Nobility of Aedeland

The nobility of Aedeland refers to the noble families of the Aldsegian Empire.

History of Aedelish Nobility

In ancient times, the Aldsegian nobility included all free men who were not bound to another. Over time, two distinct types of nobility developed: the rural free nobility and the regional and local magnates who had many men bound to their service. These elites developed into petty kingdoms and, with their retainers, formed an archaic aristocracy.

The first Stoldavic Empire brought much-desired legitimacy to these insular aristocrats and justified their local claims of superiority over the free nobles. As tributaries to Skjöldavik, the nobility of Ælsatia, Villand, and the Aelsass converted to Orkanan and gained official sanction and titles. When Skjöldavik's power began to wane, a resurgent pan-Aldsegian nobility reclaimed its dominance from Skjolda to the Reikland basin for nearly a thousand years. However, Prince Råger of Mellanhand's Second Stoldavic Empire returned eastern order to the Aldsegian nobility.

When the Second Stoldavic Empire collapsed, the divide between the new Dulmer aristocracy and the old Aldsay aristocracy remained. The "new" Dulmer aristocracy remained loyal to the Fürst of Ælsatia, while the "old" Aldsay (Aldsegian) aristocracy remained loyal to the King of Nordhavn. A series of wars solidified the new aristocracy, and by 7162, the King of Nordhavn and his nobles were forced to swear allegiance to the Fürst of Ælsatia as Emperor of a unified Aedeland.

Initially, both the old and new aristocracy were equal in rights and privileges. However, the old nobility was divested in 7267 by the Emperor. Although the old nobility demanded their rights be reinstated, they never regained equality with the new aristocracy and were since known as the lesser nobility. For nearly three hundred years, the old nobility and the high nobility wrestled for control of Aedeland.

The republican movement gained strength among many of the old nobility as Aedeland entered a period of romanticism in the 7480s. The gains of the movement were crushed by the new aristocracy under Hallsteinn av Aleksandring, whose abuses only served to further motivate popular desire for the dissolution of the nobility. Following the Pan-Anarian War, Hinrik av Hjörtrung abdicated the throne and ordered the nullification of all noble rights and titles.

Structure

Aedeland's noble families, known as houses, are named for their family seat rather than the founding member or family name. The houses are divided into high and old nobility. The high nobility includes those noble houses with connections to the noble houses of eastern Stoldavia and southern Anaria, most of which trace their origins to the Second Stoldavic Empire. Those houses indigenous to western Stoldavia that predate the Stoldavic Empires and trace their origins to the ancient free nobility are known as the old nobility.

The Order of the Sacred Truth, established during the Achilleion Crusade, is the basis for the Aldsegian noble estate. At the apex is the High Prince and Emperor of Aedeland. Beneath him are the companion houses, which include the princes of Aedeland and the lords of the Aldsegian noble houses. Only members of the companion houses are eligible to sit on the Emperor's Privy Council.

Below the companion houses are the ordinary houses, whose noble titles are awarded by the Order. Barons, knights, and gentlemen are titles of the ordinary houses. Before 7514, only members of the ordinary houses, together with the companion houses, had rights to sit on the Althing. All noble houses have an associated shield and fylgja. The shield of each house is rendered in the rectangular shape of a flag and displayed in the Banner Hall of the Gimlé. The order of display in the Banner Hall reflects the precedence of each house. A fylgja is a totem representing each house.

Only the Äldermann of each house may claim or bestow titles belonging to the house. Membership in each house is determined through patrilineal descent. All agnates may display the shield and fylgja of the house to which they belong.

Noble Ranks

Aldsegian Nobility	Anisoran Nobility	Auresian Nobility	Hallish Nobility	Hellish Nobility
High Prince and Emperor	Dynast Emperor King Emperor	Kaiser	Emperor	Kaiser
Prince	Prince Imperial	King	King	Konung
Crown Prince	Magnus Princeps	Crown Prince	Crown Prince	Kungättling
Prince	Grand Prince	Prince	Attling
Earl	Duke	Duke	Duke	Landfurst
Viceroy	Marquess	Count	Count	Count
Free Baron	Baron	Baron	Baron	Friherr
Baron	Knight	Knight	Knight
Knight	Gentleman	Gentleman

Noble Houses

House	Title(s) Held	Seat	Fylgja	Shield	Motto	Notable Members
Åki	High Nobility, Prince of Ælsatia, Baron of Alar	Oksen, Elefantling	Gerlach, Ålesund, Nordaland, Rielik	Trunk Bull		Vind wills it.
Anduir	Old Nobility, Jarl of Frûd	Ravnling, Kalfivik, Nordland	Hrami, Raven		God feeds the ravens.
Blátunn	Old Nobility, Prince of Ælsatia, Baron of Tiriene	Bjørnling, Trant, Ålesund, Nordaland, Beorn	Bear		Bear and forebear.	King Steini (6909-6919)
Egion	High Nobility, Jarl of Vask	Greifling, Bailey, Ålesund, Nordaland	Serilye, Griffon		We gaze to the stars.	Aldhert Baylly (6935-6971)
Erellond	Old Nobility, Jarl of Skjold	Ørnling, Marshall, Vesterlot, Skjoldland, Aphach	Raptor		Much better unconquered.
Escalot	Old Nobility, Jarl of Sigyn, Lord of the Mount	Hesturings, Key, Newmarket, Nordaland, Åndshest	White Horse		Swift and audacious.
Hjortrung	Old Nobility, Emperor of the Ældstrûki, High Prince of Aedeland, Baron of Briene	Hjorting, Christiansen, Ålesund, Nordaland, Dàinn	White Hart		To admire nothing.	Hinrik av Hjortrung
Høyagen	High Nobility, Jarl of Rekkevidden, Warden of Myrkvithr	Ekornling, Ahlefeldt, Llyney, Nordaland, Norùanvind	North Wind		We walk with the wind.	Joran Ahlefeldt (6901-6983)
Hvitteklepper	High Nobility, Emperor of the Ældstrûki, High Prince of Aedeland, Jarl of Veggen	Gedling, Alexander, Wyegate, Nordaland, Golden Lion	Lion		The lion never sleeps.	Johans av Mivö (7329-7387), Hallsteinn av Aleksandring Halaster (7458-7512)
Ladili	Old Nobility, Baron of Vaettir	Sjuhyrling, Varanger, Stygate, Nordaland, Natsihliuì	Whale		We live by the sea.	Arya Varanger (7456-7521)
Aldaleslott	Old Nobility, Jarl of Drum	Dufaling, Irvine, Rastow, Hùraland, Parakletl	White Dove		Toward heaven.
Nordhavn	Old Nobility, Jarl of Mormær, Sea Lords of the West	Sjùlfurlings, Balliol, Nordhavn, Skjoldland, Jörmungandr	Sea Monster		As we find.
Vinterhals	Old Nobility, Jarl of Lathe, Lord of the Mountain	Ljóniùling, Gray, Træditoft, Hùraland, Dùkki	Cave Lion		Irritate not the lion.
Vintersæte	Old Nobility, Jarl of Austhals, Lord of the Meadow, Defender of the Faith	Wyflings, Foard, Hiline, Hùraland, Verndari	Wolf-Hound		Be faithful.