Noble House

The continent of Clercon is divided between hundreds to thousands of noble houses of various sizes and wealth. The central seat of power comes from the Royal House then descends through the Duc's, Marquis', Comte's, Vicomte's and finally the Baron's.

There are eight Duc's in Clercon and each of them have a number of Marquis and Comte's under their command which can field armies of thousands of men, depending on the population of the region they command, and hold vast areas of land and power, each of these Marquis and Comte's has a number of Vicomte's and Baron's under their command that can raise armies of a few hindered men themselves and hold smaller areas within their liege lords holding, while the smallest of houses are wealthy merchants who hold vast estates in the country and around cities. Members of all these houses however are considered "highborn" or "nobleborn".

Due to the current booming trade and commerce in Clercon even the smallest of houses are extremely wealthy and can afford to live the lavish and extravagant lifestyle currently popular in Clercon. Almost all noble families are able to dress even the most distant relatives in extravagant and expensive clothes, and can fund each members expensive lifestyle.

A typical Noble House is seated at a château and controls the land around it, collecting tithes and taxes from farmers, lesser landholders and commoners. In times of war, they are expected to recruit and maintain a number of soldiers for their lieges. In most of Clercon, only men can become ruling lords, and women can only rule if the rest of the male line has been extinguished or if they are acting as regents for their male relative until they have reached the age of maturity, in Clercon only women are offered a regency most likely it would be the mother of the underage lord but if she isn't available then the closest female relative over the age of 21 years is appointed as their regent this could be their sister, aunt, or female cousin.

## Titles

### Royalty (1st Estate)

#### Royal House

The titles held by the members of the Royal House are the most prestigous and respected across all of Ukoris.

The Titles held by members of this house are:

* **King**: King is the title held by the head of the house and the ruler of the Kingdom.
* **Queen Consort**: Queen Consort is the title held by the wife of the king.
* **Queen Regent**: Queen Regent is the title held by the mother or wife of a king who is underage.
* **Prince de Bleu Rose**: Prince de Bleu Rose is the title held by the heir to the throne.
* **Princess de Bleu Rose**: Princess de Bleu Rose is the title held by the wife of the heir.
* **Prince**: Prince is the title held by any legal male descendent of a king through a male line.
* **Princess**: Princess is the title held by any legal female descendent of a king through a male line, or the wife of a prince.
* **Dowager Queen**: Dowager Queen is the title held by the mother or widow a king

All members of the Royal House must be addressed as "your highness".

### Upper Nobility (2nd Estate)

#### Duc

Duc's are second in the peerage behind the royal family.

* **Duc**: Duc is the title held by the head of a Duc House.
* **Duchess**: Duchesse is the title held by the wife of a Duc.

Their children have the curtesy titles of Monsieur and Madame.

All members of a Duc's family must addressed as "your grace".

#### Marquis

Marquis' are third in the peerage behind Duc's.

* **Marquis**: Duc is the title held by the head of a Marquis House.
* **Marqesse**: Duchesse is the title held by the wife of a Marqesse.

Their children have the curtesy titles of Monsieur and Madame.

The head of a Marquis' family and his wife must be addressed as "your grace". Other relatives are to be addressed as "monsieur" or "madame".

#### Comte

Comte's are fourth in the peerage behind Marquis'.

* **Comte**: Duc is the title held by the head of a Comte House.
* **Comtesse**: Duchesse is the title held by the wife of a Comte.

Their children have the curtesy titles of Monsieur and Madame.

All members of a Comte's family must addressed as "monsieur" or "madame".

### Lower Nobility (3rd Estate)

#### Vicomte

Vicomte's are fifth in the peerage behind Comte's.

* **Vicomte**: Duc is the title held by the head of a Vicomte House.
* **Vicomtesse**: Duchesse is the title held by the wife of a Vicomte.

Their children have the curtesy titles of Monsieur and Madame.

All members of a Vicomte's family must addressed as "monsieur" or "madame".

#### Baron

Baron's are the sixth and final in the peerage behind Vicomte's.

* **Baron**: Baron is the title held by the head of a Baron House.
* **Baroness**: Baroness is the title held by the wife of a Baron.

Their children have the curtesy titles of Monsieur and Madame.

All members of a Baron's family must addressed as "monsieur" or "madame".

#### Courtesy titles

All members of the 2nd and 3rd estates are granted the use of the courtesy titles of Monsieur for men and Madame for Women.

#### Baronet

Baronet's are wealthy families who were awarded the title from the king.

* **Baronet**: Baron is the title held by the head of a Baronet House.
* **Baronetess**: Baroness is the title held by the wife of a Baronet.

The head of a Baronet's family and his wife must be addressed as "monsieur" or "madame". Other relatives are not entitled to any form of address.

#### Chevalier

Chevalier's are military generals who were given the title by a lord or the king.

* **Chevalier**: Chevalier is the title given to an Army General.
* **Chevaleresse**: Chevaleresse is the title held by the wife of a Chevalier.

The head of a Chevalier's family and his wife must be addressed as "monsieur" or "madame". Other relatives are not entitled to any form of address.