Ebenthali nobility

The Ebenthali nobility (Portuguese: Nobreza ebenthali) is the peerage of the Kingdom of Ebenthal, consisting on barons, counts, marquises and dukes. A characteristic of the Ebenthali peerage is the absence of the title of viscount, and also the existance of the title of Archduke, although no people has even been granted this title. Titles may be either hereditary or meritocratic, given and taken at the monarch's pleasure, and all nobles are treated in their own right as His/Her Grace. There are currently 52 titled nobles in Ebenthal, which out of 169 citizens, represent 31% of the country's population.

The nobility plays a major role in the national scene as the country's constitution define itself as an aristocratic state where only nobles can ascend to political posts. Also is reserved for the nobility rights such as dining rights there, position in the formal order of precedence, the right to certain titles, and the right to an audience (a private meeting) with the monarch.

Precedence and benefits

The Ebenthali Government, through the constitution, is defined as an aristocratic monarchy, thus, the nobility plays a vital role in the country's affairs, being the only class of citizens allowed to take part in the government. Other than being exclusive holders of political offices, the nobility enjoy the right to call for an audience with the monarch.

All nobles shall enjoy the treatment of Grace, with exception of an Archduke or Archduchess, who shall be called as Highness and other special exceptions where the monarch may bestow an higher right of treatment upon a noble. They may also be called Lord or Lady before their names and titles in all official and unofficial matters. The nobility follows an order of precedence on presentations, participations, requirements and demands in all official business.

Until 2019, some political offices were reserved for aristocrats of pre-determined noble rankings, for example, a city's Mayor should be Count or a Baron, never higher. Talks at the College of Peers of the Realm took place to wether abolish this requirements or expand it into a government-ranking related model, whereas the Prime Minister should be a Duke, it's ministers should be Marquises, members of the Tribune of Truth should be Counts and mayors should be Barons. In the end, the Peers of the Realm voted for the abolition of the ranking requirement for offices, keeping the nobility requiriment.

Registration

The Ebenthali noble titles are registered and administrated by a King of Arms at the Registry of Nobility and Knighthood of the Realm, an organ by the Ministry of the Kingdom. Newly acquired titles may also be registered at the individual indentity registry at the Registry and Citizenship Department, jointly administrated by the Ministry of the Kingdom and the Ministry of Information and Propaganda.

The individual title shall be reffered in all passports and official documents.

Titles

The Ebenthali aristocracy and nobility follows a mix of the Portuguese and British peerages. The granted titles does not come automatically with right of inheritance, which may or may not be confirmed by the monarch. A curiosity on the Ebenthali nobility is the absence of the vicomital title plus the existence of the Austrian-inspired title of Archduke, the only title which is exclusively not hereditary.

Archduke (Arquiduque)

Duke (Duque)

Marquis (Marquês)

Count (Conde)

Baron (Barão)

From the creation of the first noble titles to this day, Ebenthal has produced:

• 6 Dukes: Launceston, Sion, Guanabara, Ambarino, Montana, Frumar.
• 9 Marquises: Souto, Terra Nova, Dom Luiz, Sant'Anna, Bracara, Recceswinth, Rozandir, Camaire, Ferea.
• 17 Counts: Hidden Mound, Aldamir, Three Marys, Lorencia, Aida, Balgass, Bicuiba, Lahad, Iustitia, Verdefort, Ivrea, Icarus, Celtano, Aetrycke, Autem, Aurora, Reccared.
• 25 Barons: Novesfora, Afonsine, Saint Arnald, Pilars, Etc.