Swynfaredian Archdukes and Archduchesses

  Regardless of the Queen's happiness with those appointed, after the first archdukes and archduchesses are named, their titles to pass to their legal heirs rather than by royal decree.   By Swynfaredian law, hereditary titles normally pass the eldest child, regardless of whether it's a son or daughter. But only if the son or daughter is a sorcerer or sorceress. Squibs cannot inherit regardless of birth order or competency.

Like every other feudal rank between knight and monarch, a archduke would have a moral duty to see to the general protection and welfare of the people under their jurisdiction, both highborn and lowborn.   They would also have a general duty to maintain law and order. They would also have a duty to help facilitate major worship rituals for the Nine conducted in the area, though piety is something many accuse Swynfaredian Dragonbloods of being lax with.

An archduke or archduchess would be required to pay taxes to their liege, in this case the Queen of Swynfaredia and answer calls to arms when given.   Though, the tax burden would reduced relative to what duke and duchesses have to pay the queen. And they would have more leeway in managing their archduchies' military.

Since the position doesn't exist yet, there are insignia of office. But the leading candidates to run archduchies are mostly dukes and duchesses of great power and wealth. Most of them already have lots of fancy jewelry and clothing they could repurpose as signs of arch-ness.

Throughout Scarterra's history, most attempts to create an archduchies were short-lived. Usually, one or more arch dukes will often get the bright idea to secede from their king or outright try to replace their king. Sometimes they even succeed.   More often, the king will crush them and then dissolve the office of arch duke. Sometimes a paranoid king will jump at shadows and choose to oust an archduke that actually isn't plotting a rebellion.     Any other modern monarch that allows for the creation of archduchies would be ceded a lot of power to their vassals, an archduke or duchess is basically a king or queen in their own right. If Swynfaredia set up a system of archduchies, Queen Gwendolyn would not be able to intimidate her archdukes as thoroughly as King Drosst does with his.

In Swynfaredia, 22 dukes and duchesses swear direct fealty to the Queen of Swynfaredia. There are 23 duchies in Swynfaredian, but the Queen of Swynaredia is also the Duchess of Greater Numaness, so she doesn't have to worry about that duchess defying her.   Assuming Swynfaredia's win their current war of conquest over land of Fumaya, the Queen will add anywhere between four and eight new duchies to her realm.   It is argued that the Queen cannot reliably supervise 22 powerful vassals, much less 30 powerful vassals. Proponents of an archduchy system will point out that the land of Swynfaredia is already divided into six distinctive geographic region. Old Swynfaredia, Old Talama, the Southeast region of Swynfaredia, Southwest Region of Swynfaredia, and the Swynfaredian Grey Forest.   Under the proposed system, The Queen of Swynfaredia would gain the title of Archduchess of Old Swynfaredia, and five trusted vassals would gain archduke or archduchess of the other five regions. Presumably Fumaya would be archduchy as well if the Swynfaredians manage to conquer it.   Also, the regions would renamed into something grander. No one wants to be "Archduke of the Southwest" when they can be "Archduke of the Dragon's Emerald Shores".   Not surprisingly, most of the loudest proponents of creating archduchies are those who hope to be archdukes. But they aren't the only proponents. Some reformers genuinely believe this would make the realm more efficient. Others simply would like to see the power of the monarchy diluted.   Some lowly counts and barons believe that they can negotiate for more lower taxes form an archduchess easier than they can from a queen. More often than not, low ranking nobles fear that the creation of archduchies would give them less autonomy rather than more autonomy. Of the few lower ranking nobles that have voiced an opinion on the issue of archduchies, a majority are against the idea because they believe it weaken their power and prestige.

This position has not been invented yet, so there are zero holders, notable or otherwise. But there are several politically ambitious Swynfaredian Dragonbloods.   Of the hypothetical six archduchy titles, there are eleven lords and ladies making it known that they want the title. That is only what is publicly known. Astute observers of politics assume there are dozens of plotters and schemers in the shadows dreaming of this title in secret.