Forms of address in Themiclesia: Difference between revisions

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Many forms of address are not direct renderings of [[Shinasthana]] terms but phrases adopted from Casaterran languages and used specifically in those languages.
Many forms of address are not direct renderings of [[Shinasthana]] terms but phrases adopted from Casaterran languages and used specifically in those languages.


For historical reasons, the imperial house and the ducal houses of Themiclesia are considered similar in rank, since the imperial house is also a ducal house in origin and is structured in the same way.  That is, ducal houses were (at least modelled) as sovereign houses, while baronial houses were vassal houses.  With the development of the hegemonic system, the ducal house of Tsinh has assumed a position higher than that of the others but did not change its nomenclature.  A number of special forms of address are reserved to the imperial house in Shinasthana as well as in the Casaterran languages.
For historical reasons, the imperial house and the ducal houses of Themiclesia are considered similar in rank, since the imperial house is also a ducal house in origin and is structured in the same way.  That is, ducal houses were (at least modelled) as sovereign houses, while baronial houses were vassal houses.  With the development of the hegemonic system, the ducal house of Tsinh has assumed a position higher than that of the others but did not change its nomenclature.  Additionally, the Tsinh and later hegemonic sovereigns recognized the title of Prince ''ghwang'' as a generic title for all foriegn rulers without superior.


The style of Majesty is used only by monarchs and their spouses.  Thus, if a monarch's mother is not the previous monarch's spouse, she is not entitled to the style of Majesty as she did not reign as Empress-consort.  This situation occurred at the ascension of Emperor Q'in' in 1921, as he was a second cousin to his predecessor Emperor Gwai; the latter's spouse became Empress-dowager and was styled Majesty, while Q'in's biological mother was known as the Most Gracious Archduchess and styled Imperial Highness.
The situation changed for the ruling house after the restoration of the Meng dynasty in Themiclesia, which introduced the practice of giving the title of Prince (but with Menghean pronunciation as ''hwyang'') to the ruler's children. This was a landed and heritable title in Menghe, but in Themiclesia the granting of actual lands was more difficult since most lands were held by the ruler's barons; thus, most of the emperor's children received only the dignity and precedence of a prince but not lands, and if they did receive the latter it was usually rather remote and sparsely populated.
 
In 8th through 10th centuries, a more centralized form of government emerged, and with this the granting of landed princely titles largely ended. In the 12th century, the title of Prince ''hwyang'' was resurrected purely as a style for the Emperor's children and grandchildren, which is agreed to be in imitation of contemporary practice at the Sunghwa dynasty in Menghe. In the 14th century, Themiclesia negotiated a truce with the Menghean [[Yi dynasty]], the terms of which included the surrendering of the title of Emperor to align with the Yi policy of making the title exclusive to their ruler. This negotiation happened at the peak of Yi power and when [[Kien-k'ang]] was under siege, though through diplomacy a favourable position was given to the Themiclesian monarch which retained an independent power to create vassals as before.
 
The style of Majesty is used only by monarchs and their spouses.  Thus, if a monarch's mother is not the previous monarch's spouse, she is not entitled to the style of Majesty as she did not reign as Empress-consort.  This situation occurred at the ascension of Emperor Q'in' in 1921, as he was a second cousin to his predecessor Emperor Gwai; the latter's spouse became Empress-dowager and was styled Majesty, while Q'in's biological mother was known as the Most Gracious Duchess and styled Imperial Highness.


Aside from the reigning monarch and their spouse, the imperial and ducal houses were usually known by the Casaterran style of Highness and its variations.
Aside from the reigning monarch and their spouse, the imperial and ducal houses were usually known by the Casaterran style of Highness and its variations.
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*A duke's other children and their spouses are Highnesses
*A duke's other children and their spouses are Highnesses


In terms of the seniority of the styles, Majesty is the most senior.  Amongst the highnesses, the variety used by the Chancellor, Most Serene Highness, is the most senior.  Most Serene Highness '''outranks''' and is followed by Imperial Highness.  Serene Highness is junior to Imperial Highness, and Illustrious Highness is junior to Serene Highness.  Unqualified Highnesses are the lowest rank amongst the highnesses.
In terms of the seniority of the styles, Majesty is the most senior.  Amongst the highnesses, the following order is used:
#Most Serene Highness (殿下)—used by the [[Chancellor of Themiclesia]]
#Serene Highness (殿下)—Dukes
#Imperial Highness (殿下)—Imperial Crown Prince
#Illustrious Highness (第下)—heirs apparent of dukes
#Highness (閤下)—other children of the Emperor and dukes


==Royalty==
==Royalty==
===Imperial household===
===Imperial household===
Note that ''prets-gra′'', though translating ''Majesty'', is used only for the sovereign or foreign sovereigns. The empress-consort is not called ''prets-gra′'', even though she enjoys the style of ''Majesty'' in Anglian.  ''Mutandis mutatis'' for former sovereign's consorts.  On envelopes, senior royals including the sovereign, his consort, former sovereigns' consorts, the heir apparent, and the heir apparent's consort, are indicated by their respective palaces.  The envelope address of ''Most Gracious Archduchess'', if left unspecified, by default means the current sovereign's biological mother.
The current system regulating the titles and ranks of members of the ruling dynasty owes to the ''Princely Titles Act'' of 1849 (王號令十四), which represents a codification and simplification of the former model that was in practice since the 12th century. It uses the Emperor and Crown Prince as co-heads of the dynasty and determines title and styles on the basis of proximity to them. Children of the Emperor or the Crown Prince are called ''Grand Prince'' (or ''High Prince'' or ''Prince of the Blood''; 大王), and their other descendants within five generations are called ''Prince'' (王).  


