Names & Titles

Names & Titles

This thread is not intended to make your head ache or to cause anyone to throw their hands up in the air and yell "I quit!" No, no, no! This topic will help clarify a few things on using titles, and, as always, we will try to keep it simple (even if it isn't 100% correct in historical terms).

First Name Basis vs. Last Names

Being on a first name basis with everyone is a modern trend, not a Regency one. The only people who would call one another by their first names would be family, a spouse, your own children, or people who you grew up/attended school with. Close friends may call each other by their first names as well, but should always be invited to do so first.

Last names are what everyone else are called. If you have a character, such as Margaret Hamstead, her family and very close friends would call her Margaret, Marge, or any variation of the name that she happened to choose. But a stranger or acquaintance would call her Miss Hamstead (or Mrs. Hamstead if she were married).

While we're at it, let's cover the whole Mr./Mrs./Ms. subject. That is a sign of respect; gentry are always called by Mr, Mrs, or Ms/Miss. Miss is generally used for very young girls, while Ms. is for eligible (marriageable) women. It is generally considered insulting to call an aristocrat "Mrs." or "Mr."

So what do we call an aristocrat, then? Read on in the next section!

Aristocracy Titles

This is where it gets crazy complicated. I'll try to simplify everything as much as possible, but... like I said before, if you have any questions, contact me! I'll try to answer them to the best of my ability!

Basically, there is a hierarchy system. The hierarchy system contains the royal family at top, noble titles in the middle, and titles earned in one's lifetime at the bottom. An important thing to remember - if your father was a Duke, you are not a Duke unless you inherit! All children automatically take on the next lower title. So, for example, if Margaret Hamstead's father was a Duke, then Margaret herself would be a Marchioness until she marries (sons keep the title unless they inherit a greater title). Upon marriage, women lose their own title and take on that of their husband. Keep in mind that until the children come of age (as in 18 years or older), they will be referred to as a child, rather than having their very own title (unless it is a son who has inherited his father’s title after the father’s untimely death).

About the forms of Address… okay, let me explain this once and for all before I get a barrage of PMs from confused members. A formal address is what would be called when, for example, a person is addressed to the room at a ball. Address in speech simply means what you would call that person if you were talking directly to them. Referred to in Speech denotes what you would call that same person if you were discussing them with someone else. For example, if the King was announced to a ballroom upon entering, a servant would say “All hail His Royal Majesty, The King of England.” If a person were greeting the king, such as a servant, he or she would say “Yes, Your Majesty” or “As you wish My Lord,” or even “If it pleases you, My King.” But if, say, two noblewomen were gossiping about the King, they would say “His Majesty was quite befuddled,” or “The King hardly knew what to make of it!” When you really look at it, it’s not so complicated after all!

Another note: whenever you see a __ it means a country, duchy, etc., a place. Such as the Duke of _ really means the Duke of Glastonbury. You choose the area.

King

Female Form: Queen
Formal Address: His/Her Royal Majesty, The King/Queen of __.
Address in Speech: Your Majesty; My Lord; My King.
Referred to in Speech: His Majesty; The King.
Children: Prince, Princess (see the next listing).

Prince

Female Form: Princess
Formal Address: His/Her Royal Highness, Prince/Princess of _.
Address in Speech: Your Highness; My Lord.
Referred to in Speech: Your Highness; The Prince/Princess.
Children: The Lord/Lady Firstname Surname.

Duke

Female Form: Duchess
Formal Address: His Grace, the Duke of __.
Address in Speech: His/Her Highness (if a prince); My Lord Duke; Your Grace; Duke (by social equals); Sir __ (by close friends).
Referred to in Speech: His Grace, The Duke (by social equals).
Children: Lord/Lady Firstname.

Marquess

Female Form: Marchioness
Formal Address: The Most Honorable; The Marquess of _.
Address in Speech: Lord __; My Lord __ (by close friends).
Referred to in Speech: Lord __.
Children: Lord/Lady Firstname.

