Ferrodwiyinian nobility

The Ferrodwiyinian nobility encompasses individuals who possess the legal status of hereditary nobility within the Ferrodwiyinian Empire's jurisdictions. Each [former] state has its own system of nobility dating before the 1915 unification, called simply la noblesse. All titles granted after 1915 are legally classified as Titles of Imperial Nature. Within these two, there are three other legal classifications: High Nobility (i.e. titles granted directly by the High King before 1915 and certain titles granted afterwards), Middle Nobility (all titled individuals that are not members of the High Nobility), and Lower Nobility (i.e. untitled nobility).

Ranks

Higher Nobility

All monarchs within the Holy Union of Kingdoms were the Founts of Honour of their particular State, having the right to confer national titles of Middle Nobility or membership to the Lower Nobility. The Holy Union of the Crowns' High King had the right to confer titles of nobility within all member states. The holders of these titles were regarded as High Kingly Nobility, a status that granted them nobility in all the states of the Union, rather than having a title in just one. After the unification of 1915, six titles of the High Nobility have been granted (Prince Duldorov, Duke of Celennas, Duke of Asea, Marquess of Pelisus, Marquess of Galladion, Count of Olatron). Historically, membership to the High Nobility was granted to the most important nobles to differentiate them between second-class nobility. Higher Nobility has the right to address members of the Imperial Family and the Emperor himself informally, be granted official or diplomatic passports, be appointed Governor-General of a Former State, attend all Nobility Assemblies without an invitation, show up to the palace without previous invitation or notice (although this happens rarely, and most High Nobles usually send out notice to the Sovereign), among other unofficial privileges, as well as having the same privileges as Lower and Middle Nobility. Most members of the High Nobility can only be arrested with the authorisation of the Sovereign, although this is not always the case. High Nobility can be granted and taken away from every titled noble at the Monarch's pleasure. High Nobles are entitled to use a diamond above their coronets in their coat of arms. High Nobles are entitled to use Most High preceding their style (Princes and Grand Dukes are The Most High and Most Noble and Most High Serenity when not Highnesses, Dukes are The Most High and Most Noble and Most High Grace/my Most High Lord Duke, Marquesses are The Most High and Most Honourable and Most High Lordship, Counts and Viscounts are The Most High and Much Honourable and Most High Lordship, Barons are The Most High and Right Honourable and Most High Lordship). In common use, however, all nobles use similar styles, and the use of The Most High is reserved for occasions when a differential is necessary. High Nobles rank above their Middle Nobility equivalents.

Middle Nobility

All titles granted by monarchs other than the High King and most of those granted after 1915 are legally titles of the Middle Nobility. Since 1915, twelve titles of middle nobility have been granted (two marquessates, three countships, two viscountcies, and five baronies). Any member of the Middle Nobility can form part of the Imperial Household or be appointed Lord Head Advisor, as well as having the possibility to attend a Nobility Assembly with the Sovereign's invitation and having the same rights as the Lower Nobility.

Lower Nobility

The noble class is made up mostly of untitled nobility, or the gentry. Lower Nobility usually has no privileges other than the legal classification, social eminence, the right to use a coat of arms, and place in the Empire's order of precedence. All nobility is expected to live 'nobly', that is, off rent from their lands and income from the enterprises owned by them. Subordination to someone of lower status is highly frowned upon in society.

Titles

The titles of Middle and High Nobility the Sovereign can grant as Fount of Honour are, in order of precedence, Prince, Grand Duke, Duke, Count, Viscount, Baron, and Lord. Additionally, knighthoods grant nobility, but their holders are considered Lower Nobility.

Princes and Grand Dukes

Princedoms and grand dukedoms are usually reserved for the Sovereign's distant relatives or favourites. When not granted the style of Highness, they enjoy the style His Serenity. They ceremonially are The Most High and Most Noble His Gracious and Most High Serenity [forename] The Prince/Grand Duke (of) X (abbreviated to The Most High and Most Noble and Most High Serenity All princedoms and grand dukedoms are to be regarded as Higher Nobility, although only one, the Duldorov Principality, has been created since 1915. Historically, only the High King could create Princes and Grand Dukes. Sovereign Princes rank just below junior members of the Imperial Family and precede sovereign Grand Dukes.

Dukes

Dukedoms were the highest title of nobility a subject could expect to receive from a monarch other than the High King. All Dukes enjoy the (formal) style The Most Noble and Potent Prince (shortened to The Most Noble) and Grace. A Middle Nobility Duke's ceremonial title is "The Most Noble (Most High) and Potent Prince His (Most High) Grace [forename] The Duke of X". Sovereign Dukes rank below sovereign Grand Dukes.

