Imperial Nobility

The Imperial Nobility is a narrow class of persons at the upper strata of society who hold, either personally or through their family line, noble rank from the Emperor.

Description (Specifications)

No information yet available.

Ranks & Titles (Entitlement)

The lowest noble rank is knight; the highest level is archduke. (Above the archdukes is the special station accorded members of the Imperial family, but they are not considered part of the nobility.)

The standard ranks of Nobility are:

• 1. Emperor / Empress
• 2. Archduke / Archduchess
• 3. Duke / Duchess
• 4. Count / Countess or Contessa
• 5. Viscount / Viscountess
• 6. Marquis / Marchioness or Marquesa
• 7. Baron / Baroness
• 8. Baronet / Baronetess
• 9. Knight / Dame

Noble Ranks Data

Third Imperium Noble Ranks Data Table

#	Rank	Social Standing (T5 Code)	Fiefdom & Land Grant †	Territory (Landed Nobles)	Rule (Landed Nobles)	Sector Equivalent (Landed Nobles)	Subsector Equivalent (Landed Nobles)	Moot Votes (Landed Nobles)	Title Granter	Notes
1a.	Emperor / Empress	17 (H)	Fiefdom - Private Imperial Reserve World: (Usdiki) / THexes: 256x2 within the Imperium & 8x2 on Usdiki. / Fiefdom - Private Archducal Reserve World: (In Domain of Sylea) / THexes: 256x2 within the Domain of Sylea.	Imperium	Entire Imperium / Domain of Sylea	All	All	Yes (?)‡	Moot Validation	Highest Noble. The Emperor rules the entire Third Imperium.
1b.	Prince / Princess	17 (h)	Fiefdom: Private reserve world / THexes: 256x2 within the Imperium.	Imperium	Per subsidiary titles	Per subsidiary titles	Per subsidiary titles	Yes (6 ?)‡	Emperor / heredity	Close relative of the Emperor.
2a.	Archduke / Archduchess	16 (G)	Fiefdom: Private reserve world / THexes: 256x2 within the Domain.	Domain	Oversees a Domain.	Nominally 4	up to 64	5	Emperor	High Nobility. A handful of Archdukes, usually 6 to 7, report to the Emperor.
2b.	Grand Duke / Grand Duchess	16 (g)	Fiefdom: One world / THexes: 128x2 within the Sector.	Grand Duchy	Oversees a Sector or multiple Subsectors.	⅛ to 1	2-16	4	Emperor	High Nobility. Ceremonial title rarely granted anymore. Some Archdukes have been known to appoint Grand Dukes or elevate (promote) Dukes to Grand Dukes with the permission of the Emperor. Also a former Sylean title.
3a.	Subsector Duke / Subsector Duchess	15 (F)	Fiefdom: Subsector Capital World land grant (generally not more than 100,000 km2) -and/or- THexes: 128x2 within the Sector.	Duchy	Oversees a Subsector.	1/16	1	4	Emperor	High Nobility. Dukes report to Archdukes, and rarely to Grand Dukes.
3b.	Duke / Duchess	15 (f)	Fiefdom: Variable land grant on an Important World, generally not more than 100,000 km2 -and/or- THexes: 64x2 within the Sector.	Duchy or District	Oversees a group of worlds within a Subsector, or oversees a partial Subsector from an Important World within the Subsector.	Fraction	Significant Fraction	4	Emperor	High Nobility. Dukes report to Archdukes, and rarely to Grand Dukes.
4.	Count / Countess (Contessa)	14 (E)	Fiefdom: Variable land grant, typically on an Industrial or High Population world, generally not more than 10,000 km2 -and/or- THexes: 32x2 within a Sector.	County	Oversees a cluster of worlds within a Subsector, or oversees a partial Subsector, usually including an Industrial or High Population world.	Small Fraction	Fraction	3	Emperor	Administrative rank. Counts typically rule several Lesser Nobles.
5.	Viscount / Viscountess	14 (e)	Fiefdom: Variable land grant, typically on a pre-High Population world, generally not more than 10,000 km2 -and/or- THexes: 16x2 within a Subsector.	County	Oversees a cluster of worlds within a Subsector, usually including a pre-High Population world.	Small Fraction	Fraction	3	Emperor	Administrative rank. Viscounts typically rule over several Lesser Nobles.
6.	Marquis / Marchioness (Marquesa)	13 (D)	Fiefdom: Variable land grant, typically on a pre-Industrial world, generally not more than 1000 km2, -and/or- THexes: 8x2 within a Subsector.	Marquisate	Oversees 1 world, usually a pre-industrial one with a capable starport.	Tiny Fraction	Small Fraction	2	Emperor	Honour Nobility and Administrative rank. Marquises typically serve in Imperial administrations or important planetary governments.
7.	Baron / Baroness	12 (C)	Fiefdom: Modest land on a single world, generally not more than 100 km2 -and/or- THexes: 4x2 within a System.	Barony	Oversees Baronial land grant, or a Rich or Agricultural world.	None	None	1	Emperor or (occasionally) Archduke	Honour Nobility and Administrative rank. Barons typically serve in Imperial administrations or planetary governments.
8.	Baronet	12 (c)	Fiefdom: No territorial grant (or 2x2 THexes within a System).	Baronetcy or Manor/Lordship	None. (Occasionally oversees a pre-Rich or pre-Agricultural world).	None	None	1	Emperor or Archduke	Honour Nobility. Primarily a status (prestige) rank. Also a sign of service and loyalty. Some serve in minor capacities in Imperial or Domain administrations or planetary governments.
9.	Knight / Dame	11 (B)	Fiefdom: No territorial grant (or 1x2 THexes within a System).	Manor	None	None	None	0	Emperor or Archduke	Honour Nobility. Solely a status (prestige) rank. Also a sign of service and loyalty.
10.	Gentleman / Gentlewoman	10 (A)	No territorial grant (or 1 THex).	None	None	None	None	0	Various	Not technically a rank of nobility.

