Name}
• King or Queen-
• Salutation- Your Royal Majesty,
• Valediction- Your Most Humble Subject, {Full Name}
• Prince/Princess-
• Salutation- Your Royal Highness
• Valediction- Your Humble Subject, {Full Name}
• Prince Archbishop-
• Salutation- Dear Prince Archbishop
• Valediction- Your Faithful Parishioner, {Full Name}
• Archbishop-
• Salutation- Dear Archbishop
• Valediction- Your Faithful Parishioner, {Full Name}
• Bishop-
• Salutation- Dear Bishop
• Valediction- Your Parishioner, {Full Name}
• Duke or Duchess-
• Salutation- My Lord/Lady Duke/Duchess
• Valediction- Most Sincerely, {Full Name}
• Vassal Valediction- Your Most Humble Subject, {Full Name}
• Landed Viscount or Viscountess-
• Salutation- My Lord/Lady
• Valediction- Most Sincerely, {Full Name}
• Vassal Valediction- Your Humble Subject, {Full Name}
• Count or Countess-
• Salutation- My Lord/Lady
• Valediction- Most Sincerely, {Full Name}
• Vassal Valediction- Your Humble Subject, {Full Name}
• Unlanded Viscount or Viscountess-
• Salutation- My Lord/Lady
• Valediction- Most Sincerely, {Full Name}
• Baron or Baroness-
• Salutation- My Lord/Lady
• Valediction- Most Sincerely, {Full Name}
• Vassal Valediction- Your Humble Subject, {Full Name}
• Knight-
• Salutation- Dear Ser
• Valediction- Ser
• Baronet or Baronetess-
• Salutation- Dear Sir
• Valediction- Sir
• Squire-
• Salutation- Dear {Name}
• Valediction- Regards, {Full Name}

Afterword
Notes regarding the Text

 

 

 

This Text is based upon those rules put into place by His Imperial Majesty Godfrey I of Horen. In some areas of the Empire, local customs from before the reform continue to exist. If one is speaking in, or sending a letter to one of those regions, one should always use the more appropriate local custom. Secondly, this text does not include a description of the titles of the Judiciary at this time, as their ranks are not imperial, royal, noble, or gentle and have no connection to the One Faith.

 

 

This Thread was combining of three other threads to make it easier to find the three and to cause less cluttering of the Human forum section All Credit for the guides go to Viros

[ski_king3 0]

Moved to the Great Library.