Peerages in Velikoslavia
Succession
Tarsas follows a set of laws in a system published in a document known as the Archés Diadochís (or Principles of Succession). This document was drafted and set forth by Emperor Manuel I in 1023 in order to stave off the inevitable succession war that was going to follow his death. Heavy debate over the rights of his daughter to succeed him had been raging. His second child, his son, had demanded the succession based on the earlier system based off of the Latin Empire. In order to counteract his son's inability to rule and to put his chosen successor on the throne, he issued the Archés Diadochís. This still governs succession across Tarsas today. Succession follows Absolute Primogeniture with the eldest child inheriting the succession rather than the eldest son. This measure proved vastly unpopular and in order to secure her rule, Amilia I subsequently married and became co-ruler with her first cousin, Alpharos. As a result, eligible female candidates were required to be married upon ascending the throne.
The Archés Diadochís also included a clause which allowed each holder of a Evresitechnías (or letters patent) to determine the succession rites for the granted title. As a result, Tarsan noble houses have various forms of succession with the two most prominent being Absolute Primogeniture and Male Preference Primogeniture.
Courtesy Titles
The eldest child of a nobleman may receive any courtesy titles of lower rank that his father holds. A title becomes a courtesy title after a higher rank title is granted to the lord. The lord may grant his courtesy titles to his younger sons, though these titles do not represent peerages.
Titles of Address
Those who are descendants of a current peerage holder may style themselves an address of lower rank though are not landed. For example, the first child of a Grand Duke, barring any courtesy titles, may style themselves as "Duke/Duchess", though they would not receive a landed designation as he is not a landed peerage and doesn't hold a courtesy title. The next child would be "Marchio/Marchioness and the remaining children may style themselves as Count/Countess. A landed Count's first child may style himself as Viscount while the rest style themselves as Lord.
Vassalage Inheritance
Similar rules apply for vassals, where the new titleholder is required to swear his allegiance to his lord within the first thirty days of the title passing onto him. If he does not, then this is considered a violation of his family's vassalage. In order to justify ending a vassalage in this way, both parties must be brought before the Emperor who will hear both cases and judge whether or not the vassal should remain and under what terms he is to end his vassalage if ending it is approved. The same thing happens when a vassal's lord dies and the title changes hands. Each vassal must swear new allegiance to the new lord.
Disinheriting
In order to be legally disinherited, the current legal heir must violate the terms of succession noted in the letters patent that pertains to their peerage. The head of a family can also file in the Court of Peers for his heir to be disinherited and a new heir designated. The monarch is able to designate his heir at his pleasure, however, in many cases upon his death the disinherited legally challenges the move and the Great Synod and Court of Peers both rule on such a process.
Appointing Titles
Titles that are revoked or left vacant are transferred back to the emperor. The emperor may choose to appoint a new holder of the peerage or add it to his own family's titles. Many emperors have awarded titles left vacant to family members, allies, or those being honored. In the event a title is appointed, the letters patent, signet ring, and any assets and lands associated with the title are transferred legally to the appointee and they are placed into the title's line of succession. For example, if the 12th Count of a certain land dies with no heir and no one is available in his next of kin that can legally inherit the title, the monarch may assume the title and absorb the assets and lands into his own house. Later, he may choose to award the title again and issue a revised letters patent with the same signet ring and ducal seat. The new Count would considered the 13th Count of a certain land even if his appointment was sometime after his predecessor.
Creating a Title
Litterae patentes
There are two methods of creating a "title" in Tarsas. A title in any form can only be created by the Emperor. A peerage is the highest form of title and bestows the right of hereditary succession on the recipient and his direct family. Direct family are considered to be one woman as his partner, and any children he has fathered with that woman. The peerage also grants the title holder the right to request other extended family members be included in the peerage, which constitute any male siblings of the title holder. The recipient of the peerage is grated a Litterae patentes (or Letters Patent) in which establishes an official house title featuring the surname of the individual granted the title. This directly allows the peerage holder and his family to be granted an official record in the Praetorium Recordum Aeternam, where all of the records of nobility are kept. Litterae patentes come with a small financial grant of 100,000 harkans, though periodically more is granted. A new noble may be granted land from holdings of the Imperial Family and become a direct vassal of House Caligula. Oftentimes, however, other older houses may choose to grant new noble vassalage in their own realms. In many cases, a house may gain a strategic advantage by acquiring a vassal or assistance in managing their assets and businesses. Many vassals go on to hold management rolls in their lord's businesses and lands.
