Nobility

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 Nobility, a social class deeply ingrained in the fabric of many societies, has a historical context that is often overlooked. It is a class that typically ranks just below royalty and has been an estate of the realm with numerous exclusive functions and characteristics. These characteristics, which can range from substantial advantages over non-nobles to formal functions like precedence, vary by country and era. Membership in the nobility, with its associated rights and responsibilities, is usually hereditary and patrilineal, adding a layer of complexity to its historical significance. The weight of its legacy is felt in the present day.

A monarch or government has historically granted membership in the nobility, and the acquisition of sufficient power, wealth, ownership, or royal favor has occasionally enabled commoners to ascend into the nobility.

There are often a variety of ranks within the noble class. Legal recognition of nobility has been much more common in monarchies. Still, nobility also existed in such regimes as the Dutch Republic (1581–1795), the Republic of Genoa (1005–1815), the Republic of Venice (697–1797), and the Old Swiss Confederacy (1300–1798), and remains part of the legal social structure of some small non-hereditary regimes, e.g., San Marino, and the Vatican City in Europe. In Classical Antiquity, the nobiles (nobles) of the Roman Republic were families descended from persons who had achieved the consulship. Those who belonged to the hereditary patrician families were nobles, but plebeians whose ancestors were consuls were also considered nobiles. In the Roman Empire, the nobility were descendants of this Republican aristocracy. While ancestry of contemporary noble families from ancient Roman nobility might technically be possible, no well-researched, historically documented generation-by-generation genealogical descents from ancient Roman times exist in Europe. 

Hereditary titles and styles added to names (such as "Prince," "Lord," or "Lady"), as well as honorifics, often distinguish nobles from non-nobles in conversation and written speech. Most nobility has been untitled in many nations, and some hereditary titles do not indicate nobility (e.g., vidame). Some countries have had non-hereditary nobility, such as the Empire of Brazil, or life peers in the United Kingdom. 

(source: Wikipedia) 

Following the monarchical tradition, the Royal House of Ghassan rewards worthy individuals with dynastic titular honors on extraordinary and rare occasions. To be worthy of such high honor, the individual must possess a distinguished biography and have extraordinarily served the Royal House. 

The honors may be awarded ad personal or not inheritable, or ad eternum or inheritable. The Letters Patent will denote which. Titles inheritable go to the eldest child regardless of gender or whoever is registered as heir with the Chancellery following the approval of the HIRH. If the inheritable title of honor is not claimed or designated within one year, it reverts to the House. All titular honors of the House are based on the Arab and Byzantine traditions rooted in military and tribal government roles and ordinarily are not hereditary like the European nobility.

Al-Nabil (النبيل) | Noble Peerages

Commander and Chief of All the Armies, Qayid Warayiys Jamie al-Juyush (قائد ورئيس جميع الجيوش).  Address: The Duke/Duchess of [place]. Courtesy: His/Her Grace the Duke/Duchess. The Mushir (مشير), or the Grand Chancellor of the Royal House, is ex officio and the only Commander and Chief of the Royal House, second to the Royal Princes, and while in office, an Emir Al-Nabil/ Emira Al-Nabil of Ghassan. With the approval of the Royal Family, the Head of House and Name may bestow the Address of "His/Her Highness of the Royal House of Ghassan" and the Courtesy, "His/Her Highness, Prince/Princess," as the highest titular honor for a Duke/Duchess, and are considered adopted members of the family (non-sovereign, not royal). The Royal Family may also bestow the highest honorific style of Sheikh.

Noble Prince/Princess and Warlord, Emir Al-Nabil  (الأمير النبيل), Emira Al-Nabil (الأميرة النبيلة). Address: The Duke/Duchess of [place]. Courtesy: His/Her Grace the Duke/Duchess.  A noble prince and warlord is a Ferik (فري.), a divisional chief of all armies. The Grand Officers of the Royal House are all Fariq 'awal (فريق أول‎‎), a lieutenant chief of all armies, and ex officio an Emir Al-Nabil/ Al-Emira Al-Nabil of Ghassan. With the approval of the Royal Family, the Head of House and Name may bestow the Address of "His/Her Highness of the Royal House of Ghassan" and the Courtesy, "His/Her Highness, Prince/Princess," as the highest titular honor for a Duke/Duchess, and are considered adopted members of the family (non-sovereign, not royal). The Royal Family may also bestow the highest honorific style of Sheikh.