^† - THex = "Terrain Hex" = 6500 km². Each THex generates Cr10,000/annum in revenue per trade classification (Cr5000/annum if there are no Trade Classifications).

^‡ - Moot votes are normally allocated per the highest subsidiary title.

10. Gentleman / Gentlewoman

Not technically a rank of nobility. An Imperial Gentleman is one who is independently wealthy at a level in which he interacts with Imperial Nobility. He may be a significant member of local planetary aristocracy, the descendant of an Imperial Knight, or related to a non-inheriting cadet-line of an Imperial Noble Title. In addition to personal property and lands, an Imperial Gentleman may occasionally hold a single terrain hex as a land grant, usually on a non-mainworld within a system.

9. Knight / Dame

The lowest of noble ranks is knight, awarded as an honorific rank in recognition of achievement or service.

• A knighthood entitles the individual to use the prefix Sir (some females prefer Dame, but such usage is obsolete) before the name, and to suffix the initials of the order of knighthood after the name.
• Knighthood is awarded within an order. Several dozen orders of knighthood exist within the Imperium. Some are restricted to specific classes of individuals, such as members of the Imperial Family, racial Aslan, racial Vargr, or other special groups.
• Others are awarded for specific achievement or service, or for holding specific positions within the government.
• Still others are broadly based orders into which most new knights are inducted.
• Those rare knights who are awarded a land grant (usually as part of an appointment as Imperial representative for a world) generally receive no more than 10km², or alternatively a single terrain hex on the world with an associated terrain hex on a non-mainworld in the same system.

• See: Knight for a discussion of Ranks and Orders of Knighthood.

