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* Dragonmount<ref>Mentioned by the colonel at [[Fort Drakon]] during [[Captured!]] quest.</ref>
 
* Dragonmount<ref>Mentioned by the colonel at [[Fort Drakon]] during [[Captured!]] quest.</ref>
 
* Dragon's Peak
 
* Dragon's Peak
  +
* Portsmouth
* Rainesfere
 
  +
* Rainesfere<ref>Depicted in [[Dragon Age: Knight Errant]], number 1</ref>
 
* Southern Bannorn — on the eastern shore of [[Lake Calenhad]]<ref name="kirby">{{BWF|author=[[Mary Kirby]]|date=2010|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151104221051/http://forum.bioware.com/topic/84452-question-on-ferelden-background-for-the-writers-more-so/|title=Question on Ferelden Background (For the writers, more so)}}</ref>
 
* Southern Bannorn — on the eastern shore of [[Lake Calenhad]]<ref name="kirby">{{BWF|author=[[Mary Kirby]]|date=2010|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151104221051/http://forum.bioware.com/topic/84452-question-on-ferelden-background-for-the-writers-more-so/|title=Question on Ferelden Background (For the writers, more so)}}</ref>
 
* [[Storm Coast]]
 
* [[Storm Coast]]

Revision as of 23:19, 10 May 2017

Ferelden noble dress

Ferelden nobles

To its neighbours, the kingdom of Ferelden seems utterly chaotic. Unlike other monarchies, power does not reside exclusively with the royalty and nobility. Rather, it arises from the support of the freeholders.

The Landsmeet

Landsmeet

The Landsmeet in session

The Landsmeet is a council of the Fereldan noble class which has been held annually for almost three thousand years[1], only occasionally interrupted by war or foreign occupation. It brought together all the fractured Alamarri tribes and after the unification of the kingdom, it functions as the official legislative body for Ferelden, and can override the king or queen on any matter of law. However its members tend not to exercise this privilege if the king is particularly popular or powerful.[2] During the Landsmeet the current monarch is expected to mingle with and curry favour from their vassals.

An important milestone in the history of the Landsmeet, and of Ferelden itself, was that of the 42nd[3] year of the Exalted Age. After mysteriously gaining the support of the Circle of Magi, Calenhad Theirin marched on and seized Redcliffe, thus forcing a Landsmeet at which the nobles unanimously submitted to his kingship. This marked the birth of modern-day Ferelden and began the Theirin dynasty which has ruled Ferelden ever since, with the exception of the Orlesian Occupation.

Feudalism

Royalty

The King is the most powerful noble in the kingdom. Although Denerim was originally the official "teyrnir of the King", it has since been changed to a separate noble's arling, as the king's domain is all of Ferelden. However, even the monarch's power must derive from support throughout the land. The sight of a King asking for, and working to win the support of, "lesser" nobles is a source of constant wonder to foreign ambassadors.

Teyrnirs

H teyofhira 0

The heraldry of the teyrnir of Highever

In antiquity, Teyrns arose from among the Banns, having grown powerful enough to move lesser Banns to swear fealty to them. There used to be many more teyrnirs before the rise of Calenhad, but he downsized them during his war for the throne.[1] In modern Ferelden there are only two teyrnirs; Gwaren in the south and Highever in the north. Teyrns are still owed fealty by vassals of both Arl and Bann ranks, whom they may call upon in the event of war or disaster. However they are also responsible for lending aid to them when needed. In modern times a king or a queen has the right to name a teyrn.[4]

These are the current two teyrnirs:

Arlings

The Teyrns at some point established arlings, giving the title of Arl to those assigned to command strategic fortresses that the Teyrns could not oversee directly. Arls are more prestigious than Banns, but they usually have no Banns sworn to them - known exceptions being Amaranthine and South Reach.

These are the current six arlings:

Bannorns

Each freehold chooses the Bann or Arl to whom it pays allegiance. Typically, this choice is made based on proximity of the freehold to the lord's castle (as it's rarely worthwhile to pay for the upkeep of soldiers who will arrive at one's lands too late to defend them). For the most part, each generation of freeholders casts its lot with the same Bann as the previous generation did, but things can and do change. No formal oaths are sworn, and it is not unheard of, especially in the prickly central Bannorn, for Banns to court freeholders away from their neighbours - a practice tending to ignite feuds that can last for ages.

These are the known bannorns:


This section contains spoilers for:
Dragon Age: Origins.



Knights

Knights are minor nobles sworn into the service of a lord. In wartime, knights serve as officers and elite warriors in a lord's army and are sometimes sent on quests. For example, the knights of Redcliffe were sent to recover the Urn of Andraste. Fully-pledged members of a chivalric order, such as the Templars, are given knighthood, but they are not a part of the nobility.

