From Traveller Wiki - Science-Fiction Adventure in the Far future
Jump to: navigation, search
Wiki Navy.png

A Baronet is a noble rank within the system of Imperial Nobility in the Third Imperium.

Please see the following AAB Library Data articles for more information:
Imperial Nobility:

Description (Specifications)

Landed Baronets are given the responsibility to promote the growth and development of fledgling worlds that show some promise of expanding their role in the Imperium. Such Baronets are often equated with being a "Baron in Training", though it is the world they oversee that is really being tested.

Ceremonial Baronets have administrative duties as lesser functionaries within bureaucracies overseen by higher level nobles, depending upon the nature and importance of the office.

  • A baronetcy entitles the individual to use the prefix Sir (some females prefer Dame, but such usage is obsolete) before the name, and to suffix the initials "Bt." or "Bart." (or "Btss." for females) after the name. Alternatively, the baronet may use the prefix-title "Baronet" or "Baronetess" before their name, or "Lord" / "Lady" followed by the name of their Landholding.
  • The title of baronet is hereditary, but is otherwise similar to that of a "senior knight". The title of baronet is often awarded to members of local planetary nobility who are not world-rulers in order to enhance their off-world prestige. It is common (though not required) for a baronetcy to be accompanied by a knighthood, further reinforcing the “senior knight” image.
  • The land grant of a Baronet is known as a Baronetcy or Lordship.

Entitlement Synopsis

Intermediate between the first and second level of noble rank is the baronet. Baronet is a special form of baron normally awarded by an archduke of one of the domains of the Imperium. Baronets rank below barons in seniority and precedence. Although the Emperor can create baronets (either as Emperor or in his capacity as Archduke of Sylea), in practice they are usually created only by the archdukes. Those baronets specifically created by the Emperor as Landed Baronets are usually accorded voting rights as Peers, despite not normally being considered as such. A baronetcy entitles the individual to use the prefix Baronet before the name. Those rare baronets who are awarded a land grant (usually as part of an appointment as Imperial representative for a world as a Landed Noble) generally receive no more than 10-100 km2, or alternately 2 terrain hexes on the fief-world with 2 associated terrain hex on non-mainworlds in the same system. Landed Baronet fiefs are generally granted on pre-Rich or pre-Agricultural worlds.

History & Background (Dossier)

At the beginning of the Pacification Campaigns in 76, the Emperor Artemsus created a new form of Archduke to oversee each of the new Domains of the Imperium. One of the privileges granted to these new Archdukes was the right to create both Knights and a new form of lesser Baron called a Baronet for his own needs within his Domain.

Today Baronets can be created and assigned by either the Iridium Throne or, in some parts of the Imperium, by the Archdukes of Domains. Like Knights, Baronets are not normally considered to be part of the Peerage, although those appointed by the Emperors as Imperial Landed Baronets have access to and voting rights within the Imperial Moot. Many Baronets have no associated land-grant at all, holding the title merely as an honorific.

References & Contributors (Sources)

