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Ferelden noble dress

Fereldan 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.

Order of Succession[]

Fereldan inheritance of noble titles is determined by a combination of elective and hereditary order of succession. Any legitimate offspring of the reigning noble is able to succeed the title as heir regardless of gender or birth order.[4] In the absence of the reigning noble and should the heir apparent be too young to assume their duties, the spouse of the reigning noble can assume the role of regent until the heir apparent comes of age.[5] Alternatively, should the heir apparent be orphaned and/or cannot assume their duties, the heir apparent can appoint a regent to rule in their stead. The Fereldan monarch can also appoint a Chancellor of Ferelden which acts as a regent and chief advisor for the royal monarch but appear to be below the monarch's spouse if the monarch is married.[6]

Should the reigning noble lack lineal descendants to be an heir or the heir abdicates, the title would go to any of the noble's elected siblings[7] or collateral descendants[8] until the bloodline is spent.

Should no descendant of the noble family survive, the spouse of the penultimate reigning noble can make a claim of inheritance through marriage.[9] An in-law can also make the same claim.[10] In the event that no legitimate descendants are available, bastards from the penultimate noble's lineage can make a claim of inheritance and some say they have a stronger claim than in-laws or widows/widowers who aren't related to the noble by blood.[11]

By Fereldan custom, vacant lands become the property of whomever claims them through skill of arms; a tournament is usually held with the victor taking the vacant title as their prize.[12]

Alternatively, the Fereldan monarch can appoint new families to rule vacant titles but some of the conservative nobles would view these new nobility as interlopers despite the legitimacy of their elevation.[13]

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.[14]

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, South Reach, and Redcliffe (Arl Eamon Guerrin ruling Redcliffe in 9:30 Dragon with his brother, Bann Teagan Guerrin, ruling the bannorn of Rainesfere subordinate to Eamon).

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 neighbors—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 Templar Order, are given knighthood, but they are not a part of the nobility.

Freeholds[]

Most of the property in Ferelden 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[23][24]
  • King Weylan I – son of Calenhad and Mairyn[24]
  • Queen Fionne Theirin – ascended to the throne in 6:18 Steel[25]
  • King Lewys Mavbrae – ascended the throne sometime after 6:50 Steel[26]
  • King Arland Theirin – ascended to the throne in 7:5 Storm
  • King Vanedrin Theirin – died in 8:24 Blessed, the same year as the Second Orlesian Invasion commenced
  • King Brandel Theirin – succeeded his father in 8:24 Blessed; driven into hiding after Orlesian sacked Denerim in 8:44
  • Queen Moira Theirin – better known as the "Rebel Queen;" daughter of Brandel and mother of Maric; she was murdered in 8:96 Blessed
  • King Meghren – the Orlesian King of Ferelden during the last years of the Orlesian occupation; killed in 9:02 Dragon[note]
  • King Maric Theirin – ascended to the throne in 9:02 Dragon;[note] he disappeared at sea in 9:25
  • Queen Rowan – Queen to Maric Theirin, mother of Cailan Theirin
  • King Cailan Theirin – son of Maric Theirin; married to Anora Mac Tir
  • Queen Anora – Queen to Cailan Theirin

This section contains spoilers for:
Dragon Age: Origins.


  • King Alistair Theirin (conditional)
  • Queen Anora (reinstated) – succeeding King Alistair as his heir should the latter die at the end of the Fifth Blight (conditional)
  • Human Noble – Prince-Consort to Queen Anora or Queen to King Alistair (conditional)


Teyrn/Teyrna[]

In chronological order:
  • Teyrna Elethea Cousland – Teyrna of Highever[27]
  • Teyrn Ardal Cousland – Teyrn of Highever[28]
  • Teyrn Voric – Teyrn of Gwaren[29]
  • Teyrn Loghain Mac Tir – Teyrn of Gwaren
  • Teyrna Celia Mac Tir – Teyrna of Gwaren; wife of Loghain and mother of Queen Anora
  • Teyrn William Cousland – Teyrn of Highever; father of Bryce Cousland; lived nearly all of his life hiding from the Orlesian occupants[30]
  • 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.


  • The Warden – Teyrn/Teyrna of Gwaren (conditional)


Arl/Arlessa[]

Bann[]

Bann Esmerelle

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

Lord/Lady[]

Ser[]

  • Ser Derren – minor noble of Amaranthine
  • Ser Devith – knight of King Calenhad[70][71]
  • Ser Gilmore – sworn to the teyrn of Highever
  • 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

Notable families[]

Cousland Family History image

Members of the Cousland family

  • 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

Notes[]