Other members of the royal family are addressed solely as ''Prince/Princess X'' if they do not have their own titular households; they do not need to be further specified as to their actual addresses.  While Themiclesian monarchs had practiced concubinage up to the end of the 19th century, they are never addressed by the palaces in which they actually live. Rather, they take the title courtesy of their fathers, who always possess a title of nobility.
The Modern Conservative movement has argued to shrink the royal family by stripping the special status of the Crown Prince as co-head of the dynasty and restrict the use of princely titles to the fourth or even third generations after the head of the dynasty. However, most politicians think this is unnecessary because the royal family has shrunk considerably in the last 50 years as fifth-generation descendants of Emperor ’Ei (had eight legitimate children, d. 1821) pass away and as their children in turn drop out of the dynasty (though this does not mean they lose their places on the order of succession).


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
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!Position !! Reference style !! On envelopes !! Salutation !!Oral style
!Position !! Reference style !! On envelopes !! Salutation !!Oral style
|-
|-
| [[Monarchy of Themiclesia|Emperor]]|| His Majesty  || Q'in-lang Palace  ||rowspan="3"| Your Majesty || ''Your Majesty'' initially, then ''Sir''  
| [[Monarchy of Themiclesia|Emperor]]|| His Majesty  || Q'irq-lang Palace  ||rowspan="4"| Your Majesty || ''Your Majesty'', then ''Sir''  
|-
|-
| Empress-consort || rowspan="2"| Her Majesty || Middle Palace ||rowspan="2"| ''Your Majesty'' initially, then ''Madam''   
| [[Empress-consort of Themiclesia|Empress-consort]] || rowspan="3"| Her Majesty || Middle Palace ||rowspan="3"| ''Your Majesty'', then ''Madam''   
|-
|-
| Empress-dowager ||Gweng-qlunh Palace   
| Empress-dowager ||Gweng-qlunh Palace   
|-
|-
| Empress-mother || Her Imperial Highness || Most Gracious Archduchess || rowspan="3"|Your Imperial Highness  || ''Your Imperial Highness'' initially, then ''Madam'' 
| Empress-mother || Most Gracious Princess  
|-
| Prince of Themiclesia || His Imperial Highness ||West Palace   || ''Your Imperial Highness'' initially, then ''Sir''  
|-
| Prince-consort of Themiclesia ||  Her Imperial Highness ||Lan-ning Hall, West Palace  || ''Your Imperial Highness'' initially, then ''Madam'' 
|-
| Emperor's children ||rowspan="4"| His/Her Highness|| The Prince(ss) ''Name'' ||rowspan="4"| Your Highness   || rowspan="4"| ''Your Highness'' initially, then ''Sir/Madam'' 
|-
| Emperor's children's consorts || Prince(ss) ''Name'' 
|-
| Emperor's grandchildren || The Prince(ss) ''Name''   
|-
|-
| Emperor's grandchildren's consorts || Prince(ss) ''Name''
| Crown Prince  || His Imperial Highness  || West Palace|| Your Imperial Highness || ''Your Imperial Highness'', then ''Sir''  
|-
|-
| Emperor's great-grandchildren || colspan="2"| The Prince(ss) ''Name'' || rowspan="4"| Honourable Prince(ss) ||rowspan="4"| Sir/Madam
| Emperor's and Crown Prince's children ||rowspan="2"| His/Her Highness|| The Grand Prince ''Identifier ||rowspan="2"| Your Highness ||rowspan="2"| ''Your Highness'', then ''Sir/Madam'' 
|-
|-
| Emperor's grandchildren's consorts || colspan="2"| Prince(ss) ''Name'' 
| ″ offspring up to 5th generation || The Prince ''Identifier
|-
| Emperor's great-great-grandchildren<ref>First occurred in recorded history on March 14, 2007, when Emperor Q'in's great-great-grandson Prince Ta was born. However, since Ta was born as a direct heir to the throne, he was automatically entitled to the style of Highness.  The question what an emperor's great-great-grandchild who was not entitled to a more senior style by virtue of being a direct heir to the throne was thus still theoretical.  Nevertheless it was resolved by the Privy Council soon after Ta's birth with the Emperor's approval that a great-great-grandchild be entitled to the same styles as a great-grandchild.  This rule came into effect only with the birth of Prince Rer in 2013, who was not a direct heir to the throne.</ref>  || colspan="2"| The Prince(ss) ''Name''
|-
| Emperor's great-great-grandchildren's consorts || colspan="2"| Prince(ss) ''Name''
|}
|}
<references />
 
The situation is different if [[Shinasthana]] is being used. ''prets-gra′'', though translating and translated by ''Majesty'', is used only for the [[Monarchy of Themiclesia|sovereign]].  The empresses are not addressed as ''prets-gra′'', even though ''Majesty'' is used in Anglian, unless a queen- or empress-regnant is identified.  Themiclesia has passed the ''Succession Act'' of 1993 which abolishes gender distinction in the order of succession and moved the Themiclesian monarchy to an {{wp|absolute primogeniture}} system, though the eldest child of the current monarch happens to be male.
 
