How to Buy a Noble Title
Titles of nobility are granted by heads of state, usually, but not always, by kings and queens. In general, it is not possible to buy such titles, though now and then opportunities arise to buy one kind of title or other.
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Types of Titles
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The best known titles are awarded by kings and queens, but these are never for sale. A second source of titles is "rehabilitating" old titles without claimants and offering yourself as the legal inheritor of the title. This is not strictly a purchase, but money may change hands. A third type is sold by a person or persons who advertises a "right" to issue titles. These are sold openly. A fourth type is a Baronial or "Lord of the XXX Manor" sort of title, which is associated with purchases of land in Great Britain.
Rehabilitating Old Titles
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According to Wayne B. Yeager, Baron of Montfort, "there are thousands of extinct titles in Britain and Europe, and there is in place a legal mechanism that allows you, if you descend from a baron, viscount, count, earl, marquis, or duke, to become the next one." To qualify, you must search for a connection or have an expert do so for you. There can be substantial fees for this research and to the government reviving the dormant title.
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Buying a New Title From an Advertisement
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If you plan to buy your title from an advertisement, be aware of what you're getting. Sellers either simply lie about their authority to sell you a title, or take advantage of complex international laws to sell titles that may or may not have authority. The title may not be worth the parchment it's printed on, though you paid thousands for it.
Buying Baronial or Manorial Titles
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You can also purchase a Baronial or Manorial title from a reputable dealer. There are not many for sale at a given time, and they are expensive because they are attached to a specific piece of land. You can only obtain a Barony or Baronetcy or a simple Manorial title of "Lord of Such-and-Such Manor". On the plus side, you will be able to use these styles legally.
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References
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