Marquesses

Historically, marquesses were different from counts in that a Marquess's lands were on the country's border, thus giving him a protection role. All Marquesses hold the formal style The Most Honourable and Lordship. Ceremonially, The (Most High and) Most Honourable His (Most High) Lordship [forename] The Marquess of X

Counts and Viscounts

That of a Count was the first title to appear within the Empire's land, the first Count being created in 1256 as Comes de Gallevas (now held by The Duke of Bosj). Viscounts first appeared in 1456 as a title for the heir of the Count of Eulir, literally meaning deputy-count. Counts and Viscounts hold the formal style The Much Honourable and Lordship. Ceremonially, The (Most High and) Much Honourable His (Most High) Lordship [forename] The Count/Viscount (of) X.

Barons and Lords

Historically, Barons were feudal landholders that responded to a higher noble. In the modern era, baronies were granted to raise the enriched bourgeoise into the nobility. Lordships, the lowest-ranking Middle Nobility titles, have no been granted since 1824, when the Lordship of Hercul was created as a subsidiary title for the first Marquess of Goffburg. Ceremonially The (Most High and) Much Honoured His (Most High) Lordship The Baron/Lord (of) X.

Courtesy Titles

The eldest child of a Duke, a Marquess, or a Count will use his or her parent's most senior subsidiary title, unless this title shares a name with the substantive title. For example, as the Marquess of Dusanka is also holder of the County of Currantiem, his eldest child and heir will be known by courtesy as the Count of Currantiem. However, these titles are used by courtesy only, and the holder of the substantive title remains the legal holder of the title. The heirs of the oldest or most powerful Ducal houses are entitled to use Prince of Y followed by their courtesy title, although this is rare and is only used on the most formal occasions. For example, the eldest child of the Duchess of Renaux, who is the most senior Duke in the peerage, is entitled to use the titles Lord/Lady X, Prince(ss) of Renaux, Marquess/Marchioness of Olvum. Most titles of High Nobility's subsidiary titles are also tied to the High Nobility, thus entitling the heirs to use the honorary The Most High.

Children of Nobles

The children of Princes and Grand Dukes always bear the title Prince X of Y or Prince X Y, although they rarely have any style. Some heirs of princely and grand ducal families hold the title Hereditary Prince/Grand Duke of Y or Hereditary Prince/Grand Duke Y. Younger children of Dukes, Marquesses, and Counts are entitled to use the honorific Lord or Lady (abbreviated Ld and Ldy respectively) preceding their given names. All children of Viscounts and Barons are entitled to use the honorific The Honourable (abbreviated The Hon). Legally, all children of Middle Nobility are members of the Lower Nobility and children of the High Nobility are members of the Middle Nobility, although they all enjoy a higher place in the order of precedence.

Hierarchy of Titles

1. -Higher Nobility Prince(ss)
2. -Heir(ess) apparent of Higher Nobility Prince(ss)
3. -Higher Nobility Grand Duke/Duchess
4. -Heire(ss) apparent of High Nobility Grand Duke/Duchess
5. -Younger children of Prince(ss)
6. -Younger children of Grand Duke/Duchess
7. -Higher Nobility Duke/Duchess
8. -Duke/Duchess
9. -Higher Nobility Marquess/Marchioness
10. -Higher Nobility courtesy Marquess/Marchioness
11. -Marquess/Marchioness
12. -Courtesy Marquess/Marchioness
13. -Younger children of Higher Nobility Dukes and Marquesses
14. -Younger children of Dukes and Marquesses
15. -Higher Nobility Count/Countess
16. -Higher Nobility courtesy Count/Countess
17. -Count/Countess
18. -Courtesy Count/Countess
19. -Younger children of Higher Nobility Count/Countess
20. -Younger children of Count/Countess
21. -Higher Nobility Viscount/Viscountess rare
22. -Higher Nobility courtesy Viscount
23. -Viscount/Viscountess
24. -Courtesy Viscount/Viscountess
25. -Higher Nobility Baron/Baroness rare
26. -Higher Nobility courtesy Baron/Baroness
27. -Baron/Baroness
28. -Courtesy Baron/Baroness
29. -Children of Higher Nobility Visocunts and Barons
30. -Children of Viscounts and Barons
31. -Lord/Lady+Life Peers

See also

Ferrodwiyinian Order of Precedence List of titles of nobility in Ferrodwiyin