Your Excellency or Your Grace?

A number of people are confused by certain title uses in the first book Thread Slivers. To help relieve some confusion here is the Duianna Empire’s ranking chart which includes the titles, style of address, and shows how the various ranks interact within the kingdoms founded by or separated from the original Duianna Empire. There are some other countries which have only been briefly mentioned that we might explore in future works. However, for those who have finished the first book you will see that the style of address used for all the characters does follow the correct protocols.

Below this chart is additional items being added to the Lexicon for the second book were we have a little more high court interactions.

Grade	Civil ranks	Military ranks	Court ranks	Aristocracy Rank	Style of address
I	none	none	none	GodGoddess	Your Holiness, and thereafter only as My Lord/Lady or Lord/Lady
II	none	none	none	KingQueenEmperorEmpress	His/Her/Your Majesty, and thereafter as “Sire” or “Ma’am”
III	Chancellor1st Disciple	Field MarshalFleet Admiral	none	Regent	His/Her/Your Excellency, and thereafter as “Excellency”, “Lord” or “Lady”
IV	Privy Councilor	General of InfantryGeneral of CavalryGeneral of ArtilleryGeneral of Magic General of Engineers Admiral – Navy	Chief ChamberlainChief Marshal of the HouseChief Master of the HorseChief Master of Hunting Chief Cup Bearer	none	The/Your Most Honorable Lord/Lady, and thereafter as “Lord” or “Lady”
V	none	none	none	PrincePrincessRoyal PeerRoyal Peeress	His/Her/Your Royal Highness, and thereafter as “Sir” or “Madam”
VI	none	none	none	DukeDuchess	His Lordship Duke or Her Ladyship Duchess, and thereafter “Your Grace”
VII	Actual Civil CouncilorActual State Councilor2nd Disciple	Lieutenant GeneralVice Admiral	Master of the HorseMaster of HuntingMarshal of the HouseChief Master of Ceremonies Chief Portion Cutter	EarlCountessViscountViscountess	The/Your Right Honorable Lord/Lady, and thereafter as “Lord” or “Lady”
VIII	none	none	none	Marquess or MarquisMarchioness	The Most Honorable Marquess of Ceni, My Lord Marquess or My Lord or Your Lordship or Lord CeniThe Most Honorable Marchioness of Ceni, Madam or Your Ladyship or Lady Ceni
VIIII	Civil Councilor / State CouncilorMayor of City	Major GeneralRear Admiral	Master of Ceremonies	BaronBaroness	The/Your Honorable, and thereafter as “Lord” or “Lady”
X	Collegiate CouncilorGuild Head	BrigadierCaptain Commander of the Guard	Chief Master ChefChamberlain	none	Sir or Lady, thereafter as “Sir” or “Ma’am”
XI	Court CouncilorMaster MagusChief PriestChief Priestess	Captain 1st RankSecond Major of the Guard	Chamber Steward	none	Sir or Lady, thereafter as “Sir” or “Ma’am”
XII	Collegiate Assessor	Lieutenant ColonelCaptain 2nd RankCaptain of the Guard	none	none	Sir or Lady, thereafter as “Sir” or “Ma’am”
XIII	Titular Councilor	Premier / 2nd MajorMajorCaptain 3rd RankLieutenant Captain Senior Lieutenant	House Steward	none	Sir or Lady, thereafter as “Sir” or “Ma’am”
XIV	Collegiate Secretary	CaptainLieutenant of the GuardLieutenant Captain – Navy	none	none	Sir or Lady, thereafter as “Sir” or “Ma’am”
XV	Gubernial SecretaryJourneyman Magus	Captain-lieutenant – ArmyStaff Captain – ArmySecond Captain – CavalryStaff Captain – Cavalry Lieutenant – Navy Ensign – Navy	none	none	Sir or Lady, thereafter as “Sir” or “Ma’am”
XVI	Ship Secretary	Ship Secretary – Navy	Chamber Junker	none	Sir or Lady, thereafter as “Sir” or “Ma’am”
XVII	Collegiate RegistrarOffice RegistrarProvincial SecretarySenate Registrar	2nd Lieutenant – InfantryWarrant Officer – Army/NavyMidshipman	none	none	Sir or Lady, thereafter as “Sir” or “Ma’am”