On envelopes, senior royals including the sovereign, consort, former sovereigns' consorts, the heir apparent, and the heir apparent's consort, are indicated by their respective palaces.  The envelope address of ''Most Gracious Duchess'' means the current sovereign's biological mother, if a person other than the former sovereign's consort.


===Titles in appanage===
===Titles in appanage===
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==Nobility==
==Nobility==
===Elder of Themiclesia===
===Dukes/duchesses and their heirs apparent===
Please note that while the Elder of Themiclesia is listed as a title in most guides, it has never been actually granted since the 1600s.  There exists debate as to how they should actually be addressed in Anglian, and the following are considered hypothetical if one were to be appointed now.  While it is not legally impossible for a woman to be appointed Elder, this has in reality never occurred as a woman in the position of an Elder tended to use her own title to discharge an that function, rather than a title derived from a grandfather or uncle acting as guardian.  The Elderdom is not a heritable title, but otherwise its holder is likely to be and has historically always been titled.
 
{| class="wikitable"
|-
!rowspan="2"| Position !!colspan="2"| On envelopes !!colspan="2"| Salutation and valediction !! colspan="2"| Oral style
|-
!Anglian !! Shinasthana !!Anglian !! Shinasthana !! Anglian !! Shinasthana
|-
| Elder || The Elder of X || 某公 || Your Grace || 某公殿下 || Great lord || 大君
|-
| Elder's wife || The Lady of Themiclesia || 某氏 || Your Grace || 某氏閣下 || Great lady || 大君
|}
 
===Dukes, princes palatine, and heirs apparent===
Dukes were entitled to the style of Highness and its variations.  The duke or duchess and their consort was entitled to the superior style of Serene Highness, while their heir apparent and their consort were called Illustrious Highness.  Other immediate children of a duke or duchess were styled Highness.  It should be noted there is a parallelism with the distribution of styles in the imperial family—the heir there was an Imperial Highness, while the other imperial princes were only Hignesses.
Dukes were entitled to the style of Highness and its variations.  The duke or duchess and their consort was entitled to the superior style of Serene Highness, while their heir apparent and their consort were called Illustrious Highness.  Other immediate children of a duke or duchess were styled Highness.  It should be noted there is a parallelism with the distribution of styles in the imperial family—the heir there was an Imperial Highness, while the other imperial princes were only Hignesses.


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|-
|-
| Ducal Princess's husband || His Illustrious Higness Lord ''Name'', Prince of Ra || ''Your Illustrious Highness'' initially, then ''Sir''    
| Ducal Princess's husband || His Illustrious Higness Lord ''Name'', Prince of Ra || ''Your Illustrious Highness'' initially, then ''Sir''    
|-
| Duke / duchess's other sons || His Higness Lord ''Name'', Prince of Ra  ||rowspan="2"| Your Highness  || ''Your Highness'' initially, then ''Sir'' 
|-
| Duke / duchess's other daughters || Her Higness Lady ''Name'', Prince of Ra || ''Your Highness'' initially, then ''Sir'' 
|}
|}


===Next eldest son of patriarchs and princes palatine===
===Second-eldest sons of dukes/duchesses===
In Themiclesian custom, it is usual to address the most senior son other than the heir apparent as Baron-in-Chief of that patriarch or prince palatine, regardless whether an actual appointment has been made.  This is not a heritable title, so the children of the baron-in-chief take their titles as grandchildren of the patriarch or prince palatine.   
In Themiclesian custom, it is usual to create a duke/duchess's second-eldest son as Chief Baron under that duke/duchess and to address them as such, regardless whether an actual appointment has been made.  This practice is reserved for second sons, even if the second son is not the second child to be born to his parents; thus, while the ducal title can pass to a daughter who is the eldest child, it is not the current custom to create a second child who is a daughter as a Chief Baronness. 
 
Unless the title has been formally granted, the children of the Chief Baron take their titles as grandchildren of the duke/duchess.   


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
!rowspan="2"| Position !!colspan="2"| On envelopes !!colspan="2"| Salutation and valediction !! colspan="2"| Oral style
!Position !! Reference style !! Salutation !! Oral style
|-
!Anglian !! Shinasthana !!Anglian !! Shinasthana !! Anglian !! Shinasthana
|-
|-
| Baron-in-Chief || The Baron-in-Chief of Ra || 魯孟侯 || Your Lordship || 某公殿下 || Great lord || 大君
| Duke/duchess's second-eldest son || Chief Baron X, Prince of Ra || Your Highness || ''Your Highness'' initially, then ''Sir''
|-
|-
| Baron-in-Chief's wife || Lady Kem, Chief Baronness of Ra || 魯孟侯君甘氏 || Your Ladyship || 某氏閣下 || Great lady || 大君
| His wife || Lady Y, Princess of Ra || Your Highness  || ''Your Highness'' initially, then ''Madam''
|}
|}


===Other children of patriarchs and princes palatine===
===Other children of dukes/duchesses===
As with the royal family, there is no gender distinction in [[Shinasthana]] between the sons and daughters of patriarchs and princes palatine, though it is made in Anglian following international customs.  The form of address for a married woman depends on her status and that of her husband.  If her own household is of a rank higher than her husband's, she is generally referred to by her titles courtesy of their own household; if not, a title courtesy of  her husband is used.  These customs exist as to general, social appellation: to her own household, she always takes her husband's title, and to her husband's household, she always is known by her original household's titles.
As with the royal family, there is no gender distinction in [[Shinasthana]] between the sons and daughters of dukes/duchesses, though it is made in Anglian following international customs.   


