Orders, decorations, and medals of Sydalon
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Orders, decorations, and medals of Sydalon, also known as the Sydalene honor system, is a means of rewarding individuals for bravery, achievement, or service to the Crown, Sydalon, and in some instances Domain-level monarchs. The system consists of honors (used to recognize merit in achievement or service), decorations (used to recognize certain deeds), and medals (to recognize bravery, courage, honor, long and/or valuable service or conduct).
Orders of chivalry
The current system is made up of three orders of chivalry, one order of merit, and one ancient rank of knighthood. The statutes of each order specify matters such as the size of the order, the use of post-nominal letters and insignia design and display.
| Complete name | Ranks (letters) | Ribbon | Established | Founder | Awarded to/for | Associated awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Order of the White Lion | Knight (CBL) Lady (SBL) |
|
30 August 1240 | Jordan I | Appointments are made at the Sovereign's sole discretion | None |
| Most Noble Order of the Belt of Hope | Knight (CCE) Lady (SCE) |
|
23 April 1345 | Richard I | Relating to Sydalon | None |
| Banneret Order | Knight (CB) | 
|
16 May 1534 | Elisabetta I | Military achievement; The Sovereign makes all appointments. | None |
| Honorable Order of St Philip | Knight (CStP) Lady (StP) |
|
16 May 1534 | Elisabetta I | The Sovereign makes all appointments. | None |
| Order of the Cross Crown | Knight/Dame Grand Cross (GCC) Knight/Lady Commander (CCC/SCC) Commander (CCC) Officer (OCC) Member (MCC) |
|
9 June 1866 | Jordan VIII | Miscellaneous (military and civil). | Civil or Military Service Medal |
Dynastic orders associated with domain monarchs
| Complete name | Ranks (letters) | Ribbon | Established | Founder | Domain | Awarded to/for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Order of the Holy Lance | Knight (CSL) Lady (SSL) |
|
1287 | Belandra I | File:Flag of Petra.svg Petra | Appointments are made at the Sovereign's sole discretion |
| Order of the White Elephant | Knight (CBE) Lady (SBE) |
|
1328 | Louis III |  Montgisard
|
Appointments are made at the Prince's sole discretion |
| Order of St. Gereon | Knight (CSG) Lady (SSG) |
|
1591 | Rainier I |  Adelon
|
Appointments are made at the Prince's sole discretion |
| Order of the Red Cross | Knight (CRC) Lady (SRC) |
|
1530 | Aubin I |  Philippopolis
|
Appointments are made at the Duke's sole discretion |
| Most Ancient Order of Amala | Knight (CA) Lady (SA) |
|
1600 | Amalric II |  Toron
|
Appointments are made at the Duke's sole discretion |
Other honors and appointments
Hereditary nobility
The highest level of hereditary nobility are domain titles. Domain titles are considered seigneuries below the Crown, and are historically feudalistic in nature, first arising out of the various Crusades. Sometimes referred to as Crown vassals or domain monarchs, these holders are among the only members of nobility to what are essentially hold hereditary gubernatorial offices over non-royal domains.
Titles of nobility
Titles of nobility in Sydalon are hereditary titles of nobility and honors under the Crown attached to and bound to remain in specific families. These titles consist of the ranks of Duke, Count, Viscount, and Baron and a territorial designation. Individuals, and later their descendants, holding hereditary titles of nobility are entitled to sit in the Chamber of Peers. Most often, titles of nobility are only heritable by male heirs, following primogeniture. Heirs to a title of nobility are eligible to use a courtesy title if the title holder has more than one title, and the secondary title is of a lower rank than the principal title.
Holders of titles of nobility are often addressed "His or Her Grace" or " My Lord or Lady".
Lord of the realm
Lord (or Lady) of the Realm is a title introduced by Queen Belandra III in 1845. It is the highest form of non-hereditary nobility, beneath that of a hereditary peerage and above that of appointed as Knights Banneret or knights of a lower order of knighthood. Lords or Ladies of the Realm are not conferred any special court or public function, and are generally granted to individuals for outstanding achievement to the Realm, but the only requirements are appointments made at the Sovereign's sole discretion.
A holder of the rank earns the right to stand in the Chamber of Peers as a Lord Temporal. Individuals earn the right to use the postnomial letters "RL", and the style "The Most Honorable", and written style "The Lord (or Lady) X".