 

Chamber Junker– a court/civil/military assistant who is of noble birth, but not in direct line for inheriting the primary family titles and lands. Although of a royal family, for whatever reason they are required to or choose to work for their livelihood. A Chamber Junker is generally considered more trustworthy than ordinary citizens as they still represent their family’s honor. Many nobles seek out sons and daughters of friendly families as their personal Chamber Junker to maintain family ties and trust. Junker is an ancient word for “young lord.” Chamber Junkers are usually afforded equal status to the person they serve, thus providing the opportunity for great honor and status.

Chamberlain– the officer in charge of managing the household of a sovereign or other noble figure with jurisdiction for judging of all crimes committed within the kingdom; and is in effect Justice-General over the kingdom. The Chamberlain is a supreme judge and his Decrees could not be questioned by any inferior judicatory. His sentences were to be put into execution by the guard. The Chamberlain also settles the prices of provisions within the kingdom, as well as the fees of the workmen in the mints.

Chancellor– the highest rank of civil service, only the most distinguished government officials are promoted to this grade. Kingdoms may have one or more chancellors. Chancellors may have Deputy Chancellors who are not guaranteed to step up, but historically have a high probability of becoming the next Chancellor. Each Chancellor holds the equivalent to a senatorial seat, responsible for the affairs of the whole Kingdom as well as being responsible directly for an area or controlling aspect of the kingdom known as a chancery (e.g. a region of farms, mines or industrial communities, or merchant operations such as shipping or import export control).

Cup Bearer– an officer of high rank in royal courts, whose duty it was to serve the drinks at the royal table. On account of the constant fear of plots and intrigues, a person must be regarded as thoroughly trustworthy to hold this position. He must guard against poison in the king’s cup, and was sometimes required to swallow some of the wine before serving it. His confidential relations with the king often gave him a position of great influence. The position of cup bearer is greatly valued and given to only a select few throughout history. Qualifications for the job were not held lightly but of high esteem valued for their beauty and even more for their modesty, industriousness and courage.

Marshal of the House– the administrative official in charge of a royal court, supervising all its economic affairs who’s duties included organizing the royal receptions, foreign trips and state visits and supervising the royal household. The Marshal of the House organized the whole court household, maintenance of the royal castles, and the provision of food and drink for the royal table, kitchens and wine-cellars.

Master of Ceremonies– the protocol officer for official state functions who is the formal host at all formal events making the welcoming speech, introductions, and overseeing the evening’s program. This position is given only to military officers or nobility with extensive diplomatic experiences. The qualifications for this position are never taken lightly as the Master of Ceremonies must know how formal activities should be performed, especially in the field of diplomacy and governmental where there are often unwritten guidelines. Example of official protocols include proper and generally-accepted behavior in matters of state and diplomacy, such as showing appropriate respect to a head of state, ranking diplomats in chronological order of their accreditation at court, and so on.

Master of Hunting– the officer in charge of the royal lands responsible for careful management and conservation of all natural resources. Responsible for determining allowable annual cuts, annual animal harvests and oversees the timber supplies, forest husbandry, natural resources inventory, and forestry research.

Master of the Horse– the officer in charge of the royal stables and horses, generally the most senior attendant. The duties also extend to overseeing all horses and stables considered to be property of the state including those used by the garrisons and state officials.

Privy Councilor– a member of the body that advises the head of state of a nation, typically, but not always, in the context of a monarchic government. The word “privy” means “private” or “secret”; thus, a privy council was originally a committee of the Emperor’s closest advisors to give confidential advice on affairs of state.

 

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