Nobles of Arden:

Titles of Nobility:

The King: owns everything.   All property belongs to the King and those who control that property are merely taking care of it for his Majesty.  If the King wants something you have, he need only say the word and it will be taken from you. 

Duke: is a provincial landowner and governs a large quantity of land mostly through proxy.  A Duke is likely to have one Baron under their charge for each township (large or small) under their control. 

Earl: governs an as of yet undecided quantity of land.  An Earl is basically a Baron with greater land rights and no Duke above him.  They are the nobles of the frontier and once their powerbase is well established, they will be promoted to Duke Status.  An Earl has Barons under his sway dependent upon territorial need.

Baron: governs a town, charged with collecting tax for that town and paying up to the Duke or Earl.  A Baron tends the land in and around their town (often through tenant farmers).

Other titles:

Knight – although not a noble by birth, this man has earned respect through military service or some particular service of importance to the King.  The King’s court would all be considered knights whether they carry weapons or not.

Squire – earns respect through service to a noble or knight.  Typically, the tenant farmers under the charge of a noble would be considered Squires. 

Gentleman – granted some special privilege for good service.  Examples might be military footmen, merchants or ship owners.

The Ardenite Royals:

Surnames: Aerdyn, Pendraig, Drake, Carrington, Croft, Hardy, and Redding.  The Pendraigs are the present ruling family with a direct line back to Charles Pendraig who supposedly slew several dragons in his lifetime.  The Drakes are a direct offshoot of the Pendraig family, where one member of the family was exiled and stripped of his royal name and the others are all related to the Pendraigs through marriage or other soft historical ties.  Royals with landholdings are often referred to by the property they own, for instance, the King might be referred to directly as Arden or Cres and the Earl of Hardy might be simply referred to as “Hardy.”

·         King of Arden, David Pendraig: 19 years old, ruler for 5 years, seems capable enough.  His father, Gideon Pendraig, was a great king with much charisma.  Gideon Pendraig was the first king to sanction marriage between Ardenites and Boebb.  David’s mother was Queen Harriet, who died of consumption when David was only 4.

·         Prince Lawrence Pendraig: 16 years old, child of Gideon Pendraig and his 3^rd wife, Queen Justine.  It’s rumored that Lawrence was conceived out of wedlock, but no one who believes this speaks it loudly.

·         Queen Justine Croft: 32 years old and renowned for her beauty.  Justine is still a trusted advisor to David and, as his mother died when he was quite young, she is credited with having raised him.

·         Duke of Haven, Nigel Pendraig: 62 years old, uncle to the King.

·         Duke of Wensel, James Aerdyn: 44 years old, uncle to the King, related through marriage.

·         Duke of Aerdyn, Sebastian Pendraig: 41 years old, Cousin to the King, Son of Nigel Pendraig, Cousin to the King.

·         Duke of Parn, Curtis Drake: 75 years old, known for his benevolence and great wisdom, distant relation to the King, thought to be a 2^nd Cousin.

·         Duke of Mournjoy, Clarence Croft: 32 years old, 2^nd Cousin and Step Brother to the King.

·         Duke of Fetters, Hargood Pendraig: 35 years old, Brother to the King through Marriage to Princess Caroline (23 years old).

·         Earl of Coldmarsh, Fagan Redding: 48 years old, Brother of the King through marriage to Princess Sophia (28).  Coldmarsh is a north western territory, frequently raided by Boebb, notoriously poor, difficult to farm with a small occupying population.  It sits between Fetter and Hardy.

·         Earl of Eastland, Kenton Croft: 29 years old, Step-brother to the King.  Eastland is a north eastern territory, bordered by thick woods, notoriously harassed by goblins, elves and all sorts of horrible creatures.  Often raided by Boebb.

·         Earl of Hardy, Gaymon Hardy: 52 years old, Cousin to the King.  Hardy is known for tenacity and fortitude.  Hardy is the northernmost territory, a land claim disputed by the nation of Boebb, and often raided.  Dwarves are more common in Hardy, but still rare.

·         Earl of Gillyrook: SE territory, contains Southfort and Perch, Gillyrook is assumed to stretch as far into the Deep Dark Woods as one should care to go.  Gillyrook Pine is well known for being the strongest wood in Arden. 

·         Earl of Hillock, Simon Hardy: 49 years old, Cousin to the King.  Simon is known for fits of temper and strange outbursts.  Some think him mentally unsound.  Hillock is a SW territory, a hilly coastal land bounded by mountains to the west.