{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
!rowspan="2" colspan="2"| Position !!colspan="2"| On envelopes !!colspan="2"| Salutation and valediction !! colspan="2"| Oral style
!Position !! Reference style !! Salutation and valediction !! Oral style
|-
|-
!Anglian !! Shinasthana !!Anglian !! Shinasthana !! Anglian !! Shinasthana
| Duke / duchess's other sons || His Higness Lord ''Name'', Prince of Ra ||rowspan="2"| Your Highness  || ''Your Highness'' initially, then ''Sir''  
|-
| rowspan="8"|Patriarch or <br>Matriarch's || sons and daughters unmarried || The Lord/Lady ''Name'' of Ra || 魯子某 || Your Lordship/Ladyship || 魯子閣下 || My lord || 君
|-
| daughters married || Lady Ra of Kem  || 甘魯氏君 || Your Ladyship || 魯君氏閣下 || My lord || 君
|-
| son's wife || Lady Kem, Lady of Ra || 魯子君甘氏 || Your Ladyship || 甘氏君閣下 || My lady || 君
|-
| daughter's husband || ''Name'', Lord of Ra || 魯子君某 || Your Lordship || 魯君某閣下 || My lord || 君
|-
| grandsons and granddaughters unmarried || The Lord/Lady ''Name'' of Ra || 魯孫某 || Your Lordship/Ladyship || 魯孫閣下 || My lord || 君
|-
| granddaughters married || Lady Ra of Kem || 甘魯孫氏君 || Your Ladyship || 君氏閣下 || My lord || 君
|-
| grandson's wife || Lady Kem, Lady of Ra || 魯孫君甘氏 || Your Ladyship || 君氏閣下 || My lady || 君
|-
| granddaughter's husband || The Rt. Hon. Mr. ''Name'' of Ra || 魯孫君某 || Dear Mr. ''Name'' of Ra || 魯君某閣下 || Mr. ''Name'' || 君
|-
| rowspan="8"|Palatine prince <br>or princess's || sons and daughters unmarried || Lord ''Name'' of Ra || 魯王子某 || Your Lordship/Ladyship || 魯王子閣下 || My lord || 君
|-
|-
| daughters married || Lady Ra of Kem || 甘魯氏君 || Your Ladyship || 魯君氏閣下 || My lord || 君
| Duke / duchess's other daughters || Her Higness Lady ''Name'', Princess of Ra || ''Your Highness'' initially, then ''Madam''  
|-
| son's wife || Lady Kem, Lady of Ra || 魯子君甘氏 || Your Ladyship || 甘氏君閣下 || My lady || 君
|-
| daughter's husband || Lord ''Name'' of Ra || 魯子君某 || Your Lordship || 魯君某閣下 || My lady || 君
|-
| grandsons and granddaughters unmarried || Lord/Lady ''Name'' of Ra || 魯孫某 || Your Lordship/Ladyship || 某氏閣下 || My lord || 君
|-
| granddaughters married || Lady Ra of Kem || 甘魯孫氏君 || Your Ladyship || 君氏閣下 || My lord || 君
|-
| grandson's wife || Lady Kem, Lady of Ra || 魯孫君某氏 || Your Ladyship || 君氏閣下 || My lady || 君
|-
| granddaughter's husband || The Rt. Hon. Mr. ''Name'' of Ra || 魯子君某氏 || Dear Mr. ''Name'' of Ra || 魯君某閣下 || Mr. ''Name'' || 君
|}
|}


===Barons and baronets and their heirs apparent===
===Baron(et)(ess)s and their heirs apparent===
Barons and baronets originated as vassals to their lords, barons colonizing land and supplying military forces and baronets providing other kinds of services; however, they have been created as political rewards since the medieval period, giving title-holders economic benefit but little automatic influence in the royal court.  As a Themiclesian barony was originally colonial, it remained a rule to be attached to a specific piece of land; baronets were sometimes created with baronies on a specific piece of land, but other times they were created with "virtual baronies", an fictitious place under which guise the government provide the holder with income.  Consequently, a baron's title will always be a toponym (邦名), but a baronet's title will sometimes be only a term of praise (號).
Barons originated vassals either to the Emperor or a duke, but there is no difference in the way they are styled and addressed.  A baronet in the Themiclesian peerage is like a baron except not associated with a particular piece of land, and they are addressed also in the same manner.
 
