Nobility

The noble classes of many countries are an important part of maintaining order, governing the people and representing the state. Different cultures have different attitudes towards and expressions of nobility

Valinor
In the Kingdom of Valinor, nobility is hereditary. By custom, only nobles may inherit the throne and the title of sovereign. The crown passes along familial lines. Priority to heirs is given first to spouses, then children (without regard to sex), siblings and, lastly, cousins.

Older heirs presumptive have higher right than their younger counterparts. Cousins are only eligible heirs if they are directly descended from a former ruler. Cousins of deceased sovereigns have higher right based on how many ancestors they claim who were also sovereigns.

Ranking beneath the sovereign is wide class of nobles. The most powerful among them are those who hold lordships, hereditary offices of responsibility over relatively large regions of the kingdom. The area for which a lordship is responsible is called a 'lay'. Nobles holding lordships are responsible for exacting taxes, dispensing charters, protecting their subjects and generally representing the crown. Lords and ladies enjoy special privileges and protections unavailable to the common folk.

Nobles who do not hold these important lordships are still properly addressed as lords and ladies. Oftentimes, they enjoy rights similar in kind but lesser in scope, over smaller domains. A village or town located within a larger lay will likely be minded by a lord or lady of its own, whose interest is restricted to that municipality and the very immediate surrounds. These titles are becoming increasingly ceremonial, as these minor nobles tend to delegate the duties of their offices to local bureaucrats.

Members of the nobility may appoint knights in their service. A knight is properly addressed as 'sir' or 'dame'. Knights enjoy fewer privileges than the lords and ladies to whom they swear their allegiance, but still more than the common folk. In theory, a knight always owes his sword to the service of the crown.