Freeholds

Most of the property in Fereldan is owned by the Freeholders. Although not strictly speaking Nobles they provide the primary source of income for most banns and arls. A Freeholder is essentially a commoner who owns their own land. Although many Freeholders swear loyalty to a bann or arl this is more of a business arrangement, trading goods for protection. It is not unheard of for a Freeholder to leave the service of one bann in favor of another. Many feuds amongst the bannorn are the result of the Freeholders shifting allegiances.[1]

Titles

Masculine Feminine Form of address Usage
King Queen Your Majesty Title for the Ferelden ruler and his or her spouse.
Prince Princess Your Highness Title for direct family members of the ruler, including their children and siblings.
Teyrn Teyrna Your Lordship/Ladyship The highest title of the nobility. Feudal rulers of teyrnirs.
Arl Arlessa My Lord/Lady Noble title. Feudal rulers of arlings
Bann Bann My Lord/Lady Lowest title of the nobility. Feudal rulers of bannorns.
Lord Lady My Lord/Lady Courtesy title for spouses of Banns and Arls. Acceptable address for any nobility, no matter the rank, but not royalty.
Knight Knight Ser Title reserved for Fereldan knights.

Known royalty and nobility

King/Queen

In chronological order:
  • King Calenhad Theirin — first King of Ferelden
  • Queen Mairyn — Queen to Calenhad Theirin
  • King Weylan I[12] — son of Calenhad and Mairyn
  • Queen Fionne Theirin[13] — ascended to the throne in 6:18 Steel
  • King Lewys Mavbrae — ascended the throne sometime after 6:50 Steel [14]
  • King Arland Theirin — ascended to the throne in 7:5 Storm
  • King Vanedrin Theirin
  • King Brandel Theirin
  • Queen Moira Theirin — daughter of Brandel and mother of Maric. Known as the 'Rebel Queen'.
  • King Meghren — the Orlesian King of Ferelden during the last years of the Orlesian occupation
  • King Maric Theirin — ascended to the throne in 9:2 Dragon
  • Queen Rowan — Queen to Maric Theirin, mother of Cailan Theirin
  • King Cailan Theirin — son of Maric Theirin, married to Anora
  • Queen Anora — Queen to Cailan Theirin

This section contains spoilers for:
Dragon Age: Origins.



Teyrn/Teyrna

In chronological order:
  • Teyrna Elethea Cousland[15] — Teyrna of Highever
  • Teyrn Ardal Cousland[16] — Teyrn of Highever
  • Teyrn Voric[17] — Teyrn of Gwaren
  • Teyrn Loghain Mac Tir — Teyrn of Gwaren
  • Teyrna Celia Mac Tir - Teyrna of Gwaren, wife of Loghan and mother of Queen Anora
  • Teyrn William Cousland - Teyrn of Highever, father of Bryce Cousland
  • Teyrn Bryce Cousland — Teyrn of Highever, married to Eleanor Cousland and father of the Human Noble
  • Teyrna Eleanor Cousland — Teyrna of Highever, wife of Teyrn Bryce
  • Teyrn Fergus Cousland — Teyrn of Highever, elder brother of the Human Noble

This section contains spoilers for:
Dragon Age: Origins.



Arl/Arlessa


This section contains spoilers for:
Dragon Age: Origins - Awakening.



Bann

Bann Esmerelle

Bann Esmerelle of Amaranthine City is one of the wealthiest, and most powerful Banns in Ferelden

  • Bann Alfstanna Eremon— Bann of the Waking Sea
  • Bann Angus Eremon- Bann of the Waking Sea, died during the Battle of White River[21]
  • Bann Bronach[22]
  • Bann Bryton[23]
  • Bann Camenae Eremon[24] — Bann of Waking Sea during Calenhad's time
  • Bann Ceorlic — Bann in the Southern Bannorn[8]
  • Bann Darby[25]
  • Bann Donall [26]
  • Bann Elara — Bann of Calon[27], died 9:41
  • Bann Esmerelle — Bann of the City of Amaranthine
  • Bann Fearchar Mac Eanraig — Bann of the Storm Coast, known as the Storm Giant he was the father of Eleanor Cousland.
  • Bann Ferrenly[28]
  • Bann Franderel[29] — Bann of West Hill at 9:30 Dragon
  • Bann Gilroy of West Hill, owned Misfortune's Bite at one point.
  • Bann Grainne[22]
  • Bann Hargrave — Bann in 6:52 Storm.[30]
  • Bann Harkwold[31]
  • Bann Kail[32]
  • Bann Lanya[33]
  • Bann Loren[34]
  • Bann Mathuin Wulff[20]
  • Bann Nicola Baranti[35]
  • Bann Parth[36]
  • Bann Perrin
  • Bann Reginalda[9] — Bann of White River
  • Bann Rodolf[37]
  • Bann Sighard — Bann of Dragon's Peak
  • Bann Teagan Guerrin — Bann of Rainesfere
  • Bann Telmen[38]
  • Bann Teoric[39] — Bann of West Hill at 9:20 Dragon
  • Bann Tremaine[40]
  • Bann Trumhall[41]
  • Bann Valdur Krole[41]
  • Bann Vigard — a visiting dignitary to the Inquisition suffering from PTSD and poor sleep as a result from the Blight that previously hit his lands in Ferelden.[42]

This section contains spoilers for:
Dragon Age: Origins.



