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Nobility of Nouvelle Alexandrie

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The nobility of Nouvelle Alexandrie (Alexandrian: noblesse; Wechua: qhapaq ayllu; Martino: nobleza) constitutes the hereditary ruling class recognized by the Federation of Nouvelle Alexandrie. The nobility forms an integral part of the nation's constitutional framework, with noble representation institutionalized in the Chamber of Peers, the upper house of the Cortes Federales.

Established through Royal Decree by King Manco Cápac I in 1685 AN, the New Alexandrian nobility synthesizes multiple noble traditions, including the ancient Wechua nobility, the former Alexandrian aristocracy, Caputian nobles, and the Lyrican aristocratic houses. This system operates under the legal framework established by the Proclamation of Punta Santiago and subsequent legislation, particularly the Federal Orders, Honors, and Medals Act, 1694 and the Royal Peer Selection Committee Act, 1721.

The New Alexandrian nobility carries no automatic legal privileges beyond ceremonial honors and styles of address. Since 1704 AN, nobles have been subject to a special wealth tax surcharge instituted by the SDLA government of Premier Julio Delgado, and their titles do not exempt them from standard taxation or legal obligations. However, nobles are expected to demonstrate leadership in public service, philanthropy, and cultural preservation, with many serving in significant roles across the military, government, business, and civic institutions.

The creation and recognition of noble titles remains a prerogative of the King of Nouvelle Alexandrie, though since 1721 AN, new appointments to the Chamber of Peers are made through the Royal Peer Selection Committee, a 28-member body that evaluates candidates based on merit and public service. Titles may be hereditary or granted for life, with succession strictly regulated by law and overseen by the Department of Interior.

History

The nobility of Nouvelle Alexandrie emerged from the unification of Alduria and the Wechua Nation in 1685 AN. King Manco Cápac I established the system through Royal Decree, deliberately crafting a synthesis of the ancient Wechua noble traditions with the aristocratic customs of the former Alexandrian Empire and the Caputian Kingdom.

The Proclamation of Punta Santiago provided the constitutional framework for the nobility, while subsequent Royal Decrees established specific protocols for title recognition and succession. A pivotal moment came in 1692 AN when Francis Joseph IV, the Titular Emperor of Alexandria, made a state visit to assist in integrating the Alexandrian noble houses into the new system, particularly those from Santander which had joined the Federation in 1686 AN.

Integration period (1693-1704)

Following the official renaming to Nouvelle Alexandrie in 1693 AN, the nobility system expanded to incorporate aristocratic traditions from newly integrated territories. The Federal Orders, Honors, and Medals Act, 1694 standardized the system of honors and established clear criteria for ennoblement. During this period, King Manco Cápac I became known for his meritocratic approach to granting titles, elevating distinguished scientists, military leaders, writers, and public servants to the nobility alongside traditional aristocratic families. Notable ennoblements of this era included Vicaquirao Alvarez, elevated to Duke of Apurimaq for his role in drafting the Proclamation of Punta Santiago, and Jean-Michel Lavaud, created Duke of Roanne for his service as Premier during the transition period of 1690 AN-1693 AN.

Reform and taxation (1704-1718)

A significant shift occurred in 1704 AN when the SDLA government under Premier Julio Delgado instituted the nobility wealth tax surcharge. While initially controversial, the tax came to be seen as a mark of the nobility's commitment to national service. During this period, several unsuccessful attempts were made to reform or abolish the Chamber of Peers, leading to ongoing debates about the role of hereditary legislators in the Federation.

Modernization under Sinchi Roca I (1718-1735)

Following the tragic 1718 Condor shoot-down incident, King Sinchi Roca I ascended to the throne and initially maintained his father's vision for the nobility. However, growing calls for reform led to the landmark Cortes Federales Constitutional Amendment and Democratization Act, 1721, which transformed the appointment process for the Chamber of Peers.

The creation of the Royal Peer Selection Committee in 1721 AN marked a significant shift toward merit-based peerage appointments. The 28-member committee, composed of distinguished individuals from various sectors of society, established a more transparent and democratic process for evaluating potential peers while maintaining the traditional dignity of noble titles.

