World Building 101 Part 4 - Royal Courts
Welcome to Part 4 of my world building series. This article will explore the people you may meet in a royal court. Your world may be filled with such organizations, and knowing which titles belong to which person can help flesh out story lines.
Remember, heavy is the head that wears the crown.
In medieval Europe, the titles of a king's advisors varied depending on the specific period and the monarch's preference. However, there were several prominent positions within the royal court that typically served as advisors to the king. Here are some of the important titles:
Chancellor: The Chancellor was responsible for the administration of the kingdom. They were often a high-ranking clergy member and served as the king's chief secretary and advisor on legal matters.
Justiciar: The Justiciar was a high-ranking noble appointed by the king to act as his representative and administer justice in his absence. They were responsible for maintaining law and order in the kingdom.
Treasurer: The Treasurer was in charge of managing the king's finances and the royal treasury. They advised the king on matters of taxation, expenditures, and financial policies.
Chamberlain: The Chamberlain had control over the king's private chambers and household. They were responsible for managing the royal household and coordinating the king's personal affairs.
Marshal: The Marshal was responsible for organizing military matters and overseeing the king's armies. They advised the king on military strategy, maintained order in the realm, and often led the forces into battle.
Constable: The Constable held authority over the king's castles, fortifications, and military orders. They were responsible for their defense and security.
Steward: The Steward was responsible for managing the king's estates and land. They oversaw agricultural matters, collected rents, and ensured the efficient running of the royal lands.
On top of advisors, your players may also run into, or run afoul of, royal family members.
Royal family titles can vary depending on the country and its specific system of monarchy. However, I can provide you with some common royal family titles that are often used:
King/Queen: The highest-ranking title within a monarchy, usually inherited by the eldest child or closest relative of the previous monarch.
Prince/Princess: Typically the children or grandchildren of a monarch. In some cases, they may also be given the title of Duke/Duchess, Earl/Countess, or another noble title.
Duke/Duchess: A noble title given to a high-ranking member of the royal family or a non-royal individual who is granted the title by the monarch.
Earl/Countess: A title typically given to a member of the nobility, often ranking below a duke but above a viscount or baron.
Viscount/Viscountess: A title of nobility ranking below an earl/countess and above a baron/baroness.
Baron/Baroness: A title of nobility usually ranking below a viscount/viscountess.
Prince/Princess Consort: The spouse of a reigning monarch who does not hold the title of king or queen in their own right.
Crown Prince/Crown Princess: The title given to the heir apparent to the throne, who is expected to succeed the current monarch.
Grand Duke/Grand Duchess: A title given to certain high-ranking monarchs or members of a royal family, often ranking above a regular duke/duchess.
Prince/Princess Regent: A title given to a royal family member who serves as a temporary ruler in place of a monarch who is unable to reign, often due to young age or incapacity.
In regards to roleplaying games, these possible NPC’s can become a great resource for adventures and roleplaying situations. Now add love, lust, hatred, and avarice. Tell stories of betrayal, stories of love, and stories of blind ambition. Once those great stories exist, give your players a place in them. Your players can be a part of the past, present and future of these stories. It is up to you to set the scene, bring the NPC’s to life, and eventually tell a story that will enthrall your players. You’ve got this.
