What is the hierarchy of English royalty in medieval England?

Answer 1

The Hierarchy of the Church has never changed since the very beginning. Our Blessed Lord, Jesus Christ, is at its head, with the Pope serving as His Vicar on earth. Under him are the Bishops, who are ordained with the fullness of the priesthood of the apostles. Under the Bishops are the individual priests who actually administer the individual parishes in each diocese. Each diocese, headed by a Bishop, is a particular Church. The deacons, as always, assist the Bishops and priests. It was that way in the first century, all through the medieval era and is still that way today.

Answer

The medieval Church had two separate hierarchies, or groups of clerics in successive ranks: the secular and the monastic. Secular clergy had constant contact with ordinary people, while monastic clergy attempted to sever all contacts with the world outside the monastery.

The secular hierarchy began (at the bottom) with clerks in minor orders: these included Acolytes, Lectors, Doorkeepers and men studying at Church Schools such as Universities. Above them were the "major orders" of clergy, including Deacons, Priests and Bishops. Above the Bishops were Archbishops (only two in England) and above them, the Pope.

The monastic hierarchy for men began (at the bottom) with Oblates and other children attending monastic schools. Above them were lay brothers and novices; above them were the monks, some of whom were appointed to specific tasks such as Cellarer, Infirmerer, Hospitaller and Sacrist - these were collectively termed "Obedientaries". Above them was the Prior and above him an Abbot. Nunneries were broadly similar, with a Prioress or Abbess in charge. These came under the direct authority of the Pope.

Every one of these people, from doorkeeper to Pope, was required to have their hair shorn in the Roman tonsure with the crown of the head shaved, leaving a ring of hair around the head. Nuns generally had their hair cut very short under their veil.

Answer 2

Technically, the Royalty is limited to the Royal Family, which consisted of the immediate relatives of the ruling king or queen. From the top down, and rather too simplistically, these people were organized as follows:

1. Monarch, who was the ruling king or queen
2. Crown prince or crown princess
3. Other princes and princesses
4. Other members of the monarch's family

Part of the reason this is a bit too simplistic is that there were people in the family who do not fit neatly into the scheme. They might be members of the family by marriage, including the monarch's spouse, and possibly such people as a Queen Mother. Also the monarch might not have been in a position to rule, and in such a case the Queen Mother or some other relative might have been effectively in control, even though she was not at the top of the order.

The members of the royal family were not technically members of the nobility unless they were made so for some other reason. This would be the case with a prince or princess who had no other titles. And in fact, today there are members of the Royal Family who have no titles of royalty or nobility, and are commoners; this happened because they chose it to be so.

There is a link below to an article on the Royal Family that might be helpful.

Answer 3

The hierarchy of the Church in medieval Europe is the same as it is today. The hierarchy from top to bottom is as follows:

1. Pope

2. Cardinals

3. Archbishops

4. Bishops

5. Priests

6. Deacons

7. non-ordained religious men and women

8. the Laity (faithful Catholics)

Answer 4

HRM The Queen is ultimately in charge of the entire royal family, and is at the head of the hierarchy.

As her Consort, HRH The Duke of Edinburgh (Prince Philip) is accorded a great deal of respect and an unofficial second place in the hierarchy.

HRH The Prince of Wales (Prince Charles) is next in the hierarchy. His wife, HRH The Duchess of Cornwall (Princess Camilla), while initially viewed with skepticism, is now accorded a great deal of respect and speaks for her husband on many occasions when he is absent.

HRH The Duke of Cambridge (Prince William) is next in the hierarchy. Due to his youth, military service, general popularity, and recent marriage to Princess Catherine (nee Middleton), he and his wife are arguably the most popular and well-liked royals today.

HRH Prince Henry of Wales (Prince Harry) is next in the hierarchy.

From HRH Prince Henry of Wales, the hierarchy descends through the Queen's younger children (The Princess Royal, The Duke of York, and the Earl of Wessex) and each of their respective children. It's a fairly long list.

Answer 5

The ranks in feudal England were King, Duke, Earl(also referred to as Count), Viscount, and Baron.