Nobility of Latium

The Peerage of Latium comprises of a legal system of largely hereditary titles in the Latium, which is constituted by the ranks of Latin nobility. The term is used both collectively to refer to the entire body of noble titles, and individually to refer to a specific title. As a group, holders of a peerage are referred to as peers.

History

Hereditary peerages in Latium originated during reign of Empress Maria I Augusta in the late 10th century, and the creation of a feudal system as the more centralized Imperial government decline began centuries before. Non-hereditary titles of comital (comes) rank first arose in the 3rd century, with the first hereditary title, Count of Patavia (comes terrae Pataviae; lit. land count), granted in the 8th century. Pure titles of comital rank are appointed, non-hereditary roles, while the rank of Land Count (comes terrae) are distinct to that of non-hereditary count titles, though both are often translated as "count".

The first hereditary ducal title (Dux) was first awarded by Emperor John II to his illegitimate son John of Ostia in 991. The peerage system was not officially established until the reign of Empress Maria I Augusta in 1024 with the inclusion of the rank of Lord (Dominus or Erus) and Marchis alongside the extant comital and ducal ranks. These early peerages were granted to prominent military commanders under Empress Maria I Augusta and her successors.

At times, these early dukes would rule a certain jurisdiction granted to them from the emperor, ruling over lesser lords and so on. Later emperors would create counts and even marches to govern areas on the periphery of the empire. These feudal lords were expected to provide soldiers for the Imperial army and pay taxes to the Crown. Holders of all titles were afforded the privilege to hold a seat in the Latin senate. The breakdown of the Latin feudal system finally occurred in Abolition Edict of 1629, which officially abolished the system, and removed the military obligations of the lords, imposed taxes and led to the creation of Imperial-appointed Propraetorships to replace the military obligations of any given county in Latium. Since their inception, there have been no feudal lords or peers in major urban areas such as Ascanium and Castellum (Adrianople being the sole exception), due to the existence of urban prefects.

As of 2019, there are 29 dukedoms, 15 marches, 167 counts, 6 viscounts, and 523 lords. In modern practice, peerages of the rank of duke are generally only granted to members of the Imperial Family, or close relatives.

Peerages

The Monarch cannot hold a peerage himself as he or she is considered the fount of honor and, as "source of all dignities cannot hold a dignity from himself." If an individual is neither the Emperor, a peer nor a citizen of patrician rank, he or she is a commoner. Nobility in Latium is based on bloodline, which affords nobility to entire families, more specifically to the immediate family of the Emperor or a peer. Members of the peerage carry the titles of Duke, Marchis, Count, Viscount and Lord. Peers ranked from Viscount to Lord are frequently referred to generically as Lords. Families holding Patrician standing are still considered at minimum members of lesser nobility. Where all peers are patricians, not all patricians are peers.

Titles may only be derived from the Emperor's person. Should a peer die without an heir lawfully eligible to succeed them within the confides of their remainder, the title will revert and merge into the Crown. In situations similar to this in the past, occasionally the monarch would recreate the peerage and grant it to a member of the same family. This has occurred with the Lordships of Capua and County of Utica, etc. The selling of titles, or granting of titles from persons other than the monarch, is illegal by law, and constitutes fraud, with a maximum penalty of fifty years in prison and the possibility of a fine for $500,000. This does not include when a peer disclaims themselves by presenting an instrument of disclaimer to Count of the Chancery.

Order of precedence

The general order of precedence is set according to the age of the peerage itself. By the Grace of the Emperor, a newer peerage may be granted higher preference than an older one, however this rarely occurs. Imperial duchies, while the holder is afforded the title of His Imperial Highness and being of a closer relationship to the Emperor, are typically newer peerages and usually rank lower unless otherwise stipulated. The Prince of Youth holds precedence above all dukes and other peers, royal and non-royal and is the Duke of Galata and Duke of Alba.

List Extant of Peerages of Latium

List of Extant Dukes

Main article: List of dukes in the peerage of Latium

List of Extant Marchis

Main article: List of marches in the peerage of Latium

List of Extant Counts

Main article: List of counts in the peerage of Latium

List of Extant Viscounts

Main article: List of viscounts in the peerage of Latium

List of Extant Lordships

Main article: List of lords in the peerage of Latium

Styles and titles

Forms of address

All peers hold the formal style of "The Most Admirable", though dukes, marchis, and counts are style with the spoken His Grace, and His Lordship for Viscounts and Lords. Other peers, including life peers, may utilize "The Right Honorable". Peeresses (whether they hold peerages in their own right or are wives of peers) use equivalent styles. In speech, any peer or peeress except a Duke, Duchess, Marchis or Marchioness may be referred to as Lord X or Lady X. A peer is referred to by his peerage even if it is the same as his surname, thus the Duke of Ravenna is "Duke of Ravenna" not "Duke Victor Ravenna", though these incorrect forms are commonly used. Lordships differ in this respect from most other peerages, and follow as Lord X of location. For example the Lord of Capua is referred to as Lord Vispasius of Capua or The Lord Vispasius. Some peers, particularly life peers who were well known before their ennoblement, do not use their peerage titles in everyday life.

Individuals who use the style Lord or Lady are not necessarily peers in their own right. Children of peers use special titles called courtesy titles. The heir apparent of a duke, a marchis, a count, or a viscount generally utilize his father's next highest peerage as his own. Hence, the Duke of Caesena's son is properly addressed as Count of Patavia, or X Patavia. The widow of a peer may continue to use the peerage in address and style until their child marries, upon which they are often referred to as Dowager Duchess or Countess or Lady of X.

Succession

Peerage succession guidelines are found in each peerage granting instrument or litterae patentes. While it is possible in theory for no two peerages to have the same succession rules, generally the most common form of succession is agnatic, meaning that succession only happens through the male line. This often appears in the granting instrument as "heirs male of the body lawfully begotten". While agnatic succession is the norm, a number of peerages operate under male-preference primogeniture, allowing for female succession that male heirs and their successors are unable to succeed to the peerage. The most recent grant of a peerage with male-preference succession was the Dukedom of Haenna in 1947.

Privilege of peerage

Historically, peers, and in some cases close family members, were granted a number of privileges. The most notable historical privilege was the right to a hereditary seat in the Senate. The privilege of senators and agents of the state was historically tied to those of a peerage, however in modern times senatorial privilege is wholly separate. Prior to the 20th century, peers were afforded the freedom from arrest except in matters of treason. This privilege has since been provided only to sitting Senators, which includes a high number of peers. Another privilege is access to the Monarch; this remains a privilege. Perhaps one of the largest privileges that no longer exists are laws strictly prohibiting the defamation of any peer or immediate family member, this was later revoked in-part following the Social War and the Constitution Act. Peers and members of the nobility are allowed trial by peers, meaning that should a peer require a jury trial, the jury shall be selected from holders of a peerage or related nobility. This remains a key privilege of peerage today.

See also

• Orders, decorations, and medals of Latium