Pantocratorian court etiquette

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Pantocratorian court etiquette is a topic about which vast volumes could be written (and indeed, have been written IC). This article is not an exhaustive description of etiquette at the Imperial Court of Christ Pantocrator, but rather a roleplaying guide to Pantocratorian manners and forms of address.

Forms of Address

The Emperor

The Emperor is referred to as His Most Catholic and Imperial Majesty, His Imperial Majesty, or His Majesty (in order of formality). When first introduced to the Emperor, it is appropriate to refer to him by the first and most formal form of address. When first addressing him in conversation, any of those forms of address is appropriate, after which he may be referred to as Monseigneur, Sire or monsieur (but never the latter in the presence of his brother Prince Basil). Continuing to refer to him as majesty is not inappropriate, but is generally more awkward.

The Despot of New Constantinople

The Emperor's eldest son is the Despot of New Constantinople and Dauphin of Viennois, and is referred to as His Imperial Highness or His Highness. When first introduced and when first addressing him in conversation, either of these forms of address is appropriate, after which he may be referred to as Monsieur le Dauphin, Monseigneur le Despot, or simply monseigneur or monsieur (but never the latter in the presence of his uncle Prince Basil, nor the former in the presence of the Emperor). Continuing to refer to him as highness is not inappropriate, but is generally more awkward. Citizens of the Despotate of New Constantinople often refer to him as Sire, although this is not technically correct (it is certainly not frowned upon in any event).

Monsieur de France

The eldest brother of the King of France (that is to say, the Emperor) is styled Monsieur de France, or Monsieur. In addition to his standing as a prince (the forms of address for which are described below), Prince Basil is referred to as Monsieur. It is necessary to differentiate between him and any other "monsieurs" present when in the presence of Prince Basil - whereas one might normally refer to a duke in a conversation as "monsieur", if Prince Basil was present, it would be necessary to refer to the duke as "Monsieur le Duc", for in Prince Basil's presence, the term Monsieur by itself always refers to him.

Princes and Princesses

Princes and princesses are referred to as His/Her Imperial Highness or His/Her Highness when first addressed in conversation or introduced, after which they may be referred to as Monsieur le Prince or simply monsieur in the case of a prince, as Madame la Princesse or simply madame in the case of a married princess, or as Mademoiselle la Princesse or mademoiselle in the case of an unmarried princess. Only princes and princesses born of the Emperor or a male descendant are referred to as His/Her Imperial Highness - for princes and princesses born of a princess, the title "imperial" is dropped. For instance, Her Imperial Highness Princess Jacqueline was referred to only as Her Highness until she married Prince Basil, because she was a princess by virtue of being the child of an Emperor's daughter. Naturally once she married, her husband's superior form of address transferred to her (although the reverse would not have been the case).

Members of the Imperial Family

The following table may prove a useful quick reference for roleplays. In the case of forms of address such as "Monsieur le Prince", these may be condensed to "monsieur" when it isn't necessary to differentiate between monsieurs. In the case of forms of address such as "Madame la Princesse de Langeais", these may be condensed to "Madame de Langeais" or simply to "madame" when it isn't necessary to differentiate between madames.

Character Full Title Initial Form of Address Subsequent Forms
Andreus I Capet His Most Catholic and Imperial Majesty Emperor Andreus, By the Grace of God, Emperor of Pantocratoria, Autocrator of the Romans, Caesar Augustus, King of France and Navarre, Equal of the Apostles, God's Vicegerent on Earth, the Very Christian, the Most Pious, Sebastocrator, King of Kings Ruling over those who Rule Your Imperial Majesty Sire
Andreus Capet His Imperial Highness the Most Pious Purple-Born Prince Andreus, Despot of New Constantinople, Dauphin of Viennois Your Imperial Highness Monseigneur le Despot
Constantine Capet His Imperial Highness the Honourable Purple-Born Prince Constantine, Member of the Imperial Parliament for the seat of St John Chrystostom Parish, Deputy Leader of the Opposition Your Imperial Highness Monsieur le Prince
Anna Capet Her Imperial Highness the Most Pious Purple-Born Princess Anna, Crown Princess of Excalbia, Princess of Langeais Your Imperial Highness Madame la Princesse de Langeais
Theodora Capet Her Imperial Highness Princess Theodora Porphyrogenitus Your Imperial Highness Mademoiselle la Princesse
Zoë Capet Her Imperial Highness Princess Zoë Porphyrogenitus Your Imperial Highness Mademoiselle la Princesse
Basil Capet His Imperial Highness the Right Honourable Purple-Born Prince Basil, Monsieur de France, Member of the Imperial Parliament for the seat of the Cathedral of Christ Pantocrator, Leader of the Opposition Your Imperial Highness Monsieur
Jacqueline d'Adrienople Her Imperial Highness Princess Jacqueline, Madame de France, Marquesse d'Adrienople (courtesy title only) Your Imperial Highness Madame
Helen Capet Her Imperial Highness Princess Helen, Comtesse d'Adrienople (courtesy title only) Your Imperial Highness Mademoiselle la Princesse
Marie Capet Her Imperial Highness Princess Marie Your Imperial Highness Mademoiselle la Princesse
Irene Capet Her Imperial Highness the Right Honourable Most Pious Purple-Born Princess Irene, Member of the Imperial Parliament for the seat of the See of New Rome Your Imperial Highness Mademoiselle la Princesse

Courtesy Titles

Characters with a courtesy title are an heir to an estate. Such individuals are awarded a courtesy title based on a declension of titles (Duke -> Marquis -> Count). For instance, Princess Jacqueline is the heiress of the Duc d'Adrienople, and may therefore use the courtesy title of Marquesse d'Adrienople, and her heir is her daughter Princess Helen, who may therefore use the courtesy title of Comtesse d'Adrienople.