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
!rowspan="2"| Position !!colspan="2"| On envelopes !!colspan="2"| Salutation and valediction !! colspan="2"| Oral style
! Position !! Reference style!! Salutation !! Oral style
|-
!Anglian !! Shinasthana !!Anglian !! Shinasthana !! Anglian !! Shinasthana
|-
| Baron/Baronness || The Baron/Baronness of Ra || 魯侯 || Your lordship/ladyship || 魯侯閣下 || My lord/lady baron/baronness || 侯君
|-
| Baron's wife || The Baronness of Ra || 魯夫人 || Your ladyship || 魯夫人閣下 || My lady || 君夫人
|-
| Baronness's husband || Lord ''Name'' || 魯君某 || Your lordship || 魯君某閣下 || My lord || 君
|-
| Baron/Baronness's heir apparent || The Hon. Mr. ''Name'' || 魯帝子某 || Dear Mr. ''Name'' || 魯世子左右 || Sir || 君
|-
| Baron/Baronness's heir apparent's wife || The Hon. Mrs. ''Name'' || 魯某氏 || Dear Miss ''Name'' || 魯某氏閣下 || Madam || 君
|-
|-
| Baronet/Baronetess (landed) || The Baronet of Ra || 魯君 || Your lordship/ladyship || 魯君閣下 || My lord/lady baronet/baronetess || 君
| Baron(ess) || The Baron(ess) ''Name'' of Ra || Dear Lord ''Name''  || Sir
|-
|-
| Baronet/Baronetess (not landed) || Lord Krar || 嘉君 || Your lordship/ladyship || 魯君閣下 || My lord/lady baronet/baronetess || 君
| Baron's wife || Lady ''Maiden name'', Baronness of Ra  || Dear Lady ''Name''  || Madam
|-
|-
| Baronet's wife || The Baronness of Ra || 魯君夫人 || Your ladyship || 魯君夫人閣下 || My lady || 君夫人
| Baroness's husband || Lord ''Name'' of Ra  || Dear Lord ''Name''  || Sir
|-
|-
| Baronetess's husband || Lord ''Name'' || 魯君某 || Your lordship || 魯君某閣下 || My lord || 君
| Baron(ess)'s heir apparent || The Hon. Mr./Miss ''Name'' || Dear Lord/Lady ''Name''  || Sir/Madam
|-
|-
| Baronet/Baronetess's heir apparent || The Hon. Mr. ''Name'' || 魯君帝子某 || Dear Mr. ''Name'' || 魯君世子左右 || Sir || 君
| Baron(ess)'s heir apparent's wife || The Hon. Mrs. ''Name'' || Dear Lady ''Name'' || Madam
|-
|-
| Baronet/Baronetess's heir apparent's wife || The Hon. Mrs. ''Name'' || 魯君某氏 || Dear Miss ''Name'' || 魯某氏閣下 || Madam || 君
| Baron(ess)'s heir apparent's husband || The Hon. Mr. ''Name'' || Dear Lord ''Name'' || Sir
|}
|}


===Other children of barons and baronets===
===Other children of baron(et)(ess)s===
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
!rowspan="2"| Position !!colspan="2"| On envelopes !!colspan="2"| Salutation and valediction !! colspan="2"| Oral style
! Position !! Reference style !! Salutation !! Oral style
|-
!Anglian !! Shinasthana !!Anglian !! Shinasthana !! Anglian !! Shinasthana
|-
|-
| Baron/Baronness/Baronet/Baronetess's son and daughter unmarried || The Hon. Mr./Miss ''Name'' || 魯庶子某 || Dear Sir/Madam || 庶子左右 || Sir/Madam || 君子
| Baron(et)(ess)'s son || The Hon. Mr. ''Name'' || Dear Sir || Sir
|-
|-
| Baron/Baronness/Baronet/Baronetess's daughter married || Dame ''Name'' of Ra || 魯婦某 || Madam || 魯婦氏左右 || Madam || 君婦氏
| Baron(et)(ess)'s daughter || The Hon. Miss ''Name'' || Dear Madam || Madam
|-
| Baron/Baronness/Baronet/Baronetess's son's wife || The Hon. Mrs. Ra || 魯庶子婦某 || Madam || 魯婦左右 || Madam || 君婦氏
|-
| Baron/Baronness/Baronet/Baronetess's daughter's husband || The Hon. Mr. ''Name'' || 魯士某 || Dear Mr. ''Name'' || 魯士足下 || Sir || 君士
|-
| Baron/Baronness/Baronet/Baronetess's grandson and granddaughter unmarried || The Hon. Mr./Miss ''Name'' || 魯庶孫某 || Dear Miss ''Name'' || 庶孫足下 || Sir/Madam || 君孫
|-
| Baron/Baronness/Baronet/Baronetess's granddaughter married || The Hon. Mrs. ''Name'' of Ra || 魯孫婦某 || Dear Miss ''Name'' || 魯孫婦氏足下 || Madam || 君婦氏
|-
| Baron/Baronness/Baronet/Baronetess's grandson's wife || The Hon. Mrs. ''Maiden name'' of Ra || 魯庶孫婦某 || Madam || 庶孫婦足下 || Madam || 君婦氏
|-
| Baron/Baronness/Baronet/Baronetess's granddaughter's husband || The Hon. Mr. ''Name'' || 士某 || Dear Mr. ''Name'' || 魯士足下 || Sir || 君士
|}
|}


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===Children of barons of patriarchs and princes palatine===
===Children of barons of patriarchs and princes palatine===


==Minor nobility and gentry==
==Orders of merit and gentry==
{{main|Orders, decorations, and medals of Themiclesia}}
===Counsels===
===Counsels===


