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A '''marquis''' (female '''marquise''') is a title held by certain members of the [[Peerage of Westarctica]]. | A '''marquis''' (female '''marquise''') is a title held by certain members of the [[Peerage of Westarctica]]. In the order of precedence, the rank of marquis falls directly below that of [[duke|duke/duchess]] and directly above that of [[count|count/countess]]. The territory held by a marquis is called a '''marquesate'''. | ||
The title is one of the least-bestowed in Westarctica's peerage and is often only a [[subordinate title]]. | The title is one of the least-bestowed in [[Westarctica]]'s peerage and is often only a [[subordinate title]]. | ||
==Etymology== | |||
The word ''marquess'' entered the English language from the Old French ''marchis'' ("ruler of a border area") in the late 13th or early 14th century. The French rendering of the title "marquis" was derived from ''marche'' ("frontier"), itself descended from the Middle Latin ''marca'' ("frontier"), from which the modern English word march also descends. | |||
The distinction between governors of frontier territories and interior territories was made as early as the founding of the Roman Empire when some provinces were set aside for administration by the senate and more unpacified or vulnerable provinces were administered by the emperor. The titles "duke" and "count" were similarly distinguished as ranks in the Byzantine Empire, with ''dux'' (literally, "leader") being used for a provincial military governor and the rank of comes (literally "companion," that is, of the Emperor) given to the leader of an active army along the frontier. | |||
==Usage in Westarctica== | |||
[[File:Viscount of Whitmore1.jpg|400px|thumb|Picture of the Marquis of Ohio on the occasion of his ennoblement. He is standing in the same room where the Claimant Letter was signed in 2001.]] | |||
The first marquis in Westarctica was [[Viscount of Whitmore|Neil Whitmoyer]], who only held the title by virtue of his appointment as Royal Envoy. The [[Achaean Royal Charter]] of 2002, contained an article which specified that the Royal Envoy would possess the title Marquis of Ohio, so-named for the [[Ohio Range]], during the length of their service. After the transition from the [[Achaean Territory of Antarctica]] to [[Westarctica]], the position of Royal Envoy was dissolved and Neil became the [[Viscount]] of Whitmore. | |||
In the text of the [[Grand Ducal Mandate]], Westarctica's governing law from 2004 - 2010, peers holding the rank of Marquis were granted special privileges. | |||
* If the [[Grand Duke of Westarctica]] died before their heir was over the age of 18, then a marquis or duke would be appointed as a regent. | |||
* When a private citizen wished to sell or give away their property, they needed to first gain permission from the marquis or duke holding the territory's title. | |||
==Notable Marquis and Marquises== | ==Notable Marquis and Marquises== | ||