Titles and feudal hierarchy

The social structure in a feudal society is based around a strict hierarchy. This hierarchy differs from kingdom to kingdom, but in most cases it has a similar makeup.

Hierarchy
The hierarchy in Wermania and Ugraevia is based upon nobles owing loyalty and fealty to other higher nobles. Their structure is the following:

King/Queen
At the top of the hierarchy stands the King or Queen. This person has a claim to the throne on basis of two basic claims. First they claim their legitimacy through being placed there by God, Vulcan or another deity. The second claim is through their lineage, stating that they are the heir to their father or mother, who also was placed there by a higher power. The King or Queen have subjects, who manage their kingdom for them, and who shall be listed underneath in order of highest to lowest.

Duke/Duchess
A Duke or Duchess stands directly under the King or Queen. They can be called upon to pay taxes and to raise armies. They owe fealty directly to their King.

Dukes in Wermania
Dukes in Wermania were mostly leaders of old opponents of Bruuckzell and thus the relation between the king and the dukes is a special one. Wermanian kings do not tax on a regular basis, only when it is needed for the kingdom.

Dukes in Ugraevia
Dukes in Ugraevia however, get taxed every year at a constant rate.

Counts/Countess
Counts and Countesses are one level down from Dukes and control a county, which most of the time contains a few cities.

Baron/Baroness
Typically in charge of a city, the Baron or Baroness make sure taxes are collected for the count or duke and the law is carried out.

Knight/ Lady
In charge of a small village, they make sure farmers produce enough food for the cities.