8. Baronet / Baronetess

Intermediate between the first and second level of noble rank is the baronet. Baronet is a special form of baron normally awarded by an archduke of one of the domains of the Imperium. Baronets rank below barons in seniority and precedence. Although the Emperor can create baronets (either as Emperor or in his capacity as Archduke of Sylea), in practice they are usually created only by the archdukes. Those baronets specifically created by the Emperor as Landed Baronets are usually accorded voting rights as Peers, despite not normally being considered as such. A baronetcy entitles the individual to use the prefix Baronet before the name. Those rare baronets who are awarded a land grant (usually as part of an appointment as Imperial representative for a world) generally receive no more than 10-100 km², or alternately 2 terrain hexes on the fief-world with 2 associated terrain hex on non-mainworlds in the same system. if he has an appointment as a Landed Noble. Landed Baronet fiefs are generally granted on pre-Rich or pre-Agricultural worlds. .

7. Baron / Baroness

The second level of noble rank is the baron, the lowest level normally accorded membership in the peerage. Barons are referred to in several different styles including the use of prefixes to the surname (such as von, haut, or hault) and or the title Baron (or Baroness for females). An individual accorded a barony for service may receive a fief of land on a single world, generally not more than 100 km², or alternately may receive 4 terrain hexes on the fief-world with 4 associated terrain hexes on non-mainworlds in the same system. if he has an appointment as a Landed Noble. Landed Baron fiefs are generally granted on Rich or Agricultural worlds. When a barony includes a fief, then the title is generally followed by the fief's name (such as Baron Solvenos).

6. Marquis / Marchioness or Marquesa

The third level of noble rank is the marquis. A Landed Marquis is associated with a single world (generally a pre-industrial one with a good starport). When a marquisate includes a fief, then the title is generally followed by the fief's or world's name, as in the Marquis of Aramis (or, alternatively, the Marquis Aramis). An individual accorded a marquisate may receive a fief of land on a single world, generally not more than 1000 km², and/or 8 terrain hexes on mainworlds within the fief-world's subsector, with an associated non-mainworld terrain hex for each mainworld hex in the same respective system(s) if he has an appointment as an Imperial Landed Noble. Landed Marquis fiefs are generally granted to pre-Industrial worlds.

5. Viscount / Viscountess

The fourth level of noble rank is the viscount, and is generally associated with two or three worlds within a subsector, usually including one that is classified as pre-high population. The cluster of star systems rarely contains any important, industrial, or high population worlds. An individual accorded a viscountcy may receive a fief of land, generally not more than 10,000 km², and/or 16 terrain hexes on worlds within the fief-world's subsector, with an associated non-mainworld terrain hex for each mainworld hex in the same respective system(s) if he has an appointment as an Imperial Landed Noble. Landed Viscount fiefs are generally granted on pre-high population worlds. The title of Viscount is not used everywhere in the Imperium. It is most common in the Imperial core, and is rare in more recently settled regions such as the Spinward Marches. Viscounts are referred to by their title followed by the individual's surname or by the name of the principal fief-world within the county.

4. Count / Countess or Contessa

The fifth level of noble rank is the count, and is generally associated with two or three worlds within a subsector, usually including one that is classified as either high population or industrial. An individual accorded a county may receive a fief of land, generally not more than 10,000 km², and/or 32 terrain hexes on worlds within the fief-world's sector, with an associated non-mainworld terrain hex for each mainworld hex in the same respective system(s) if he has an appointment as an Imperial Landed Noble. Landed Count fiefs are generally granted on high population or industrial worlds. Counts are referred to by their title followed by the individual's surname or by the name of the principal fief-world within the county.

3. Duke / Duchess

The sixth and seventh levels of noble rank are called dukes, and are either associated with a subsector capital world or an important world within a subsector. Those associated with a subsector capital world are the governing Subsector Duke of the subsector. Dukes are referred to either by the Ducal title followed by "of" and the subsector name, or by the Ducal title followed by "of" and the world-name, as appropriate. The power of a duke depends on circumstances and the situation within the sector, but generally one duke within a sector rises to power and becomes the Sector Duke, the overseer of that sector as a whole. No special title is awarded to a Sector Duke.

