Grenian Nobility

The Grenian Nobility is a group of Grenian Society, sometimes considered above the upper class in superiority, which enjoy several privileges in customs when compared to outer society and the lesser group of Grenian Society, the Untitled or Peasantry. Within history, Grenian nobility was mostly recognised within Grenian-only or Grenian owned nations and states, including: the Grenian Principalities and states, the Diarchy of Elyndor, the Free Ducal City of Hesia and the Princely Province of Hussaria. The nobility is very influential in political decisions, military leadership, business and entertainment, causing young heirs to overtake important activates before adolescence.

Principals
Titles and the status of nobility could be bestowed onto individuals and families directly by Grand Dukes, Dukes, and Sovereign Princes. The granting of such status is commonly relayed through a Letters Patent, signed by the sovereign, and could be received by both men and women. Nobility is given automatically to all descendants of that specific family, and an heir is selected by the one that was titled to receive it after the individual's death, if a title is given.

In the occurrence that a noble's title is removed due to complications regarding the land associated with it, the title would become a legal part of the surname, and would be inherited by the eldest legitimate male-line descendant, unless an inquiry was created with the Commission for Heraldic and Noble Affairs, which could lead to a different heir inheriting the surname. The noble status of the family and individual would remain.

In the earlier years of Grenian Nobility, much harsher rule were upheld by various noble organizations, which prevented nobles of marrying commoners; engaging in  'unrespectable conduct,' which was at the discretion of the organization; and refusing to fight in warfare.

A large concept still present is described within noble spheres follow similar concepts described in the Szlachtaka, " As the primary and superior class in society, a noble must be the first to be called to combat and act as the primary support in all warfare." Various other strict laws are present in Grenian society that concern etiquette, employment and conduct. These laws are usually enforced on the threat of Loss of Noble status. The occupation of working a meager job and menial farm-work, as well as being subject to capital punishment could be enough justification to completely remove "the burden" of noble status, as sarcastically said in the aforementioned Szlachtaka. The removal of noble status and title would only affect the individual, and would not impact the family members of the house, however all children born after the act would not receive noble status. If a title is present, the eldest male heir would inherit the title, if an heir is selected and if a title is present.

Nobiliary particles in names
There are a couple hereditary particles used in names of nobles, and are usually both present, however, instances occur where only one is used. The most popular of the two is the surname suffix of -merski, which is most often seen in  'old nobles ' as the changing of a surname in the current Grenian system is much harder, even if noble status is seen. The middle particle of Od is also seen in nobility, and is much more common due to it being automatically assigned when status is granted. Od is always capitalised, with only a few exemptions, such as in the house of Luyekmerski and the house of Gajmerski, due to the houses' ages.

Old nobility
The further specification of  'old nobility' was created by Ciuszewski Henryk od Gajmerski within his revision of the Grenian Noble system in 293 TE, stating that nobles knighted before that date would receive the distinction. The distinction itself is mostly only visual, as crowns with that distinction would usually be purely gold, whereas new nobles from that point would have an ermine cap instead.

Prince-Electors have three distinction: new, old and oldest. Old refers to those chosen before 293 TE and oldest refers to those chosen during the era of Grenian States.

Titles and ranks
The vast majority of Grenian Nobility is untitled, and could only be distinguished by the Noble Particles in their names. Some titles only refer to sovereigns (Grand Duke, Sovereign Prince and Free Town Major) whereas others refer to both.