The Order of Precedence of the First Kingdom

The Peerage

The Peerage is highest tier of the nobility; these are nobles that are called to convene whenver the Court of Peers is required to conduct its business. Many, but not all of these peers hold titles that are hereditary. When one of these dies, the title passes to a designated heir along with the responsibility for the estate and any governance responsibilities. The heir is almost always the eldest legitimate child of the peer and a life-bound consort; a formal disinheritance must be declared for it to be any other. Should a governing peer die childless, the High Sovereign or Archduke selects a new recipient of the title. Should a retired noble die without heir, the estate reverts to the ownership of the High Sovereign and the kingdom. Should the inheriting peer of a governing title not yet have reached their age of ascendancy (20 years of age), an appointed regent governs until that age is reached.

High Sovereign

Soverign Consort

Archprelate of the True Church
in Formal Attire

Duke

Earl

High Lord Mayor

Baron

Baronet

1. High Sovereign of the First Kingdom of Humanity is the primary title of the absolute monarch of the First Kingdom of Humanity. This rank, and the individual who holds it, stands alone atop the Peerage of the Kingdom.


2. The First Among Servants of the True Church of Humanity is the priest that sits atop the hierarchy of the True Church of Humanity, which is the State Religion of the First Kingdom. The significance of this religion in Kingdom life is reflected in the importance given to this title-holder -- second only to the High Sovereign.


3. The Sovereign Consort of the First Kingdom, a spouse that has been formally life-bound to the High Sovereign, represents the third rank in the Peerage. There can be two holders of this title as Church Law permits the High Sovereign to formally life-bond with up to two Consorts.


4. Archdukes of the First Kingdom govern the dukedoms into which the kingdom has been divided for adminstrative purposes. The High Sovereign has the power to establish or dissolve a dukedom at any time, and to name the Archdukes of each established dukedom. As there are currently five dukedoms within the Kingdom, there are currently no more than five persons holding this rank at any time.


5. Archbishops of the True Church of Humanity are named from within the hierarchy of the True Church of Humanity whenever the High Sovereign establishes a new dukedom, or whenever the previous holder of the position dies or retires. Archbishops and Archdukes are expected to work closely with one another to ensure the spiritual as well as physical well-being of the subjects of the dukedom.


6. Principals of the First Kingdom are the legitimate children born to the High Sovereign and a Sovereign Consort, and who have not been granted an Archduke's title. In the event a Principal is named to an inferior adminstrative position, they retain the Principal's rank within the Peerage.


7. Dukes of the First Kingdom are either those who have served as Archdukes but have been honorably deposed (usually to make room for a Principal to claim a title), or individuals rewarded by the High Sovereign for particularly extraordinary service to the Kingdom. Dukes have no administrative responsibilities within the Kingdom beyond the management of their own Estates. Life-bound spouses of those who currently hold the titles of archduke or duke are also considered to be ranked in this position in the Order of Precendence, but are not members of the Court of Peers.


8. Marklords of the First Kingdom are responsible for governing territories within a dukedom that border on a foreign land - and are therefore under constant potential threat of incursion by enemies of the Kingdom. These territories, called marches or marks, can be established or dissolved by the High Sovereign. The Marklords themselves, however, are appointed by the Archduke governing the dukedom in which the march is located.


9. Earls of the First Kingdom also govern territories within a dukedom, but these are interior or sea-facing territories that are not considered as dangerous as the marches. Like the marches, the territories themselves are established or dissolved at the pleasure of the High Sovereign, but it is the local Archduke that appoints an Earl.


10. Viscounts of the First Kingdom are either those who have served as Marklords or Earls but have been honorably deposed, or individuals rewarded by the High Sovereign for particularly exceptional service to the Kingdom. Viscounts have no administrative responsibilities within the Kingdom beyond the management of their own Estates. Life-bound spouses of those who currently hold the titles of Marklord or Earl are also considered to be ranked in this position in the Order of Precendence, but are not members of the Court of Peers.


11. High Lord Mayors of the Cities of the Kingdom are holders of the third title immediately subservient to an Archduke. There are currently three settlements within the Kingdom: Elderkeep, Eastkeep, and Westkeep, which have grown to sufficient size and prominency as to be declared Cities of the Kingdom. Though surrounded by a march or earldom, the Cities are not subject to the rule of any Marklord or Earl. High Lord Mayor is not a hereditary title that can be passed onto heirs.