A notable development during this period was the integration of the Wakara nobility from Boriquén in 1719 AN, further diversifying the New Alexandrian noble tradition. The elevation of Guarionex to Prince of Boriquén exemplified the Federation's approach to incorporating local noble traditions while maintaining national unity.

Contemporary era (1735-present)

Under King Sinchi Roca II, who ascended to the throne in 1735 AN, the nobility has continued to evolve. The King's handling of the Spring Crisis of 1739 reinforced the monarchy's position as guarantor of constitutional order and enhanced the standing of noble families who remained loyal during the attempted coup.

In 1737 AN, the collapse of Normark brought an influx of displaced Norse nobles to Nouvelle Alexandrie, including the House of Drageset, who were granted status as Peers of the Realm in recognition of their noble heritage. This expansion demonstrated the Federation's continuing practice of incorporating foreign aristocratic refugees.

The Royal Peer Selection Committee has remained active in evaluating candidates for elevation. In 1751 AN, Theron Ilios-Brigantine, 4th Count of Pharos, was elevated to the Chamber of Peers following his public service during the Chop Chop Shops crisis in New Luthoria.

Legal situation

Possessing a title of nobility does not imply any special privileges in Nouvelle Alexandrie, be it fiscal or legal. The possession of titles of nobility is subject to the payment of a special tax on the wealth of a noble, collected by the federal government. Titles of nobility are honorary and symbolic. They are rooted in tradition and come with an expectation of meritorious and proper public and community service. The King has the prerogative to grant honors and distinctions following the laws, granted by the Proclamation of Punta Santiago.

The laws of Nouvelle Alexandrie recognize titles of nobility and protect their legal owners against third parties. Titles are in no case susceptible to purchase or sale since their succession is strictly reserved for relatives of the first holder of the title. The successions are processed by the Department of Interior and their use is subject to tax. Some nobles hold their titles or honors only for the term of their life, usually specified in the relevant letters patent from the King.

Instituted by the SDLA government of Premier Julio Delgado in 1704 AN, a special nobility wealth tax surcharge was put in effect as part of the government's income tax reforms.

Structure

The nobility is divided into several ranks, with each rank carrying distinct privileges and responsibilities. The titles range from Princes and Grandees to Lords and Ladies, each playing a role in the hierarchy of Nouvelle Alexandrie's nobility. Titles can be hereditary or personal, but all are subject to federal oversight by Royal Decree or Act of the Cortes Federales. Since 1704 AN, a special nobility wealth tax surcharge is placed on the income tax rates of all New Alexandrian citizens who hold noble titles and honors that provide income, including members of the New Alexandrian royal family.

The nobles of Nouvelle Alexandrie are classified as follows:

  • the "old" Wechua and Alexandrian nobility, known as the ancien noblesse or the achulla mintasqa (usually already titled nobles from the Wechua Nation or lands in Nouvelle Alexandrie formerly held by Alexandria, colloquially known as the "Grandees", hereditary titles only);
  • the "new" federal nobility, known as the noblesse de lettres or the chaski qillqa mintasqa (titled nobles and untitled nobles, hereditary, personal, or life peer).

All achulla mintasqa (Grandee) nobles were addressed by the King as Sispa wayqey (my Cousin), whereas ordinary nobles were only qualified as Aylluy (my Kinsman).

An individual may be a Grandee, whether in possession of a title of nobility or not. Normally, however, each grandeeship is attached to a title. A grandeeship is always attached to the grant of a ducal title. The grant of a grandeeship with any other rank of nobility has always been at the will of the sovereign. Excepting dukes and some very ancient titles of marquesses and counts, most titles of nobility are not attached to grandeeships.

A grandee of any rank outranks a non-grandee, even if that non-grandee's title is of a higher degree, with the exception of official members of the House of Inti-Carrillo who may in fact hold no title at all.