Lord/Lady


Ser

  • Ser Derren — minor noble of Amaranthine
  • Ser Devith[46][47] — knight of King Calenhad
  • Ser Landry
  • Ser Nancine
  • Ser Perth — sworn to the Arl of Redcliffe
  • Ser Tamra — minor noble of Amaranthine
  • Ser Temmerly — minor noble of Amaranthine
  • Ser Timothy — minor noble of Amaranthine
Cousland Family History image

Members of the Cousland family

Notable families

  • Theirin family — the royal family of Ferelden
  • Cousland family — holds the teyrnir of Highever and Ferelden's second most powerful family
  • Mac Tir family — the family established by Loghain Mac Tir, holds the teyrnir of Gwaren
  • Howe family — holds the Arling of Amaranthine
  • Guerrin family — holds the Arling of Redcliffe and the Bannorn of Rainesfere

See also

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Codex entry: Politics of Ferelden
  2. Dragon Age: Origins: Prima Official Game Guide, p. 255
  3. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 1, p. 105
  4. As evidenced by Maric giving Loghain the teyrnir of Gwaren
  5. Dragon Age RPG Set 3, Game Master's Guide, p. 63
  6. Mentioned by the colonel at Fort Drakon during Captured! quest.
  7. Depicted in Dragon Age: Knight Errant, number 1
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 BSN Mary Kirby (2010). "Question on Ferelden Background (For the writers, more so)" . The BioWare Forum.
  9. 9.0 9.1 Mentioned by Bann Sighard if the Warden does not ask for a reward during Tortured Noble.
  10. Mentioned as a rumor by Bodahn Feddic in the Party Camp.
  11. If the City Elf Warden survives the Fifth Blight and asks for the city elves to be treated better for their boon or if the City Elf Warden makes the ultimate sacrifice.
  12. 12.0 12.1 12.2 Codex entry: The Legend of Calenhad: Chapter 3
  13. Codex entry: The Bannorn
  14. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 2, p. 259
  15. Mentioned by Aldous.
  16. Shield of Highever
  17. Dragon Age: The Stolen Throne p. 234
  18. Codex entry: The Legend of Calenhad: Chapter 1
  19. 19.0 19.1 Codex entry: The Legend of Calenhad: Chapter 2
  20. 20.0 20.1 Codex entry: A Letter From Bann Mathuin Wulff
  21. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 2, p. 113
  22. 22.0 22.1 Mentioned in rumors from Bodahn Feddic or the Bartender. Loghain defeated Bann Bronach forces while some people claim he met with Loghain to talk terms and the latter attacked.
  23. Dragon Age (tabletop RPG), Game Master's Guide Set 3, p. 71
  24. Codex entry: Camenae's Barbute
  25. Mentioned by Slim Couldry as the one being stolen from in Steal Master Tilver's key sub-quest.
  26. Dragon Age: The Stolen Throne p. 219.
  27. War table operation The Arl's Invitation
  28. Based on the description of Fox's Pendant.
  29. Mentioned by Slim Couldry in The Private Collection and The Tears of Andraste.
  30. Codex entry: Hargrave Keep
  31. Codex entry: Red Templar Guardsman
  32. Dragon Age (tabletop RPG), Game Master's Guide Set 3, p. 77-78
  33. Dragon Age (tabletop RPG), Game Master's Guide Set 3, p. 74
  34. See Landra, Dairren and Bann Loren's Lands.
  35. [[Dragon Age (tabletop RPG), A Fragile Web
  36. Dragon Age (tabletop RPG), Game Master's Guide Set 3, p. 80
  37. Mentioned by Cyrion Tabris to a City Elf Warden after his rescue from the slavers.
  38. See Loghain's Push.
  39. Codex entry: The Orlesian Empire
  40. Dragon Age: The Stolen Throne, pp. 235-237
  41. 41.0 41.1 Dragon Age (tabletop RPG), A Bann Too Many
  42. Mentioned by Josephine at Skyhold.
  43. If the City Elf Warden survives the Fifth Blight and asks for the city elves to be treated better for their boon.
  44. If the City Elf Warden makes the ultimate sacrifice, he is made First Bann of the alienage by either Anora or Alistair, dependent on who ends up on the throne.
  45. The Absent Mistress
  46. Codex entry: Aldenon's Vestments
  47. Codex entry: Freedom's Promise