World-State Nobility
The World-State or Planetary Nobility of a world is comprised of those individuals of the aristocracy of a given planetary government or social system indigenous to that world. The term is denotative - it should not be used to refer to Imperial or other off-world nobility structures that may have control or influence over the world or who may be in residence upon or own properties or assets on the world.
Description (Specifications)[edit]
The Planetary Nobility of a world is comprised of those individuals of the aristocracy of a given planetary government or social system indigenous to that world, independent of any Imperial or other off-world nobility structures that may have control or influence over the world or who may be in residence upon or own properties or assets on the world. "Planetary Nobility" possess a bewildering variety of titles and power bases derived from the various local cultures and traditions in which they arise, often predating Imperial contact. As such, they are not part of the Imperial system, and are not recognized within the Imperial system of Nobility, other than via courtesy, having no official standing under Imperial Law, and possessing the official recognition of a foreign power if lying outside Imperial borders. Some are later elevated to greater recognition and status within the Imperium via the grant of an Imperial Ceremonial courtesy title. On Imperial member worlds, most Planetary Nobility are considered to be equivalent to Imperial Gentry if they have no granted Imperial Ceremonial courtesy title.
Local Nobility is a term that is nominally the same as the term "Planetary Nobility", but in practice is used in a slightly broader context to include locally resident Imperial nobles on a world that are not otherwise officially associated with the world but who otherwise have interests there for any number of personal or other reasons.
The term Local Nobility has been used historically to refer to (but is not limited to) the following types of aristocracy resident on a world:
- The Planetary Nobility (or World-State Nobility) of a world. This normally constitutes the majority of a world's Local Nobility, for those worlds that have a local governmental or cultural aristocracy. This normally includes resident Imperial Gentry.
- Locally resident Imperial Honour Nobility of a world that is their homeworld, (or of Honour Nobility with a title not associated with the world that have become a long-term resident and serve no other official Imperial function). This includes Legacy Nobility and non-hereditary Imperial Local Honour Nobility and members of Imperial Clans.
- Locally resident Imperial Ceremonial (Rank) Nobility whose title is not associated with the world and not fulfilling an Imperial function for the world. This includes Legacy Nobility who are retired from office. These normally constitute members of Imperial Noble Families.
- Locally resident Imperial Ceremonial (Rank) Nobility whose title is not associated with the world as a Landed Noble proper but who otherwise serves in an appointed Imperial See overseeing an Imperial or other governmental function for the world on behalf of the Imperium. These normally constitute members of Imperial Noble Families.
- Imperial Landed Nobles who maintain a residence on the world (either with or without local Imperial Land grant territories) who are NOT the world's Imperial landed representative and not associated with the world. (This last category is disputed and considered somewhat of a grey area). These normally constitute members of Imperial Noble Families and Imperial Noble Houses.
History & Background (Dossier)[edit]
No information yet available.
Typical Noble Hierarchy & Sequence[edit]
Typical Noble Elevation Sequence: The elevation and promotion of a noble and his or her family typically takes the following sequence and may take generations:
- World-State Nobility or Gentlebeing 》Imperial Clan 》Imperial Noble Family 》Landed Nobility 》Noble House 》High Nobility 》Emperor
Noble Institutions[edit]
| Noble Institutions | ||
|---|---|---|
| Institution | Rank (SOC) | Remarks |
| World-State Nobility "Planetary Nobility" "Local Nobility" |
C6/Nob: 9 - 10(A) |
World-State and/or Local Nobility (i.e. "Planetary Nobility") possess a bewildering variety of titles and power bases. These nobles often predate Imperial contact and they do not possess Imperial sanction, title, or recognition even if the Imperium negotiates with them. According to Imperial law, they have no official standings or, more to the point, they possess the official recognition of a foreign power and not an indigenous, friendly ally. Some are later elevated to greater recognition and status.
Most of the Imperial Gentry are considered to be equivalent to this level. |
| Imperial Clans "Local Nobility" |
C6/Nob: 9 - 12(c) |
Imperial Clans hold an intermediate position between Imperial Noble Families and local world-state nobles. Many of these clans aspire to Imperial recognition and earn it through service or other means, thus acquiring Imperial title, but not always direct Imperial Sanction. Sometimes, organized multi-systemic interstellar powers have been known to acquire Imperial title and be recognized as Imperial clans, but not proper Imperial houses.
Most members of the Baronages and Hereditary Untitled Nobility fall within the upper strata of this level. |
| Imperial Noble Families | C6/Nob: 12(C) - 15(f) |
Noble Families occupy a tier below the Landed Nobility proper and are recognized by the Emperor and the Third Imperium. They hold Imperial title and sanction. While having both Noble lands and properties, these lands are not granted in conjunction with associated regional administrative responsibilities as are the lands of proper "fiefs" in the sense that the lands of the Landed Nobility are. A Noble Family is created any time a hereditary Imperial title is granted as an Honour Title or Ceremonial Title to a non-Noble Imperial Citizen or member of the Imperial Gentry or Untitled Imperial Nobility and becoming a member of the Imperial Baronage or Peerage, but not Landed Nobility proper.
Most members of the Imperial Baronage and many of the Imperial Peerage occupy this level. |
| Landed Nobility - "The Peerage" - |
C6/Nob: 12(C) - 16(G) |
Landed nobles are recognized by the Emperor and the Third Imperium. They hold Imperial title and sanction. Being a landed noble (peer) is practically a prerequisite to joining a Noble House although exceptions have been made. Landed Nobles are Imperial Noble Families whose landholdings are "fiefs" in the proper sense of the word, as they oversee and administer Imperial interests in these territories at the subsector and sector levels, as well as representing the associated fief-worlds before the Imperial Moot.
The Landed Nobility includes both the Imperial Landed Baronage and Imperial Peerage of Landed Marquises and higher. |
| Imperial Houses - Noble Houses - |
C6/Nob: 13(D) - 16(G) |
Many Imperial Noble Families eventually seek to consolidate and increase their power and prestige through concerted efforts of intermarriage or other social institutions of obligation. These families eventually form Noble Houses, which pool the assets of many families into greater accumulations of power, ability, and resources.
|
| High Nobility | C6/Nob: 15(f) - 16(G) |
The Third Imperium has been called a government of, by, and for Dukes. Even the lowest Ducal title is an enormous sign of Distinction. The elevation and promotion of a Duke typically follows the below sequence and often takes many, many generations:
Ducal Elevation Sequence:
|
| Imperial Family - Emperor - |
C6/Nob: 16(G) - 17(h/H) |
At the peak of the range of noble ranks is the Emperor (or "Karun") and the Imperial Family. The noble family may include princes, princesses, dowagers, and other noble titles. The spouse of an Emperor or Empress is technically the "Empress Consort" or "Emperor Consort" or "Prince Consort", but in common everyday usage the females are simply referred to as "Empress" but the males have an issue should their title be shortened; as to claim to be "Emperor" is treason!
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Library Data Referral Tree[edit]
Third Imperium
- Government
- Imperial Government
- Imperial Leadership
- Imperial Law
- Imperial Symbols
- Demographics
References & Contributors (Sources)[edit]
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- Author & Contributor: Lord (Marquis) and Master of Sophontology Maksim-Smelchak of the Ministry of Science