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The peerage is a legal system of largely hereditary titles in the Latin Empire, 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
Peerages in Latium trace their history back to the reign of Emperor Constantine X in the late 10th century, and to the reign of his son, Felix I, and the creation of a feudal system as the more centralized Imperial government began to decline as Latium expanded across southern Belisaria. Initially, it is speculated that the very first peerages created were dukedoms given to prominent military commanders under Constantine X, but mostly under his son Felix I as awards for loyalty in his wars of conquest and civil conflicts. It is thought that at first these command titles, called Dux were not hereditary, with only the first instance of letters patent creating a hereditary dukedom wasn't until 1139 and the creation of The Duke of Adrianople - a royal dukedom in its creation. This became more common practice over time, with military commanders being awarded estates, titles, and various rights and privileges to better provide them with incomes.
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 appointed Lord-Lieutenancies 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 Alexandria and Castellum (Adrianople being the sole exception), due to the existence of urban prefects.
However, most peerages created by Latin kings and emperors are currently extinct due to the Social War and it's targeted attacks against the Crown and nobility. Prior to the war, there were over 30 extant dukes, 8 marchis, nearly 50 counts, 13 viscounts, and hundreds of lords. In practice, duchies are no longer awarded to non-Imperial family members, and even then it is the reigning monarch's sole discretion to grant a title of ducal ranking, though there is no rule barring the creation of non-Imperial duchies. Marchis and Viscount titles, are unusual in Latium and have been rarely awarded. It is said that both Marchis and Viscounts were created when it was wished that they not become dukes or counts, though marches have typically been awarded for territorial designations around Latium's periphery. The first instances of a county title being awarded was in the 13th century. Lordships are currently the only peerages that are granted, though one has not been granted since the 1972. In practice, today only life peerages of "Lord" ranking are granted by the Emperor. The sole exception to this was in the creation of the hereditary peerage of The Countess of Aarhusium for Zoe Verruscosi by her son Emperor Constantine XX on 13 March 2017; however her titles will revert back to to the crown after the first Countess's death.
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. 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 to 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 national law, and constitutes fraud, with a maximum penalty of fifty years in prison and the possibility of a fine for £250,000. This does not include when a peer disclaims themselves by presenting an instrument of disclaimer to Lord High Chancellor.
In modern practice, generally only members of the Imperial Family are granted new hereditary peerages. However, one does not need to be a peer in order to be a member of Latin nobility, as families holding Patrician standing are still considered at minimum members of lesser nobility. Where all peers are patricians, not all patricians are peers. Certain personal privileges are afforded to all peers and peeresses, such as a hereditary seat in the Senate. The claim to an existing hereditary peerage is regulated by the Imperial Offices and through it's Senatorial counterpart, the Committee for Privileges and Conduct, which is composed solely of Life Senators.
