Nobility - Grafs and Ritters

In addition to the elected representatives of the newer stadts, the cantons, and the federal government, each of the clans has a number of nobles who represent the clan and its septs (sub-clans). These nobles are collectively called Grafs, although actual titles and official honorifics vary from clan to clan. A noble is entitled to place the honorific of Von before their family name: for example, Von Weisspeer.

In some clans noble titles are hereditary, while in others the holders are elected from among their peers in the clan. The most common system of titles is as follows:

• Pfalzgraf = the head of one of the clan, entitled to a Grafgardt (personal bodyguard) of 100 troops
• Obstergraf = the head of a sept of the clan, entitled to a Grafgardt of 50 troops
• Landgraf = a land-holding noble of the clan, entitled to a Grafgardt of 20 troops

All the Grafs of a clan give fealty to one individual, generally called a Pfalzgraf, giving them authority and power over all members of the clan. In the clans (including the Hussen, Rosrijder and Vosser clans) that elect the Pfalzgraf, that worthy is also called the Voorstammann. Every Pfalzgraf sits on the House of Grafs.

An Obstergraf holds rights of fealty from all the Landgrafs of their sept. A Landgrafs in turn hold rights of fealty, generally through kinship ties, from those who live upon their lands.

Holding the rights of fealty is not a one way obligation, as in return a Graf is expected to provide protection, stability and, if necessary, food during times of trouble.

By law, a Graf has the right to a body of troops called a Grafgardt who are equipped and maintained out of the Graf's own funds. Tradition sets the size of a Grafgardt, and members of a Grafgardt are exempt from national service in the Auszug. It is considered a serious breech of etiquette to have a Grafgardt larger than that permitted to someone of your rank.

As always in Perrenland, there are exceptions to the above rules, as each clan has its own variations and permutations. For example, the Rosrijders elect all their nobles, and is the only clan that does not have a hereditary nobility.

Finally, there are the non-hereditary nobles, called Ritters (knights), awarded their title by the Voormann for services to Perrenland. A Ritter is entitled to place the honorific of Van before their family name: for example, Van Weisspeer. They are given a pair of silver spurs upon reward of the title and may maintain, at the their own expense, a bodyguard of 20 troops. Most Ritters gains their spurs through exceptional deeds during military service.