• An individual accorded a lesser duchy may receive a fief of land, generally not more than 100,000 km², and/or 64 terrain hexes on worlds within his fief-world's sector, with an associated non-mainworld terrain hex for each mainworld hex in the same respective system(s) if he has an appointment as an Imperial Landed Noble. Landed Lesser Dukes fiefs are generally granted on Important worlds.
• An individual accorded a Subsector Duchy will receive a fief of land, generally not more than 100,000 km², and/or 128 terrain hexes on worlds within the fief-world's sector, with an associated non-mainworld terrain hex for each mainworld hex in the same respective system(s). Subsector Dukes are always associated with subsector capital worlds.

2. Archduke / Archduchess

In origin, the title of Archduke was a non-hereditary/non-voting honorific title established by Emperor Cleon I to reward certain Dukes for loyal service.

The Emperor Artemsus subsequently created a new form of Archduke upon the establishment of the original six Domains of the Imperium, each of which having an Archduke exercising overall control of his/her respective Domain, and acting as an intermediary between the Emperor and the other levels of nobility (except for the Domain of Sylea, where the Emperor him/herself acted as the titular Archduke).

While Archducal titles may still be granted to High Nobles as an honorific, this is very rare and has only been done a few times in all of the centuries of the Imperium's existence. Modern Archdukes are referred to by the title Archduke followed by the name of their Domain. Modern archdukedoms include a fief consisting of an entire world, generally retained as a private reserve, and/or 256 terrain hexes on worlds within the fief-world's associated Domain, with an associated non-mainworld terrain hex for each mainworld hex in the same respective system(s).

1. Emperor / Empress

Above the range of noble ranks is the Emperor 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", but in common everyday usage they are simply refereed to as "Empress" or "Emperor", respectively.

• The Emperor is the ultimate object of thousands of oaths of loyalty and fealty.

History & Background (Dossier)

All but the highest noble ranks (count, duke, archduke) can be awarded in recognition of achievement or preeminence in a field of endeavor, though all can be awarded as honor titles to existing lower-ranked peers at the Emperor's pleasure.

Peerage

The nobility includes within it a subset called the peerage, which consists of all nobles except knights and baronets (though Imperial Landed Baronets have access to and voting rights in the Moot). Except in extraordinary situations, to hold high office in the Imperial bureaucracy, a person must be a peer. Collectively, the peerage constitutes the Moot, the Imperial government's only deliberative body.

Heredity

Nobility is usually hereditary. Once confirmed by the Moot, a title continues to be passed down to succeeding generation. Titles need not pass through the first born (although this is the accepted practice), and individuals with several titles may divide them among their children as they see fit.

Revocation of Nobility

Noble rank can be revoked by the Emperor, personally or thought the Moot.

• Reasons for such revocation are treason, murder, kidnapping, and extortion as well as other felonies.
• Incompetence can also be a reason.
• Occasionally, a noble rank will not be confirmed upon inheritance.
• All noble ranks within the peerage come from the Emperor.
• The ability to create Knights and Baronets (and in a few rare cases, Barons), however, is shared with the Archdukes of the Imperium.

Distinguishment

Nobles in the Third Imperium can be divided into three types: honour (achievement), rank (position), and high (service). In general a noble's status is lower when he leaves his sphere of influence.

Honour Nobility

Honour Nobles receive patents from the emperor for heroism in the military, success in civil or commercial enterprise, or innovation and discovery in the sciences. Only patents for knights, baronets, barons, and (rarely) marquises may be issued for achievement. Also, legacy titles of all levels which no longer have an associated Landed Fief or Administrative position are generally considered to fall under the "Honour" category.

Ceremonial (Rank) Nobility

Ceremonial Nobles, or Rank Nobles are given because of a citizen's position.

These nobles are also sometimes known as High Imperial or Landed Nobility. They are nobles with connections and obligations to the government of the Third Imperium.

Ceremonial/Rank nobility belong to one of two sub-types.

Local Nobility: Serve as Imperial representatives in systems that have a government somehow not conductive to administration by high nobility. Patents for rank nobles are typically hereditary, and are equivalent to barons and knights.

Administrators: Citizens who are appointed to an Imperial Office. Often they are administrators of worlds or territories with no formal Imperial representation, or bureaucrats who hold leadership positions in the Imperial Bureaucracy and its associated offices. These patents are not hereditary as they are tied to a position. If they retire from that position they are allowed to continue to use the title, but it does not pass down.