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 in the Latin Empire
List of Extant Dukes
| Title | Year | Arms | Current holder | Subsidiary titles | Heir - and notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Duke of Galata | (1139) | HIH The Princess Diana, 27th Duchess of Galata | None | Title granted to the heir apparent | ||
| The Duke of Alba | (1230) | HIH The Princess Diana, 24th Duchess of Alba | None | Title granted to the heir apparent | ||
| The Duke of Rhenus | (1477) | Michael Tullius-Junius, 23rd Duke of Rhenus | List of titles
|
Gregorius Tullius-Junius | ||
| The Duke of Florentia | (1489) | Theophilius Pollius, 19th Duke of Florentia | List of titles
|
Jason Pollius, Marchis of Brennia | ||
| The Duke of Vindobona | (1500) | Justin Ulpius, 20th Duke of Vindóbona | List of titles
|
Adrian Ulpius-Tarepius, 4th Duke of Haenna | ||
| The Duke of Utica | (1505) | John Sulpicius, 13th Duke of Utica | List of titles
|
Michael Sulpicius, Count of Cosa | ||
| The Duke of Lugdunum | (1539) | Constantine Anistius, 17th Duke of Lugdunum | List of titles
|
Leo Anistius, Count of Chalcis | ||
| The Duke of Capena | (1588) | Michael Pinarius, 15th Duke of Capena | List of titles
|
Michael Pinarius, Count of Osca | ||
| The Duke of Vanrum | (1629) | Asbadus Canerahtius, 18th Duke of Vanrum | List of titles
|
Felix Canerahtius, Count of Asturum | ||
| The Duke of Orontes | (1683) | Petrus Caetronius-Orontes, 18th Duke of Orontes | List of titles
|
Theofanes Caetronius-Orontes, Count of Caenina | ||
| The Duke of Adrobricam | (1683) | Constantine Perpernus, 10th Duke of Adrobricam | List of titles
|
Georgius Perpernus, Count of Daedalium | ||
| The Duke of Acropolites | (1683) | Thomas Acropolites, 12th Duke of Acropolites | List of titles
|
Nicetas Acropolites, Count of Naxos | ||
| The Duke of Feronia | (1729) | Justin Ulpius, 13th Duke of Feronia | None | |||
| The Count of Bonna | (1745) | Constantine Aboa, 8th Duke of Bonna | List of titles
|
Adrian Aboa, Lord Aboa | ||
| The Duke of Ardea | (1751) | Euphemia Tullia, 11th Duchess of Dertona | List of titles
|
Jason Tullius, Count of Dertona | ||
| The Duke of Aricia | (1777) | Title in Abeyance | List of titles
|
|||
| The Duke of Cassada | (1777) | Florentinus Cayugus, 10th Duke of Cassada | List of titles
|
Maria Cayuga | ||
| The Duke of Narona | (1788) | Flavius Aemilius, 7th Duke of Narona | List of titles
|
Alexius Aemilius, Count of Salassorum | ||
| The Duke of Valentia | (1729) | Michael Pinarius, 8th Duke of Valentia | None | |||
| The Duke of Carreum | (1830) | Alexius Flaminius, 5th Duke of Carreum | List of titles
|
Domitius Flaminius, Count of Lorium | ||
| The Duke of Callatis | (1884) | George Anicius, 4th Duke of Callatis | List of titles
|
Theophylactus Anicius, Count of Dierna | ||
| The Duke of Ravenna | (1901) | Victor Gentry-Ravenna 3rd Duke of Ravenna | List of titles
|
Michael Gentry-Ravenna, Count of Eporedia | ||
| The Duke of Paterculum | (1922) | Prince Wilhelm of Liothidia, 5th Duke of Paterculum | None | Prince Reinhardt of Liothidia | ||
| The Duke of Ossonoba | (1941) | Nicephorus Anicius, 3rd Duke of Ossonoba | List of titles
|
Thomas Anicius, Count of Mediolanum | ||
| The Duke of Haenna | (1951) | Adrian Ulpius-Tarpeius, 4th Duke of Haenna | List of titles
|
Theodora Ulpia | ||
| The Duke of Beroea | (1994) | HIH The Prince Theodosius, 1st Duke of Beroea | List of titles
|
Prince Theophylactus of Beroea | ||
| The Duke of Perusia | (2005) | John Verrucosus, 1st Duke of Perusia | List of titles
|
Laurentius Verrucosus, Count of Sausa | ||
| The Duke of Samnium | (2017) | Isidorus Claudius, 1st Duke of Samnium | List of titles
|
