See Law and Justice for basics on aristocracy, titles, who does what below the level of king and queen

Notes:

Attitudes differ from land to land. Some countries are monarchic only in name, but in fact royalty little more then figureheads, and guilds dictate policy. In some very tiny polities, the kings and queens only have a title in order to have some sense of authority when dealing with outsiders. They actually have no power whatever in governing. They are merely spokespeople to outsiders. The fundamental establishment of Old Sartor was that the ruler, always a queen, was the leader of ritual. The government progressed from one to another of the Four Cities year round, at which the round of ritual managed to address most issues.

Historically speaking, queens were considered a higher status than a king or consort. Kings gained prominence after war became a way of life, the usual progression of war chieftain upward obtaining here. Kingship and queenship have been united in most kingdoms, whatever their powers, but queenship has in most places kept its prestige, a symbol of order and peace. Thus the title 'princess' carries the potential, adding the possibility of bringing peace with a marriage treaty. Princesses usually married away, often conjoining kingdoms. Therefore, in kingdoms where age did not dictate precedence, a princess took precedence over a prince. The exception was in kingdoms with a more military approach to government.

There is no notion of "pure blood"--human sacrifice died out soon after humans came over. Though organized religion segued into religious thinking incorporated into everyday life, the historical emphasis of 'organized' religious thinking strengthened notions of leadership, order through continuity, the firm connection between order and civility. The alternative was chaos, and a further fear was driven into the early inhabitants by the near miss with eradication.

Monarchy represented order, for mages worked hand in hand with monarchs--ideally, though in actuality, there has been tension all through history. Many monarchs solved this tension by becoming mages themselves, or having a sibling study magic and (ideally) serve loyally..

Kingship in specific was usually based on military leadership. Queenship (and kingship) connoted organizational leadership (when there is no war and trade re-establishes) and a voice with which to deal with outsiders.

However, much pride invested in family. Landises good example.

Styles in different places?

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