Duke (Abron)
In Abron, a duke (fem. duchess) is a high-ranking member of the nobility who is the head of one of the five Great Holds. In addition to ruling the Great Holds, the dukes of Abron also serve the king on the privy council, and are among his most influential advisors, frequently having the king's ear even apart from the privy council.
Requirements
The title of Duke is a hereditary title in Abron, with inheritance determined by absolute primogeniture. A duke's title is passed to his eldest legitimate child, regardless of sex. If the duke dies or abdicates without issue, the title passes to his closest living relative: spouse if married, sibling if not.
Appointment
The heir apparent inherits the title and responsibilities of a duke immediately upon the reigning duke's death or abdication. Although the role is passed immediately to the successor, the heir's ascension is solemnized in a formal ceremony in the royal palace in Briathelond wherein he swears fealty to the king and pledges to faithfully discharge his duty to govern his hold honorably in the king's name.
Duties
A duke is part of the upper echelons of the Abronese nobility, second in rank only to the royal family itself. He has great power and thus great obligation over many people. Since he is the highest law of the land beneath only the king, he has a duty to provide justice and stability so that the Great Hold does not fall into lawlessness. Within his hold, a duke's word is the voice of the king's writ, and may be countermanded only by the king himself, so a duke's words carry great consequence.
Responsibilities
A duke is responsible for maintaining law and order throughout his Great Hold. While he handles very little in the way of mundane affairs throughout the hold (such as would be managed by a thane or an earl), he ensures that all of his hold's thanes and earls are equipped to bring order and prosperity to their respective jurisdictions. A duke is also responsible for levying soldiers to serve in the King's Guard, and he also recruits men-at-arms for his Great Hold's provincial guard. He serves on the Privy Council. Through his appointed stewards and excise men, he levies taxes for both the king and the hold, and manages the hold's material stockpiles.
Benefits
A duke occupies a position of great political power, and the benefits are considerable. Dukes are the key decision-makers for most of the kingdom. They rule the Great Holds, and their word is the highest law beneath the king himself. A duke has direct access to the treasury of the Great Hold, and though he is expected to spend the hold's resources wisely, he has a significant amount of discretion. In addition to being in direct control of a provincial army, a duke also has the capacity to appoint an armed retinue. Like an earl, a duke has a demesne (the duke's personal residence and surrounding land for the duke's personal use), but unlike an earl, a duke usually resides in a castle or palace rather than a more mundane residence such a manor house.
Accoutrements & Equipment
As a hereditary noble, a duke bears the trappings of his rank: a signet ring and seal both bearing his sigil, a duke's coronet, and a surcoat with his achievement of arms emblazoned on it (known as a coat of arms). His family shield is displayed in a prominent place in the castle, along with his sword and scepter. Additionally, the castle's servants and much of the duke's personal retinue are usually attired in livery bearing the duke's colors and sigil.
Grounds for Removal/Dismissal
A duke's position is hereditary and passes from generation to generation. As such, a duke cannot be "removed" from his position as such; a duke may be executed for high treason, which has the effect of removing him, but even then, he dies a duke, and the title passes to his next legitimate successor. A duke may willingly renounce his title by abdicating, in which case the title is passed to his closest living heir.
Style
His Grace, Her Grace
Spoken Address
Your Grace, Sire/Ma'am
Subordinate Rank
Earl (Abron)
Superior Rank
Prince
Type
Nobility, Hereditary
Alternative Naming
Duchess (feminine)
Source of Authority
Length of Term
Hereditary
Reports directly to
Related Organizations
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