Earl

Female Form: Countess
Formal Address: The Right Honorable; The Earl of __.
Address in Speech: Lord __; My Lord; __.
Referred to in Speech: Lord __.
Children: Lord/Lady Firstname.

Viscount

Female Form: Viscountess
Formal Address: The Right Honorable; The Viscount __.
Address in Speech: Lord __; My lord __; Viscount __.
Referred to in Speech: Lord __.
Children: Honorable Surname.

Baron

Female Form: Baroness
Formal Address: The Right Honorable Lord __.
Address in Speech: Lord __; my lord; __.
Referred to in Speech: Lord __; __.
Children: Mister/Miss Surname*

Baronet**

Female Form: Lady Surname; Dame Surname; (in formal situations may be called Madam Surname).
Formal Address: Sir Firstname Surname, Bt. (when spoken, Baronets or Bt. is never mentioned; he is merely referred to as Sir Firstname Surname).
Address in Speech: Sir Firstname
Referred to in Speech: Sir Firstname Surname; Sir Firstname.

How To Obtain A Title

There are four ways to obtain a title:

a) A title given at adulthood.
Inheriting a title.
c) Inheriting a title through marriage.
d) Title bestowment.

When the son and daughters (unmarried, of course) of an aristocrat enter into society at the age of 18, they also gain a title. It is always a title of one rank below their father; so if their father was an Earl, his children, once adults, would be styled as Viscounts and Viscountesses.

If the father, who holds a title, dies, all of his estates, money (other than a sum left to his widow and other children), and responsibilities will go directly to his first-born legitimate son. That son also takes his father's title, and his wife takes the feminine form, as well. For example, if Margaret Hamstead's Husband, John Hamstead, was styled as a Viscount, but inherited the title of Earl at his father's death, they would both be known as Earl of __ and the Countess of __; their children, if any, would be known as Lord/Lady Firstname rather than Honorable Hamstead, as before.

A man may marry as many women as he desires in his lifetime (though divorce is virtually unheard of and highly scandalized at this point in time; but there were some men who went through wives quickly due to diseases and childbirth complications), and the same goes for a woman, if her husbands have died. However, the only thing a man would truly benefit from (other than from later producing an heir) is a dowry. The woman, on the other hand, takes on her husband's title, if any, and all of their children will take on the appropriate titles associated with their rank as well.

To have a title bestowed upon a person is a high honor, and not nearly as often an occurrence as one would think. Only a king may grant a title, and with it, estates, a yearly salary, and other perks - such as the sudden ability to attend aristocratic parties that were only reserved for the wealthier, more respected members of society. Any aristocratic man (never a woman) may have a title bestowed upon them, and there are even a few (though not many) who have more than one title, in which case he would use his highest ranking title for social purposes, and his other titles for formal addresses. A commoner may be made an aristocrat, as well, but only as a Baronet.** Once that title has been bestowed upon a man, it will stay in the family, passing to the next male in line.

How To Lose A Title

But what happens when there is no male to inherit? Well, it does NOT go to women next, if that's what you're thinking! No, if there is no male to inherit, the title will go back to the King. He may wish to retire the title, or bestow it to another aristocrat; it really is up to him.

If one angers the King, he can strip that person of any rank and title that he may have. It is never a good thing to anger a powerful man; and the king can do far more than just strip you of your rank and title and all the money and estates that go with it - he can publicly humiliate you, force your entire family to go broke and live homeless, as commoners, and completely shunned from all aristocratic society. Chances are that no other aristocratic


* Upon reaching adulthood, the children of a Baron would take on the title of Lady or Lord, but nothing else unless either granted a title from the king, or in the case of a daughter, marrying a man with a title. They do not take on the title of Baronet unless the daughter is married to a Baronet.

** A Baronet is not born; they are created, if the sum of money is right, and if the King has good reason to create them (i.e. they did him a great favor, or he simply likes them). These are commoners who have risen above their station into the lowest aristocracy. It is important to note that there is no such things as a female Baronet (known as a Baronetcy) at this time; wives of Baronets are simply termed Dame Surname. Further, the Baronet himself is styled as a knight, rather than a proper aristocrat.