12. Bishops of the True Church of Humanity are appointed by the First Servant of the True Church to preside over the spiritual well-being of a march, earldom, or city. As the Archbishops work closely with the Archdukes, so too are the bishops expected to work with Marklords, Earls, and High Lords Mayor.


13. Barons of the First Kingdom are lesser nobles of responsible for governing even smaller territories to assist the Marklords and Earls in keeping their lands running smoothly. The establishment or dissolution of baronies is actually goverened by the True Church of Humanity in order to coincide with the establishment or dissoiution of Parishes within the Church. Marklord and Earls are responsible for appointing the Barons, though this is usually done after consultation with and recommendation of the local Marklord or Earl. Baron is not a hereditary title that can be passed onto heirs.


14. Pastor of the True Church of Humanity is the title given to a priest of the Church that is responsible for the spiritual administration of a Parish. Pastors work with Barons and Lords Magistrate, as well as with the Servants of the Church assigned to assist them.


15. Baronets of the First Kingdom are either those who have served as Barons but have been honorably deposed, or individuals rewarded by the High Sovereign for particularly notable service to the Kingdom, or by those who are lifebound spouses of any of these. Baronets have no administrative responsibilities within the Kingdom beyond the management of their own Estates. This title is not hereditary; it cannot be passed along to heirs.

First Servant of the
True Church
in Formal Attire

Archduke

Principal

Marklord

Viscount

Prelate of the True Church
in Formal Attire

Pastor of the True Church
in Formal Attire

Lesser Nobility

Though not considered among the Peerage, there are a number of other Noble ranks and titles which are held by individuals in the Kingdom. These still carry the privileges of nobility; the only benefit truly lacking is the ability to sit in the Court of Peers (and hence to receive invitations to celebrations and special events that the Peerage takes advantage of).

1. Lords Magistrate of a City of the First Kingdom are to High Lord Mayors what Barons are to Marklords and Earls - they administer sectors within the Cities of the Kingdom. High Lord Mayors may establish or dissolve Magisterial Districts as they see fit; though this is almost always done in conjunction with the establishment or dissolution of a Parish within the City. The Lords Magistrate who oversee them are installed by the Archduke after consultation with and recommendation of the High Lord Mayor. This title is not hereditary; it cannot be passed along to heirs.


2. Reeve of the First Kingdom are appointed by Marklords and Earls to assist Barons in the management of their baronies. Reeves tend to focus on local areas and usually operate out of the Baronial Estate. Typically no more than two Reeves exist within a Barony; one is the much more common number. High Lords Mayor will also typically appoint one Reeve to work with each Lord Magistrate within a city. This title is not hereditary; it cannot be passed along to heirs.


3. Lord Mayor of a Town of the First Kingdom are administrators elected by citizens of a settlement that has sufficiently developed to the point where it can be legally considered a Town. Lord Mayors and their towns are not subject to the jurisdiction of any Baron or Reeve; they answer to their Earl or Marklord directly. Lord Mayor is not a hereditary title that can be passed onto heirs.


4. Servant of the True Church of Humanity are the lowest level of ordained priests within the True Church of Humanity. Servants are assigned by the church to assist Pastors in the spiritual administration of daily life in the kingdom. There are no limits to the number of Servants that may work in any Parish - it is up to the Church to decide where to focus its efforts. Servants can be moved around the Kingdom (or even beyond) as the officials in the Church hierarchy see fit.


5. Commonlord of the First Kingdom is the lowest rank within the nobility of the First Kingdom. Lifebound spouses and children of higher ranking nobles that are not entitled to higher rank are, at the very least, granted Commonlord status. The High Sovereign may also bestow a Commonlord title to a commoner who has demonstrated service to the kingdom worthy of note.

Removing a Peer from Administrative Position

Peers with Administrative responsibiltiies serve "at the Pleasure of their Liege" and can be removed at any time by the person (or current holder of the position that named them) by one of two means:

• Dishonorable Deposition is the High Sovereign's way of expressing extreme disappointment in the performance of the Archduke. These are exceedingly rare, and usually only accompany accusations of High Treason or Embezzlement of Sovereign Goods. Peers that are dishonorably deposed are stripped of all titles, lands, and other properties. They are removed from the Court of Lords. Their children lose the titles and privileges of Commonlordship.
• Honorable Deposition occurs most often when a new liege ascends and installs heirs as their direct subordinates. Peers that are honorably deposed are granted the right to retire to an appropriate estate, and in many cases retain their positions in the Court of Lords. (Baronets do not.) Children retain their Commonlord titles and privileges as well.