Imperial Gentry
The term Imperial Gentry is a categorical term that technically refers to the lowest rungs of the Imperial upper classes or aristocracy, beginning with Common Genteel Imperial Citizens (by Imperial Standards) normally referred to as Imperial Gentlebeings (or Gentlemen, Gentlewomen, or Gentlesophonts), and including the Imperial Esquire at the seniormost levels of the grouping, but also including the Imperial Untitled Nobility † normally referred to as Imperial Knights that are senior to Imperial Gentlebeings and Esquires. Though the term Imperial Gentry technically includes the Orders of Imperial Knighthood, in practice the term is normally used more restrictively to refer to Imperial Gentlebeings and Esquires specifically.
- †Some consider Baronets to be included among the Untitled Nobility for historical reasons (and thus Imperial Gentry), but Baronets within the Third Imperium more properly belong to the Baronages.
- See also Gentlesophont / Gentlebeing
- See also Imperial Gentleman
- See also Esquire
- See also Knight
Description (Specifications)[edit]
Imperial Gentry (i.e. "Imperial Gentlebeings": Imperial Gentlemen or Gentlewomen (a.k.a. "Ladies")) aren't technically Imperial Nobility (though they may be members of local planetary aristocracies), but they have prestige that is often based upon their own accomplishments as well as a level of interaction with and recognition by the Imperial Nobility.
Entitlement Synopsis[edit]
While not technically a rank of nobility, an Imperial Gentlebeing is one who is independently wealthy at a level in which he interacts with the Imperial Nobility. The cause for this may arise due to a number of different reasons. The Gentlebeing may be a significant member of a local planetary aristocracy, the descendant of an Imperial Knight, or related to a non-inheriting cadet-line of an Imperial Noble Title or be a noble courtier or functionary within a noble household. An Imperial Gentleman might be known by any number of different local titles from local world cultures or traditions, including such Galanglic titles as, Lord, Esquire, Patrician, Thane, Master, Holder, Burgrave, Landgrave, Herceg, etc., or alternatively, might be known by no special title at all other than "Imperial Gentleman". Gentlebeings who are members of species whose genders do not directly correspond to the binary genders of Humaniti often use the prefix "The" or the phrase "The Gentlebeing" before the name.
- Imperial Gentlemen fall under the category of "Esquire" as associate members of Orders of Knighthood as junior (non-knightly) members.
- The bearer of a Medal for Conspicuous Gallantry or Starburst for Extreme Heroism is likewise considered to be an Imperial Gentlebeing, and ranks slightly below a Knight of the Empire in social status before the Emperor [1], and thus falls into the category of an "Esquire".
- The status of "Esquire" entitles the individual to use the suffix "Esq." after one's name in the absence of other post-nominals.
In addition to personal property and lands, an Imperial Gentlebeing may in some cases be the possessor of an Imperial land grant and hold a single terrain hex, usually awarded on a non-mainworld within a system. An Imperial Gentleman's land grant is generally known as a Lordship or Seigneury or (if it is the location of the Gentleman's estate) a Manor. Note that until claimed and improved, the Imperium pays the holder of noble lands Cr1000 per Terrain-hex per year. [2] The possessor of such a land grant also generally falls into the category of an Esquire. The bearer of a Discoverers' Land Grant (usually an award associated with members of the IISS) generally falls into this category, though they do not normally rank as such unless and until they are able to take possession of their grant.
See also[edit]
Imperial Nobility
- The Imperial Household:
- The High Nobility (Peerage):
- 2a. Archduke / Archduchess // Kibarad (Kharhii), "Apkallu Kibrat Arban"
- 2b. Grand Duke / Grand Duchess // Saarpuhii
- 3a. Subsector Duke / Subsector Duchess // Saarpuhii
- 3b. Duke / Duchess // Saarpuhii, (Archaic: Sarriiu)
- The Peerage:
- 4a. Count / Countess or Contessa // Shakkan(a)khu, "Shak", (Archaic: Sarriiu)
- 4b. Viscount / Viscountess // Kankhu, Sarriiu, (Archaic: Shakkankhu)
- 5a. Marquis / Marchioness or Marquesa // Sarriiu, (Archaic: Kankhu)
- The Baronage:
- 6a. Baron / Baroness // Iishakku
- 6b. Baronet / Baronetess // Iishakkunek
- The Gentry: Untitled Nobility & Genteel Commoners:
- 7 . Knight / Dame // Kiduunuuzi
- 8a. Imperial Gentry: Esquire
- 8b. Imperial Gentry: Gentlebeing (Gentleman / Gentlewoman)
Third Imperium
- Government
- Imperial Government
- Imperial Leadership
- Imperial Law
- Imperial Symbols
- Demographics
References & Contributors (Sources)[edit]
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- Marc Miller. T5 Core Rules (Far Future Enterprises, 2013), T5.10 Book 1, p. 78, 88.
- Loren Wiseman. Nobles (Steve Jackson Games, 2004), 14.