Line 251: Line 175:
==Judiciary==
==Judiciary==
===Judges===
===Judges===
====Chief judges====
Chief judges are the most senior judges in the superior courts and the appellate military courts.
{| class="wikitable"
{| class="wikitable"
|-
|-
!Position !!On envelopes !!Salutation and valediction !!Oral style
!Position !! Reference style !!Salutation !!Oral style
|-
|-
| Lord President of the Appellate Committee || Lord President of the Appellate Committee  || Your Lordship|| Great lord
| President of the Appellate Committee || Lord President of the Appellate Committee ||rowspan="8"| Dear Lord/Lady ''Name'' || Sir/Madam
|-
|-
| Chief Justice of Appeal || Lord Chief Justice of Appeal || Your Ladyship ||  Great lady
| President of the Judicial Council || Lord President of the Judicial Council || Great lord
|-
|-
| Chief Justice of Themiclesia || Lord Chief Justice of Themiclesia || Your Ladyship || Great lady  
| Chief Justice of Appeal || Lord Chief Justice of Appeal || Great lady  
|-
|-
| Chief Baron of the Exchequer of Themiclesia || Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer of Themiclesia || Your Ladyship || Great lady  
| Chief Justice of Themiclesia || Lord Chief Justice of Themiclesia || Great lady  
|-
|-
| Chief Baron of the Admiralty || Lord Chief Baron of the Admiralty || Your Ladyship || Great lady  
| Chief Baron of the Exchequer of Themiclesia || Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer of Themiclesia || Great lady  
|-
|-
| Chief Judge for the Correction of Marshal's Errors || Chief Judge for the Correction of Marshal's Errors || Your Ladyship || Great lady  
| Chief Baron of the Admiralty Court || Lord Chief Baron of the Admiralty || Great lady  
|-
|-
| Chief Judge in Error for the Marine || Chief Judge in Error for the Marine || Your Ladyship || Great lady  
| Chief Judge for the Correction of Errors in Regimental Courts || Chief Judge for the Correction of Marshal's Errors || Great lady  
|-
|-
| Lord  of Appeal || Lady Kem, Chief Baronness of Ra || Your Ladyship || Great lady  
| Chief Judge of Appeals of Air Force Justice || Lady Kem, Chief Baronness of Ra || Great lady  
|}
|}
====Puisne judges====


===Lawyers===
===Lawyers===

Latest revision as of 02:56, 14 October 2023

Forms of address in Themiclesia convey the speaker's attitude and relationship with the addressed. Themiclesian culture dictates that whenever a form of address is available, addressing another by name is to be avoided and may be perceived as insulting.

Abbreviations

  • The Honourable: The Hon.
  • The Right Honourable: The Rt. Hon.

General comments

Many forms of address are not direct renderings of Shinasthana terms but phrases adopted from Casaterran languages and used specifically in those languages.

For historical reasons, the imperial house and the ducal houses of Themiclesia are considered similar in rank, since the imperial house is also a ducal house in origin and is structured in the same way. That is, ducal houses were (at least modelled) as sovereign houses, while baronial houses were vassal houses. With the development of the hegemonic system, the ducal house of Tsinh has assumed a position higher than that of the others but did not change its nomenclature. Additionally, the Tsinh and later hegemonic sovereigns recognized the title of Prince ghwang as a generic title for all foriegn rulers without superior.

The situation changed for the ruling house after the restoration of the Meng dynasty in Themiclesia, which introduced the practice of giving the title of Prince (but with Menghean pronunciation as hwyang) to the ruler's children. This was a landed and heritable title in Menghe, but in Themiclesia the granting of actual lands was more difficult since most lands were held by the ruler's barons; thus, most of the emperor's children received only the dignity and precedence of a prince but not lands, and if they did receive the latter it was usually rather remote and sparsely populated.

In 8th through 10th centuries, a more centralized form of government emerged, and with this the granting of landed princely titles largely ended. In the 12th century, the title of Prince hwyang was resurrected purely as a style for the Emperor's children and grandchildren, which is agreed to be in imitation of contemporary practice at the Sunghwa dynasty in Menghe. In the 14th century, Themiclesia negotiated a truce with the Menghean Yi dynasty, the terms of which included the surrendering of the title of Emperor to align with the Yi policy of making the title exclusive to their ruler. This negotiation happened at the peak of Yi power and when Kien-k'ang was under siege, though through diplomacy a favourable position was given to the Themiclesian monarch which retained an independent power to create vassals as before.

The style of Majesty is used only by monarchs and their spouses. Thus, if a monarch's mother is not the previous monarch's spouse, she is not entitled to the style of Majesty as she did not reign as Empress-consort. This situation occurred at the ascension of Emperor Q'in' in 1921, as he was a second cousin to his predecessor Emperor Gwai; the latter's spouse became Empress-dowager and was styled Majesty, while Q'in's biological mother was known as the Most Gracious Duchess and styled Imperial Highness.

Aside from the reigning monarch and their spouse, the imperial and ducal houses were usually known by the Casaterran style of Highness and its variations.

  • The Emperor's heir apparent and their spouse are Imperial Highnesses
  • The Emperor's other children and their spouses are Highnesses
  • The Emperor's grandchildren and their spouses are also Highnesses

In the ducal houses, a similar paradigm is implemented. The sitting duke or duchess and their spouse are Serene Highnesses.

  • A duke or duchess's heir apparent and their spouse are Illustrious Highnesses
  • A duke's other children and their spouses are Highnesses

In terms of the seniority of the styles, Majesty is the most senior. Amongst the highnesses, the following order is used:

  1. Most Serene Highness (殿下)—used by the Chancellor of Themiclesia
  2. Serene Highness (殿下)—Dukes
  3. Imperial Highness (殿下)—Imperial Crown Prince
  4. Illustrious Highness (第下)—heirs apparent of dukes
  5. Highness (閤下)—other children of the Emperor and dukes

Royalty

Imperial household

The current system regulating the titles and ranks of members of the ruling dynasty owes to the Princely Titles Act of 1849 (王號令十四), which represents a codification and simplification of the former model that was in practice since the 12th century. It uses the Emperor and Crown Prince as co-heads of the dynasty and determines title and styles on the basis of proximity to them. Children of the Emperor or the Crown Prince are called Grand Prince (or High Prince or Prince of the Blood; 大王), and their other descendants within five generations are called Prince (王).

