This is the goal: Creating a title structure that will (a) follow Period models, (b) make sense to newcomers, and (c) make for easy transitions from those coming from other groups.

In order to do this the following things must be accomplished:

• Standardize the title structure so that it follows a logical progression.
• Divorce the concept of the title from the concept of the vote.
• Create an additional Estate within the Estates Minor
• Limit the number of total votes on the Imperial level.
• Allow Monarchs and Estates the power to elevate people in rank.

First is the standardization of the title structure. Name everything using English titles: Emperor, King, Prince, Duke, Marquess, Count, Viscount, Baron, Lord. Once people get used to that, we can introduce the next phase.

Second phase is the divorcing of the title from the Estates vote. Instead of directly linking a title to a specific vote, allow Estates the power to grant a title without the vote that is now mandatory. This will allow for more people to get retirement and other titles, since many Estate Holders have expressed that in some cases they would easily have voted to grant a title alone but would not have voted to grant a vote.

Third phase is, now that the structure is regularized, create the Landed Estates Minor title of Viscount. With the current growth of Kingdoms, some approaching or surpassing the 200 member mark, it makes sense to create an additional level of Estate to not only fill in the gap, but also to ensure proper representation. The new numbers would look like this:

Note that this does add an additional Estate Major vote, but no one currently with such a vote (Marches) will lose it.

Fourth phase, now that a vote is not always guaranteed upon retirement, will be the limitation of Permanent Estate Major Votes at the Imperial Level. The best solution thus far seems to be to continue to allow those with Permanent Estate Major Votes to keep them at the local level, but to restrict the number of Imperial votes by population. A good rule of thumb seems to be 10 percent. At the moment, this would allow 10 votes for a Kingdom of 100 people. TerreNeuve has 9 of those votes and currently sits at 151, which under this system would allow it 15 Estate Major votes. Using this as an example, such a restriction would not impinge on any current person's right to vote at the Imperial Level. In the future, the Permanent Estates Major of a region could simply vote to see who amongst themselves would be their representatives to the Imperial Estates. The criterion would probably be the population level as of 60 days before the meeting (the day the meeting is called), which would give the Permanent Estates Major sufficient time to hold such a vote.

The fifth phase, now that the title structure has been regularized, the votes have been separated from the titles, and the Imperial votes have been limited, is the most radical: Enact legislation so that the Crown or Estates of a region (preferably a Kingdom) may raise a person in Permanent rank as a way of recognizing that person's contributions. This is a MUCH more Period way of doing it than simply handing out Orders and Awards (a habit we picked up from our SCA forebears). Currently, this can only be done by raising non-armigers to the rank of Lord, then raising the Lord to the rank of Baronet.

This would allow the Crown to take a Baron and raise him to the rank of Viscount. A Viscount could be raised to Count, a Count to Marquess, and a Marquess to Duke. I would make it that only the Imperial Estates could raise someone to the rank of Prince. This would do away with the Imperial Order of the Protectors of the Dream and make it easier for the Estates to make someone part of the Imperial Family. Someone of rank of Count or above would be considered to be part of the Royal Family.

Only Kingdoms should be allowed this priviledge; if a Duchy wants to recognize one of its subjects, they can only do it on behalf of (and with the permission of) the Imperial Crown. The legislation should include language so that this priviledge can be granted to an Archduchy if the Imperial Crown so chooses (and that it can be revoked for cause if need be).

These four phases would create the following structure as an end result. There are two classes of titles: Titular and Temporal.

Of course, in all of this, the Knighthoods would be left unchanged.