Countess

The rank of Countess is the second level of hereditary titles recognized in most of Kyrn and in particular the Empire of Kyrnia. It ranks above Baron and below Marchon in the order of precedence. Countesses are addressed as "Countess", and "Your Ladyship". The title of Countess, like other titles in the Empire is associated with a land grant. It is the passing of the land that passes the hereditary title. The spouse of a Countess is given the honorific title of Lord. The male form of Countess is Count.
There are some people given the rank without any land. These "court" Countesses are often awards for service to the granter, and since there is no land associated with it, then the spouse does not get the corresponding honorific, and the title does not pass down to the next of kin.
Some kingdoms in Kyrn use the title of Earl for males, while the female equvilent remains Countess. In those places that use Jarl, the title is used by both male and females, so there is no separate female form. Both of these alternative titles are equivalent in precedence to Count & Countess.

Heraldic shield style for this rank:

Type

Nobility, Hereditary