Count/Countess

This rank holds governance over a large portion of the kingdom, often encompassing great swathes of land, multiple small towns and villages, and one major city. To the majority of the kingdom's citizens, they are often associated with wealth and opulence. They are allowed to rule their territories with near impunity, and it is not uncommon for corruption at this rank to go unnoticed for decades at a time. The inheriting child is called either viscount or viscountess.

Responsibilities

While a count or countess is granted administrative authority over a large area (a county), their main focus of power is in the largest city under their rule. It is in these major population centers that a count will form the basis of governance over their territory, enacting laws that begin from the city and later spread to the smaller surrounding settlements as their baron underlings gather for socializing and news of the wider county. No laws they make may contradict those passed down by the king or queen. In being the lawmakers of their territories, they are also the highest authority in passing judgement upon anyone found to be in violation of the law. They are allowed to bring any matter to the judgement of the ruling monarch, but are only required to do so in matters regarding high treason or a threat to the kingdom as a whole.

Benefits

Those of the rank of count are given control over a large parcel of land and a moderately-sized castle. They also receive the lion's share of taxes from their serfs, to be meted out as is seen fit to the various expenses that come with maintaining a household and ensuring the proper upkeep and defense of their city of residence as well as their territory as a whole.

Type

Nobility, Hereditary

Form of Address

My Lord/Lady

Current Holders