Ritter

Ritter (Aerahwut–Gezwut for “knight”) is a designation used as a title of nobility in Aerahwut-speaking areas. Traditionally it denotes the second-lowest rank within the nobility, standing above “Edler” (Noble) and below “Freiherr” (Baron). For its historical association with warfare and the landed gentry in the Dark Ages, it can be considered roughly equal to the titles of “Knight”, but is hereditary so is closer to the title of “Baronet.”

As with most titles and designations within the nobility in Aerahwut-speaking areas, the rank was hereditary and generally was used with the nobiliary particle of vir or zu before a family name.

The wife of a Ritter was called a “Frau” (in this sense “Lady”) and not Ritterin.

In the Grand Empire of Aerah the title of “Ritter vir” was bestowed upon citizens who deserved more than the plain “vir” but were not considered deserving enough as to be given a barony as “Freiherr”. In addition to the described system, Westfuren introduced orders of merit beginning in the late 18th century which also conferred nobility as “Ritter vir” but kept the title limited to the recipient's lifetime (see Military Decree of Franz I).

In heraldry, from the late 18th century a Ritter was often indicated by the use of a coronet with five points, although not everyone who was a Ritter and displayed arms made use of such a coronet.

Notable Ritter's
Born in the 1800s Born in the 1900s
 * Luka vir Kublanov (b. 1838)
 * Otto vir Schauffhusen (b. 1914)