The Modern Conservative movement has argued to shrink the royal family by stripping the special status of the Crown Prince as co-head of the dynasty and restrict the use of princely titles to the fourth or even third generations after the head of the dynasty. However, most politicians think this is unnecessary because the royal family has shrunk considerably in the last 50 years as fifth-generation descendants of Emperor ’Ei (had eight legitimate children, d. 1821) pass away and as their children in turn drop out of the dynasty (though this does not mean they lose their places on the order of succession).

Position Reference style On envelopes Salutation Oral style
Emperor His Majesty Q'irq-lang Palace   Your Majesty Your Majesty, then Sir
Empress-consort Her Majesty Middle Palace Your Majesty, then Madam
Empress-dowager Gweng-qlunh Palace
Empress-mother Most Gracious Princess
Crown Prince His Imperial Highness West Palace Your Imperial Highness  Your Imperial Highness, then Sir  
Emperor's and Crown Prince's children His/Her Highness The Grand Prince Identifier Your Highness  Your Highness, then Sir/Madam
″ offspring up to 5th generation The Prince Identifier

The situation is different if Shinasthana is being used. prets-gra′, though translating and translated by Majesty, is used only for the sovereign. The empresses are not addressed as prets-gra′, even though Majesty is used in Anglian, unless a queen- or empress-regnant is identified. Themiclesia has passed the Succession Act of 1993 which abolishes gender distinction in the order of succession and moved the Themiclesian monarchy to an absolute primogeniture system, though the eldest child of the current monarch happens to be male.

On envelopes, senior royals including the sovereign, consort, former sovereigns' consorts, the heir apparent, and the heir apparent's consort, are indicated by their respective palaces. The envelope address of Most Gracious Duchess means the current sovereign's biological mother, if a person other than the former sovereign's consort.

Titles in appanage

Position On envelopes Salutation Oral style
Anglian Shinasthana Anglian Shinasthana Anglian Shinasthana
Royal Prince The Prince of X 某子 Noble Prince of X 某子閣下 My lord 君
Royal Prince's wife The Princess Consort of X 某子氏 Noble Princess Consort of X 某氏閣下 My lady 君
Royal Princess The Princess of X 某婦 Noble Princess of X 某婦閣下 My lady 君
Royal Princess's husband The Prince Consort Name of X 某婦君某 Noble Prince Consort of X 某婦君閣下 My lord 君

Nobility

Dukes/duchesses and their heirs apparent

Dukes were entitled to the style of Highness and its variations. The duke or duchess and their consort was entitled to the superior style of Serene Highness, while their heir apparent and their consort were called Illustrious Highness. Other immediate children of a duke or duchess were styled Highness. It should be noted there is a parallelism with the distribution of styles in the imperial family—the heir there was an Imperial Highness, while the other imperial princes were only Hignesses.

The highest variation of Higness—Most Serene Highness—was only used by the Chancellor of Themiclesia, who in the middle ages was considered to rank above all dukes by virtue of office. After he stepped down from office, however, he enjoys the style of Serene Highness even if he does not hold a ducal title. As a result, the Chancellor's children do not enjoy titles by virtue of his office.

Position Reference style Salutation and valediction Oral style
Duke / duchess His Serene Highness The Duke / Duchess of Ra    Your Serene Highness   Your Serene Highness initially, then Sir
Duke's wife Her Serene Highness Lady Maiden name, Duchess of Ra Your Serene Highness initially, then Madam  
Duchess's husband  His Serene Highness Lord Name of Ra   Your Serene Highness initially, then Sir
Ducal Prince His Illustrious Highness The Ducal Prince of Ra   Your Illustrious Highness Your Illustrious Highness initially, then Sir
Ducal Princess Her Illustrious Highness The Ducal Princess of Ra   Your Illustrious Highness initially, then Madam  
Ducal Prince's wife Her Illustrious Higness Lady Maiden name, Princess of Ra Your Illustrious Highness initially, then Madam  
Ducal Princess's husband His Illustrious Higness Lord Name, Prince of Ra Your Illustrious Highness initially, then Sir  

Second-eldest sons of dukes/duchesses

In Themiclesian custom, it is usual to create a duke/duchess's second-eldest son as Chief Baron under that duke/duchess and to address them as such, regardless whether an actual appointment has been made. This practice is reserved for second sons, even if the second son is not the second child to be born to his parents; thus, while the ducal title can pass to a daughter who is the eldest child, it is not the current custom to create a second child who is a daughter as a Chief Baronness.

Unless the title has been formally granted, the children of the Chief Baron take their titles as grandchildren of the duke/duchess.

Position Reference style Salutation Oral style
Duke/duchess's second-eldest son Chief Baron X, Prince of Ra  Your Highness Your Highness initially, then Sir
His wife Lady Y, Princess of Ra Your Highness Your Highness initially, then Madam

Other children of dukes/duchesses

As with the royal family, there is no gender distinction in Shinasthana between the sons and daughters of dukes/duchesses, though it is made in Anglian following international customs.