Article written by: Adana

Names & Titles

This thread is not intended to make your head ache or to cause anyone to throw their hands up in the air and yell "I quit!" No, no, no! This topic will help clarify a few things on using titles, and, as always, we will try to keep it simple (even if it isn't 100% correct in historical terms).

First Name Basis vs. Last Names

Being on a first name basis with everyone is a modern trend, not a Regency one. The only people who would call one another by their first names would be family, a spouse, your own children, or people who you grew up/attended school with. Close friends may call each other by their first names as well, but should always be invited to do so first.

Last names are what everyone else are called. If you have a character, such as Margaret Hamstead, her family and very close friends would call her Margaret, Marge, or any variation of the name that she happened to choose. But a stranger or acquaintance would call her Miss Hamstead (or Mrs. Hamstead if she were married).

While we're at it, let's cover the whole Mr./Mrs./Ms. subject. That is a sign of respect; gentry are always called by Mr, Mrs, or Ms/Miss. Miss is generally used for very young girls, while Ms. is for eligible (marriageable) women. It is generally considered insulting to call an aristocrat "Mrs." or "Mr."

So what do we call an aristocrat, then? Read on in the next section!

Aristocracy Titles

This is where it gets crazy complicated. I'll try to simplify everything as much as possible, but... like I said before, if you have any questions, contact me! I'll try to answer them to the best of my ability!

Basically, there is a hierarchy system. The hierarchy system contains the royal family at top, noble titles in the middle, and titles earned in one's lifetime at the bottom. An important thing to remember - if your father was a Duke, you are not a Duke unless you inherit! All children automatically take on the next lower title. So, for example, if Margaret Hamstead's father was a Duke, then Margaret herself would be a Marchioness until she marries (sons keep the title unless they inherit a greater title). Upon marriage, women lose their own title and take on that of their husband. Keep in mind that until the children come of age (as in 18 years or older), they will be referred to as a child, rather than having their very own title (unless it is a son who has inherited his father’s title after the father’s untimely death).

About the forms of Address… okay, let me explain this once and for all before I get a barrage of PMs from confused members. A formal address is what would be called when, for example, a person is addressed to the room at a ball. Address in speech simply means what you would call that person if you were talking directly to them. Referred to in Speech denotes what you would call that same person if you were discussing them with someone else. For example, if the King was announced to a ballroom upon entering, a servant would say “All hail His Royal Majesty, The King of England.” If a person were greeting the king, such as a servant, he or she would say “Yes, Your Majesty” or “As you wish My Lord,” or even “If it pleases you, My King.” But if, say, two noblewomen were gossiping about the King, they would say “His Majesty was quite befuddled,” or “The King hardly knew what to make of it!” When you really look at it, it’s not so complicated after all!

Another note: whenever you see a __ it means a country, duchy, etc., a place. Such as the Duke of _ really means the Duke of Glastonbury. You choose the area.

King

Female Form: Queen Formal Address: His/Her Royal Majesty, The King/Queen of __. Address in Speech: Your Majesty; My Lord; My King. Referred to in Speech: His Majesty; The King. Children: Prince, Princess (see the next listing).

Prince

Female Form: Princess Formal Address: His/Her Royal Highness, Prince/Princess of _. Address in Speech: Your Highness; My Lord. Referred to in Speech: Your Highness; The Prince/Princess. Children: The Lord/Lady Firstname Surname.

Duke

Female Form: Duchess Formal Address: His Grace, the Duke of __. Address in Speech: His/Her Highness (if a prince); My Lord Duke; Your Grace; Duke (by social equals); Sir __ (by close friends). Referred to in Speech: His Grace, The Duke (by social equals). Children: Lord/Lady Firstname.

Marquess

Female Form: Marchioness Formal Address: The Most Honorable; The Marquess of _. Address in Speech: Lord __; My Lord __ (by close friends). Referred to in Speech: Lord __. Children: Lord/Lady Firstname.

