How To Write Historical Romance Novels

Titles of Nobles and Royals.

" This is a list of title and Royals. "

The British Empire

King/Queen.

Prince/Princess.

Duke/Duchess.

Marquess/Marchioness.

Earl/Countess.

Viscount/Viscountess.

Baron/Baroness.

See more hereditary western European titles of nobility.

Ancient Rome

Much of the British hierarchy's structure (and indeed some of its words) comes from that of the Roman Empire. Most of Europe uses the following structure and their own versions of these Latin words:

Imperator/Caeser (Emperor)

Rex/Regina (King/Queen)

Magnus Dux/Magna Ducissa (Grand Duke/Grand Duchess)

Archidux/Archiducissa (Archduke/Archduchess)

Dux/Ducissa (Duke/Duchess)

Princeps/Principissa (Prince/Princess, literally meaning "leading citizen")

Prorex/Proregina (Viceroy/Vicereine)

Marchio/Marchionissa (Marquees/Marchioness)

Comes/Comitissa (Earl/Countess)supplement

Vicecomes/Vicecomitissa (Viscount/Viscountess)

Baro/Baronissa (Baron/Baroness)

Eques (Knight/Dame)

Nobilis Homo (N.H.) (Gentleman/Lady)

Qing Dynasty of China

But that's just Europe. What about the rest of the world? In China, noble titles were set up very differently, but still vital to get right.

Highest in the hierarchy was, of course, the Emperor. He was male, with only one exception: One Empress, Wu Zetian, ruled on her own. Usually, though, the empress was in a secondary role, and underneath her was a whole other minor hierarchy. First, there were three consorts, then nine concubines, 27 shifus, and then 81 imperial wives. They produced the Taizi, or crowned prince.

Underneath that giant family was this ranking of nobility, in this order:

Dì or Wáng (Regional King)

Gōng (Duke, Court-dweller, or Relative of the Emperor)

Hóu (Marquee)

Bó (Count)

Zĭ (Viscount, Philosopher, or Teacher)

Nán (Baron)

This was the Qing dynasty, however. Names for royalty changed depending on the dynasty.

Ancient Egypt

The African continent was home to many other royal hierarchies, often but not always imitating that of ancient Egypt. At the top was Pharaoh, literally meaning "Great House," the title of ancient Egyptian rulers given to those who were somewhat considered to be gods. He had the Great Royal Wife, who produced the Heir.

Outside of the royal family was the following pecking order:

Fan-bearer on the Right Side of the King (This distinction was for a courtier with a very official or close personal relationship with the Pharaoh.)