Titles of Devarin

Titles are honorifics granted to holders through the decisions of their liege or through inheritance indicating the stature and rank of a holder within Devarii noble society. Titles typically come with holdings and vassals attached, forming a hierarchical structure within the Grand Duchy.

Grand Duke	Duke	Count	Baron	Knight

Grand Duke

The Grand Duke is the sovereign ruler of the Grand Duchy. Only a single person holds the rank of Grand Duke at any time. The feminine form is Grand Duchess.
The Grand Duke is referred to as "His/Her Royal Highness, The Grand Duke/Duchess Devarin".

Duke

A Duke is the highest non-sovereign title in the Grand Duchy, and indicates the titled holds a Duchy. The feminine form is Duchess. A Duchy is a very large area of land, comprised of several Counties. Dukes serve the Grand Duke, and are in turn served by several Counts. A Duke is expected to pay taxes to the Grand Duke, and provide levies should the Grand Duke call for them. Eight duchies exist within the Grand Duchy, although one is held by the current Grand Duchess.
A Duke is referred to as "The Most Honorable, The Duke/Duchess [DUCHY]".

Count

A Count is a title within the Grand Duchy, and indicates the titled holds a County. The feminine form is Countess. A County is a large area of land, typically taking several days to cross, containing multiple Baronies. Counts serve a liege, usually a Duke, though sometimes the Grand Duke directly. Counts are expected to contribute taxes and troop levies to their liege, and provide protection to any vassals.
A Count is referred to as "The Honorable, The Count/Countess [COUNTY]".

Baron

A Baron is the lowest title of the Devarii peerage, and indicates the titled holds a Barony. The feminine form is Baroness. A Barony is a single large estate such as a village, town, city, castle, monastery, or any other region designated by a Count. Barons are expected to contribute either taxes or soldiers to their liege, though typically not both (though there are exceptions).
A Baron is referred to as "The Righteous, The Baron/Baroness [BARONY]".

Knight

A Knight is an honorific granted to figures of note by any title holder of Count or above. The feminine form is Dame. Knights are often granted a parcel of land alongside their title, although this is not a requirement. Additionally, unlike other titles of the realm, Knighthood is not hereditary. Knights gain certain rights that set them apart from commoners, including the right to attend any court of the region where they were knighted, and the right to bear a coat of arms.
A Knight is referred to as "Sir/Dame [NAME], Knight/Dame of the Realm".

Inheritance and Succession

When the holder of a title passes, the title passes on to the eldest child of the deceased. If the holder has no children, the title passes to the eldest living sibling. In the absence of a sibling, the title can pass on to other relatives in the same order from the superior line ancestor. This process continues until a living relative is found (for example, a holder without children or siblings may be inherited by their living aunt or uncle).
In all of these cases, by Devarii law a person may not hold more than one of their highest level title, and is excluded from inheritance for titles of that level. Additionally, a person may not hold titles lower than their highest that lay outside their realm. For example, a Duke cannot inherit an additional Duchy, and cannot inherit a County outside their Duchy.
It is customary, though not a codified law, for a person inheriting a title to adopt the surname and house of the previous holder.

Privileges

A holder of a title is entitled to many privileges befitting their highest rank. They may wear the crown of their rank at their whim, and display an image of same crown over their coat of arms, to indicate their rank in heraldry. They are exempt from many laws applying to commoners, can attend the courts of other nobles, and with the exception of Knights (save those knighted by the Grand Duke) may petition the sovereign.

Current Holders

Grand Duchy	Duchy	County	Barony	Knighthood
					Grand Duchy of Devarin Eormen Noke, 14th Grand Duchess Devarin
					Duchy of Alryne Elel Pyley, 23rd Duchess Alryne
					Duchy of Athelney Georguy Dene, 18th Duke Athelney
					Duchy of Bredon Gylex Knyne, 22nd Duke Bredon
					Duchy of Cirencester Quennore Silverleaf, 2nd Duke Cirencester
					Duchy of Cirrane Dely Mugwort, 18th Duchess Cirrane
					Duchy of Devarin Eormen Noke, 14th Grand Duchess Devarin
					Duchy of Ecrin Brancis Warre, 7th Duke Ecrin
					Duchy of Hillfar Otig Arryn, 2nd Duchess Hillfar