All right, folksies . . . I thought perhaps this might help someone out there . . .
A while back, shirebound posed a question about when certain titles of nobility and direct address are capitalized---or not---in fanfiction. A really good question, and one I was quite rusty on, really.
Someone on a Yahoo list I lurk on posted the same question, and *cough* upon seeing what I, er, consider to be the incorrect answers, lol, I decided to consult the best source I know of for writing: The Chicago Manual of Style.
It's the style used by the majority of U.S. publishers nationwide who produce novels and works of fiction---and most university presses and small presses. It is THE definitive style for works of fiction. Note that many scientific or professional journals and all newspapers do NOT follow this style---newspapers all follow the Associated Press style.
But since we're all generally talking about fiction here, I consulted my Chicago Manual of Style (a lovely 900-page manual that was the bane of my existence at my previous job...) to find the exact American style regarding titles and names' capitalization. Of course, those of you in other countries might have completely different thoughts on this. Additionally, many publishers have their own "house" style which may supercede the Chicago Manual of Style, but otherwise, U.S. publishers generally consider Chicago Style to be the last word on the subject of fiction.
Titles and Offices
- Civil, military, religious, and professional titles or titles of nobility are capitalized when they immediately precede a personal name, as part of the name.
Ex: Prince Charles
Likewise: Prince Legolas, King Elessar
- When such titles are used in apposition to a name they are not part of the name and are so lowercased:
Ex: the emperor Maximilian (the emperor who was Maximilian)
Likewise: Elessar, the king of Gondor...
- A title used alone, in place of a personal name, is capitalized in such contexts as formal introductions or toasts:
Ex: Ladies and Gentlemen, the President of the United States
Likewise: Folks of Gondor, all hail the King of the West
- Titles used in place of names in direct address are capitalized:
Ex: I would have done it, Captain, but the ship was sinking.
Likewise: I swear my loyalty, Sire, as long as I shall live.
Here are some examples of correct usage for nobility:
the queen; the queen of England; Queen Elizabeth; Elizabeth II; queen of England
the emperor; Emperor Charles V; the emperor Charles V; the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V
the earl; the earl of Shaftesbury; Anthony Ashley Cooper, third earl of Shaftesbury
the dowager queen; Dowager Queen Mary
Likewise: King Elessar; the king of Gondor; the prince of Mirkwood; the steward, Faramir; the lord of Rivendell; Lord Elrond
Personal Note: I always capitalize "the Ring-bearer." But that is correct since it's generally used ONLY for Frodo---see note below. Sam was a Ring-bearer, but not "the Ring-bearer." I always capitalize Ring when referring to the One Ring. It's more menacing. ;D
Some British usage favors more capitalization---and some specific British titles are always capitalized when used without a personal name---this is the British preference for THESE particular titles and not the overriding style.
Ex: Queen Mother; Prince of Wales; Dame of Sark
- Honorific titles and forms of address should be capitalized in any context:
His Majesty; Her Royal Highness, Your Grace; His Eminence, Your Excellency; Your Honor
BUT: my lord is lowercased, as are sir and madam when not followed by a proper name.
Ex: "Yes, my lord."
BUT: "Yes, Lord Aragorn."
Ex: "Yes, sir."
- Some commonly accepted epithets singular to ONE individual and accepted as part of, or substitute for, the name of a particular person ARE capitalized.
Ex: the Great Emancipator; the Sun King; the Swedish Nightingale
The epithet "the" is not capitalized.
Likewise: Isildur's Heir; the Evenstar; Envinyatar; the Dark Lord; the Witch-king of Angmar; the Ring-bearer; the Old Took; the Adorable One *cough* How'd that get in there? ;D
The king of Gondor or steward of Gondor would not apply here, since there have been many kings of Gondor---it must be a unique name intrinsic to one person throughout ALL TIME to be capitalized according to these rules.
