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Offline DaveIronside

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The Encyclopedia of Nobility - Moreland Edition
« on: July 08, 2020, 11:28:46 PM »

FOREWORD

It is perhaps no surprise that as a nation that is guided by a faith grounded in a martial origin story that the concept of a noble warrior class developed in the lands that became East Moreland in the 7th Century. The original nobles in East Moreland were those who had shown loyalty to Robert Ironside during his campaign to rid the nation of what he believed was the corruption of his sibling Niall Barren. With the Barren family cast out so too were their supporters and thus Robert, who by now was being called King Robert the Unifier faced a significant problem. His new Kingdom of East Moreland was vast in terms of its geographical size and its settlements in many cases spread throughout the Alpine valleys which acted as frontiers against lands that today sit inside neighbours such as Vaguzia and Hassfurt. In order to maintain order in his new Kingdom King Robert also needed to reward those who had steadfastly stood beside him in battle. The vaccuum left by the exiled Borlander/Barren nobles presented both a challenge therefore and an opportunity. King Robert was able to impose a new group of nobles drawn from among his banner-men and these could be carefully selected to ensure a fresh start for a region in terms of its relationship with the crown. Some 1300 years or so later the concept of this nobility still exists in East Moreland, however over time the improvements in transport, communication and technology have seen power become more centralised and while nobles in East Moreland are still respected and are significant land holders they are largely a ceremonial class who have been able to make themselves largely an elite by careful utilisation of land granted to their families in some cases by King Robert the Unifier and handed down in an unbroken line of succession, others meanwhile find themselves part of the nobility by being granted titles by monarchs including the current King of East Moreland, David III, who has utilised the granting of titles of nobility as a way of celebrating the deeds and dedication of modern day Morelanders.

Within the nobility there are ranks dependent on the geographic location and the title granted and some of these bring modern day rights and responsibilites. It is the purpose of this volume to record the key seats of noblility in East Moreland and record the origins and history of these families.

INDEX

HOLDFAST DUKEDOMS - These are the 15 settlements that were the original fortress towns of East Moreland. These are considered the highest rank.


1. The Dukedom of Northfort
2. The Dukedom of Keepton
3. Dukedom of Seabrooke
4. Dukedom of Aldcliffe

THE OUTPOST DUKEDOMS - These are the 20 or so settlements that were granted permission to build castles in return for guarding the frontiers of the Kingdom. They are the 2nd highest rank.

THE PASTORAL DUKEDOMS - These are the 20 or so settlements that were based around the interior of the nation. In return for being granted land they were expected to ensure the food security of the Kingdom. They are the 2nd highest ranks.


THE LORDS OF BLADES - These were individuals committed to full time military service in charge of a Legion.  They are the 3rd highest rank.

THE LORDS OF SPEARS - These were individuals committed to part time military service in charge of a militia. They are the 4th highest rank.

KNIGHTS OF EAST MORELAND - These were individuals committed to serve in the military when required and were expected to remain ready for military service. They are the lowest rank of nobility.
« Last Edit: July 11, 2020, 12:15:41 AM by DaveIronside »

Offline DaveIronside

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Re: The Encyclopedia of Nobility - Moreland Edition
« Reply #1 on: July 08, 2020, 11:50:36 PM »
THE DUKE OF NORTHFORT



Original Holder:- Weldon Sherman (642)
Current Holder:- King David Ironside (2013)

The capital of East Moreland was ironically not the Holdfast originally held by King Robert following the end of his military campaign. The first King of East Moreland had been born and grown up in Keepton kept away from the rest of the family as the "spare" Prince in case of the death of his elder brother Niall in some sort of rebellion or plot. As such King Robert elected to take Keepton as his own Holdfast and instead granted what would one day become the centre of life in East Moreland to Weldon Sherman a Knight who had switched sides the same day news of Robert raising a rebellion against the Borlanders had reached Northfort. During the wars to create East Moreland he was a competent commander of foot soldiers and took part in most of the major battles. By the end of the conflict he was 38 years of age and King Robert granted him the land of Northfort as his reward. Sherman constructed several small forts around the hills of the city and is known for little other than his military career. He seems content to have left much of the day to day running of the Dukedom to his advisers while he spent time riding his lands inspecting its defences and assessing the readiness of his military troops. This is largely due to the fact that he seemed happiest around fellow soldiers than in council meetings. He died in 668 of natural causes and the Dukedom remained in the Sherman family until 1592.

In 1592 the Edwin Sherman died and has no natural heirs. The King at the time was Paul II, known as Paul the Young, who fearful of a rebellion wanted to ensure his private military forces could outweigh the other Holdfasts and so took the title and lands for himself. The Holdfast has been the personal Dukedom of the monarch of East Moreland ever since. During this time the seat of the Dukedom has also changed from Medan Cliff Castle, which today stands as a museum, to a newly built Palace which stood on the site of where Northfort Palace is today. While the city is the capital of East Moreland, having become so in 1087, it is no longer the largest in the Kingdom having been surpassed by Portworth in 2019 and likely to be surpassed by Silverhills by 2025.

