Peerages in Velikoslavia

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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
1.
Megas Patrikios of Scyllaeum (975)
<imgur w=25>TkNSvjH.png</imgur>
Julius Agrippa, 55th Grand Duke of Scyllaeum
List of titles
  • Marchio of Anakos
Haelius, Marchio of Anakos ???
2.
Megas Patrikios of Vinovia (1054)
<imgur w=25>5U4yZmA.png</imgur>
Titos Lepidus, 51st Grand Duke of Vinovia
List of titles
  • Count of Katacos
Domitius, Comes of Katacus ???
3.
Megas Patrikios of Marvius (1243)
<imgur w=25>eADlj2e.png</imgur>
Hadrian Anacomas, 43rd Grand Duke of Marvius
List of titles
  • Marchio of Lamon
  • Count of Sindri
Octavian Anacomas, Marchio of Lamon Hélène de Cloucy
4.
Megas Patrikios of Neapolis (1823)
<imgur w=25>FVKswbR.png</imgur>
Nikephoros Caligula, 13th Grand Duke of Neapolis
List of titles
  • Patrikios of Cascantum
  • Marchio of Metellinum
  • Count of Gade
Romulus, Patrikios of Cascantum ???

Archpatrikios

Title Year Arms Current holder Subsidiary titles Heir - and notes Spouse
1.
Archpatrikios of Pylos (1082)
<imgur w=25>MbC40CI.png</imgur>
Aulus Cinna, 48th Archuke of Pylos
List of titles
  • Comtes of Itharos
Tatius, Count of Itharos ???
2.
Archpatrikios of Lagentios (1089)
<imgur w=25>XEysCmJ.png</imgur>
Cheramyes Charmides, 51st Archduke of Lagentios
List of titles
  • Comtes of Salia
Cheramyes, Count of Salia ???
3.
Archpatrikios of Letoceteros (1095)
<imgur w=25>gphWy1D.png</imgur>
Damon Micythos, 56th Archduke of Letoceteros
List of titles
  • Comtes of Aphacus
Nikephoros, Count of Aphacus ???
4.
Archpatrikios of Zakros (1135)
<imgur w=25>lTTUExx.png</imgur>
Kallon Dallassenos, 45th Archduke of Zakros
List of titles
  • Comtes of Phanoupoli
Phintius, Count of Phanoupoli ???
5.
Archpatrikios of Rhḗgion (1531)
<imgur w=25>iY7tRCv.png</imgur>
Lysander Urbanos, 26th Archduke of Rhḗgion
List of titles
  • Comtes of Magnos
  • Count of Viromos
Valens, Count of Magnos ???
6.
Archpatrikios of Coriovalos (2014)
<imgur w=25>y5FEUYd.png</imgur>
Hadrian Caligula-Fabius, 1st Archduke of Coriovalos
List of titles
  • Marchio of Aequum
None Titus Caligula-Fabius

Patrikios

Title Year Arms Current holder Subsidiary titles Heir - and notes Spouse
1.
Patrikios of Delphius (1020)
<imgur w=25>nJgYJ9Y.png</imgur>
Ahenobarbus Belator,, 47th Duke of Delphius
List of titles
  • Marchio of Cularo
Atilius, Marchio of Cularo ???
2.
Patrikios of Argolis (1110)
<imgur w=25>PVmNykj.png</imgur>
Augustan Sentios, 50th Duke of Argolis
List of titles
  • Count of Hiemera
  • Count of Kakios
Septimus, Marchio of Ackar ???
3.
Patrikios of Nicomedia (1203)
<imgur w=25>OhRB7vP.png</imgur>
Avetus Vasilieos, 39th Duke of Nicomedia
List of titles
  • Marchio of Cascantum
Avetus, Marchio of Cascantum ???
4.
Patrikios of Pylos (1324)
<imgur w=25>MBenKdG.png</imgur>
Luekos Diogenes, 28th Duke of Pylos
List of titles
  • Comtes of Ankydna
Androcles, Count of Ankydna ???
5.
Patrikios of Salona (1326)
<imgur w=25>O99SXW8.png</imgur>
Enpheros Seros, 29th Duke of Salona
List of titles
  • Comtes of Megara
Bryson, Comtes of Megara ???
6.
Patrikios of Eubea (1428)
<imgur w=25>MV2TWaO.png</imgur>
Ariston Thrasymedes, 24th Duke of Eubea
List of titles
  • Comtes of Aquincum
Artemidorus, Comtes of Aquincum ???
7.
Patrikios of Strasvoúrgo (1495)
<imgur w=25>0Ocls4A.png</imgur>
Blasius Sipios, 20th Duke of Strasvoúrgo
List of titles
  • Marchio of Acyra
Edvard, Marchio of Acyra ???
8.
Patrikios of Stratos (1624)
<imgur w=25>lzEGKSR.png</imgur>
Damocles Phrygia, 18th Duke of Stratos
List of titles
  • Comtes of Leptos Magnatos
Eurycratides, Count of Leptos Magnatos ???
9.
Patrikios of Castra Legionis (1904)
<imgur w=25>aOfulXO.png</imgur>
Nearchus Scythas, 3rd Duke of Castra Legionis
List of titles
  • Vicecomes of Celsa
Lycus, Vicecomes of Celsa ???

