Peerage and Rank in WW

[Steve]

No: HPFGUIDX 110799

--- In HPforGrownups at yahoogroups.com, "Shaun Hately" <drednort at a...>
wrote:
> On 21 Aug 2004 at 1:56, macfotuk at y... wrote:
> 
> > But on the theme of royalty and rank - we know little so far about 
> > princes, kings or queens in the WW. Sir Nick was clearly a peer,
> > but a muggleworld peer? (he's a wizard or else couldn't be ghost 
> > if I've read it right). 


> Shaun:
> 
> Just one observation - Sir Nick is *not* clearly a peer. A 
> knighthood (indicated by the title 'Sir') is not a peerage.
> 
> His rank suggests that there is some sort of organised system of 
> honours, etc, at work, and that may include peerages - but a knight 
> is not a peer (a peer may be a knight).
> 
> 
> Yours Without Wax, Dreadnought
> Shaun Hately 

b_boymn:

Just a couple of minor comments.

The separation of the wizard and muggle world has not always existed,
especially with regard to royalty. Prior to the massive and oppressive
influence of the Christian church, wizards were the common advisers to
Kings, and by extension, would logically be the associates of the
Aristocracy. Witness Merlin as the advisor to King Arthur. 

It's clear that prior to church influence, and even after the
introduction of the church, stronger wizards would be powerful,
influential, and wealthy citizens of the realm. Only during dark
periods of paranoid superstition, general hard times, and oppressive
church influence would wizards need to go underground.

During this early and middle period in history (ficitonal history, of
course), the gap between the lives of wizards and non-wizards would
not have been that great; both lived in similar houses, both wore
similar clothes, both ate similar food. 

However, in modern times with the advent of the industrial revolution
and the invention of modern technology, the gap in the lifestyle of
wizard and muggles would have greatly widened. Remember these events
all occurred after the wizard world permanently became a secret society. 

Wizards only have limted use of automobiles, wizards don't use
anything that runs on electricity, wizards don't use technologically
modern entertainment media (no TV, computer games or movies), etc....
They still dress, build and equip their houses, and construct their
general lifestyle in a fashion that varies from 50 to 250 years out of
date relative to muggles.

My main point is that anytime prior to the industrial and
technilogical revolution wizards would have been able to come and go
unnoticed in the muggle world. Today that is still very much possible,
but takes a substantial and greater effort on the part of wizards.

Therefore, there is nothing in my mind that makes it inconsistent for
Nick to have been knighted in 1425 by the royalty of Britian, and
killed by beheading 67 years later. In fact, I would go so far as to
say that if the Prime Minister knows about the wizard world, there is
a very high likelihood that the Royal Family knows about them too. 

(Gear up the FanFic engines, Harry and Ron meet Harry and Will, or
more interestingly (for some), Hermione and Ginny meet Harry and Will.
They are, afteral, close to the same age.)

Although, I will also concede that there could be assorted elite
Orders/Brotherhoods/etc... in the wizard world that bestow honors of
knighthood or perhaps merely title on certain members.

As far as the half blood Prince, it's nearly impossible to say if this
is a metaphorical title or a literal title. I was trying to come up
with a way to make Victor Krum related to the royal family of
Bulgaria, but couldn't think of any way that his return could move the
story forward. Although, if it does happen, remember, you heard it
here first.

Just a few thoughts.

Steve/b_boymn