[MR] Title Stacking 101

[BATCOK at aol.com]

Sent to you by request.  Any questions about this can be sent to me
and I can forward them for reply.

Lord Michael Batcok
Triton Principal Herald
=====================
Gentle cousins,

I have had some inquiries about the periodness of title stacking and have
prepared the following brief overview, which I hope will answer these
questions.

Over the years, style of reference has changed quite a bit as we strive
towards a more period usage in our addresses, however, you still hear the
occasional, Duke Sir Master John Bigstick. In the majority of period
references, it appears this was not the common practice of address. There
is the very rare instance of a King being referenced by all his titles, but
usually a person was referred to, listed, or announced simply by his/her
highest title. The remainder were left unspoken, except in the case of
processional presentation or formal writing, in which cases, the lesser
honorifics were listed to the rear of the person's name.

Examples:

A king would be announced thus...His Royal Majesty, Cuan, King of Atlantia,
Duke of Donadio, Knight Protector of the Southern Pines, Companion of the
Pelican, blah, blah, blah... (Side Note: With the King {and/or Queen}, you
would usually leave off the
last name, as he IS Atlantia. For the period that he sits the throne, he is
no longer an individual, but rather an entity, representing the whole of the
kingdom and not just his own personal interests.)

Royal Peers would use their highest royal title only: His Grace, Duke Cuan
MacDaige, Companion of the Chivalry, Companion of the Pelican, blah, blah,
blah...

Earned Peerages, their highest title: Sir Cuan MacDaige, Companion of the
Chivalry, Companion of the Pelican, blah, blah, blah...

And so on...


As stated earlier, this lengthy form of address is generally reserved for
processions, Grand Marches or formal writing, while in simple conversation
you would refer to the person as "Duke Cuan".


As a point of precedence, during their terms, the title of Baron/Baroness is
the highest title of a landed baron/baroness. Therefore, while Baron of
Sacred Stone, Jason Michael of Andover would have been referred to as "Baron
Jason". However, upon stepping down, his title would revert to "Sir Jason".

Finally, sometimes a person prefers a specific title and will ask that you
use that title instead of their highest ranking one. This is a matter of
personal preference and is fine. The important part is to use the preferred
title alone, and not stack the two together. Elaine (who is both a Laurel
and a Duchess) prefers to use the title of Baroness, therefore, refer to her
as Baroness Elaine, not Baroness Mistress Duchess Elaine.

Thus ends our quickie lesson on title stacking. As always, there are
exceptions and variants and should you have questions or wish further
instruction on even better period usage of titles, please feel free to
contact me directly at corvus2 at att.net or catch one of my University or
Collegium classes on protocol.


Mistress Rhiannon ui Neill
Azure Decrescent Herald
Protocol and Ceremony