Titles (Dragon Prince)

These are the "titles" held by characters in Melanie Rawn's fantasy novels of the Dragon Prince and Dragon Star trilogies.

Noble

In general noble titles are hereditary, though some titles are granted through marriage. If a royal line should end, then one of the closest relatives would inhereit. Titles can be won through right of war as happened after the War of 704, though all of these titles must be confirmed by the Princes and the Lady or Lord of Goddess Keep.

High Prince

The most powerful man on the Continent; he rules and guides the other Princes, though his power is not absolute. The Lord/Lady of Goddess Keep does not have to bow to the High Prince, though he/she does hold Goddess Keep through the High Prince.

*High Princess: Traditionally the wife of the High Prince, though recently she has held nearly equal power and bows only to the High Prince.

Ruling Prince

Rulers of the princedoms, they bow to the High Prince. As long as they don't interfere with other princedoms' rulings or any agreed upon laws of the Continent they hold absolute dominion over their princedom. This title passes to a son, usually the oldest legitimate one. A Prince's duty is to protect his people. In return for his protection the "athr'im" supply his Keep with food and goods. During the "Rialla" the Prince trades for items that his "athr'im" need from other princedoms. Every three years the Princes meet with the High Prince and each other at the "Rialla". Only ruling Princes are allowed to participate in formal assemblies at the "Rialla". Also, the ruling Princes stand and walk alone as the sole rulers of their lands - this tradition was broken in the "Rialla" of 698, when Prince Rohan walked into the Lastday banquet with Sioned at his side, which fairly screamed that she would share in his power.

*Prince: Born to a ruling Prince, he may or may not be the heir to the princedom. Should the ruling Prince be named after an heir's birth, then that heir also becomes a Prince (such is the case with Kostas). An informal address between Princes and/or Princesses is 'cousin.'

*Princess: Either the wife or daughter of a ruling Prince. in recent times Princesses have been heiresses, through which the royal line runs. In these cases the Princess must stand beside her husband as they are confirmed as rulers of their princedom.

"Athri"

Rulers of holdings, whether held in trust of a Prince or in their own right. In the Old Tongue it means 'Wall Lord.' During the "Rialla", various powerful "athr'im" meet in the "Athr'im" Council to discuss trade agreements, etc..

*Lord: Born to an "athri", he is a noble whether or not he is the heir. Should he not inherit or be gifted with a Keep upon his knighthood, his wife and children will bear no titles. Lord can also be a title of respect. Many male Sunrunners are referred to as 'Lord,' especially if they wear many rings. Lord is also a title given to the Lord of Goddess Keep, though in many ways he is on par with the High Prince. A Prince's/Princess' illegitimate son is given the title Lord.

*Lady: Usually the wife or daughter of an "athri", although a Lady can hold a Keep in her own right. Lady can also be a title of respect, as with the title of 'Lord,' and many high-ranked female Sunrunners are referred to as 'Lady.' Lady is also a title given to the Lady of Goddess Keep, though in many ways she is on par with the High Prince. A Prince's/Princess' illegitimate daughter is given the title Lady.

Earned

Earned titles usually take years of training and work to be bequethed. The exception here is the High Chamberlain, which is actually a working position not an earned title.

Knight

An earned rank through years of devoted service and hard training. Young men are fostered out between the ages of nine and thirteen. They serve as squires, while training in combat and courtly conduct. The young man is also trained in ruling a Keep or an even princedom. Most young men are knighted at the "Rialla", during the Lastday ceremonies, though squires can be knighted on the field of battle. Only knights can challenge other knights in a duel.
*Knighting Ceremony: The squire wears his fostering Lord's/Prince's colors and a belt of his father's colors. Princes' sons are knighted first, then sons of powerful "athr'im" down to lesser "athr'im". The fostering Lord/Prince buckles a golden buckle on the squire's belt. A woman of the Lord's/Prince's family then presents the former squire with a loaf of bread, a vial of salt, and a special token specific to the fostering court. The newly made knight bows to his Lord and Lady, then bows to the High Prince (and High Princess/heir/Lady or Lord of Goddess Keep if present).

