Noble Houses

The British aristocracy extends into the magical world as well. A Noble House in Britain is an aristocratic dynasty that traces its lineage through the ages. In the modern world as they have for centuries, they serve in the House of Lords, the main body of the Wizengamot. A Noble House is designated so by the ruling Muggle monarch through royal decree, a power created during the Norman dynasty.

Legacy and Other Noble Houses
There are vassal houses also, the few left from the feudal days of yore. Though the power of their liege lord is largely now ceremonial, to release them would limit the political power of potentially sympathetic or pliant houses.

Descriptors
A Noble House comes with a few descriptors that over the years mean less and less in terms of political might. These descriptors indicate the relative age of the house and carry a certain amount of prestige.

Coats of Arms
Each house has the right to their own coats of arms, which can be worn as a patch on Wizengamot robes and in other contexts by members of that house.

Gaunt
The Noble and Ancient House of Gaunt (c. 1210 - 1984) were the inheritors of the House of Slytherin's lands and seat on the Wizengamot after the line's subsumation into the Peverell family in the early 12th century, created as a cadet branch to the Peverells. The line existed unbroken for around six centuries until the death of its final Lord, Morfin Gaunt. The Antrim estate and obligations were given to House Kerr while the Derbyshire estate and obligations were given to the House of Fronsac.

Gryffindor
The Noble and Most Ancient House of Gryffindor (c. 900-1453) were created by the King of England for Godric Gryffindor's father, a noted advisor. The last heir was Richard Gryffindor, who was a mercenary in the service of Byzantium, falling off a tower during the Fall of Constantinople to his death. By his death Richard was the last heir and had several dozens of bastards throughout the noble houses and Muggledom, making it impossible for his line to be traced successfully. His feudal duties in Dorset were nevertheless transferred to the House of Dumbledore.

Lestrange
The Noble and Ancient House of Lestrange (1086 - current) used to be a Noble House, but was deposed as a result of the criminal trial of all the extant heirs of the house in 1982. The House's duty in Hertfordshire was given to the Dagworth family, and their lands sold off. The Lestranges also lost the legacy seat due for Minister Radolphus Lestrange.

Hufflepuff
The Noble and Most Ancient House of Hufflepuff (c. 1030-1559) were created by the King of England and eventually given lordship of Camarthenshire in 1410. On the death of its last lord in 1559, the obligations and titles were given to their closest relatives, the Smith Family.

Peverell
The Noble and Ancient House of Peverell (1086-1312) was created by William I for the relatives of his general, William Peverell in around 1086. Through marriage, the Peverells are related to the Blacks, to the Slytherins, the Gaunts, and the Potters. The main line has been in union now with the Potters since 1312, who received their lands and obligations in Cumbria, and the Urquart family has also for Cumberland.

Ravenclaw
The Noble and Most Ancient House of Ravenclaw (890-1330) was created by the King of Scotland for the descendants of Rowena Ravenclaw, his trusted advisor. The lairdship was given to Hengist of Woodcroft on the death of Rowena's last descendant, Hengist's wife. The Woodcroft family continues to administrate Ayr's magical population.

Sinclair
The Noble and Venerable House of Sinclair (1487-1962) was first created for William Sinclair's second son, an advisor. The house survived until 1962. when Lucinda Sinclair-McGonagall died in childbirth. The lairdship was then given to the Ackerby family.

Slytherin
The Noble and Most Ancient House of Slytherin (c. 980-1200) was created by the King of England in the 980's for Salazar Slytherin's sons, one of his advisors. The line existed unbroken until the last daughter married into the Peverell family in the 1080's The family's obligations were transferred to the Gaunt family in the 12th Century.