From the Office of the Lord Justice: Albion Offices, Titles, and Honours

Please note: The default gender of nobility mirrors that of the reigning Monarch and all official documents drawn up during that time will reflect this fact when referencing the Office instead of the Incumbent.

Queen

The Monarch of Albion and all its territories, Rightful incumbent of the Pendragon Throne. The Monarch holds absolute power and is answerable only to the land itself. Any disagreement with the Monarch that cannot be settled by arbitration shall be placed in the hands of the Ancestors and settled by the plaintiff (or their champion) facing The Monarchs Champion until one or other yields or stands defeated.

Queen’s Champion

Chosen annually by a contest of martial prowess, The Champion gives herself over utterly to serve the Monarch for the duration of one year. She is the defender of the Honour of the Monarch and as such will never publically disagree with the Throne no matter what her own personal opinion may be. As a symbol of the regard and debt the Monarch owes the Champion she will obtain a Life Peerage (Knighthood) from the Throne and membership to the Monarch’s Personal Guard, The Order of the Rose. The Champion is a direct extension of the Will of the Monarch and this fact and the sacrifices she makes to Serve are to be accorded the highest levels of respect from all. Because of the position she holds, The Champion cannot be a member of either of the Courts, but stands behind the Throne in all matters.

Arch-Duchess of Naseby.

Albion’s most senior noble, subject only to the Throne itself. May govern Albion in the Monarch’s name and during prolonged absences of the Monarch is empowered to assume Stewardship of the Realm until such time as the Monarch or their Heir can resume ruling. The Arch-Duchess directly governs all matters relating to the Arch-Duchy of Naseby and is accountable to the Throne for any matters or threats arising from it. The Arch-Duchess is empowered to appoint an assistant who will also act as Liaison to the Bard’s Guild.

Queen’s Counsel

Are the advisors to the Monarch, called upon to render advice to the Throne (be that the Monarch or the Arch Duke acting on her behalf). Membership and length of service upon the Counsel is entirely at the Throne’s discretion with different people called depending upon their area of expertise and the advice required at the time. The size of the Counsel shall never exceed 6 members and shall be made up of the Duke or Duchess currently responsible for the personal security of the Monarch and up to 5 others, normally (but not exclusively) drawn from the ranks of the Royal Court. Being called to serve as Queen’s Counsel is a great privilege, conferring Precedence amongst one’s Peers and shows that the Throne has absolute trust in and sets great store in the opinion of the Individual. Under normal circumstances the Counsel will meet in open session where any citizen of Albion may attend to hear what is being discussed (Albione citizens may petition a Counsel member in advance to make a point on their behalf but do not usually have a voice themselves) . Note, Her Majesty Queen Eloise disliked the practice of the Royal Council of her Predecessor meeting in closed session believing that as the Land and the People are One, all should be able to witness how they are to be ruled. The exclusion of the Citizenry will now only ever be enacted when the Counsel are advising on matters of direst peril to the Realm where security is paramount, as soon as the counsellors have given their advice on this point the citizenry will be readmitted.

The Royal Court

Is made up of the Highest Nobles in the land in addition to the holders of the Great Offices of State. The Throne has entrusted these individuals with a great deal of autonomy and responsibility so they may conduct the day to day running of the Realm on its behalf. Membership is at the Throne’s discretion and admittance to the Royal Court is not by any accident of birth but purely on merit and as a measure of the trust and esteem the Monarch holds for a person. Note, an Individual may hold multiple Offices of State and Landed Titles. Her Majesty has great faith in her people and believes it would do the realm a disservice to restrict their abilities to only one area or position. In Albion, both Lords and Ladies may hold any Title at Court or any of the Great Offices of the Land.

Dukes and Duchesses

Albion is divided into five Duchies which the Throne has entrusted to Nobles of great skill and virtue. The Dukes and Duchesses are members of the Royal Court and take absolute responsibility for their Duchy, including the appointment of two Earls or Countesses to oversee their Earldoms and deputise for the Dukes. They are expected to take a hands on approach to its daily governance in concert with the holders of the Great Offices of State where applicable. In addition, at each formal meeting of the peoples of Erdreja, one of the Dukes or Duchesses (in rotation) will be called to the Ducal seat upon the Queen’s Counsel. Her Majesty places absolute trust in this Duke or Duchess as they will be responsible for providing for the security of the Monarch at this time. They will be expected to provide from amongst the peoples of their Duchy such bodyguards or support staff as Her Majesty deems necessary.