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. Dairren claims the second born of Bryce Cousland is likely to succeed him as teyrn over his firstborn, Fergus Cousland
  5. Teyrn Hafter's wife, Teyrna Isulde, ruled in his stead after Hafter disappeared, as depicted in Traveler's Guide. Queen Anora ruled Ferelden in King Cailan Theirin's name.
  6. Eamon Guerrin can be appointed as regent by a King Alistair if he rules alone. The epilogue for Dragon Age: Origins state a Chancellor of Ferelden loses influence if King Alistair and Queen Anora co-rule Ferelden.
  7. Teagan Guerrin (not Isolde, Eamon's wife) inherited the Arling of Redcliffe from his brother Eamon Guerrin
  8. Arland Theirin and Sophia Dryden were contenders for the throne of Ferelden despite not being progeny of the previous monarch.
  9. Queen Anora claims her being the widow of the late King Cailan Theirin makes her a strong candidate for the Fereldan throne.
  10. Eamon Guerrin claiming that the Guerrin family has a claim to the Fereldan throne through Maric Theirin's marriage with Rowan and Loghain Mac Tir has a claim as well through Anora's marriage with Cailan Theirin.
  11. Eamon Guerrin claims Alistair's royal blood gives him a stronger claim to the Fereldan throne over in-laws and Queen Anora despite being a bastard.
  12. 12.0 12.1 War table operation The Arl's Invitation
  13. Codex entry: The Noble Families of Ferelden
  14. As evidenced by Maric giving Loghain the teyrnir of Gwaren
  15. Dragon Age RPG Set 3, Game Master's Guide, p. 63
  16. Mentioned by the colonel at Fort Drakon during Captured! quest.
  17. Mentioned by Ser Aaron in Dragon Age: Knight Errant, number 1
  18. 18.0 18.1 18.2 BSN Mary Kirby (2010). "Question on Ferelden Background (For the writers, more so)" . The BioWare Forum.
  19. 19.0 19.1 Codex entry: Camenae's Barbute
  20. 20.0 20.1 Mentioned by Bann Sighard if the Warden does not ask for a reward during Tortured Noble.
  21. Mentioned as a rumor by Bodahn Feddic in the Party Camp.
  22. 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.
  23. 23.0 23.1 23.2 Codex entry: The Legend of Calenhad: Chapter 2
  24. 24.0 24.1 24.2 24.3 Codex entry: The Legend of Calenhad: Chapter 3
  25. Codex entry: The Bannorn
  26. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 2, p. 259
  27. 27.0 27.1 Mentioned by Aldous.
  28. Shield of Highever
  29. Dragon Age: The Stolen Throne p. 234
  30. 30.0 30.1 Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 2, p. 115
  31. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 2, p. 105
  32. Codex entry: The Howes of Amaranthine
  33. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 2, p. 113
  34. Codex entry: The Legend of Calenhad: Chapter 1
  35. 35.0 35.1 Codex entry: A Letter From Bann Mathuin Wulff
  36. Dragon Age (tabletop RPG) Core Rulebook, p. 400; Battle's Edge
  37. Confirmed as the Arl by Ser Aaron in Dragon Age: Knight Errant, number 1.
  38. Dragon Age (tabletop RPG) Core Rulebook, p. 398; Battle's Edge
  39. Dragon Age (tabletop RPG) Quickstart Guide, p. 13; An Arl's Ransom
  40. 40.0 40.1 40.2 Dragon Age (tabletop RPG), A Fragile Web
  41. Dragon Age (tabletop RPG) Quickstart Guide, p. 15; An Arl's Ransom
  42. Dragon Age logo - new Dragon Age: The World of Thedas, vol. 2, p. 113
  43. 43.0 43.1 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.
  44. Dragon Age (tabletop RPG), Game Master's Guide Set 3, p. 71
  45. Mentioned by Slim Couldry as the one being stolen from in Steal Master Tilver's key sub-quest.
  46. Dragon Age: The Stolen Throne p. 218.
  47. Referenced in war table operation The Arl's Invitation.
  48. Based on the description of Fox's Pendant.
  49. Mentioned by Slim Couldry in The Private Collection and The Tears of Andraste.
  50. Codex entry: Hargrave Keep
  51. Landmarks in the Mire
  52. Codex entry: Red Templar Guardsman
  53. Dragon Age (tabletop RPG), Game Master's Guide Set 3, p. 77-78
  54. Dragon Age (tabletop RPG) Blood in Ferelden, p. 4
  55. Dragon Age: The Stolen Throne, pp. 374
  56. Dragon Age (tabletop RPG), Game Master's Guide Set 3, p. 74
  57. See Landra, Dairren and Bann Loren's Lands.
  58. Dragon Age (tabletop RPG), Game Master's Guide Set 3, p. 80
  59. Mentioned by Cyrion Tabris to a City Elf Warden after his rescue from the slavers.
  60. See Loghain's Push.
  61. Codex entry: The Orlesian Empire
  62. Dragon Age: The Stolen Throne, pp. 235-237
  63. 63.0 63.1 Dragon Age (tabletop RPG), A Bann Too Many
  64. Mentioned by Josephine at Skyhold.
  65. If the City Elf Warden survives the Fifth Blight and asks for the city elves to be treated better for their boon.
  66. 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.
  67. Address a Nobleman's Concerns
  68. The Absent Mistress
  69. Codex entry: Illustrated Periodical
  70. Codex entry: Aldenon's Vestments
  71. Codex entry: Freedom's Promise
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