ETERNITY - The Past

by Krys C.

The tale begins with the age-old ritual of finding a mate…

Ladies who reach the marriageable age of eighteen must make their debut (entrance or come-out) in Society in order to find a suitable husband. In general, a potential husband must be titled, rich, and handsome.

Gentlemen, on the other hand, must seek a wife to beget an heir in order to secure their line (ie. their name). Most gentlemen seek beauty above everything. However, some of the most sought-after gentlemen of society seek further than the surface, looking deeper, choosing character, generosity, honour and loyalty…

For your information, here is a list of the Fictional Order of Nobility in European Society:

Among the male members of Society - from the Highest Ranking to Lowest Ranking:

1. King - addressed as Your Majesty

2. Crown Prince - addressed as Your Highness

3. Duke - addressed as Your Grace

4. Marquis - addressed as Your Lordship by servants and My lord by females

5. Earl/Count/Comte in French - addressed as Your Lordship by servants and My lord by females

6. Viscount/Vicomte in French - addressed as Your Lordship by servants and My lord by females

7. Baron - addressed as Lord ______. - lowest member of the peerage/nobility

8. Knight - addressed as Sir _______.- not a member of the peerage/nobility

Note: Mr______ - No title and not a member of the peeraage/nobility

Among the married ladies of Society - from the Highest Ranking to Lowest Ranking:

1. Queen - addressed as Your Majesty

2. Princess - addressed as Your Highness

3. Duchess - addressed as Your Grace, wife of a Duke

4. Marchioness/Marquisse in French - addressed as Your Ladyship by servants and My lady by males, wife of a Marquis

5. Countess/Comtesse in French - addressed as Your Ladyship by servants and My lady by males, wife of an Earl or a Count or a Comte

6. Viscountess/Vicomtesse in French - addressed as Your Ladyship by servants and My lady by females, wife of a Viscount

7. Baroness - addressed as Lady ______

8. Knight's wife - addressed as Lady _______

Among the unmarried ladies of Society:

The daughter/sister of each male member of society from 1-8 follows similar rankings like their fathers/brothers, e.g. daughter/sister of a Duke has a higher social status than the daughter/sister of a Marquis, etc.

Among the sons of the Nobility: The higher the status of the nobleman, the more likely his titles will be numerous. Thus the son will also be titled. For example, the son of 'Duke' may have the title of 'Marquis', the son of a 'Marquis' or an 'Earl' may have the title of 'Viscount', the son of a 'Viscount' is an 'Honourable Mr -' whereas the sons of Barons and Knights are not titled and simply addressed as Mr.

It should be noted that titles and estates always pass into the hands on the firstborn male. In some rare circumstances, the title is NOT entailed and this means that in the absence of a male heir, the title can pass to the next female in line.

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