*Squire: Knight-in-Training. When a boy is fostered out he becomes a squire to an "athri" or Prince. A squire learns how to serve, rule, conduct politics, fight in combat, strategize, conduct oneself in a courtly manner, etc.. During the squirehood little contact is made between the squire and his family. Letters and packages are allowed, and if they are at the "Rialla" they are typically allowed to visit, though becoming self-sufficient is part of a squire's training. Usually around the age of twenty winters a squire is knighted at the "Rialla".

Master

A highly skilled craftsman, Sunrunner, physician, or scholar. Craftsmen usually become masters through an apprenticeship, then work their way to becoming a master of their chosen craft or trade. Master Sunrunners have eight or more rings. Physicians must study at the Physician School in Gilad to be awarded the title Master Physician. This title is also associated with the eighth Sunrunner ring. Scholars must study at the scriptorium in order to become masters of their chosen area of study. (If that area of study is law, then highly respected lawyers would fall under this category.)

"Medri"

Trained in both combat the nuances of the High Prince's Writ, the "Medr'im" are a type of police force that roams the princedoms. The "Medr'im" travel in groups of five - hence their name, which means 'five' in the Old Tongue - and enforce the High Prince's Writ. They settle disputes where needed and also offer aid where they can. First and foremost they are peace keepers. The "Medr'im" are trained at Remagev in special combat maneuvers. To become a "Medri" one must also study the law and know the High Prince's Writ backward and forward.

Positions

These are working positions rather than titles, though many of these positions are highly respected and their bearers treated with respect and deference. Many of these positions are held by people bearing some of the afore mentioned titles.

Regent

Temporary ruler of a princedom or holding until such a time as the true Prince or Lord can rule on his own. Such cases usually occur if the heir is not yet knighted or ready to rule. Regents are often appointed after crises such as the Plague and wars such as the War of 704 and the "Vellanti" War. Regents are often appointed due to a blood connection with the future ruler, though sometimes the position is awarded to a loyal man or woman.

Battle Commander

Commands the armies of a princedom. This title can belong to the ruling Prince himself. The Battle Commander not only leads the troops in battle, but also plans attacks and formulates strategies. He is often both the brain and the brawn behind the army.

* "Korrus": 'Battle Leader' of the "Isulk'im", this is the equivalent of the Battle Commander.

*High Warlord: Commander of all the "Vellanti" forces, he is the equivalent of the Battle Commander - if the Battle Commander were in charge of the Continent's army (which he is not as there is no Continental army).

*Guards Commander/Captain: Head of a Keep's guard, he or she leads the Keep's defense if the Prince/Lord or Battle Commander is not present.

High Chamberlain

Oversees the everyday running of the Keep. A proficient chamberlain will be able to supervise others in their specialty areas, such as the guard or the servants. He organizes banquets, entertainment, accommodations, etc. and makes sure his and his Prince's/Lord's specification and instructions are carried out.

*Chatelain: Female counterpart to the High Chamberlain, she usually just oversees the household, such as the maids, kitchen staff, entertainment, etc..

*Steward: Runs the Keep in the absence of its Lord or Prince; this position is often held by the High Chamberlain.

unrunner

Sunrunners are generally separate from the rest of society's ranks, though recent Sunrunner Lords and Sunrunner Princes have greatly changed the way "faradh'im" are viewed on the Continent and what titles and positions they are allowed to hold.

Lord or Lady of Goddess Keep

The ruler of the Sunrunners, he or she bows to no one and is held in a position of honor equal to that of the High Prince, though in matters of state he/she must bow to the High Prince's laws of the land. Recently it was discovered that the Lord/Lady of Goddess Keep holds Goddess Keep of the High Prince. The political duties of the Lord/Lady of Goddess Keep include sealing all agreements, treaties, laws, etc. made at the "Rialla" and calling a conference of Princes to confirm a fellow Prince and/or the High Prince in his position. The Lady/Lord must also Name their own successor, who incidentally does not have to be approved by the High Prince.

Hierarchy

*Chief Steward of Goddess Keep: Typically the second-in-command for the Lord/Lady of Goddess Keep, he or she is left in charge should the Lord or Lady leave the Keep.

* "Devri": 'Lord of Light' in the Old Tongue, wears nine rings and works with starlight

*Teacher or Master or Master Physician: Wears at least eight rings

*Second Steward of Goddess Keep: Oversees the general running of the Keep, usually is a high ranking "faradhi", but does not necessarily need to be gifted.

*Moonrunner: Wears at least seven rings

*Sunrunner: Wears at least five rings