Aquilan Society

The Lord Estate
The nobility of House Aquila is divided between two ranks: the Dux and the Dominox. Where the Dux are landed nobles and are thus of higher status than the unlanded Dominox. Though the title of Dux is considered above the Dominox, both titles grant equal privilege in all aspects expect inheritance - this is where the biggest difference lies. Because in Aquilan society noble status is tied to the land, and the land is tied to the military.

The Dominox - Any Aquilan may be granted nobility through their military service, if they do then they are bestowed the title Dominox/Dominus/Domina. They are now part of the Aquilan nobility but because they are unlanded their title cannot be inherited by their children.

The Dux - The only title of nobility that can be inherited by family members because it is tied to land ownership - the title of Dux comes from the land not from heredity. As such if a Dominox were to acquire land from purchase or grant then they would also be elevated to Dux, while at the same time if a Dux were to lose their land then they also lose their title upon death. But just owning the land does not mean a Dux's children can inherit their title - the children also had to have served in the Aquilan legions. Only those who have served in the military can inherit land, so if a Dux dies before any of their children are eligible to enlist then the land is held in trust by House Aquila. If by fourteen years of age none of the deceased noble's children wish to join the military then the land is considered forfeit and returned to the state to be redistributed to other nobles.

WIP

The Common Estate
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