In rare occasions, a family is rich enough and maintains a large enough collection of assets and land to become an independent family separate from any other. A family granted a Litterae patentes may elect not to accept offers of vassalage provided they possess enough land and monetary assets. This has happened in rare occasions when successful businessmen and wealthy commoners from the middle class are granted Litterae patentes. The most successful story of this was in 1076 when Lukos Anacomas was granted Litterae patentes in exchange for his services in facilitating the movement of supplies and weapons to fuel military campaigns against the Teispid Empire. A Litterae patentes does not guarantee that a newly created noble will be granted any sort of political administration, though many titles hold political power granted at the behest of the Emperor of Tarsas. Vassals of families holding political power may secure political power or be granted a Litterae patentes as a result of being appointed to a position.
A title granted in this manner also entitles the family to an official seal and a Coat of Arms, which they design in cooperation with the crown. The newly minted heraldry may include a portion of a vassal's lord's heraldry as well if the titleholder has accepted an offer of vassalage. Each house is also entitled to one signet ring. These one of a kind pieces have the seal of the family upon them and each are considered priceless and only to be worn by the current patriarch or matriarch of the family.
Single Grants
A Single Grant (da nobis uno) is a title that is granted to a single individual via a writ da nobis uno or Writ of Title. It is solely issued at the behest of the Emperor to those he feels deserving of such an honor. Single grant titles are always considered to be honorary and do not come with money or power except in very specific circumstances. A primary Single Grant Title that is regularly awarded is Eques, which translates to Knight. These titles typically allow the holder to join elite units of the military and attend exclusive functions reserved for nobility and the wealthy. Single women who do not have an official partner may be awarded the title of Baronet, which is simply an honorific for single noble-born women who are unmarried and are too low in their family hierarchy to receive any titles their older family members inherit. Titles issued in this manner come with a signed and sealed letter from the Emperor designating the title holder. Each issue is rendered invalid upon the death of the title holder and it no longer holds any legal weight.
List of Executive Peerages in the Hellenic Empire
Tables feature both native titles and their English or western approximations. The "high nobility" or "executive nobility" listed below are families that maintained provinces and lands after the Hadriatic reforms and are the only ones allowed to appoint Banner Council seats and collect revenue from the noble tax. They govern Themes that are built around their titular seats in the cities that their titles are drawn from.
Megas Patrikios
| Title | Year | Arms | Current holder | Subsidiary titles | Heir - and notes | Spouse | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Megas Patrikios of Scyllaeum | (975) | Julius Agrippa, 55th Grand Duke of Scyllaeum | List of titles
|
Haelius, Marchio of Anakos | ??? | ||
| Megas Patrikios of Vinovia | (1054) | Titos Lepidus, 51st Grand Duke of Vinovia | List of titles
|
Domitius, Comes of Katacus | ??? | ||
| Megas Patrikios of Marvius | (1243) | Hadrian Anacomas, 43rd Grand Duke of Marvius | List of titles
|
Octavian Anacomas, Marchio of Lamon | Hélène de Cloucy | ||
