Aurician Nobility

Aurician Nobility encompasses all the privileged classes recognized in Throvy and the subsequent countries conquered by the rulers of Aurice to the present day. The principle of male primogeniture is typically in force, but not always, depending upon customs in the given country of the Aurician Empire. A title reflects the noble status of the head of the family. A rank implies hierarchy in the nobles and military. There is often name for the title such as in European nobility like 'the Duke of Orleans.' Rather, it is Baron of House Zanktivaji. If a place is indicated, then it is the actual domain that pertains to the title and not purely ceremonial.

List of Aristocratic Titles

Nobles of the Sword

Duke

Dukes are typically the oldest nobles in a region. Their forebears were awarded the title typically for services rendered in war. They are also or were in the past, close relatives of the ruler of the country in which they arose to prominence. Some ducal families are over a thousand years old. Barons are normally also senators.

Counts

Counts are typically of the oldest aristocratic families. Their forebears were usually awarded the title for major services rendered in the war or in the military or for service in a high administrative office. Most comital families are at least three hundred years old and the count is typically also a senator.

Barons

Barons are sometimes of old noble families, but often not. They or their ancestors received the title for leadership rendered to the state, such as in war, wizardry, governmental service, or a major work of engineering. Baronial families are often more than two hundred years old. Barons are normally also senators.

Nobles of the Robe

Hierophant

Hierophant is the title given to the high priest of any temple whose cult is officially recognized by the state. Whether this title and rank are hereditary depends upon the practice of the particular temple. The main exception is the High Phœnissa who holds the rank of a duke, feminized as duchess. Examples of hierophants are the Archpatriarchs of the Arathracian Religion, the High Priests of Amrulon, the High Priestess of Magda, and so forth. The abbots and mother superiors of the Incarnandist monastic orders are also recognized as hierophants, but rarely perform this function.

Metropolitans

The office of Metropolitan was created in the twenty sixth century by Baimund Kaligär, so the title is less than two hundred years old. It was awarded for enriching the city of Aurice, typically as a merchant. The Viceroyal Duke Baimund Kaligär wished to weaken the position of the nobles by packing the Senate with Metropolitans who would be loyal to him. Only about half of the metropolitans are senators. Some lost their status after the Aurician Revolution as the Dukes, Counts, and Barons endeavored to weaken the voting bloc of the Metropolitans whom they disdained as they were not nobles of the sword.

Country Nobles

Numinant

a kind of priest who protects sacred places from profanation, not celibate, and typically inherited

Quaestor

A quaestor is one who summons others (usually nobles) to the court of a high-ranking noble. The summoning is not necessarily for a bad reason, but could be for a celebration, to pay homage, or for recognition. The quaestor is higher than simply a page, messenger, or a herald as the quaestor has legal authority to require the recipient to appear at his lord's castle or palace.

Momentor

one who leads a sacred or official procession

(magistrate)

Families who have long held a high local administrative position have this title. They may have in fact held the title for many centuries, but they are nonetheless considered lesser nobility. They have no claim to office of Senator of Aurice.

Knight

This rather lowly noble title is awarded for attaining full status as a knight in a recognized chivalrous order and includes members of the illustrious Knights-Magi of Aurice. It cannot be inherited by the son.

Gentleman

See also: Aurician Gentry

This is actually /not/ a rank or title of nobility, but considered to be 'commoners of quality.' It also includes knights of orders not officially recognized by the state.

Difference between Nobles of the Sword and Nobles of the Robe

See Also

• Aurician Empire
• Aurician Social Classes