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).
Contents
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. 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 was the highest title of nobility until 1678, when King John IX issued the Royal Proclamation of 26 January 1678 Regarding The Precedence of Our Princes. 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. The last princedom to be created was the Duldorov Princedom, awarded to Konstantin, 5th Grand Duke Duldorov, in 1916. The last Grand Dukedom to be created was the Scherbatsky Grand Dukedom, granted to Fyodor Dmitrevich Scherbatsky-Sheremetev, 17th Count of Petrovna.
Dukes
Dukedoms were the highest title of nobility a subject could expect to receive from a monarch. All 6 dukedoms created after 1678 are High Nobility. All Dukes enjoy the (formal) style The Most Noble, Gracious, and Potent Prince (shortened to The Most Noble) and Serene and Excellent Grace (shortened to Grace). A Middle Nobility Duke's ceremonial title is "The Most Noble, Gracious (Most High) and Potent Prince His (Most High) Serene and Excellent Grace [forename] The Duke of X". Sovereign Dukes rank above non-sovereign Princes.
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 non-sovereign Count being created in 926 as Comes de Gallevas (now held by The Duke of Bosj). Viscounts first appeared in 1100 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
- -Higher Nobility Duke/Duchess
- -Heir(ess) apparent of High Nobility Duke/Duchess
- -Duke/Duchess
- -Prince(ss)
- -Heir(ess) apparent of Prince(ss)
- -Grand Duke/Duchess
- -Heire(ss) apparent of Grand Duke/Duchess
- -Younger children of High Nobility Duke/Duchess
- -Younger children of Duke/Duchess
- -Younger children of Prince(ss)
- -Younger children of Grand Duke/Duchess
- -Higher Nobility Marquess/Marchioness
- -Higher Nobility courtesy Marquess/Marchioness
- -Marquess/Marchioness
- -Courtesy Marquess/Marchioness
- -Younger children of Higher Nobility Marquesses
- -Younger children of Marquesses
- -Higher Nobility Count/Countess
- -Higher Nobility courtesy Count/Countess
- -Count/Countess
- -Courtesy Count/Countess
- -Younger children of Higher Nobility Count/Countess
- -Younger children of Count/Countess
- -Higher Nobility Viscount/Viscountess rare
- -Higher Nobility courtesy Viscount
- -Viscount/Viscountess
- -Courtesy Viscount/Viscountess
- -Higher Nobility Baron/Baroness rare
- -Higher Nobility courtesy Baron/Baroness
- -Baron/Baroness
- -Courtesy Baron/Baroness
- -Children of Higher Nobility Visocunts and Barons
- -Children of Viscounts and Barons
- -Lord/Lady+Life Peers
See also
Ferrodwiyinian Order of Precedence List of titles of nobility in Ferrodwiyin