| Megas Patrikios of Neapolis | (1823) | Nikephoros Caligula, 13th Grand Duke of Neapolis | List of titles
|
Romulus, Patrikios of Cascantum | ??? |
Archpatrikios
| Title | Year | Arms | Current holder | Subsidiary titles | Heir - and notes | Spouse | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archpatrikios of Pylos | (1082) | Aulus Cinna, 48th Archuke of Pylos | List of titles
|
Tatius, Count of Itharos | ??? | ||
| Archpatrikios of Lagentios | (1089) | Cheramyes Charmides, 51st Archduke of Lagentios | List of titles
|
Cheramyes, Count of Salia | ??? | ||
| Archpatrikios of Letoceteros | (1095) | Damon Micythos, 56th Archduke of Letoceteros | List of titles
|
Nikephoros, Count of Aphacus | ??? | ||
| Archpatrikios of Zakros | (1135) | Kallon Dallassenos, 45th Archduke of Zakros | List of titles
|
Phintius, Count of Phanoupoli | ??? | ||
| Archpatrikios of Rhḗgion | (1531) | Lysander Urbanos, 26th Archduke of Rhḗgion | List of titles
|
Valens, Count of Magnos | ??? | ||
| Archpatrikios of Coriovalos | (2014) | Hadrian Caligula-Fabius, 1st Archduke of Coriovalos | List of titles
|
None | Titus Caligula-Fabius |
Patrikios
| Title | Year | Arms | Current holder | Subsidiary titles | Heir - and notes | Spouse | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Patrikios of Delphius | (1020) | Ahenobarbus Belator,, 47th Duke of Delphius | List of titles
|
Atilius, Marchio of Cularo | ??? | ||
| Patrikios of Argolis | (1110) | Augustan Sentios, 50th Duke of Argolis | List of titles
|
Septimus, Marchio of Ackar | ??? | ||
| Patrikios of Nicomedia | (1203) | Avetus Vasilieos, 39th Duke of Nicomedia | List of titles
|
Avetus, Marchio of Cascantum | ??? | ||
| Patrikios of Pylos | (1324) | Luekos Diogenes, 28th Duke of Pylos | List of titles
|
Androcles, Count of Ankydna | ??? | ||
| Patrikios of Salona | (1326) | Enpheros Seros, 29th Duke of Salona | List of titles
|
Bryson, Comtes of Megara | ??? | ||
| Patrikios of Eubea | (1428) | Ariston Thrasymedes, 24th Duke of Eubea | List of titles
|
Artemidorus, Comtes of Aquincum | ??? | ||
| Patrikios of Strasvoúrgo | (1495) | Blasius Sipios, 20th Duke of Strasvoúrgo | List of titles
|
Edvard, Marchio of Acyra | ??? | ||
| Patrikios of Stratos | (1624) | Damocles Phrygia, 18th Duke of Stratos | List of titles
|
Eurycratides, Count of Leptos Magnatos | ??? | ||
| Patrikios of Castra Legionis | (1904) | Nearchus Scythas, 3rd Duke of Castra Legionis | List of titles
|
Lycus, Vicecomes of Celsa | ??? |
Marchio
| Title | Year | Arms | Current holder | Subsidiary titles | Heir - and notes | Spouse | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marchio of Himeria | (1276) | <imgur w=25>PdiNUt9.png</imgur> | Calamis Atronius, 36th Marquis of Himera | None | Atilius, Archontas of Osca | ??? | |
| Marchio of Nī́kaia | (1282) | <imgur w=25>Wn48328.png</imgur> | Galos Demarkos, 34thth Marquis of Nī́kaia | None | Procolos, Archontas of Naxbriga | ??? | |
| Marchio of Vasilki | (1401) |  |
Diagoras Bardas, 28th Marquis of Vasilki | None | Sinon, Comes of Thronyra | ??? | |
| Marchio of Oreus | (1754) |  |
Epitadeus Laskaris, 15th Marquis of Oreus | List of titles
|
Epitadeus, Vicecomes of Barorus | ??? | |
| Marchio of Kharios | (1789) | <imgur w=25>KaVF56M.png</imgur> | Titus Caligula-Fabius, 8th Marquis of Kharios | None | None | Hadrian Caligula-Fabius |
Aktouarios
| Title | Year | Arms | Current holder | Subsidiary titles | Heir - and notes | Spouse | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aktouarios of Knossacus | (1573) |  |
Isocrates Alexios, 23rd Count of of Knossacus | None | Hon. Isocrates | ??? | |
| Aktouarios of Paros | () |  |
Koinos Antaeus, 18th Count of Paros | None | Kerykes, Archontas of Psaseia | ??? | |
