Imperial - Rules over other monarchs



An Imperial ruler rules over other Kings, Queens and Sovereign monarchs.  In some cases the Soveriegn nation just pays a small tax, in other cases the Emperor rules directly.  In  some cases the Emperor makes no real demands on a state.  generally there is a demand to adhere to a basic set of rules, laws and defensive pact.   There is no recognised precedent between these imperial 'ranks'.  If two emperors ever meet, it is probably best to treat them as equals (or your own emperor as senior :)

<spoiler>Some examples -  Rome taxed its empire and put governors in place to ensure that taxes were paid -  but often left day-to-day government to the locals.  Where are High King of All Ireland was more of a title that a tax earner.</spoiler>

Sovereigns - Rules in their own right.

  1. King / Queen
  2. Grand Duke/Duchess
  3. Furst / Prince / Princess / Prince-Bishop
  4. Sovereign Lord



These were all recognised as Sovereign Rulers at various times in Europe - mainly though the reign of the Hapsburgs.  I was very surprised to find that a Grand Duke outranked a prince and normally had a larger country to rule.  There are other titles Arch Duke, for example) that could be used -  but these three cover it fairly well, and are ranked in order of precedence.

<spoiler>These are three principalities and their areas - Monaco: 0.78sq/m, Lichtenstein: 62sq/m, Andorra: 180sq/m.  While these are the three smallest Grand Duchies I found - Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach: 275sq/m,  Luxembourg: 1000sq/m, Mecklenburg-Strelitz:  1000+sq/m.  sq/m = Square miles</spoiler>


Palatine - Rules under a Sovereign but has some rights to impose their own laws, or may vote for election of a higher ruler.

  1. Sub-King
  2. Duke
  3. Count-Palatine / Landgrave / Margrave (Marquis)
  4. Lord-Palatine



Sub-rulers in a federal style kingdom.  They may have been  sovereign before being taken over, or Palatine status might be negotiated later.  They have a varying amounts of freedom, but all have the right to impose and manage local laws - the big difference between these and sovereign rulers is that they have sworn loyalty to to a King, Grand Duke or Furst  (etc).

Peers - the great Nobles of a  sovereign state.
  1. Royal Duke
  2. Count / Earl
  3. Baron


A Royal Duke a relation of the King or Queen (often a child or a sibling)  - it is probably inappropriate for other sovereigns to create nobles on an equal or higher level that themselves (although Sovereigns and Palatines always outrank a peer).    Peers are seen as the Sovereign's peer group, in many respects the sovereign's equals, although the sovereign is always First amongst the Equals.  Or to misquote 'Animal Farm' - some peers are more equal that others.

wahay!