Gilneas Peerage

The Gilneas Peerage is a legal system of largely hereditary titles in the Kingdom of Gilneas, which is constituted by the ranks of Gilnean nobility. The term is used both collectively to refer to the entire body of noble titles, or a subdivision thereof, and individually to refer to a specific title. It is not uncommon for nobles of lower rank to pledge vassalage to the region's highest title holder for protection and unity while also pledging greater loyalty to the royal family.

The holder of a peerage is termed a peer.

Titles of Hereditary Gilneas Peerage / Nobility
Ranking from lowest to highest in honor:

Baronet/Baronetess
The lowest and most uncommon title within Gilneas' Peerage is the title of Baronet. Often granted to loyal servants to the crown or its vassals, Baronets are typically elevated knights or commoners whose deeds or wealth have benefited the kingdom greatly to the point where their stature as a knight or commoner might be seen as a hindrance to their political viability in terms of support. Baronets are often given lavish estates or a keep/tower to watch over a designated area from, such as Beau's Tooth off the coast of the Headlands. It is rare for Baronets to rise much higher than the rank of Baron, but in the case of House Cloverfield they'd risen to Marcher Lord. Baronets are typically referred to as an odd bridge between commoner and nobility but as of recent events the title has been treated as a peer.

Baronets are typically referred to as "Baronet [X] of [Y]" and are typically addressed as "Sir/Dame" rather than "My Lord/Lady".

Baron / Baroness
Typically the most plentiful title within Gilneas, a Baron typically is referred to by the title of Lord rather than Baron outside of matters of their induction into the House of Nobles, though notable exceptions such as Baron Silverlaine and Baron Ashbury have been seen.

A baron is typically a step up from a Baronet and is usually in charge of a township and no larger. In rare cases a Baron might be temporarily put in charge of the management of multiple towns should a House die out; though these regency periods often end with another Barony house being appointed rather than an elevation of lordship.

Barons are often styled as "Lord [X]" but in official capacities are to be referred to as "Baron [X]" or "Baron [X] of [Y]". They are to be addressed as "My Lord/Lady."

A Baron is usually a noble who oversees a small estate with adjoining lands. Baronies are usually too small to include defenses beyond that of a fortified manor and a few armsmen. In Stormwind practice, the title of a Baron may be either a place name, or a surname, or sometimes, a combination thereof. Barons are styled "Baron [X]" or "Baron [X] of [Y]" and addressed as "My Lord/Lady."

Viscount / Viscountess
Viscounts typically hold larger plots of land than Barons or hold plots of equal size to a Baron's but with greater importance. As seen with the House of Darkoak which ancestrally held the town of Rosefield; they were elevated to the title of Viscount due to the importance of the region. (Rosefield supplied most of the food to the region of The Headlands.) A viscount has typically earned their title by service to the crown or as previously stated, the importance of their region to the kingdom. The title is rare due to the scarcity of vital regions that are not already under a larger holder.

The style of a viscount is "The Viscount [X]", or "The Viscount [X] of [Y]". He is addressed as "My Lord/Lady".

Earl / Count / Countess
Counts and Earls typically manage large plots of land that revolve around one central point and several smaller villages around it. These cities are often the seat of their power and it is not uncommon for the smaller villages to be appointed as separate baronies within the greater earldom/county to ease the management of the land holding. In the example of the County of the Reach under the House of Greyfield, vassal houses such as the House of Lockewood manage smaller baronies while still being encompassed within the County. While this is managed by their vassals, the House of Greyfield sees to the personal affairs of their seat, Brandon's Stead.

Earls are styled "Earl of [X]", "Count of [X]" or "Countess of [X]" and addressed as "My Lord/Lady" The wife of an Earl is always styled as his Countess, as there is no female style for Earl.

Marcher Lord
Unlike other kingdoms that typically bestow the title of Marquis or Margrave, Gilneas uses the unique term of Marcher Lord. A marcher lord is virtually the same as a Margrave in that they manage over a March and its affairs. Marcher Lords are typically strong families with loyalties or ties to the royal family that are placed in regions of problem or on the borders of other nations to manage. In the case of Gilneas, in the times of King Aderic I there were several Marcher Lords that managed the borders between the kingdom and Lordaeron but they were eventually dissolved into the single duchy of Northgate once borders began to push more towards the peninsula. As it stands the House of Grayblade is one of the last remaining Marcher Lords as they rule over the March of the Bite and the Headlands as Lord-Paramounts.

"Lord Marcher of [X]" or "Marcher Lord [X] and addressed as "My Lord/Lady."

