Lords of Brelyria

The Lords of Brelyria are the aristocratic elite. There are five great families in Brelyria, all of which can trace their lineage back to one of the Progenitors. There are many more lesser aristocratic families, none of them with a title greater than Baron. In descending order, the noble rankings are Duke, Marquis, Earl, and Baron ("Do Men Ever Bark" is a fun pneumonic that you can use to remember the order).

Duke
A Duke is the highest form of Nobility, and is second only to the king. They rule over Duchies, of which there are two in Brelyria--"..." in central Brelyria, and "..." on the southern peninsula. Each one of the Duchies is governed by a Duke, who oversees the counties therein. Before the Brelyrian Civil War, there were two Dukes of Brelyria, Being Arganon Larousse and _____.

Marquis
A Marquis is an earl of a borderland between two nations, or between one country and a frontier (A "March"). They are much more prevalent on the continent, where there are many boarders and frontiers. However, one earl was given the title of Marquis in the latter days of Brelyria, as his lands boarder between Brelyria and the Highlands to the North. While the Marquis de _____ answers directly to the king and is not governed by a Duke, he is less powerful than a Duke but more powerful than an Earl.

Earl
An Earl (or a Count on the continent) governs a county.

Baron
Barons are the lowest ranking nobles, living in manor houses and having the most contact with the lower class. They may be summoned to Parliament to represent their (and their serfs) interests.