Imperial Decree 885

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NOOR AS-SALAAM, by the Kharenah of Zurvan, Qaisar Baanooye Sathratiye, to her subjects and retainers, greetings, and unto the gods of Shireroth undying and unthinking obsequience.

Know that We, Mibaradardam be Khorshid va Mah Minamaz dadanam Zurvan, have in the first place dedicated to Zurvan this Decree which by his Kharenah is confirmed for Us and our heirs forever.


IMPERIAL DECREE 885
Order of Precedence in the Imperial Court

Whereas We have become aware that during Our absence disputes have arisen in the Imperial Court on the proper order of precedence in the Imperial Court.

Accordingly, this decree clarifies the order of precedence under the Kaiseress. For the purposes of Order of Precedence among Shirerithians, only the weight of their Shirerithian titles shall be acknowledged.


Section 1: Definitions

Subsection 1.1: The Shirerithian Nobility

The Shirerithian Nobility exists under the apex of the Kaiseress, and consists of the Royalty of the Imperial States, the Imperial Peerages, the Nobilities of the Imperial States, and the Honorary Nobility of the Imperial Republic.


Subsection 1.2: Royalty of the Imperial States

Recognized in the Imperial Court as Royalty of the Imperial States are such physical persons who are are recognized in law of an Imperial State to possess the degree of majesty, imperial highness or royal highness.


Subsection 1.3: Imperial Peerages

The Imperial Peerage is as it is defined by Imperial Decrees 702 and 776, and any other relevant imperial decrees. Prince ranks higher than Duke, and so on.


Subsection 1.4: Nobility of the Imperial States

Recognized in the Imperial Court as the nobility of the Imperial States are such titles that by law in the relevant State are recognized to be a noble title. The nobility of the Imperial States therefore includes the persons legally possessing those titles, as well as such persons that, in that country, may be associated with that degree of nobility.


Subsection 1.5: The Imperial Family

Recognized in the Imperial Court as the Imperial Family is the Imperial Consort, and the descendants of the Kaiseress.


Subsection 1.6: Honorary Nobles of the Imperial Republic

Honorary Nobles of the Imperial Republic are such persons who by their demeanour are worthy of being associated with the nobility, and who have been created Lord or Lady in Shirekeep by the Kaiser in Imperial Decree or who have the right to vote in the Landsraad.


Section 2: Precedence

Subsection 2.1: General Principles


2.1.1 Royalty ranks higher than nobility; nobility ranks higher than imperial citizens; imperial citizens rank higher than loyal subjects of the Kaiseress.

2.1.2 Foreign guests, who are not heads of state or government, receive a temporary rank of honorary noble, whatever their native rank is. Among the foreign honorary nobles, the Minister of the Exterior shall advise the Kaiseress on a proper order of precedence. Heads of State shall be afforded the same rank as the Imperial Consort, and heads of Government the same rank as the Prætor of the Landsraad.


Subsection 2.2: Precedence among the Imperial Family and the Royalty of the Imperial States

2.2.1 Ruling Kings and Queens rank above consorts of the same title. A ruling king or queen is ranked by the age of their monarchy; the monarch representing the eldest incarnation of a royal monarchy ranks higher.

2.2.2 The rank of the descendants of the Kaiseress shall be determined in accordance with Imperial Decree 559, unless a descendant has a higher rank by any other mean under this Decree.

2.2.3 Degrees of imperial highness ranks above royal highness; royal highness ranks above highness.

2.2.4 Persons holding a fiefdom associated with their royal status rank higher than persons of the same degree who hold no fiefdom.

2.2.5 The Steward shall when ruling, whatever his or her rank may be, be ranked higher than any one else.

2.2.6 Persons who have served as Kaiser or Kaiseress regnant of the Imperial Republic, and who by their own free will, without proceedings against them, relinquished their Kaisership, and remained citizens of the Imperial Republic, shall, their titles notwithstanding, unless their titles are deemed higher, be equal in rank to an Imperial Prince. The more recent ex-Kaiser ranks higher than the less recent ex-Kaiser.


Subsection 2.3 The Imperial Peerage and the Nobilities of the Imperial States and the Honorary Nobility of the Imperial Republic

2.3.1 Titles created by the Kaiser rank higher than titles of the same degree created by a Royal Monarch.

2.3.2 An older fiefdom ranks higher than a younger one of the same degree.

2.3.3 A holder of a title by his or her own right ranks higher than a holder of a title by courtesy or marriage.

2.3.4 All titled nobles rank higher than honorary nobles.

2.3.5 The longer a person has been honorary noble, the higher his or her rank is, with the exception being the Prætor who, among the honorary nobles, unless he or she holds a higher rank, shall be ranked the highest.


3. Members of the Government

3.1 The Steward ranks higher than the Arbiter of the Judex.

3.2 The Arbiter of the Judex ranks higher than an Imperial Minister.

3.3. An Imperial Minister ranks higher than the Provost of the Judex.

3.4. The Provost of the Judex ranks higher than the Imperial Inquisitor in Chief.

3.5 The Imperial Inquisitor in Chief ranks higher than another member of the Imperial Inquisition.

3.6 A member of the Imperial Inquisition ranks higher than an officer of the Imperial Household.

3.7 An ambassador of the Imperial Republic is equal in rank as the Provost of the Judex.

3.8 A member of the government of an Imperial States ranks higher than a member of the government of an Imperial Dominion.


IN WITNESS WHEREOF We have caused the Imperial Seal to be affixed to this Decree which We have signed with Our Hand. Given at the Keep this twenty-third day of Fasmas in the year after the death of Norton one thousand six hundred and forty-seven.

Noor