Duke / Duchess
One of the highest and most prestigious titles that can be held in Gilneas' Peerage is the title of Duke, of which there are few. In the times of Aderic I, it was said he had named four marcher lords to defend the then scattered borders of Gilneas in its northern reaches. After numerous pushes from Lordaeron and the deaths of all but one, the lord was elevated to the title of Duke and given reign over what is now known as the Duchy of Northgate. The family's last known surviving connection can be found by the House of Crowley who serve as Dukes of Northgate.

Dukes are extremely rare and it is uncommon to find one in Gilneas due to the wide spread notion of baronies and lower ranking nobles handling various fiefs and holdings through the kingdom. A Duke typically shares the military responsibilities of a Marcher Lord in which they are expected to maintain a standing force in case of invasion or a call to arms. Dukes are styled "His Grace, the Duke of [X]" or "Her Grace, the Duchess of [X]" and addressed as "Your Grace."

Other Titles
The other various titles that are used, or have been used, within the Kingdom of Stormwind and recognized by the King at one point or another.

Furst
A Furst was the ruler of a Principality within the region of Gilneas. The only known furst was the Furst of the Principality of Zul'dare, though contact with the island principality ended abruptly following the Second War. It is unknown what has become of Zul'dare or if it has been destroyed during the Cataclysm as attempts to find the island have failed. Many speculate that the island of Darkmoon Island is what is left of the principality as it shares many features with it, but it is unknown.

Since then, the title of Furst has not been used and once was the rank between Duke and Marcher Lord. Since the disappearance of Zul'dare, it appears to have been retired in favor of a more conventional gap between the already rare peerage titles.

Knight
A knight is considered the lowest rank of nobility one can hold within the Kingdom of Gilneas. It is not recognized as a peer within the house but is a step above commoner and a step below Baronet. The title is often gifted to dedicated warriors who have served the crown or its vassals well and have been rewarded for their service. Countless knights are in service to the Kingdom and it was known that the Black Knights of Gilneas served as a knight brotherhood under the kingdom's banner.

As with Baronets, a knight is stylized as "Sir/Dame".

Laird
A Laird is a title that originated from the fringes of the kingdom prior to the erection of the Greymane Wall. Lairds are technically members of the gentry rather than peerage and are a step below Baronets but around on par with Knights. Lairds are hereditary title holders that hold lands outside of a distinctive town or plot of land on their own that also hold importance above that of a common farmhouse. Lairds were common in the northern fringes of Gilneas near Ambermill and Pyrewood as well as within the Northern Headlands. Following the erection of the Greymane Wall, Lairds became less and less common and have mostly remained secluded to the Northern Headlands. However with the invasion of the Forsaken, most of these holdings were destroyed and the title deemed moot to many.

A laird is stylized as "Laird [X] of [Y]" or "The Much Honored [X] of [Y]".

Life Peerage
Life Peerage is different from Hereditary Peerage in two ways: It is not hereditary, and the title has no estate or land associated with it. They are often of baron or baronet rank, though the rank of Viscount for a life peer isn't uncommon.

The holder of a life peerage is termed a life peer. Holders of this type of peerage are granted the same rights as noblemen of the realm, and are often given to people of merit or special prowess. Holders of life peerage are entitled to a seat within the House of Nobles.

Life peers are commonly styled as "Firstname, Baron/Baroness/Lady X". X is commonly the last name of the life peer, or the name of the town or village they hail from. As deemed earlier, the title is within the life span of the person and will not be passed down to their children or spouse should they die.

Representative Peers
When a nobleman or woman is unable to attend sessions of the House of Nobles, or are unable to hold a position in Gilneas due to gender/illness, they may a appoint a representative in their stead to sort their matters. They may also be appointed by people who land in vassalage to the King, but do not hail from the home provinces. Persons appointed to such a position are called Representative Peers. Unlike other kingdoms, rules on such peers were updated and kept viable until the fall of the kingdom. A representative may not be named unless they are of notable worth to the represented, such as a relative or a sworn knight. It is uncommon but allowed for the untitled to be deemed representative peers for

Regardless of status, these peers have a right to sit in the House of Nobles for the noble they represent. They are often referred to as "Lord/Lady Lastname, Representative of the (Noble rank) (First and last name of the noble they represent)".

Additionally, a nobleman with more than one peerage title who is unable to attend the house of lords may obtain a writ of acceleration for his heir apparent, allowing the heir to sit in his stead using a courtesy title.

Regional House Meetings
Gilneas is known to house regional House of Nobles meetings in order to facilitate decisions based on the betterment of the area at large. During the time of King Aderic, it was not uncommon for the Four Marcher Lords to meet in order to discuss border policy. Following the dissolution of the four marches into the Duchy of Northgate, the House of Crowley was known to host regional meetings with the local barons to discuss regional policy.

As it stands as of the fall regional meetings have mostly come to an end with the exception of the Triumvirate of the Headlands which continues to meet at irregular times to discuss the management of the area.