Duke/Duchess, Ka'ed Askary (قائد عسكري). Address: The Duke/Duchess of [place]. Courtesy: His/Her Grace the Duke/Duchess. A Ka'ed Askary is also known as Kaymakam (قَائِم مَقَام) and Liwa (لواء), a regional military commander.‎‎                                                            

Count/Countess, Alkunt/Alkuntisa (الكونت/الكونتيسة). Address: The Count/Countess of [place]. Courtesy: His/Her Excellency the Count/Countess. Militarily, Alkunt is also known as an Amid (عميد⁩) and commands a battalion. 

Viscount/Viscountess, Fayakunt (فيكونت). Address: The Viscount/Viscountess of [place]. Courtesy: His/Her Excellency the Viscount/Viscountess.   Militarily, Fayakunt is also known as an  Aqid (عقيد) and commands a flank.

Baron/Baroness, Baroon (بارون), Baroona (بارونه). Address: The Baron/Baroness of [place]. Courtesy: His/Her Excellency the Baron/Baroness. Militarily, a Baroon is also known as a Muqaddam (مقدم) with command over the army from their area.

Eldest children/heirs of dukes/duchesses and counts/countesses use the peer's most senior subsidiary title as courtesy titles: note there is to be the absence of "The" before the title. The subsequent children use the minor subsidiary titles, if applicable, as courtesy titles or are considered Lord/Lady of the Palace (see below).                                                           

Dhu Sharaf (ذو شرف) | Ennobled Non-Peerage

Banneret/Banneress of Ghassan (Rayat Faris/Farisa Ghasaan, راية فارس غسان),  (an inheritable knighthood granted a banner and heraldric supporters), titled Faris/Farisa Alraaya (فارس الراية).  Address and Courtesy: Faris/Farisa or Sir/Dame; legal Spouse, Sayida/Syid or Lady/Mister. No courtesy address or titles for children/heirs.

Knight/Dame Bachelor of Ghassan (inheritable knighthood), Faris Bakaluryus (فارس بكالوريوس) / Farisa Bakaluryus (سيدة بكالوريوس). Address and Courtesy: Faris/Farisa or Sir/Dame; legal Spouse, Sayida/Syid or Lady/Mister. No courtesy address or titles for children/heirs.

Lord/Lady of the Palace, Sayid Al-Qasr (سيد القصر), Sayidat Al-Qasr (سيدة القصر). Address and Courtesy: The 

Honorable Lord/Lady [Name] of [Place] for member and spouse. Note that this is a title of honor usually bestowed to family members of the Peerage, and thus, the place name will match that of the Peer. No courtesy address or titles for children/heirs.

ROYAL HOUSE HONORS

Companions of the Royal House and Orders (Companion of Ghassan)

The Companions of the Royal House and Orders of Ghassan, or Companions of Ghassan, is a special award granted to those who have made a major contribution to the Royal House and Orders, as well as those who seek to be active supporters of the House and its advocacy and humanitarian mission. It may be considered a junior class of the Ghassanid Order of Merit. The Companion status is issued by the Chancellery’s Court of Chivalry under the approval of the Head of House and Name.

Alharas Almalakiu Alfakhriu (الحرس الملكي الفخري)     
The Honorary Royal House Guard (awarded to those in or retired from military services)

SELECT AWARD

The Imperial Nikephoros I Award of Merit
Given as a personal award from HIRH in honor of his ancestor, the Byzantine Emperor Nikephoros I, for service to the Crown of Ghassan and national and international achievements. 

ROYAL HOUSE AWARDS

Cross of Valor
Distinguished Service Award
Legion of Merit
Meritorious Service Award
Commendation Award
Achievement Award
Long and Faithful Service Award 
Gold (20 yr.), Silver (10 yr.), Bronze (5 yr.)
Pilgrim’s Award
Gold, Silver, Bronze
Scholar’s Award
Gold, Silver, Bronze
Hospitaller’s Award
Gold, Silver, Bronze

EQUESTRIAN ORDERS AWARDS

Awards are presented by priories of the Orders and approved by the Grand Master.

* Any of the DECORATIONS, HONORS, ORDERS, AND TITLES bestowed by THE SOVEREIGN IMPERIAL AND ROYAL HOUSE OF GHASSAN are its property, NOT belonging to the person or family of the awardee. It might be REVOKED at any time for any act against the Royal House's rules and regulations and/or by the Sovereign Prince's sole discretion.