Earl

Female Form: Countess Formal Address: The Right Honorable; The Earl of __. Address in Speech: Lord __; My Lord; __. Referred to in Speech: Lord __. Children: Lord/Lady Firstname.

Viscount

Female Form: Viscountess Formal Address: The Right Honorable; The Viscount __. Address in Speech: Lord __; My lord __; Viscount __. Referred to in Speech: Lord __. Children: Honorable Surname.

Baron

Female Form: Baroness Formal Address: The Right Honorable Lord __. Address in Speech: Lord __; my lord; __. Referred to in Speech: Lord __; __. Children: Mister/Miss Surname*

Baronet**

Female Form: Lady Surname; Dame Surname; (in formal situations may be called Madam Surname). Formal Address: Sir Firstname Surname, Bt. (when spoken, Baronets or Bt. is never mentioned; he is merely referred to as Sir Firstname Surname). Address in Speech: Sir Firstname Referred to in Speech: Sir Firstname Surname; Sir Firstname.

How To Obtain A Title

There are four ways to obtain a title:

a) A title given at adulthood. Inheriting a title. c) Inheriting a title through marriage. d) Title bestowment.

When the son and daughters (unmarried, of course) of an aristocrat enter into society at the age of 18, they also gain a title. It is always a title of one rank below their father; so if their father was an Earl, his children, once adults, would be styled as Viscounts and Viscountesses.

If the father, who holds a title, dies, all of his estates, money (other than a sum left to his widow and other children), and responsibilities will go directly to his first-born legitimate son. That son also takes his father's title, and his wife takes the feminine form, as well. For example, if Margaret Hamstead's Husband, John Hamstead, was styled as a Viscount, but inherited the title of Earl at his father's death, they would both be known as Earl of __ and the Countess of __; their children, if any, would be known as Lord/Lady Firstname rather than Honorable Hamstead, as before.

A man may marry as many women as he desires in his lifetime (though divorce is virtually unheard of and highly scandalized at this point in time; but there were some men who went through wives quickly due to diseases and childbirth complications), and the same goes for a woman, if her husbands have died. However, the only thing a man would truly benefit from (other than from later producing an heir) is a dowry. The woman, on the other hand, takes on her husband's title, if any, and all of their children will take on the appropriate titles associated with their rank as well.

To have a title bestowed upon a person is a high honor, and not nearly as often an occurrence as one would think. Only a king may grant a title, and with it, estates, a yearly salary, and other perks - such as the sudden ability to attend aristocratic parties that were only reserved for the wealthier, more respected members of society. Any aristocratic man (never a woman) may have a title bestowed upon them, and there are even a few (though not many) who have more than one title, in which case he would use his highest ranking title for social purposes, and his other titles for formal addresses. A commoner may be made an aristocrat, as well, but only as a Baronet.** Once that title has been bestowed upon a man, it will stay in the family, passing to the next male in line.

How To Lose A Title

But what happens when there is no male to inherit? Well, it does NOT go to women next, if that's what you're thinking! No, if there is no male to inherit, the title will go back to the King. He may wish to retire the title, or bestow it to another aristocrat; it really is up to him.

If one angers the King, he can strip that person of any rank and title that he may have. It is never a good thing to anger a powerful man; and the king can do far more than just strip you of your rank and title and all the money and estates that go with it - he can publicly humiliate you, force your entire family to go broke and live homeless, as commoners, and completely shunned from all aristocratic society. Chances are that no other aristocratic.

* Upon reaching adulthood, the children of a Baron would take on the title of Lady or Lord, but nothing else unless either granted a title from the king, or in the case of a daughter, marrying a man with a title. They do not take on the title of Baronet unless the daughter is married to a Baronet.

** A Baronet is not born; they are created, if the sum of money is right, and if the King has good reason to create them (i.e. they did him a great favor, or he simply likes them). These are commoners who have risen above their station into the lowest aristocracy. It is important to note that there is no such things as a female Baronet (known as a Baronetcy) at this time; wives of Baronets are simply termed Dame Surname. Further, the Baronet himself is styled as a knight, rather than a proper aristocrat.

Article written by: Adana