Philip Claudius, Count of Durolipons |
List of Extant Marchis
| Title | Year | Arms | Current holder | Subsidiary titles | Heir - and notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Marchis of Alisca | (1703) | Eustathius Claudius-Veturius, 13th Marchis of Alisca | List of titles
|
Anastasius, Count Tenedo | ||
| The Marchis of Espo | (1788) | Honoria Caprenia, 6th Marchioness of Espo | List of titles
|
Constantia Caprenia, Countess of Vinovium | ||
| The Marchis of Arrotrebae | (1861) | Belado Seznec, 5th Marchis of Arrotrebae | List of titles
|
Konstantine Sezec, Count of Autuna | ||
| The Marchis of Venetula | (1875) | Eutychianus Aurelius, 7th Marchis of Ventula | List of titles
|
John Aurelius, Count of Beneventum | ||
| The Marchis of Vatriae | (1902) | Gregorius Herennius, 4th Marchis of Vatriae | List of titles
|
Michael, Count of Vatriae | ||
| The Marchis of Antium | (1951) | Thomas Vitruvius, 3rd Marchis of Antium | List of titles
|
Romanus, Count of Antium |
List of Extant Counts
| Title | Year | Arms | Current holder | Subsidiary titles | Heir - and notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Count of Frusina | (1539) | Faustus Pompeius, 23rd Count of Frusina | List of titles
|
Marcus Pompeius, Viscount Colonia Antona | ||
| The Count of Antiochia | (1541) | Andreas Volumnius, 20th Count of Antiochia | List of titles
|
Isaacius Volumnius, Viscount of Isurium | ||
| The Count of Asti | (1541) | Adrian Potitius, 20th Count of Asti | List of titles
|
Anastasius Potitius, Lord of Bonisana | ||
| The Count of Carnuti | (1569) | Menas Duronius-Fundanius, 12th Count of Carnuti | List of titles
|
Paul Duronius-Fundanius, Lord of Duronius | ||
| The Count of Samnia | (1567) | Vitalius Aurelius, 20th Count of Samnia | List of titles
|
Michael Aurelius, Lord of Scalabis | ||
| The Count of Ausona | (1572) | Jason Sariolenus, 20th Count of Ausona | List of titles
|
Felix Sariolenus, Lord of Albanianis | ||
| The Count of Falacrine | (1622) | Alexander Cloelius, 16th Count of Falacrine | List of titles
|
Constantine Cloelius, Lord of Falacrine | ||
| The Count of Dertona | (1642) | Euphemia Tullia, 11th Countess of Dertona | List of titles
|
Jason Tullius, Lord of Dion | ||
| The Count of Bonnensia | (1655) | Aaron Tullus, 12th Count of Bonnensia | None | PLACEHOLDER | ||
| The Count of Volubilis | (1660) | Andreas Cornelius, 12th Count of Volubilis | List of titles
|
Sergius Cornelius, Lord of Ascrivium | ||
| The Count of Claternae | (1697) | Philip Saturius, 13th Count of Claternae | List of titles
|
Eusebius Saturinus, Lord of Lopodunum | ||
| The Count of Varia | (1711) | Faustus Ovinius-Belator, 18th Count of Varia | List of titles
|
Damianus Ovinius-Belator, Lord of Faventia | ||
| The Count of Ancona | (1733) | Theophilius Aurelius-Sempronius, 9th Count of Ancona | List of titles
|
Domitius Aurelius-Sempronius, Lord of Ovilava | ||
| The Count of Acerrae | (1733) | Marianus Metilius, 13th Count of Acerrae | List of titles
|
Florentinus Metilius, Lord of Glevum | ||
| The Count of Bonna | (1745) | Constantine Aboa, 8th Count of Bonna | List of titles
|
Adrian Aboa, Viscount Aboa | ||
| The Count of Ariminum | (1745) | Constantine Maevius, 8th Count of Arminium | List of titles
|
Felix Maevius, Lord of Barcino | ||
| The Count of Sora | (1788) |  |
Euthymius Iasitus, 8th Count of Sora | List of titles
|
Demetrius Iasitus, Lord of Itanos | |
| The Count of Bagiennorum | (1799) | Gregorius Tremellius, 7th Count of Bagiennorum | List of titles
|
Leo Tremellius, Lord of Tarvisium | ||
| The Count of Croson | (1839) | Siorious Guegani, 8th Count of Croson | List of titles
|
Michael Guegani, Lord of Roazhon | ||
| The Count of Sablonia | (1870) | John Insteius, 6th Count of Sablonia | List of titles
