The Feudal System

Control of the lands is derived through the feudal government system, this means that the King hands out control of regions of the lands to nobles who have pleased him, and they in turn subdivide their lands further by appointing subordinate rulers in conjunction with the King. The growth of commerce and city-based businesses across the lands has led to a breakdown of feudal farming and regular peasantry, yet there are still many small holding farmers who provide the food and other naturally-acquired goods for the growing markets of the main cities of the lands.

All Peerages are supposedly handed out by the monarch, but in practice, those ranks below Earl/Count are handled locally 'in the name of the King', usually with no intervention from the crown. Those titles above this rank may be given or taken freely by the monarch – although the crown relies on stability in the feudal ranks, and prefers not to make lots of changes in the lineage of the lords, otherwise anarchy can ensue.

Feudal Titles

The feudal ranks used in human political circles are consistent over the whole of Arthea, although there are naming differences in some places. Some positions are hereditary, while others are handed out as gifts of the monarchy, or by other high ranking peers in the name of the monarch.

The ranks are as follows; the female titles are normally bestowed automatically on the spouse of the main titleholder, but frequently women are appointed into positions on their own merit. Each rank determines the size of the land under its control, and management of that land is typically delegated to lower ranked nobles.

While the ranks of Knight and lower are not formally part of the feudal nobility, they are included as this shows the social order from the lowest ranked to the highest. Ranks of Baron and below are not considered Peers of the Realm.


CategoryBackgrounds

  1. The political divisions of Arthea were reviewed in 1344 following Unification. In 1346, the king abolished the two kingdoms and the empire, establishing Arthea in their place; the two nations of the north and the six of the south then became principalities under the crown. In 1412 the Prince of Caldonacia, the Prince of Jorlinum, the Prince of Cerlain, the Prince of Tholain, and the Prince of Hebria are all appointed positions, not hereditary. Ticetia was established as the title for the heir to the throne by King Siegfried, who handed the title to his son James, setting the precedent. The positions have some control, but real executive power is wielded by the dukes. King James is expected to appoint someone to fill the vacant role of Prince of Limia as a reward for some great deed. The only exception among the princes is the seat of the Prince of Antaurus, which is held in honour for the heir of the house of Antaurus who lead The Antaurus Empire for many generations. (1)

  2. While the seat of the Prince of Antaurus is occupied by Julian Antaurus, who is the current head of this most noble family, his lineage as heir to the Empire is not accepted by scholars. The true heir to the Imperial crown is lost. (2)

ArtheaWiki: Feudal Titles (last edited 2022-02-16 19:44:40 by Neil)