Lady Ambassador

Is a member of the Royal Court. She is responsible for matters of Foreign Policy and ensuring the lines of communication between Albion and the rest of Erdreja. She is entrusted with the autonomy to decree in Her Majesty’s name (subject to the rules of accountability) and is The Throne’s most trusted advisor on all matters of international policy. In the current troubled times she is also responsible for keeping track of and ensuring the wellbeing of the many peoples of Albion temporarily resident in other countries until such time as they may once again return home. To aid her in these tasks the Throne grants her the Right to raise a Staff of Ambassadors and Envoys, upon whom will be conferred membership of The Court and however much of her own powers as she wishes to devolve.

Lady Constable of the Towers

Is a member of the Royal Court. The Lady Constable is responsible for law enforcement and the Judging of criminals within Albion. To aid her in her tasks the Throne has granted her the assistance of the High Sheriff and his department, and is empowered to appoint a Liaison to the Militia Guild, all of whom will be made members of The Court and will be endowed with as much of his authority as she decides to devolve. Further she is to raise a fortified tower at the Throne’s expense but at a location of her choosing within each Duchy of Albion, for the use as her residence, regional courthouse and a place of secure incarceration.

Lady Chancellor

Is a member of the Royal Court. The Chancellor is responsible for Her Majesty’s Revenue and Treasury. She is tasked and empowered to ensure the Throne has sufficient funds and assets to pursue Her Majesty’s wishes. All the Throne’s financial transactions come under her remit. Her Majesty empowers the Chancellery to appoint Liaisons to the Alchemists’ and Armourers’ Guilds and a further Mercantile Liaison to The Bank. These Liaisons will assist in the running of the Chancellery in whatever function the Lady Chancellor sees fit and will be empowered with however much of her authority she deems appropriate to devolve.

Lady Counsel

Is a member of the Royal Court. The Lady Counsel is Her Majesty’s closest advisor. In addition, she oversees the Library and College of Brighthelmstane and is responsible for maintaining Albion’s College of Arms. She is tasked with the betterment of Her Majesty’s subjects by arranging relevant training within the Guilds or at the College and collating their research so it may be used for the benefit of the Realm. In addition the Lady Counsel is granted the Manor of Brighthelmstane to hold and secure in Her Majesty’s name.

Lady Provost

Is a member of the Royal Court.

Lady Marshal

Is a member of the Royal Court. The Lady Marshal is Albion’s highest ranking military officer on land and at sea. She commands Her Majesty’s Armies and Fleets and is empowered by the Throne to appoint two Lord Lieutenants and a Lord Admiral to head up his staff. She may also recruit, press and promote as necessary to ensure Albion’s continued security.

Lady Arcane

The Lady Arcane is a member of the Royal Court and Albion’s preeminent Arcanist. She oversees the Realm’s Circles and any Rituals carried out on behalf of the Throne. She is also responsible for advising the Throne on Arcane matters and ensuring that those who Channel, Cast and Invoke do so for the good of the realm. She is assisted by a staff of specialists to the Corruptor, Healer, Incantor and Mage Guilds, all of whom are members of The Court and may wield as much of his authority and power as she deems wise to devolve.

Royal Huntsman

The Royal Huntsman is a member of the Royal Court. The Royal Huntsman is a title created specifically at the behest of Queen Eloise and is her Personal Gift to one she deems worthy enough to continue the legacy begun when Arthur the second entrusted Marin, the first Hunter, to act as Guardian of the Greenwood and Albion’s western border. Queen Eloise now bestows upon Her Royal Huntsman, guardianship of Albions wild places, and the task to ensure both the creatures of the wild and Albion’s subjects can live and prosper side by side. In addition the Huntsman is given command of Her Majesty’s Rangers and is empowered to appoint a Liaison to the Archers Guild.

Lady Justice

The Lady Justice is a member of the Royal Court and the Throne’s premier legal advisor and authority on Albion Law. She has at her disposal the Quaesitory of Albion and is the only recognised authority on legal precedent. A representative of the Lady Justice will make him or herself available to advise on any legal matter and the Lady Justice herself has the authority to bring charges against any Albione to either the Constable of the Towers, or directly to the Pendragon Throne for Judgement. Since the summer of 1115, Her Majesty has been minded to entrust the Quaesitory with the upkeep of Her Majesty’s Census and much of the administrative responsibilities of Albion. Her Majesty grants the Lady Justice, the Isle and Tower of Lundy to hold and protect on behalf of The Pendragon Throne.