|
Gregory Insteius, Lord of Herdonia | ||
| The Count of Miobri | (1879) | Andreas Laorans, 7th Count of Miobri | List of titles
|
Isaac Laorans, Lord of Arousa | ||
| The Count of Pisaura | (1888) | Avienus Cosconius, 5th Count of Pisaura | List of titles
|
Avienus, Lord of Rodigium | ||
| The Count of Utica | (1928) | John Sulpicius, 4th Count of Utica | List of titles
|
Michael Sulpicius, Lord of Utica | ||
| The Count of Lucentum | (1929) | Eutychianus Plautius, 4th Count of Lucentum | List of titles
|
Orestes Plautius, Lord of Ratae | ||
| The Count of Durolipons | (1969) | Isidorus Claudius, 1st Count of Durolipons | List of titles
|
Philip Claudius, Lord of Aarhusium | ||
| The Count of Aarhusium | (2017) | Empress Zoe, The Empress Mother | List of titles
|
Merge into Crown | ||
| The Count of Perusia | (2018) | John Verruscosi, 1st Count of Perusia | List of titles
|
Laurentius Verruscosi, Lord of Istropolis |
List of Extant Viscounts
| Title | Year | Arms | Current holder | Subsidiary titles | Heir - and notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Viscount of Campona | (1539) | Olybrius Stertinius, 11th Viscount of Ceratinus | List of titles
|
Justin Stertinius, Lord of Nida | ||
| The Viscount of Campona | (1688) | John Fabius, 16th Viscount of Campona | List of titles
|
Constantine Fabius, Lord of Bulla Regia | ||
| The Viscount of Turonum | (1703) |  |
Constantine Poppaeus, 12th Viscount of Turonum | List of titles
|
Victor Poppaeus, Lord of Napoca | |
| The Viscount of Heraea | (1703) | Valentinus Pontilius, 11th Viscount of Heraea | List of titles
|
Arcadius Pontilius, Lord of Emona | ||
| The Viscount of Lussonia | (1831) | John Ambustus-Lafrenius, 7th Viscount of Lussonia | List of titles
|
Felix Ambustus-Lafrenius, Lord of Metapontum | ||
| The Viscount of Giessae | (1951) | Andreas Didius, 2nd Viscount of Giessae | List of titles
|
Thomas Didius, Lord of Giessae |
List of Extant Lordships
| Title | Year | Arms | Current holder | Subsidiary titles | Heir - and notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Lord of Pola | (1313) | Leo Selicius, 29th Lord of Pola | None | Pelagius Selicius | ||
| The Lord of Causennae | (1544) | Alexius Metochites, 18th Lord of Causennae | None | Constans Metochites | ||
| The Lord of Stipum | (1563) | Adrian Mamilius, 17th Lord of Stipum | None | Desiderius Mamilius | ||
| The Lord of Cularo | (1623) | John Pinarius, 15th Lord of Cularo | List of titles
|
Samuel Pinarius | ||
| The Lord of Norba | (1651) | Valerius Egilius, 13th Lord of Norba | None | Valerius Egilius | ||
| The Lord of Puteoli | (1685) |  |
Felix Foslius, 13th Lord of Puteoli | List of titles
|
Theodorus Foslius | |
| The Lord of Portus Namnetus | (1693) | Thomas Cestius, 13th Lord of Portus Namnetus | None | Tryphon Cestius | ||
| The Lord of Onuba | (1720) | Jason Terentius, 10th Lord of Onuba | None | Leo Terentius | ||
| The Lord of Kepetta | (1729) | Alexander Euforbenos, 10th Lord of Kepetta | None | Manuel Euforbenos | ||
| The Lord of Tridentini | (1729) | Elar Abgralla, 11th Lord of Tridentini | None | John Abgralla | ||
| The Lord of Adrobricam | (1729) | Conbriti Calvec, 10th Lord of Adrobricam | None | Gallmau Calvec | ||
| The Lord of Lorica | (1734) | Dionysius Gavius, 14th Lord of Lorica | None | Thomas Gavius | ||
| The Lord of Carrhae | (1771) | Jordan Fulcini, 9th Lord of Carrhae | None | Procopius Fulcini | ||
| The Lord of Trecona | (1799) | Michael Antipridos, 7th Lord of Trecona | None | PLACEHOLDER | ||
| The Lord of Icosium | (1830) | Alexandros Gretkos, 6th Lord of Icosium | None | PLACEHOLDER | ||
| The Lord of Uria | (1838) | Anna Marcovicia, 9th Lady of Uria | None | Victor Marcovicia | ||