| Aktouarios of Percote | () |  |
Lydiadas Chryselios, 15th Count of Percote | None | Cronos, Archontas of Ithamahos | ??? | |
| Aktouarios of Massilia | () | <imgur w=25>APu69At.png</imgur> | Flavius Lerius, 13th Count of Massilia | None | Flavius, Archontas of Ostium | ??? | |
| Aktouarios of Sirimios | () |  |
Meander Kalixtos, 10th Count of Sirimios | None | Thrasidaios, Archontas of Glycon | ??? | |
| Aktouarios of Kios | () | <imgur w=25>Yr5aV60.png</imgur> | Milo Rigas, 11th Count of Kios | None | Orestes, Archontas of Iasespontos | ??? | |
| Aktouarios of Mastoros | () |  |
Rabirius Scato, 9th Count of Mastoros | None | Ventus, Archontas of Arcastoros | ??? | |
| Aktouarios of Smyrna | () |  |
Pagondas Dasoites, 8th Count of Smyrna | None | Phormio, Archontas of Aegetria | ??? | |
| Aktouarios of Nysa | () |  |
Xenophon Kalamanos, 7th Count of Nysa | None | Metagoro, Archontas of Niroe | ??? | |
| Aktouarios of Aegium | () |  |
Zolius Kaunos, 9th Count of Aegium | None | Matius, Archontas of Raetiniuium | ??? | |
| Aktouarios of Orchassus | (1998) | Michael Roth, 1st Count of Orchassus | None | Hon. Liam Roth | Lady Naomi Roth |
Dyoaktouarios
| Title | Year | Arms | Current holder | Subsidiary titles | Heir - and notes | Spouse | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dyoaktouarios of Veroaxos | (1832) |  |
Betilienus Toranos, 7th Vicecount of of Verulamium | None | Hon. Vesuvius Turullius | ??? | |
| Dyoaktouarios of Cythera | (1841) |  |
Sextus Typhoeus, 7th Vicecount of Cythera | None | Hon. Safrius Typhoeus | ??? | |
| Dyoaktouarios of Medioaxos | (1841) |  |
Dorotheos Rentos, 9th Vicecount of Medioaxos | None | Hon. Livius Rentus | ??? | |
| Dyoaktouarios of Delos | (1852) |  |
Marcus Crispian, 10th Vicecount of Delos | None | Hon. Marcus Crispian | ???? | |
| Dyoaktouarios of Artuela | (1855) |  |
Quintus Hondros, 8th Vicecount of Artuela | None | Hon. Verrius Hondros | ??? |
Notable Archontas
| Title | Year | Arms | Current holder | Subsidiary titles | Heir - and notes | Spouse | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Archontas of Rhodes | (1635) |  |
Diagoras Belmar, 14th Lord of of Rhodes | None | Hon. Venci Belmar | ??? | |
| Archontas of Noviotares | (1641) |  |
Aderon Bentacia, 12th Lord of Noviotares | None | Hon. Herrinius Bentarae | ??? | |
| Archontas of Itanos | (1645) |  |
Theon Claros, 9th Lord of Itanos | None | Hon. Theros Clarus | None | |
| Archontas of Deva | (1654) |  |
Thorax Perros, 13th Lord of Deva | None | Hon. Thais Perros | ??? | |
| Archontas of Masis | (1687) |  |
Lycamedes Rigas, 10th Lord of Masis | None | Hon. Lycamedes Rigas | ??? | |
| Archontas of Naxos | (1701) | Vacant | Vacant | None | None | None | |
| Archontas of Veritas | (1702) |  |
Arios Hylaxos, 9th Lord of Veritas | None | Hon. Arios Hylaxos | ??? | |
| Archontas of Kaspi | (1735) |  |
Isidorus Ranaros, 8th Lord of Kaspi | None | None | None | |
| Archonas of Rigomaros | (1754) |  |
Grattius Sudrenus, 9th Lord of Rigomaros | None | Hon. Gallus Sudrenus | ??? | |
| Archontas of Tingi | (1784) |  |
Servius Kamus, 10th Lord of Tingi | None | Hon. Servius Kamus | ??? | |
| Archontas of Methone | (1842) |  |
Satyros Kamytzes, 6th Lord of Methone | None | None | ??? |
Non-Executive Titles
Non-Executive Titles are considered peerages and posses letters patent with succession terms but have no power vested in them by the Hadriatic Reforms to govern the realm. They also do not receive a portion of the Noble Tax like High Nobility do. Many of these title holders sold off their lands in the subsequent changes to the tax system by the Reforms and as a result are unlanded.