Fantasy Guide to Earls/Counts and Countesses
(👆🏻The way they are both wifey 👆🏻)
This new series will offer an indepth view of each noble title in the standard European hierarchy of noble titles. Here we will discuss what they are, their lands, their jobs and everything you need to know when writing them.
What exactly is an Earl/Count/Countess?
A Earldom is the third highest rank in most noble hierarchies. The Count/Earl/Countess rules a section of land within the Kingdom known as a Earldom, for example the Earl of Desmond or can be a standalone title. A Earldom is inherited through the family line, from father to son but the title is bestowed on the family by the monarch. Monarchs can also give their children Earldoms if they wish but often grant them Dukedoms. The former Earl of Wessex, Prince Edward was the last Prince granted an Earldom but advanced to the Duke of Edinburgh after his father's passing and his brother's assent. Earldoms might also be the title of the heirs of Dukes or Marquesses. An Count/Earl/Countess's heir would likely be titled as a Viscount.
Titles, Titles
You will have noticed that Earl and Count are interchangeable. Earl is the English equivalent of Count, which is widely used on the Continent. An Earl or Count is addressed as Lord PlaceName. For example, Downton Abbey's Robert Crawley is The Earl of Grantham but he is referred to as Lord Grantham. The wife of an Earl or Count, is styled as Countess and she's referred to as Lady Placename. They would be addressed as Your Lordship and Your Ladyship.
Family of the Count/Earl/Countess
A Countess on her own right is referred to as the same but her make spouse does not become Count or Earl. He keeps his own title. As for same sex couples, again I remain on the dark here but I would think that they would take on their spouses' next highest title. The children of a Count/Earl/Countess is styled Lord/Lady Firstname with the heir taking on the title of Viscount/Viscountess or the next available title.
The Role of the Count/Earl/Countess
The Count/Earl/Countess is leader of the Earldom, which is a fairly large section of the kingdom. They are in control of this section, the highest power in law and order, politics and all things in that section with only the Duke or the Marquess and the monarch above. They handle administration at the highest level, raising troops from their earldom for the crown in times of war, see the collection of taxes and sometimes they might even advise the monarch if they are offered a place of the monarch's council. They would also attend the monarch at their coronation.
Cribs
Count/Earl/Countesses like a lot of nobility would have multiple houses, manors, estates etc. Their homes would be the grandest in the land and the social hubs for the Earldoms and even the country. A Count/Earl/Countess would sometimes live at court when invited but would also have the homes in the capital. This vast portfolio can become a source of income as the Count/Earl/Countess can rent them out or a handy way to shelf relatives who depended on them.