How does one address a baron?

[Umbran]

It depends who you ask, and what region of the world you're talking about. And whether youre talking about speaking to the person, or addressing a missive...

In speech:

A Grand Duke sits just below the royalty, and would probably be addressed as "Your Royal Highness.

Then a Duke is often addressed as "Your Grace", occasionally "Your Highness".

Below the Duke, a count or countess would be addressed as "Your Excellency"

Below that, you have barons and such (whcih vary a bit from place to place) - the basic form of address would be "Your Excellency".

Down below the baron, you get various forms of knights, who are "Sir" or "My Lord".

 

[TheAuldGrump]

It depends who you ask, and what region of the world you're talking about. And whether youre talking about speaking to the person, or addressing a missive...

In speech:

A Grand Duke sits just below the royalty, and would probably be addressed as "Your Royal Highness.

Then a Duke is often addressed as "Your Grace", occasionally "Your Highness".

Below the Duke, a count or countess would be addressed as "Your Excellency"

Below that, you have barons and such (whcih vary a bit from place to place) - the basic form of address would be "Your Excellency".

Down below the baron, you get various forms of knights, who are "Sir" or "My Lord".

Actually Baron is incredibly variable - a Count always owed fealty to a Duke, but a Baron owed fealty to the crown. However, the Count usually had much greater land and wealth.... It gets confusing.

Add to this that a Barony was sometimes held in addition to another title and it could be a real mess. George Sandhill, 12th Baron Underwood, 6th Count Redcastle might be addressed as Baron-Count Underwood-Redcastle if being introduced to a mixed gathering, George Lord Sandhill, 12th Baron Underwood, 6th Count Redcastle under more formal rules, as Baron Underwood while in performance of those duties pertaining to the Barony or when dealing with the Crown, or as Count Redcastle when dealing with the County or Duchy. the king or a fellow Baron might call him Underwood, while the Duke would address him as Redcastle. His family might just call him George. Lord might be added in odd places, depending on who was addressing him, and under what duties. (My Lord Baron when being addressed by an underling, Baron Lord Underhill when being introduced to an equal, etc....)

The Auld Grump, having fun yet?

 

[Sejs]

My player characters are having an audience with the Baron of Midwood. How should they address him?

With a DC 10 Knowledge (Nobility and Royalty) check.

If they succeed - 'my lord'. If they don't - let 'em guess.

 

[Mark Hope]

My player characters are having an audience with the Baron of Midwood. How should they address him?

With clear handwriting and sufficient postage in the upper right corner.

 

[Piratecat]

With clear handwriting and sufficient postage in the upper right corner.

Damn it, I wasn't fast enough!

 

[Pbartender]

The Auld Grump, having fun yet?

Not until you knight him, make him a judge sitting in court, and then promote him to Admiral of the Fleet.



"His Lordship, the Right Honourable Admiral Sir George Lord Sandhill, 12th Baron of Underwood, 6th Count of Redcastle."

Depending on who you are, you can address him as:

Your Honour
Your Grace
My Lord
Admiral Sandhill
Sir George
Lord Sandhill
Baron Underwood
or
Count Redcastle

...did I miss any?

 

[KenSeg]

Calling him Sweetie Cupcakes might be a bad idea unless you like the feel of a leather bullwhip.

-KenSeg
gaming since 1978

 

[Vraille Darkfang]

Best intro ever?

The plot line was that the Baron's daughter was sneaking out at night to 'have adventures'.

The PC's were to be there to help.

Go in front of Baron.

Quote the Barbarian first thing:

"You know your daughter (I got nothing. There is no way to describe what he said in any way that won't make Eric's Grandma faint,)"

The barbarian, had, in fact already met the Baron's Daughter (got with the CN Sorcerer to cast a Charm Spell, and shown her 'an adventure' on the Paladin's Warhorse.

Neither the Baron, The Daughter's Financee, or The Paladin "Hey! I gotta clean that saddle now!" were amused. (Although, technically, she remained a virgin after that particular encounter). Have you ever had a really, really, REALLY, uncomfortable moment when DM'ing where you just say "Ok..... We'll just skip ahead, I mean FORWARD, at this point."

At least the bard had enough common sense to keep quiet about seducing the Baron's wife. (He was playing a Don-Juan type). Then the Sorcerer had to open his mouth, trying to save his own skin.

Needless to say. Combat began. It could have been really nasty. But, the Paladin (who now needed to cast atonement on behalf of his Gelding... Another long story) whipped out some Hold Persons and beat the Barbarian senseless with the flat of his blade. Really Sensless. Negative 40 or so senseless.

Does anyone remeber the old Saturday Night Live Skit with Bill Murray as a Peasent & Steve Martin as a Medievel Judge.

It Goes: "So for Lying, we cut off your tongue, for Stealing We Cut off your Hand; So what are you accused of now?"

"Adultery"

"I will need to look that up. Owww. That's gonna sting."

You'd be amazed what a Barbarian and a Bard are willing to pay to get a Regenerate Spell.

PS. I've since corrected it, but anyone know what a brabarian is?

 

[Umbran]

Actually Baron is incredibly variable - a Count always owed fealty to a Duke, but a Baron owed fealty to the crown. However, the Count usually had much greater land and wealth.... It gets confusing.

Yes, the rules of precedence can get very hairy. I think this is why many of the levels from Count on down are verbally referred to as "Your Excellency".

While you'd expect the Royal Heralds to keep the very fine distinctiong straight when seating people at table, or ordering them for audience, you'd not expect everyone to remember the differences. The verbal address is probably simplified, because at the moment you speak with them you've not got time for reference. When addresing a missive, you've got time to look all this nonsense up...

 

[Deadguy]

I think that's why - when in doubt - "My Lord" serves very well (as well as "Sire" for kings). Assume that if it's really important someone will correct you.

As an aside, generally distinguish between Knights (and later Squires), who are Gentry, and Nobility. Whilst a noble can be knighted, his noble titles always take precedence. So no-one is ever a "Sir Lord X", he's just "Lord X". If you are of an era where knighthoods are of many orders, perhaps the knighthood might be listed afterwards: "Lord John Matravers, KCMG" (Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael and St George, aka 'kindly call me God' ).

Titles are great fun and are worth looking into to add verisimilitude to a game.