Current heir to the Dukedom:- Princess Rhiannon Ironside

Offline DaveIronside

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Re: The Encyclopedia of Nobility - Moreland Edition
« Reply #2 on: July 09, 2020, 12:13:54 AM »
THE DUKE OF KEEPTON



Original Holder:- King Robert Ironside (642)
Current Holder:- Princess Freya Ironside (2015)

The Holdfast of Keepton was originally the seat of royal power and has been kept within the Ironside family ever since the foundation of the Kingdom in 642. When King Paul the Young feared rebellion in 1592 the King added Northfort to the crowns direct possessions however his son Sebastian II granted the Dukedom to his brother Arthur upon taking the crown. Tradition now dictates that the Dukedom is not inherited by the children of the current holder of the title instead once the title holder dies the Dukedom passes to the eldest sibling of monarch. If they have no sibling it passes to their closest living relative. Keepton retains a role as a largely ceremonial city with many key places connected to the Ironsides found there. Today their is some annoyance in the city that despite holding the title of Duke/Duchess of Keepton the Ironside family do not have a permanent presence in the city. 

Current heir to the Dukedom:- None directly. Should Princess Rhiannon not have a sibling the title is likely to pass through Princess Freya and Alex Redfern's children, at present their adopted daughter Evie would likely inherit the title. Evie Redfern-Ironside was born in 2014 in Mavrosia and is a close friend of Princess Rhiannon.

Offline DaveIronside

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Re: The Encyclopedia of Nobility - Moreland Edition
« Reply #3 on: July 09, 2020, 12:52:41 AM »
THE DUKE OF SEABROOKE



Original Holder:- Raymund Haight (642)
Current Holder:- Queen Stasya Ironside (2020)

The Dukedom of Seabrooke was created as a brand new settlement in 642. Concerned about potential coastal raids King Robert ordered Raymund Haight, who had a significant role in raiding along the coast during the war to create East Moreland, to construct fortifications there. Haight built the foundations of the large fortified bay that evolved into the modern day coastal hub of the East Moreland Navy. It became one of the wealthiest Dukedoms until the Duke of Portworth began a huge number of investments in the coastal rival in the 15th Century. The Haight family however did not remain the holder of the Dukedom long enough to see it.

In 1369 Duke Thomas Haight was found guilty of treason having been found to have been attempting to bribe members of the Royal Bodyguard (Red Legion) to allow the assassination of King Sebastian I. This plot was foiled when Red Legion seemingly went along with the plot only to have laid an ambush to capture Haight and his co-conspirators red handed. Sebastian had Thomas Haight executed by being hung, drawn and quartered with his family disinherited. The Dukedom was handed over to Sir Roger Martinson who had been the Red Legion Knight who had discovered the plot. Martinson however was a good soldier but a poor administrator and he was excluded from the royal court between 1372 and 1377 for failing to "pay appropriate respect to the feasts of the Cult" which was brought about by not offering what the King considered appropriate offerings. In 1378 however he was permitted back to court following his youngest son, William, distinguishing himself in battle. The family retained the Dukedom until 1831 when Samuel Haight died of cholera with no direct descendant. King Richard I however allowed Samuel Haight's cousin Henry Rose to inherit as a reward for his construction of a series of Temples across the South-East.

The Rose family attempted to compete with Portworth's growing prosperity and this bankrupted the Rose family who ended up selling many of their estate houses to raise funds. The Dukedom was seen as one of the poor relations in terms of Dukedoms and the Rose family consistently struggled to regain their prestige. In 2019 Duke John Rose died with no children and the title remained dormant for around 6 months as it was clear King David intended to grant the vacant title to his future wife. This was done in early 2020, making the Dukedom the first to be granted to a non-Morelander. It is believed the King elected this title to be granted to the now Queen Stasya as he hoped to restore some prestige to the often overlooked city of Seabrooke. The move technically also makes the King the Duke of Seabrooke however he has yet to formally use the title in any meaningful way unlike his wife.

Current heir:- The King has confirmed the title shall pass to the eldest child he has with Queen Stasya. Should no child be born it will first pass to the natural born children of Princess Freya and Alex Redfern or if they are childless to any descendants of Archduchess Sophie Harrison-Ironside.

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Re: The Encyclopedia of Nobility - Moreland Edition
« Reply #4 on: July 11, 2020, 12:14:48 AM »
THE DUKE OF ALDCLIFFE



Original Holder:- Edwyn Warwick (642)
Current Holder:- Annabeth Bennett (2020)

Aldcliffe is the smallest city in East Moreland with a population of less than 200,000 and it is only a city by the fact that it was designated as one in the 12th Century by Royal Charter. It was however always a Holdfast by virtue of the fact that it was the site from where the historic march of peasants disenchanted with Borland rule began to head towards the conflict waging between what were to become the Morelanders and the Borlanders. This legion dressed originally in white peasant tunics ended up turning the tide of the Battle of Greenflowers and helped Robert become King. Legend states that by the end of battle their white tunics had been dyed red with the enemies blood. It was from this group King Robert selected the bodyguard for his coronation and this group began the tradition of Red Legion which today is the name given to East Moreland's most elite fighting unit. This historic connection has always made the Holdfast significant as whenever it has become vacant the monarch has often received offers of payment for the title as those holding it can claim to have the Red Legion HQ among their estates.