| The Lord of Arduenna | (1839) | Thomas Rauseo, 8th Lord of Arduenna | None | Maria Rauseo | ||
| The Lord of Mons Bellona | (1839) | Paul Lucceia, 7th Lord of Mons Bellona | None | Elias Lucceia | ||
| The Lord of Balsa | (1865) | Faustus Claudius-Sabinius, 5th Lord of Caralis | List of titles
|
Maria Claudia-Sabinia | ||
| The Lord of Euracini | (1865) | Thomas Vipsanius-Claudius, 4th Lord of Euracini | List of titles
|
Peter Vipsanius-Claudius | ||
| The Lord of Dodonia | (1867) | Stephanus Remmius, 5th Lord of Dodonia | None | Nicetas Remmius | ||
| The Lord of Bredenia | (1867) | Lana Bredenia, 5th Lady Bredenia | None | PLACEHOLDER | ||
| The Lord of Lascuta | (1871) | .svg){kind=small} |
Michael Amafinius, 4th Lord of Lascuta | None | Michael Amafinius | |
| The Lord of Durotrige | (1892) | Rhydius Driscoli, 8th Lord of Durotrige | None | Emyrius Driscoli | ||
| The Lord of Sufetula | (1901) | Maria Otacilia, 5th Lady of Sufetula | None | John Sufetula-Otacilius | ||
| The Lord of Caralis | (1901) | Justin Priscus-Sulpicius, 4th Lord of Caralis | None | Justin Priscus-Sulpicius | ||
| The Lord of Philippi | (1901) | Faustus Salonius, 5th Lord of Philippi | None | Flavius Salonius | ||
| The Lord of Durocortorum | (1933) | Constantine Bellienus, 4th Lord of Durocortorum | None | Stephen Bellienus | ||
| The Lord of Fauentiae | (1934) | Anastasius Iccius-Norbanus, 5th Lord of Fauentiae | None | Constantine Iccius-Norbanus | ||
| The Lord of Nola | (1935) | Theodosius Eppius-Claudius, 5th Lord of Nola | None | Peter Claudius-Eppius - 5th creation since original creation in 1313. | ||
| The Lord of Rusellae | (1945) | Eugenius Baebius, 4th Lord of Rusellae | None | Theodosius Baebius | ||
| The Lord of Acci | (1945) | Laurentius Minatius, 2th Lord of Acci | None | Adrian Minatius | ||
| The Lord of Orola | (1952) |  |
Apollinarius Plotius-Laelius, 2nd Lord of Orola | None | Justus Plotius-Laelius | |
| The Lord of Vesunna | (1952) | Felix Aufidius-Caelius, 3rd Lord of Vesunna | None | Jason Aufidius-Caelius | ||
| The Lord of Capua | (1953) | Justin Vispasius-Potaissi, 2nd Lord of Capua | List of titles
|
Leo Vispasius-Potaissi | ||
| The Lord of Isca | (1959) | Theodotus Claudius, 3rd Lord of Isca | None | Merge into Crown |
Styles and titles
Dukes and Marchis are styled as His Grace, Counts and Lords use His Lordship and 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 or Duchess 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 Doux Palaiologi is "Doux Palaiologi" not "Doux Konstantinos Palaiologi", though these incorrect forms are commonly used. Lordships differ in this respect from most other peerages, and follow as Lord X of peerage. 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 count, or a lord generally uses his father's next highest peerage dignity as his own. Hence, the Duke of Vindóbona's son is properly addressed as His Grace The Marquis Volaterrae. Upon the death of a peer, the children of the former holder may be addressed as The Right Honorable Lord X or Lady X and they lose all use of their courtesy title. 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.
Forms of address
Succession
Peerage succession guidelines are found in each peerage granting instrument. 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 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.
Privilege of peerage
Historically peers, and in some cases close family members, were granted a number of privileges. The most notable privilege is the right to a hereditary seat in the Senate as a Life Senator. 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 to sitting Members of the Senate. 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 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.