Nobility in Sante Reze
Sante Reze is a pseudo-feudal society which still maintains active nobility. Approximately sixteen percent of the population are of noble birth, while another seven percent are adoptive nobles and granted all rights of nobility upon their adoption into a given noble family.
History
Titles
| Masculine | Feminine | Governance |
|---|---|---|
| Sovrano | Sovrana | Empire |
| Principe | Principessa | State |
| Duca | Duchessa | Duchy |
| Marchese | Marchessa | March |
| Conte | Conteasa | Province |
| Visconte | Visconteasa | City |
| Barone | Baroneasa | District |
| Signore | Signora | Township |
| Patrizio | Patrizia | Community |
In modern society, the titles of patrizio/a and signore/a are politically meaningless, the latter being most used as a polite title when referring to any individual who commands respect, noble or common. The former is rarely used, but is sometimes a polite title when referring to any individual, noble or common, who is seen as a leader of a community. Some community organizations make use of the title as a official position, but this means very little to those outside of the organization. Furthermore, the style of principe(ssa) is obsolete and has not been used since the late 15th century. The marches have also since been dissolved, meaning that no holder of the title governs such a political division. Rather, the heads of corporations or organizations are sometimes granted this title in recognition of their works. Few such individuals are ever awarded the title.
Titles do not necessarily denote governance of their attached political divisions, but those who do govern such regions are titled as such. Many titled nobles do, in fact, govern nothing at all and the title is either hereditary or honorary, for a wide variety of reasons.
Noble Houses
There are nearly one hundred noble houses in Sante Reze, but most are small and inconsequential. The vast majority of these are banner houses, subordinate to another house. There four tiers at which a house might be, and at the top are the great houses that control almost everything that is Sante Reze. The second tier consists of those directly subordinate to the great houses, the third subordinate to the second, and the fourth subordinate to the third. Fourth-tier, and in many cases third, families tend to be indistinguishable from middle class commons, and less well off than those who are wealthy.
Great Houses
There are currently nine families which qualify as great houses. Generally speaking, the main line of a great house is made up of some of the wealthiest people in the nation, usually outstripping the majority of their peers by a wide margin.
Great houses are largely self-governing entities, and the only ones which could truly be said to be such, as minor houses typically have their own interests guided by their masters. As independent organizations, it is often said that the great houses are the government, and the Republic itself is merely an organizational and domestic policy tool for them to operate through.
Minor Houses
A minor house is generally described as a noble family which owes its continued existence to its master house. Originally, they were vassals who had more direct control over the land they governed than their masters did, but fell under frequently strict political power and paid rent for the land out of taxes and rents drawn from nobles below them, or the common class for those at the lowest tier.
In modern society, banner houses have very few obligations to their master house. As modern Santheres is no longer a real feudal society, banner houses do actually own the land on which their house is set, and do not pay rents to a different family for this property. Most minor houses fall in line behind a greater house which actively supports them, or has similar political or economic interests. As such, minor house loyalty is still a strong bond, and still often out of necessity.
Adoption
Individuals who excel or otherwise impress a prominent noble may be offered an adoption into their family. In some instances, this is seen as patronage or a powerful show of support for the individual, especially when done by more powerful families. Smaller and less influential families, especially those with financial difficulties, may offer adoptions to wealthier commons as a way of keeping themselves afloat.
Adoptions are legally possible at any age, and give the adopted member all the rights of a born noble.
Social Mores
Nobles, particularly those in the first and second tier, are frequently held to stricter standards by the majority of Rezese society. Those from first tier families are often considered public figures by default.
There are many things that are considered improper for a noble to do (though, it is often noted that fourth-tier can get away with anything the commons can), and many that are considered mandatory. The latter sometimes even has legal backing. For example, nobles are required to enter university after their completion of secondary school, and it is seen as proper for a noble to exit university in five years after obtaining two degrees. Not attending university following secondary school is not technically legal, and obtaining only a single degree (or none at all) within six years is often frowned upon. Those with single degrees often enter the military after graduation. The extra stress on young nobles is part of the reason why there are more commons than nobles with advanced degrees.
Other expectations of nobles include humanitarianism, which prompts the noble houses to fund many charitable organizations and events.
See Also
House Cazini
House Carduki
House Condozzi
House de Rossi
House Giarelli
House Paladino
House Venturini