Difference between revisions of "Peer"

The peers include all nobles, from the [[Grand Duke|Grand Duke]] (or theoretically, Grand Duchess) through [[Baronet|Baronet/ Baronetess]]. The Grand Duke may place greater value on the opinions of higher ranking peers before lower, as the former usually have more invested in the country's overall well being and future, but the thoughts of every peer are of considerable value and many of the country's [[Baron]]s have exercised greater influence over national policy than some of its [[Duke]]s and [[Lineal Prince]]s. Members of the [[Royal Council]] have always been peers, though this is not a requirement of office

A peer may be created for life or may be hereditary A life peer is entitled to and holds his or her assigned rank from the moment it is received until death, unless the title is attainted for some reason by the Grand Duke. A hereditary peer, on the other hand, is allowed to pass his or her title to his or her heirs, as he or she may wish.  In other respects, a life peer and a hereditary peer are indistinguishable in terms of rights or privileges.

At the discretion of the Grand Duke, the rank of a peer may changed (either promoted or demoted) or an entire rank may be eliminated and its members assigned to a new rank. This happened, for example, with the rank of Westarctican [[Earl]], a currently-defunct form of peer.

The Grand Duke alone has the authority to grant peerages, and may do so for any reason. Peerages are a source of government funding, but several have been granted as gestures of gratitude and as acknowledgement for contributions to Westarctica.