Crabryan Alman nobility (Pacifica)
Crabryan Alman nobility refers to the nobilities of Alman-speaking regions of Crabry, namely in the territories of today's Kliegme and Tepertopia. The nobilities of the region developed somewhat independently from one another, which created different noble traditions.
Kliegmean Alman nobility
The Kliegmean Alman nobility was a privileged social class that existed in Kliegme, specifically in what is today the Alman Autonomous Oblast. These families came into prominence following the arrival of Alman-speaking settlers from what is today Weisserstein to Karnetvorian Crabry in the Xth century.
Kliegmean Alman nobility is sometimes divided into two categories: the Old Estates (alte Landgute) and New Estates (neue Landgute). The Old Estates are nobilities which originated from today's Weisserstein, while the New Estates are nobilities who were elevated to the position by the Karnetvorian authority or by their vast estates.
Today, the Alman nobility of Kliegme no longer retain any specific privileges. However, due to the nature of the Alman Autonomous Oblast, the old Estates retained their influence in the Oblast's political, economical, and social structure.
History
Arrival of the Almans to the Garanian Kingdom
Alman merchants, most of whom came from the Weissersteiner kingdom of Lowenia, arrived in small numbers into the Garanian Kingdom during the 17th-18th century. The arriving Almans were allowed to settle within Gara, near Gyeongseong (modern-day Gawrnov), which helped in modernization and creating a population well-versed in foreign affairs. The population of the Almans were heavily controlled by the Garanian government, who feared the Almans would colonize the region, similar to what the Australs did in modern-day NAGB.
Establishment of the Estates
The first estate to have been form was that of Lettow-Ermhau-Oetinggen, when Baron Albrecht von Lettow-Ermhau would purchase properties and create his own estate. Many other estates would follow, such as Sternberg, Hahn, Benckendorff, and Rüdiger-Bellinghausen. These estates were viewed with suspicions by the Garanian Kingdom however, due to these estates appearing as a possible source of contention between the ruling Garanians and Alman landowners.
Arrival of Karnetvor and empowerment of the Estates
In the 19th century, Garanian rule over Kliegme would collapse as the Kingdom was thrown into a secession crisis. This was used to the advantage of Karnetvor, who expanded their empire into the lands of the Garanian Kingdom. Under Karnetvorian Crabry, restrictions on the Almans were lifted and many prominent families would be empowered by the Karnetvorian authority through edicts (ukase).
The nobility during the Great War
Several prominent members of the nobility would serve under the Karnetvorian banner during the Great War, such as Rudolf von Rüdiger-Bellinghausen, Konrad von Sternberg, Adolf von Hahn, and Josef Friedrich von Lettow-Ermhau-Oetinggen.
Post-Great War and Allied occupation of Kliegme
The end of the Great War saw the Imperialist powers of Karnetvor and Gianlucaland defeated by the now victorious Allies. The Allies would seek to establish an occupation government in Karnetvorian Crabry, hoping to destroy Karnetvorian influence in the area. The Kliegmean Almans, fearing for possible retaliation against them due to their ethnic background and their collaboration with the old Karnetvorian authority, would convene in a council in Phönixburg on XXXX. In this council, the Alman nobles agreed to resist the Allied occupation and eventually establish a homeland for the Almans in Kliegme.
These efforts would be spearheaded by Baron Rudolf von Rüdiger-Bellinghausen and Baron Josef Friedrich von Lettow-Ermhau-Oetinggen, both of whom were from one of the most prominent noble estates in Kliegme at the time. Their efforts would culminate in the formation of the Almano-Crabryan People's Militia, a paramilitary force who's goal is to resist the occupation and establish a new independent Alman state in Crabry, and the All-Alman Central Committee, which acts as the new state's central government.
The All-Alman Central Committee and the Almano-Crabryan People's Militia would later agree to join the Kliegmean Provisional Government, deciding to fight for a "Free Almania within a Free Kliegme".
Kliegmean Alman nobility today
Following the establishment of the Federal Republic of Kliegme, the Alman nobility agreed to give up their privileges. However in return, the Alman nobles were allowed to keep most of their assets within the Alman Autonomous Oblast, and the nobility retains their influence within the AAO. Some of the more prominent and wealthy families were also able to retain some of their assets outside of the AAO.
