Reign Numbering
On the fine art of numbering reigns.
We will be using Lord Bubba and Lady Bitsy as our example royal couple.
In our Society, we face a difficulty not experienced in the medieval world. We change rulers every six months or so and frequently have royalty who sit the thrones more than once. How then can we differentiate between Bubba and Bitsy's first reign and their third?
We adopt the reign numbering system from the modern world (which otherwise has no application in our Society).
Sample scenarios:
- This was their first reign
- Bubba I and Bitsy I
- They have reigned together once before
- Bubba II and Bitsy II
- Bubba has never reigned before, but Bitsy has
- Bubba I and Bitsy II
- Bubba reigned with Boopsie twice before, and Bitsy reigned once previously with Boglot
- Bubba III and Bitsy II (Boopsie II, and Boglot I -- if you were wondering)
Note that these numbers are never used during the reign. They are always (and only) King Bubba and Queen Bitsy. Only after the reign concludes are the reign numbers used.
Thankfully, we have yet to run into the situation where two different royals have the same given name.
The first time I recall this scheme being described, it was credited to Master Steffano da Gucci. --Elizabeth Braidwood