It is then perhaps little surprise that the original Duke of Aldcliffe in the time of East Moreland was Edwyn Warwick. He had been a Knight at the time time of the civil war that birthed East Moreland and had fought in several battles before losing his left hand and one eye. He was sent by Robert to protect the region around Aldcliffe to secure food stocks once the peasants massed ensured they had ample food stocks to carry before marching with them. He is said by chroniclers to have fought bravely during the battle and received deep wounds across his face which one prominent chronicle of the day said "Mirrored the deep lines of bravery worn by the God Jekar himself" It was then clear that Warwick would gain some great reward from his now King and the fertile fields of Aldcliffe were granted. The Duke took his charge extremely seriously and passed his own rules that every common man must practice the longbow, every common woman must know how to sew wounds while every noble woman must know how to use a light sword and every noble man must be able to tilt a lance. Temples even kept records of those who did not attend weekly practice. Aldcliffe therefore became a central hub for military prowess for the next 100 years further adding to the cities prestige as a militaristic hub.

The Warwick family kept the Duchy until 1263 when Francis Warwick died with only daughters. His eldest daughter Meredith was married to a well respected young Knight called Thomas Orien who therefore became the new Duke. The Orien family became well respected for encouraging knightly virtues by holding the largest jousting tournaments in the nation. For close to 200 years even the monarchs own tournaments are said to have paled in comparison. It was written that in 1347 a tournament took place lasting 30 days upon which 6000 deer and 2000 Wild Boar were consumed. The Orien family also began a tradition that continued throughout their stewardship where the 2nd sons became career soldiers at the court of the monarch while the eldest daughter became a Priestess. As such the family produced 12 commanders of Red Legion and 4 High Priestesses between 1263-1577. In 1577 the Orien family was headed by Thomas Orien who died with only a widowed childless sister to inherit the Duchy. At this point King Paul the Young had the 62 year old woman marry his friend Elroy Royston who was 19 years of age thus bringing the Orien claim to an end.

In 1580 Elroy Royston's much older wife died, some claim of poisoning, and the now 22 year old Elroy Royston remarried just two days later marrying a cousin of Paul the Young. The Royston family carried on the cities military traditions by constructing a large purpose built training field on the edges of the city, this location became Aldcliffe Barracks and is the site of the modern day HQ of Red Legion. The Royston family also maintained the tradition established by the Orien family of military service for 2nd sons and holy service for eldest daughters. They had less success than the Orien's however in claiming the highest status positions providing only 2 Red Legion Commanders and 1 High Priestess. One of the most notable honours given to the family while in possession of the Duchy was in 1777 Duke Peter Royston acted as the champion of King Sven the Grey during his coronation. Sadly it was just two years later that Duke Peter died of tuberculosis at the age of 24 with no children. This saw the Duchy pass to his younger sister Sarah.

Sarah Royston was just 13 years old when she became Duchess and almost immediately King Sven the Grey began receiving suitors for her hand in marriage. The King elected that she should marry William Hindmarch, a prominent naval officer at the time and the owner of several large iron mines around Silverhills purchased with bounties taken from pirates in the Illumic. Hindmarch was discovered, when documents were unearthed in an archive in Silverhills, to have sold two mines to King Sven the Grey for just EM£2 a day before the wedding was announced. This gave the Hindmarch family control of perhaps the most presitgious non royal held Holdfast. Upon his retirement from naval service in 1794 William Hindmarch retired to the city having set foot there for the first time since his wedding day. The Hindmarch's maintained control of the Duchy until 1904 when Richard Hindmarch passed away with no children.

The Duchy remained vaccant for six months until February 1905 as King John I was considering claiming the Duchy for himself however he determined instead that Brigadier Sullivan Bennett would be given the title and land. Brigadier Bennett was the current commander of Red Legion and was the 2nd son of a Lord of Spears thus was already blessed with noble connections. When granting the Duchy to the Brigadier King John I suggested that should the Duchy be vacated ever again the most recently retired commander of Red Legion should be given the title, something that has not been tested since. The Bennett family have retained the title ever since. The most recent holder of the lands is Annabeth Bennett who at the age of 24 inherited the title following her fathers death from a long battle with illness. At the time she worked in the Royal Stables having served in the military as a member of the Royal Household Cavalry.

Current Heir:- Duchess Annabeth Bennett is currently unmarried and childless. Her younger sister Holly currently stands to inherit the title.