Duchess

WEALTH & STATUS

Nobles own land. Earls & Duchesses own so much land that they are second only to the king and queen in wealth and status. They have bestowed lands to the barons / baronesses below them. They may also have knights / ladies directly below them as well.

JUSTICE

Except for peasant's appeal of ow justice judgements of those below the earl / duchess's authority, Earls & Duchesses are most concerned with high justice - it is used a tool to remove political enemies and competitors. If they become they are seen as a threat to the King's or Queen's authority, they may themselves fall victim to the same machinations.

The Duchess is the female equivalent to the male Earl .