High Landed Nobility

High Landed Nobles are the smallest segment of the peerage, consisting of people belonging to old and powerful families. High noble titles are given for: "Political support in office, victory in the military, or contributions or economic assistance from the commercial sector" beyond any reasonable expectation. These nobles directly administer Imperial territories and are personal representatives of the Emperor. They manage and direct the Imperial Bureaucracy. Hereditary, high nobles are trained from birth to lead. High peers have precedence in the peerage, and even their barons are immensely powerful.

Customs

The Imperial Nobility enjoys the use of Noble Protocols and Privileges.

Noble Protocol

Several aspects of noble rank are governed by a strict protocol, including:

• Title (the formal reference to the person in print or by reference): The noble title includes the allowed prefixes (such as Sir) and suffixes (such as "of Yori") to a name, and the order in which they are presented.
• Style (the method of addressing the individual personality): The noble style dictates the manner in which a noble is addressed, including such honorifics as "Your Grace" or "Your Majesty".
• Precedence (the relative seniority of the individual among others): Precedence is accorded strictly on the basis of government position, with seniority by date of patent following. The date of noble rank is taken from the date of confirmation when an inherited rank is assumed.

In addition, customary perquisites for each noble rank vary widely.

Nobility Lists

The bulk of patents of nobility are published on one of two lists annually:

• The Holiday List is published on Holiday, the first day of the new year, and covers awards for achievement.
• The Birthday List is published on the Emperor's birthday (Strephon's is day 202) and covers awards for service.

Continuing awards for position are given out as called for by circumstances.

Noble Privilege

Ranks for position (occupying specific governmental offices) carry with them special privileges such as pensions. The specific prerequisites, however, vary widely, often at the whim of the Emperor.

Noble ranks are generally conferred for achievement, service, or position.

• Ranks for achievement (heroism in the military, success in civil or commercial enterprise, innovation and discovery in the sciences) customarily carry no special reward beyond the noble title itself.
• Ranks for service (political support in office, victory in the military, contributions or economic assistance from the commercial sector) often carry with them fiefs. Enfeoffment is, however, a different process, and is granted by a separate letter of enfeoffment.

Noble Fiefs

Patents of nobility, especially for service, may include fiefs of land.

Fiefs are granted in a Letter of Enfeoffment separate from the patent of nobility. Fiefs are granted to the individual at the discretion of the Emperor and remain the Emperor's possessions. However, the fief conveys the right to use the land, to rent or lease it out and collect income from it. The fief is a convenient method for the Emperor to reward certain nobles. The size of the fief depends upon how great an income the Emperor wishes to award a noble, and the location of the fief itself. A knight with a fief consisting of several hundred square kilometers of sparsely settled wilderness and one with a single hectare of the business district of a city can be considered to hold equal fiefs. Hereditary nobles have often had the fief in their family for generations, and have built it up in value and income potential. Some sites at the capital generate considerable income each year. Other fiefs have been administered with great care to ensure that the territory be not only valuable, but also tastefully used. Still others have been exploited ruthlessly in mining or industrial pursuits. Completely separate from fiefs, a noble may own land obtained from other sources (inheritance, purchase, and so forth). These lands remain the property of their owner even if his title is revoked, and can be disposed of separately from fiefs.

References & Contributors (Sources)

This list of sources was used by the Traveller Wiki Editorial Team and individual contributors to compose this article. Copyrighted material is used under license from Far Future Enterprises or by permission of the author. The page history lists all of the contributions.

• Classic Traveller Supplement 11 Library Data (N-Z)
• Periodical: Classic Traveller The Travellers' Digest No. 9, TD9
• GURPS Traveller: Nobles
• MegaTraveller Imperial Encyclopedia
• Periodical: Traveller Chronicle 9
• Traveller 5 Core Rules
• Periodical: Imperiallines 7
• Author & Contributor: Lord (Marquis) and Master of Sophontology Maksim-Smelchak of the Ministry of Science