Forms of address

  • Members of the House of Inti-Carrillo are entitled to the honorific style of The Royal Highness Prince/Princess.
    • Titles of Prince and Princess are reserved exclusively to members of the House of Inti-Carrillo; with some major exceptions.
  • Dukes, Grandees, their spouses, and heirs are entitled to the honorific style of The Most Excellent Lord/Lady.
  • Titled nobles without a Grandee, their spouses, and offspring use the style of The Most Illustrious Lord/Lady.

Ranks

The nobility of Nouvelle Alexandrie is divided into six ranks. From highest to lowest, these are:

  • Prince/Princess
  • Duke/Duchess
  • Marquess/Marchioness
  • Count/Countess
  • Baron/Baroness
  • Lord/Lady

Princes

Dukes

Marquesses

Counts

Barons

Lords

The rank of Lord or Lady represents the lowest tier of the titled nobility, typically granted as life peerages for distinguished service or held by heirs and younger children of higher-ranking nobles as courtesy titles. The following is a partial listing of notable Lords and Ladies:

Life peers

Heirs and courtesy lords

Other titles

  • Princess Royal: Title awarded by the monarch to his or her eldest daughter. Although purely honorary, it is the highest honor that may be given to a female member of the House of Inti-Carrillo. Princess Nayaraq is the first Princess Royal.

Lower nobility

Below the titled nobility exists a substantial class of untitled nobles who possess hereditary gentle status without territorial designation. This lower nobility forms the broadest base of the New Alexandrian aristocratic system, numbering approximately 15,000 to 20,000 families as of 1750 AN.

The untitled nobility is known by different terms according to regional tradition. In the Alexandrian tradition, they are styled écuyer (esquire), a designation originating from the old Alexandrian Empire's system of minor nobility. The Martino-speaking regions employ the term hidalgo, derived from hijo de algo ("son of something"), reflecting the Martino cultural emphasis on lineage. Among the Wechua people, the equivalent designation is hatun runa ("great person"), a title that predates the Federation and was incorporated into the unified noble system under King Manco Cápac I.

Members of the lower nobility enjoy certain ceremonial privileges. They are entitled to bear armorial bearings registered with the Department of Interior, may use the style of Noble Lord or Noble Lady before their names in formal contexts, and are recorded in the Libro de Oro (Golden Book) maintained by the Royal Household. However, they do not hold seats in the Chamber of Peers and are not subject to the nobility wealth tax surcharge that applies to titled peers.

The lower nobility also includes members of the six orders of knighthood who have not been elevated to the titled peerage. Approximately 3,000 to 5,000 individuals hold knighthoods that confer personal noble status. Unlike hereditary nobility, knighthoods are personal honors that do not pass to descendants unless specifically granted by letters patent from the King.

Paths to the lower nobility include: descent from an established noble family; receipt of a knighthood in one of the federal orders; special recognition by the Crown for exceptional service; and, in the case of the Wechua tradition, leadership of a recognized ayllu with historical standing. The Royal Peer Selection Committee occasionally recommends individuals from the lower nobility for elevation to the titled peerage, particularly those who have demonstrated sustained public service or exceptional achievement.

Noble houses

Several noble houses have established themselves within the New Alexandrian peerage, some tracing their origins to the founding of the Federation, others to subsequent integration of territories or immigration from collapsed states.

Royal and cadet houses

Settlement and founding houses

Immigrant houses

  • House of Drageset: Norse noble family originally holding the title of Baron of Revby and Knight of the Realm of Normark. Following Normark's collapse in 1737 AN, the family relocated to Cárdenas and was granted status as Peers of Nouvelle Alexandrie by King Sinchi Roca II.

Succession

See also: House of Inti-Carrillo

Orders of knighthood

Main article: Orders, decorations, and medals of Nouvelle Alexandrie

The system of orders of knighthood of Nouvelle Alexandrie is made up of six orders of knighthood in total, some established by Royal Decree prior to the creation of the Federation and others established by the Cortes Federales through the Federal Orders, Honors, and Medals Act, 1694. Three of these orders are orders of chivalry and two are orders of merit.

Gallery

See also

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