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Difference between revisions of "Peerage of Westarctica"
combined info from article for Peers
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As of 8 April 2018, no title in the Peerage of Westarctica has ever been transferred to an heir as no known peer has yet passed away. | As of 8 April 2018, no title in the Peerage of Westarctica has ever been transferred to an heir as no known peer has yet passed away. | ||
== | ==History of the Peerage== | ||
During the era when Westarctica was known as the [[Achaean Territory of Antarctica]], the collected nobles were simply known as "the Nobility." In 2002, when the [[Achaean Royal Charter]] was decreed, the name was formalized as "the [[Baronage]]." This name was retained in the [[Grand Ducal Mandate]] of 2004. The Mandate also retired the title of "Earl," and those holding the rank were renamed "Counts." | During the era when Westarctica was known as the [[Achaean Territory of Antarctica]], the collected nobles were simply known as "the Nobility." In 2002, when the [[Achaean Royal Charter]] was decreed, the name was formalized as "the [[Baronage]]." This name was retained in the [[Grand Ducal Mandate]] of 2004. The Mandate also retired the title of "Earl," and those holding the rank were renamed "Counts." | ||
In September 2012, when the first [[Charter of Westarctica]] was decreed, the nobles were labeled simply "nobility," however, in the second revision of the Charter, only a month later, [[Grand Duke Travis]] first added the word "hereditary" to the article on nobility. From this time forward, the group of nobles became known as the "Hereditary Nobility." | In September 2012, when the first [[Charter of Westarctica]] was decreed, the nobles were labeled simply "nobility," however, in the second revision of the Charter, only a month later, [[Grand Duke Travis]] first added the word "hereditary" to the article on nobility. From this time forward, the group of nobles became known as the "Hereditary Nobility." | ||
In July 2018, on the advice of the [[Royal Council]], Grand Duke Travis renamed the body of nobles the "Peerage of Westarctica." This was done to accommodate the many newly created Life Peers | In July 2018, on the advice of the [[Royal Council]], Grand Duke Travis renamed the body of nobles the "Peerage of Westarctica." This was done to accommodate the many newly created Life Peers. | ||
==Peerage Members== | |||
A Westarctican Peer is any member of the Peerage. Peers are recognized as having a voice in the nation's public debates, and their opinions, advice, and counsel, when offered, are to be taken into consideration by the [[Grand Duke of Westarctica|Sovereign]] (who may or may not follow this counsel, but is expected to at least hear and weigh it). | |||
==Ranks of | The peers include all nobles, from the [[Grand Duke|Sovereign]] (Grand Duke or Grand Duchess) through [[Baronet|Baronet/Baronetess]]. The Sovereign 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|Barons]] have exercised greater influence over national policy than some of its [[Duke|Dukes]] and [[Prince|Princes]]. | ||
===Life and Hereditary Peerage=== | |||
A peer may be created for life or may be hereditary. A life peer is entitled to and holds their assigned rank from the moment it is received until death, unless the title is revoked for some reason by the Grand Duke. A hereditary peer, on the other hand, is allowed to pass the title to their heirs, as they may wish. In other respects, a life peer and a hereditary peer are indistinguishable in terms of rights or privileges, including the [[Order of Precedence in Westarctica|Order of Precedence]]. | |||
==Authority== | |||
===Font of Honor=== | |||
The reigning Sovereign alone has the authority to grant peerages, and may do so for any reason. Peerages are bestowed by the Sovereign at their discretion. They may decide to confer with advisors on the suitability of a person, or on the specific rank to be bestowed. For example, [[Grand Duke Travis]] has asked for input from the [[Prime Minister of Westarctica|Prime Minister]] before making appointments on more than one occasion. | |||
===Changes to the Peerage=== | |||
At the discretion of the Sovereign, the rank of a peer may be 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. | |||
==Ranks of Royalty and Nobility== | |||
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