Archduke

The archdukes of the Imperium are responsible for Imperial government in each of the domains, exercising the Imperial Mandate in the name of the Emperor, making them members of the high nobility. As such they all have a corps of huscarles in their employ, and also have a few starships for deploying them and general travel.
Each of the seven Imperial domains has an archduke, exercising overall control over his domain and acting as an intermediary between the Emperor and the other levels of nobility. Archduchies come with a fief of an entire world, some of which are retained as a private reserve for the archduke and their family.
An archduke is referred to by their title followed by their given name or the domain which they rule. They are addressed similarly to barons, just substituting their title. Archdukes may be addressed with the style "Lady" or "Lordship", but is introduced with the style "Her Grace", and "Your Grace". This emphasizes the position of archdukes at the top of the peerage.

Appointment

Noble titles are conferred by a legal instrument called a Letter Patent issued by the Emperor.

Duties

Archdukes govern a territory that covers four sectors.

Type

Nobility, Hereditary

Form of Address

Your Grace

Alternative Naming

Male - Duc, Herzog, Duca, Gertsog, Duque, Dux. Famale - Duchesse, Herzogin, Duchessa, Gertsogynya, Duquesa, Ducissa.

Equates to

Apkallu Kibrat Arban - The highest nobles in the First Imperium, translates as "minister fo the four quarters".

Source of Authority

Archdukes get their power to wield the Imperial Mandate directly from the Emperor.