Rule over other monarchs

• Emperor
  
• Imperator
  
• High King
  
• Caesar / Czar / Kaiser

An Imperial ruler rules over other Kings, Queens and Sovereign monarchs. In some cases the Soveriegn nation just pays a small tax, in other cases the Emperor rules directly. In some cases the Emperor makes no real demands on a state. However, there is normally a demand to adhere to a basic set of rules, laws and defensive pact. There is no recognised precedent between these imperial 'ranks'. If two emperors ever meet, it is probably best to treat them as equals (or your own emperor as senior :)

Some Examples Rome taxed its empire and put governors in place to ensure that taxes were paid, but left local kings and rulers in place for day-to-day government. Where as High King of All Ireland was more than ‘First Amongst Equals’.

Rules in their own right.

1. King / Queen
   
2. Grand Duke/Duchess
   
3. Prince / Princess / Prince-Bishop
   
4. Sovereign Lord

These were all recognised as Sovereign Rulers at various times in Europe - mainly though the reign of the Hapsburgs. I was very surprised to find that a Grand Duke outranked a prince and normally had a larger country to rule. There are other titles Arch Duke, for example) that could be used - but these three cover it fairly well, and are ranked in order of precedence.

Notes These are three principalities and their areas - Monaco: 0.78sq/m, Lichtenstein: 62sq/m, Andorra: 180sq/m. While these are the three smallest Grand Duchies I found - Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach: 275sq/m, Luxembourg: 1000sq/m, Mecklenburg-Strelitz: 1000+sq/m. sq/m = Square miles.

Palatine - Rules under a Sovereign but has some rights to impose their own laws, or may vote for election of a higher ruler.

1. Sub-King
   
2. Duke
   
3. Count-Palatine / Landgrave / Margrave
   
4. Lord-Palatine
   
5. Elector

Sub-rulers in a federal style kingdom. They may have been sovereign before being taken over, or Palatine status might be negotiated later. They have a varying amounts of freedom, but all have the right to impose and manage local laws - the big difference between these and sovereign rulers is that they have sworn loyalty to a King, Grand Duke or Furst (etc).

The great nobles of a sovereign state. These titles are all hereditary and are associated with land holdings.

1. Royal Duke
   
2. Marquis (a variant of Margrave but without the paltine status)
   
3. Count (or Earl)
   
4. Baron

A Royal Duke is a relation of the King or Queen (often a child or a sibling) and ranks below a sovereign or palatine Duke. it is generally seen as inappropriate for sovereigns to create nobles with an equal or higher level that themselves (although Sovereigns and Palatines always outrank a peer). Nobles are seen as the Sovereign's peer group, in many respects the sovereign's equals, although never quite equal.

Aristocrats - The lowest ranking of the titled classes, although sensible people still call them 'My Lord'. These might be for the holder of the title, or they might be hereditary. While the incumbent might hold land, it is not, strictly, associated with the title. I have used some creative licence with this section combining titles and description from different historical periods to make a set of titles that work, but don't get confused with military titles. As such there is explanation.

1. Lord - Perhaps a Lord Adviser, Lord Mayor, Lord Bishop or just a title awarded for some reason. Lord 'Surname' is perfectly acceptable as a title at this level.
   
2. Dominus - Stolen from Latin and used to represent titles such as the British Baronet. Lord 'Surname' is the normal form of address.
   
3. Master - This represents the Lord of the Manor or Village Squire level of aristocracy. It includes Master of 'VillageName', Master of 'Something' or Master of 'A_Skill'. Examples might be Master of Smallville, Master of the North Wind or Master Smith Robertson.
4. Gentleman - Not really an Aristocratic Title, more a recognition that an individual has some minor status.