Position Reference style Salutation and valediction Oral style
Duke / duchess's other sons His Higness Lord Name, Prince of Ra Your Highness Your Highness initially, then Sir
Duke / duchess's other daughters Her Higness Lady Name, Princess of Ra Your Highness initially, then Madam

Baron(et)(ess)s and their heirs apparent

Barons originated vassals either to the Emperor or a duke, but there is no difference in the way they are styled and addressed. A baronet in the Themiclesian peerage is like a baron except not associated with a particular piece of land, and they are addressed also in the same manner.

Position Reference style Salutation Oral style
Baron(ess) The Baron(ess) Name of Ra  Dear Lord Name Sir
Baron's wife Lady Maiden name, Baronness of Ra   Dear Lady Name Madam
Baroness's husband Lord Name of Ra Dear Lord Name Sir
Baron(ess)'s heir apparent The Hon. Mr./Miss Name Dear Lord/Lady Name Sir/Madam
Baron(ess)'s heir apparent's wife The Hon. Mrs. Name Dear Lady Name Madam
Baron(ess)'s heir apparent's husband The Hon. Mr. Name Dear Lord Name Sir

Other children of baron(et)(ess)s

Position Reference style Salutation Oral style
Baron(et)(ess)'s son The Hon. Mr. Name Dear Sir Sir
Baron(et)(ess)'s daughter The Hon. Miss Name Dear Madam Madam

Barons of patriarchs and princes palatine and their heirs apparent

Children of barons of patriarchs and princes palatine

Orders of merit and gentry

Main article: Orders, decorations, and medals of Themiclesia

Counsels

Principals

Gentlemen

Clergy

Buddhism

Christianity

Judiciary

Judges

Chief judges

Chief judges are the most senior judges in the superior courts and the appellate military courts.

Position Reference style Salutation Oral style
President of the Appellate Committee Lord President of the Appellate Committee  Dear Lord/Lady Name Sir/Madam
President of the Judicial Council Lord President of the Judicial Council  Great lord
Chief Justice of Appeal Lord Chief Justice of Appeal Great lady
Chief Justice of Themiclesia Lord Chief Justice of Themiclesia Great lady
Chief Baron of the Exchequer of Themiclesia Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer of Themiclesia Great lady
Chief Baron of the Admiralty Court Lord Chief Baron of the Admiralty Great lady
Chief Judge for the Correction of Errors in Regimental Courts Chief Judge for the Correction of Marshal's Errors Great lady
Chief Judge of Appeals of Air Force Justice Lady Kem, Chief Baronness of Ra Great lady

Puisne judges

Lawyers

Academics

Government

Position Reference style On envelopes Salutation and valediction Oral style
Chancellor of Themiclesia Her Most Serene Highness The Chancery  Your Most Serene Highness Your Most Serene Highness initially, then Sir
Premier Vice Chancellor His Illustrious Highness The Vice-Chancery Your Illustrious Highness Your Illustrious Highness initially, then Sir
Secretaries of State The Council of Correspondence Dear Mr. Mr. Name
Principal Counsels The Office of Office Dear Mr. Mr. Name

Military

Army and Air Force

  • In the Consolidated Army, Themiclesian Air Force, and other land units, commissioned ranks above captain may be used socially, such that in ordinary conversation an officer may be called Captain Lup. The ranks lieutenant and second lieutenant are not used socially, so their holders are addressed as Mr. Lup. This practice exists because historically gentlemen (who have the courtesy title Mister) always joined the military as commissioned officers, so a Mister by default refers to the most junior commissioned officer, i.e. lieutenants. Petty officers and enlisted men take the courtesy title Mister in conversation.
  • The rank of colonel is considered special as it was, for a long time, the highest military rank during peacetime, together with the somewhat nebulous rank of colonel-general. It is de rigueur to address a colonel-general who is not a general in his own right as Colonel Lup, but if a colonel-general is so deemed, it is correct to treat him as a general. Thus, the colonels-general of the Gentlemen of the Horse and the Capital Artillery are addressed as Colonel Lup, but the colonels-general of the Royal Signals Corps and the South Army are General Lup.
  • A general officer of any rank is addressed socially as General Lup. If a generalship is created by Parliament, the socially correct form of address on envelopes in written reference is The General Lup; if a staff general, the definite article is not used. A parliamentary generalship most frequently existed as heads of military campaigns and thus exist only during wartime, while staff generals may be appointed in peacetime. After the Pan-Septentrion War, this distinction has blurred in the armed forces but remains in force according to widely-published style guides.
  • The ranks brigadier and above may be retained and used socially after resignation of commission.
  • The office of prefectural marshal may be used socially and carries the honourary rank of colonel after resignation.
  • Patrons of the Hundred Companies created raised between 1871 and 1875 have the honourary rank of captain.

Navy and Coast Guard

  • In the Themiclesian Navy and Themiclesian Coast Guard, the ranks from commander and above may be used socially. Likewise, any rank under commander is not used socially, whose holders are addressed verbally as Mr. Lup. When it is necessary to distinguish two individuals who are both Mr. Lup, it is acceptable to prefix rank before the courtesy title Mister, e.g. Petty Officer Mr. Lup and Ensign Mr. Lup.
  • An admiral of any rank is socially referred to as Admiral Lup, but in no case is the definite article used.
  • The ranks captain and above may be retained and used socially after resignation of commission.
  • The chief officer of a seagoing vessel, both military and civilian, is addressed as Captain Lup by courtesy of his crewmembers, regardless of actual military rank in case of a naval vessel.

See also

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