The Minor Noble Houses
The straw strewn on the Star Chamber's floor muffled the sounds of the assembled gentry and huntsmen. No report of pewter and clinking glass echoed from the walls. Tonight, it was lit only by lanterns hanging from the galleries and the fire that blazed in the stone hearth. No candles shone in the chandeliers and no moonlight broke through the blankets of snow that shuttered the windows. As Ilan Silas walked through the hall to the table at its head, he felt as though he were walking against the current of the Mara. His palms sweated into the buckskin hilt of the new rapier at his side and he felt the soft wool of his new shirt clinging to his back. Hundreds of pairs of eyes, man and beast, bright with reflected candlelight watched his progress across the hall, till at last he knelt before the dais. He bowed his head reverently. A pair of blue satin shoes, showing beneath a cascade of blue velvet stopped before him.
"Ilan Silas, stand before me. Stand in the Chamber of Stars before the Huntsworn and be recognised for the services you have performed us"
Ilan licked his dry lips. His voice shook over the words of the accepted response that he had rehearsed over and over in front of his mirror.
"I stand with them and not before them. From them I was born, and until my death I shall serve them. Such is my duty."
As Lalenth grew in size and population, certain individuals became more successful than others. Some found a niche in the market place and grew rich whilst others became greatly respected members of their guilds and as a result were honoured by the Great Six. Some performed great services for the city and were rewarded in kind. After a time, it was decided in the Star Chamber that these people should be formally recognised. Each head of household nominated two individuals. These 12 people were then permitted to use the honorific of Sir or Lady. They were issued with a patent of nobility proving their rights to the title, and allowing their grandchildren entrance to the Academy of Thread Weavers. Heraldic crests were designed for them by the Wordsmiths and displayed in the entrance halls of the Star Chamber.
There are two different types of patent: those which are hereditary, and those which are not. A hereditary title is passed down the generations. After two generations, members of the house qualify for the Academy of Thread Weavers. Regardless of the family's fortunes, they will always retain the title. The second type honours the individual alone. It is bestowed more commonly on those that have performed minor services for the city, such as defeated a particularly vicious Nightmare, or on occasion a retiring militiaman who has served his entire life. These patents are not passed on to the subject's children and do not allow them to be taught the art of thread weaving.
Only members of the Great Six have the right to create nobles. They must bring the proposition before the Star Chamber, where it must be agreed upon by at least four of the great families. This has been the way of things for some time and is intended to stem corruption and prevent people simply attempting to buy their way into the nobility. Sad as it is, before these regulations were brought into effect many did try to do just this. One family in particular, the Cavrus family, have never been able to quell the whispered rumours regarding their ascendance.
The patents are issued at the Huntsworn before the assembled nobles, huntsmen and their beasts. This is to ensure the neonate noble is aware of their responsibility to all in Lalenth and do not become so lofty that they lose sight of their heritage. On average each Huntsworn sees one noble created, although it is not unheard of for two or three to be sworn in and equally there have been years in which none are honoured. Once they have been ennobled, the family may commission the Wordsmiths Guild to create a coat of arms. This heraldic device is then hung in the long panelled hall that leads into the Star Chamber, beside those of the original twelve honoured. Here follows a list of the most noteworthy minor houses:
House Holdfast were given their status (and indeed their name) following a heroic incident at Ruthien's Ford. They were one of the original twelve. Besieged by no less than three Nightmares their founder, a young militiaman, held the ford for almost half an hour, permitting a mining party to escape safely back to the city. He was killed, but his son was granted the patents of nobility.
House Harelock was founded by Hester Harelock, a huntsman. Hester devoted his life to the discovery of healing herbs and his family was recognised and honoured when the man himself was Altered in the course of his duty.
House Silas were only ennobled recently in recognition for generations of service to the militia. The eldest son, Matthias Silas is Captain of the Sixth Arch. Verrena, his sister, is married to Jaime Evron. As well as a strong military tradition, the ladies of this house are known as skilled chandlers.
House Cavrus are a mercantile family who, rumour has it, bribed a member of the Great Six to gain their patents although they will always say it was due to their innovations in the field of silk weaving. A year after they received their patents of nobility, Isana Di Canto announced that she would marry Giuseppe Cavrus, but he was murdered just days before their wedding.
House Ravengate were ennobled in gratitude to their services to the Wordsmiths Guild. They built the first school in Lalenth, which was open to all children to learn their letters for a nominal fee. The whole family were involved in this enterprise and did a great deal to advance general literacy in Lalenth.
House Meilatte were granted noble status in recognition of one Freda Meilatte, an inventor who first discovered how to ferment and distil alcohol and opened the first of Lalenth's taverns, the Golden Bee, which is still welcoming customers today. Although House Meilatte no longer directly manage the property a portrait of Freda still graces the entrance hall.
House Untermason, as suggested by their name, were raised to noble status in gratitude to Hetser Mason (who subsequently changed his name) who was the architect of the Under-Levels and also of the Lalenth Canal.