About House Valentione...

[Geist]

This reminds me a fair bit of Timothy Dexter, the man who came from practically nothing, and had no true sense of business, just luck, a will to become a lord and call himself such, and a lot of eccentricity.
Was the story of Duke Brett V perhaps inspired by this?

Possibly, and anyway there's the charm of a self-made man story. Ul'dahn residents would absolutely dig it - though I can see the slightly more (ah, irony - I'm Maelstrom through and through) sarcastic, hardy Lominsans handling it on their terms, as Corvinoobus explained in detail.

Anyway, while the Valentione are most likely part of the "minor" Houses, they're certainly good competitors for "Most FABULOUS across Ishgard". Oy, that chocobo barding!

[Zohar_Lahar]

What strikes me as interesting though, is how throughout the Ishgard quests/levequests, we've heard mention of duke, count, then archbishop... but no mention at all of a king/queen (or any other royal family), even in battle etc. Would indeed be interesting if it's a monarchy system without a king XD

I'm given to understand the Archbishop is the head of state of Holy See of Ishgard.

[Nialle]

I'm given to understand the Archbishop is the head of state of Holy See of Ishgard.

Ishgard sounds like it's similar to the Vatican, where the Pope is legally the King as well as being the head of the Catholic Church.

[Anonymoose]

The start of a long, proud pedigree.
Long live the Duchess of Wark!

[Dynza]

I think what we really need to understand is whether or not Ishgard is a theocracy or an oligarchy. It might better explain how the government structure works. Let's start with a few things...


When we talk about the Holy See on earth, we specifically refer to the governing jurisdiction of the Bishop of Rome (aka the Pope), its government (Roman Curia) and Vatican City. As far as the Holy See is concerned it is a sovereign state; complete with its own Secretary of State, ministries and departments necessary for governing.

When we look at Ishgard it probably has the same sort of organization. But rather than have departments, ministries, etc. it probably delegates its power to the High Houses of Ishgard. The High Houses then employ peerage allowing members from other noble houses (or lower) to join its house and its delegations. Meanwhile, the Archbishop can also employ its own peerage within the city-state (Temple Knights and Dragoons). I imagine that members of the four high houses can also be recruited by the church and lead those branches within the church as well.

The remaining questions are whether not the Archbishop is an elected position. And whether or not certain noble houses can also obtain the political clout to be a part of the governing process.

As far as the peerage process works, I imagine that its partially hereditary and based on adoption into the house. Like mentioned above, I don't think the peerage process allows them to employ Dukes, Viscounts, etc, but rather allow individuals or families to join the house and enjoy the benefits of that house. I can't really think of a medieval reference, but think of Star Trek and the how the Klingons have houses which the klingons belong to. Many houses with more prominent houses occupying the government roles and the chance of being adopted into a house and taking that name.

The other noble houses like House Valentione can also use peerage to bring in new members to its house.

But of course, the question about peerage in this case is, can a non-hereditary member of the house ever become head of the house? Or is it strictly a hereditary position? A certain moogle delivery quest suggests that it might be hereditary only.