- "Welcome, Lord Vader. We've been expecting you."
- ―Nute Gunray, to Darth Vader
Lord was a title of nobility, deity, and, in past times, a military rank. The female version of Lord was Lady.
History[]
Galactic history[]
It was in common use among the Sith, usually used in lieu of Darth when formally referring to Dark Lords of the Sith, most notably in the cases of Darth Sidious,[2] Darth Tyranus[3] and Darth Vader.[1] The use of this oral form of address could be traced back to the days of the old Sith Empires, in the person of Aloysius Kallig[4] and others such as Darth Vindican[5] and Darth Zash. The Sith Lords of the Brotherhood of Darkness were referred to as 'Lord,' including Skere Kaan, Qordis, Kas'im, and Kopecz.
During the New Sith Wars, various high-ranking Jedi in the Army of Light, including Hoth, Saleeh, Gale and Valenthyne Farfalla, also held the title -styled as "Jedi Lord".[6]
During the Clone Wars, Vice Chair Mas Amedda of the Galactic Senate was addressed to as "Lord Speaker".[7]
It was considered a great honor to be granted the title of Lord by Emperor Palpatine. During the rule of the Galactic Empire, the Emperor would elevate several loyal servants to the rank and title of Lord for their service to him or for performing a great deed in name of the Empire. The members of the Imperial Ruling Council were addressed as such, as was the Imperial Military's Supreme Commander,[8] Darth Vader.[9] Following the fragmentation of the Galactic Empire, the warlord Blitzer Harrsk styled himself as "Lord High Admiral".
Lords of the Tapani Sector[]
Lord was one of the titles of nobility used by the ruling class of the Tapani sector. Higher than the rank of Baron, Lords and Ladies were from the most powerful families in a noble house. They controlled significant House assets, and often took on positions of leadership such as running businesses or commanding the House militia. Lords and Ladies were wealthy, and maintained spacious palaces on both their homeworlds and Procopia. The High Lord of a House was appointed from the ranks of a House's Lords.[10]
Functions and responsibilities[]
As a title of nobility, it was recognized by many different worlds as a position of power and authority. Many societies incorporated the title in their way of life and/or as a part of their governments. Several examples include:
- Lords and Ladies of the noble Houses of the Expanse of the Tapani sector.
- Lord Tion of the House of Tion of the Tion Cluster.[11]
- Lord Crueya Vandron of House Vandron of the Senex sector, Imperial Advisor.
- Lord Poggle the Lesser, Archduke of Geonosis.[12]
As a title of deity, "Lord" was used in various swear words and other phrases. For example, Leia Organa was known to use the phrase, "Lord knows how many...."
Behind the scenes[]
"Lord" as used by Leia may be the title of an Alderaanian deity.
Apparently it served as a form of address for the Speaker of the Galactic Senate; in the Revenge of the Sith novelization, Anakin Skywalker addresses Mas Amedda as "Lord Speaker."
Leia was known as "Lady Vader" among the Noghri, as she and her family were revered figures in their society.
Appearances[]
Sources[]
Notes and references[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith
- ↑ Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace
- ↑ Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones
- ↑ Star Wars: The Old Republic
- ↑ STAR WARS: The Old Republic Fan Friday on The Old Republic's official website (backup link)
- ↑ The Essential Guide to Warfare
- ↑ Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith novelization
- ↑ Star Wars: Shadows of the Empire (Pack: Darth Vader vs. Prince Xizor) (backup link)
- ↑ Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope
- ↑ Lords of the Expanse
- ↑ Xim Week: The Despotica (Part III: Xim at Vondor) on Hyperspace (article) (content obsolete and backup link not available)
- ↑ Star Wars: The Clone Wars — "Legacy of Terror"