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In the Balancín societal system, the Nobility, formally the peers and landed gentry of the Balancín Kingdoms, is the category of subjects that hold major lands and hold subjects beneath them. The Nobility falls beneath the Monarch but above Knights and Merchants and, of course, above the commonfolk. Members of the Nobility often play a significant role in politics and government, with local administration being almost exclusively carried out by the Nobility. More than eighty percent of Balancín land is in the hands of aristocrats and peers.
Under Balancía's system of feudal ownership, all land in the Balancín Kingdoms is owned personally by the King. These lands are then leased to the nobility by Royal Decree, who in turn lease their lands to petty lords, Knights, and commonfolk. Lands held directly by the Crown are called the Crownlands, while the rest of the country is divided up into duchies.
Lands of Incorporated Guilds (IGs) are separate from the Nobility, though are still formally owned by the King.
The Great Houses
There are different ranks of Nobility, with the highest being that of Duke / Duchess. While the title of Duke / Duchess is often customary, it typically corresponds to control over a Duchy. Most of the Balancín Kingdoms is comprised of Duchies, which administer local government and enact orders from the Crown. The Great Houses is an informal group of the dynasties that hold the titles of Duke / Duchess in the Kingdoms.
| House | Sigil | Seat | Head of House | Duchy | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| House Murcia of the Crownlands | The Iberian Palace, Crownlands | King Maximilian II | since 6 September 3022 | The Crownlands | |
| House Calvo of Rock's End | Rock's End, Duchy of Belemadena | Lord Jamie Calvo, Duke of Belemadena | since 18 August 2970 | Duchy of Belemadena | |
| House Maekar of the Dreadfort | The Dreadfort, Duchy of Mountbatten | Lord Zacarias Maekar, Duke of Mountbatten | since 20 August 2975 | Duchy of Mountbatten | |
| House Ander of the Pebble Fort | The Pebble Fort, Duchy of Ander | Lord Jace Ander, Duke of Ander | since 30 May 3021 | Duchy of Ander | |
| House Wark of Shipley | Shipley House, Duchy of Shipley | Lady Sian Wark, Duchess of Shipley | since 1 August 3023 | Duchy of Shipley | |
| House Casterel of Farleigh | Farleigh House, Duchy of Farleigh | Lord Alec Casterel, Duke of Farleigh | since 30 May 3021 | Duchy of Farleigh | |
| House Clay of Estaire | The Clay Manor, Duchy of Estaire | Lord Skylar Clay, Duke of Estaire | since 5 September 3021 | Duchy of Estaire | |
| House Amerigo of Valls | N/A | Lord Felix Amerigo, Duke of Valls | since 18 September 3014 | Duchy of Valls | |
| House Alba of Alba | Alba Palace, Duchy of Alba | Lord Jon Alba, Duke of Alba | since 23 November 3011 | Duchy of Alba | |
| House Stamos of Carolingian Park | Carolingian Park, Duchy of Carolina | Lord Luca Stamos, Duke of Carolina | since 31 January 3020 | Duchy of Carolina | |
| House Tartary of Montrose & Claremont | Montrose Castle, Duchy of Montrose (primary)
Claremont Tower, Duchy of Mountbatten |
Lord Kamari Tartary, Duke of Montrose & Lord of Claremont Tower | since 3 October 3009 | Duchy of Montrose | |