The first governor of the Alman Autonomous Oblast was Rudolf von Rüdiger-Bellinghausen, a prominent member of the nobility and an experienced military general.
List of prominent noble families
| House | Arms | Date established | Estates | Prominent members |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aarnhausen | ||||
| Benckendorff | ||||
| Brümmer-Klottenburg | ||||
| Drizen | ||||
| Eggenfurt | ||||
| Hahn | ||||
| Lettow-Ermhau-Oetinggen | ||||
| Oeselhausen | ||||
| Rüdiger-Bellinghausen | ||||
| Sternberg |
Tepertopian Alman nobility
Tepertopian Alman nobility are a status group in Tepertopia and part of the wider Tepertopian Nobility.
The legal status of the Alman nobility is governed within the Nobility Order (Adelsordnung), a federal Act. While the Tepertopian Articles of Union declare everybody to be equal before the law in Art. 108 Sec. 1 and abolish privileges of the nobility in Sec. 2, in the same section they nonetheless explicitly recognise titles of nobility. Furthermore, Art. 17 Sec. 3 provides for the ennoblement of any person by the Protector on a merit basis. The abolition of all privileges but title in return for opening up reception of such titles is a result of a compromise between the liberal and the conservative authors of the Articles, since repealing the strict equality before the law ‒ which was introduced under the proto-republican Harmonist regime ‒ was feared to be widely unpopular, while without the support of the still-influential noble houses, instability for the new democracy was equally dreaded.
The Duchy of Grimmen and Principality of Lotce are the two States formally reigned over by Tepertopian Alman houses, namely the houses X and Y respectively. Furthermore, a number of Tepertopian Alman nobles continue to formally reign over a couple member states of the Pluvyan Federation.
History
Ranks of nobility
The ranks of the Tepertopian Alman nobility have been harmonised with the other nobility's through the Nobility Order.
Protector of Tepertopia
The current Protector of Tepertopia, Gerhard von Selingen, as well as many before him, is a member of the Tepertopian Alman nobility.
The noble status of the Protector of Tepertopia is governed directly by the Articles of Union. Art. 17 Sec. 2 stipulates that the Protector, should they not already be a noble, always has noble status by virtue of the office. However, due to tradition, they only receive the additional title Protector of Tepertopia with the style Your Grace, without actually being linked to a higher rank of nobility. This curiosity can be traced to the original foundation of the First Protectorate, where the various nobles governing their own territories did not want the then-rotating office of Protector to let the temporary holder out-rank someone who is otherwise their superior.
Hereditary nobility
Many Tepertopian Alman nobles are part of the hereditary nobility, the sub-class of Tepertopian nobility whose ranks and titles are inherited within the family.
| Rank | Style | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Archduke Erzherzog |
Royal Highness Königliche Hoheit |
Originally self-bestowed by the Archduke of Valetria to out-rank the Grand Duke of Vickel in a struggle for the federal Throne |
| Grand Duke Großherzog |
Royal Highness Königliche Hoheit |
|
| Duke Herzog |
Ducal Highness Herzogliche Hoheit |
|
| Prince Fürst |
Serene Highness Durchlaucht |
|
| Landgrave / Margrave Landgraf / Markgraf |
Illustrious Highness Erlaucht |
Both defined to rank equally ‒ distinguished due to traditionally calling the governed territory Margraviate if located at the borders of the Protectorate, and Landgraviate if not |
| Baron Baron |
High Well-Born Hochwohlgeboren |
Exclusively to distinguish the Baron of Peninley, who used to be the only Count reigning over a federal State before the Barony became a member state of Pluvy |
| Count Graf |
High Well-Born Hochwohlgeboren |
Personal nobility
The personal nobility is the class of nobility which formed on the basis of Art. 17. Titles of personal nobility are not inheritable and are not associated with a particular territory that the noble reigns or used to reign over. Particularly prevalent among the Alman-speaking population during the founding era of the current Protectorate ‒ since government, and in return also much of administrative, business was traditionally conducted in Alman, leading to many civil servants being part of Alman communities ‒ the share of Alman personal nobility has decreased over time.
| Rank | Style | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Lord Lord |
My Lord Mylord |
|
| Knight Ritter |
Sir Sir |
|
| Untitled nobility Untitulierter Adel |
- | "Standard ennoblement" for long-time faithful civil servants Untitled nobility are distinguished by surname particles, such as "of" ("von") |