Marchio

Title Year Arms Current holder Subsidiary titles Heir - and notes Spouse
1.
Marchio of Himeria (1276) <imgur w=25>PdiNUt9.png</imgur> Calamis Atronius, 36th Marquis of Himera None Atilius, Archontas of Osca ???
2.
Marchio of Nī́kaia (1282) <imgur w=25>Wn48328.png</imgur> Galos Demarkos, 34thth Marquis of Nī́kaia None Procolos, Archontas of Naxbriga ???
3.
Marchio of Vasilki (1401) Bengt Hallgren vapen.svg Diagoras Bardas, 28th Marquis of Vasilki None Sinon, Comes of Thronyra ???
4.
Marchio of Oreus (1754) Johan van Selbach *1483 coat-of-arms.png Epitadeus Laskaris, 15th Marquis of Oreus
List of titles
  • Vicecomes of Barorus
Epitadeus, Vicecomes of Barorus ???
5.
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
1.
Aktouarios of Knossacus (1573) Wappen Muehldorf am Inn.svg Isocrates Alexios, 23rd Count of of Knossacus None Hon. Isocrates ???
2.
Aktouarios of Paros () DEU Brilon COA.svg Koinos Antaeus, 18th Count of Paros None Kerykes, Archontas of Psaseia ???
3.
Aktouarios of Percote () Wappen von Barntrup.svg Lydiadas Chryselios, 15th Count of Percote None Cronos, Archontas of Ithamahos ???
4.
Aktouarios of Massilia () <imgur w=25>APu69At.png</imgur> Flavius Lerius, 13th Count of Massilia None Flavius, Archontas of Ostium ???
5.
Aktouarios of Sirimios () Wappen Menzingen.svg Meander Kalixtos, 10th Count of Sirimios None Thrasidaios, Archontas of Glycon ???
6.
Aktouarios of Kios () <imgur w=25>Yr5aV60.png</imgur> Milo Rigas, 11th Count of Kios None Orestes, Archontas of Iasespontos ???
7.
Aktouarios of Mastoros () COA Plankstadt.svg Rabirius Scato, 9th Count of Mastoros None Ventus, Archontas of Arcastoros ???
8.
Aktouarios of Smyrna () COA Untergimpern.svg Pagondas Dasoites, 8th Count of Smyrna None Phormio, Archontas of Aegetria ???
9.
Aktouarios of Nysa () Wappen Neenstetten.svg Xenophon Kalamanos, 7th Count of Nysa None Metagoro, Archontas of Niroe ???
10.
Aktouarios of Aegium () Wappen Ergersheim.svg Zolius Kaunos, 9th Count of Aegium None Matius, Archontas of Raetiniuium ???
11.
Aktouarios of Orchassus (1998)
<imgur w=25>fs8sWVR.png</imgur>
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
1.
Dyoaktouarios of Veroaxos (1832) Wappen von Rieneck.svg Betilienus Toranos, 7th Vicecount of of Verulamium None Hon. Vesuvius Turullius ???
2.
Dyoaktouarios of Cythera (1841) Wappen Demen.svg Sextus Typhoeus, 7th Vicecount of Cythera None Hon. Safrius Typhoeus ???
3.
Dyoaktouarios of Medioaxos (1841) DEU Belm COA.svg Dorotheos Rentos, 9th Vicecount of Medioaxos None Hon. Livius Rentus ???
4.
Dyoaktouarios of Delos (1852) DEU Wiefelstede COA.svg Marcus Crispian, 10th Vicecount of Delos None Hon. Marcus Crispian ????
5.
Dyoaktouarios of Artuela (1855) DEU Ostercappeln COA.svg Quintus Hondros, 8th Vicecount of Artuela None Hon. Verrius Hondros ???

Notable Archontas

Title Year Arms Current holder Subsidiary titles Heir - and notes Spouse
1.
Archontas of Rhodes (1635) POL gmina Baranowo COA.svg Diagoras Belmar, 14th Lord of of Rhodes None Hon. Venci Belmar ???
2.
Archontas of Noviotares (1641) DEU Bergkamen COA.svg Aderon Bentacia, 12th Lord of Noviotares None Hon. Herrinius Bentarae ???
3.
Archontas of Itanos (1645) DEU Veert COA.svg Theon Claros, 9th Lord of Itanos None Hon. Theros Clarus None
4.
Archontas of Deva (1654) DEU Hamm COA.svg Thorax Perros, 13th Lord of Deva None Hon. Thais Perros ???
5.
Archontas of Masis (1687) HUN Hejőkeresztúr Címer.svg Lycamedes Rigas, 10th Lord of Masis None Hon. Lycamedes Rigas ???
6.
Archontas of Naxos (1701) Vacant Vacant None None None
7.
Archontas of Veritas (1702) Blason ville hu BÁCSSZENTGYÖRGY.svg Arios Hylaxos, 9th Lord of Veritas None Hon. Arios Hylaxos ???
8.
Archontas of Kaspi (1735) Blason ville hu KULCS.svg Isidorus Ranaros, 8th Lord of Kaspi None None None
9.
Archonas of Rigomaros (1754) Elöl léces cölöp.svg Grattius Sudrenus, 9th Lord of Rigomaros None Hon. Gallus Sudrenus ???
10.
Archontas of Tingi (1784) Falkenberg kommunvapen - Riksarkivet Sverige-vector.svg Servius Kamus, 10th Lord of Tingi None Hon. Servius Kamus ???
11.
Archontas of Methone (1842) POL gmina Skórzec COA.svg 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.