Civil titles and offices follow the same basic rules as those for nobility:
Ex: the chief justice of the Supreme Court; the governor; the mayor; the prime minister of England; the congressman from Oregon; Mayor Bill White; Senator Smith; Chief Justice Warren
Likewise: the mayor of Michel-Delving; Mayor Will Whitfoot; the master of Bag End
The exception is: Speaker of the House. In hobbity life, I imagine the Thain would also always be capitalized. Perhaps because only one person holds the title at a time.
- Kinship names---when used before a proper name or alone, in place of the name, they are usually capitalized. Otherwise, they are lowercased.
Ex: My father died at the age of seventy-five.
Ex: Happy Birthday, Uncle Ed.
Ex: I know that Mother's middle name is Marie.
Ex: Please, Dad, let's go.
Likewise: Uncle Bilbo; Bilbo, Frodo's uncle
So, it really boils down to: With few exceptions, proper Chicago Style dictates that titles of nobility, civil office, and kinship be only capitalized when used as 1) a form of direct address, 2) directly before a person's name, 3) in toasts and formal introductions, 4) honorific titles that may be used in direct address, such as Your Majesty, or 5) when a title is used as a characterizing word or phrase that has become accepted as an epithet for one person in history.
***
Whew! I'm tired now. I hope this has helped someone here... I know I get confused on the subject myself. I used to remember it better when I worked using the Chicago Style, but now that I'm not I'm enjoying the refresher course.
Someone on a Yahoo list I lurk on posted the same question, and *cough* upon seeing what I, er, consider to be the incorrect answers, lol, I decided to consult the best source I know of for writing: The Chicago Manual of Style.
It's the style used by the majority of U.S. publishers nationwide who produce novels and works of fiction---and most university presses and small presses. It is THE definitive style for works of fiction. Note that many scientific or professional journals and all newspapers do NOT follow this style---newspapers all follow the Associated Press style.
But since we're all generally talking about fiction here, I consulted my Chicago Manual of Style (a lovely 900-page manual that was the bane of my existence at my previous job...) to find the exact American style regarding titles and names' capitalization. Of course, those of you in other countries might have completely different thoughts on this. Additionally, many publishers have their own "house" style which may supercede the Chicago Manual of Style, but otherwise, U.S. publishers generally consider Chicago Style to be the last word on the subject of fiction.
Titles and Offices
- Civil, military, religious, and professional titles or titles of nobility are capitalized when they immediately precede a personal name, as part of the name.
Ex: Prince Charles
Likewise: Prince Legolas, King Elessar
- When such titles are used in apposition to a name they are not part of the name and are so lowercased:
Ex: the emperor Maximilian (the emperor who was Maximilian)
Likewise: Elessar, the king of Gondor...
- A title used alone, in place of a personal name, is capitalized in such contexts as formal introductions or toasts:
Ex: Ladies and Gentlemen, the President of the United States
Likewise: Folks of Gondor, all hail the King of the West
- Titles used in place of names in direct address are capitalized:
Ex: I would have done it, Captain, but the ship was sinking.
Likewise: I swear my loyalty, Sire, as long as I shall live.
Here are some examples of correct usage for nobility:
the queen; the queen of England; Queen Elizabeth; Elizabeth II; queen of England
the emperor; Emperor Charles V; the emperor Charles V; the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V
the earl; the earl of Shaftesbury; Anthony Ashley Cooper, third earl of Shaftesbury
the dowager queen; Dowager Queen Mary
Likewise: King Elessar; the king of Gondor; the prince of Mirkwood; the steward, Faramir; the lord of Rivendell; Lord Elrond
Personal Note: I always capitalize "the Ring-bearer." But that is correct since it's generally used ONLY for Frodo---see note below. Sam was a Ring-bearer, but not "the Ring-bearer." I always capitalize Ring when referring to the One Ring. It's more menacing. ;D
Some British usage favors more capitalization---and some specific British titles are always capitalized when used without a personal name---this is the British preference for THESE particular titles and not the overriding style.
Ex: Queen Mother; Prince of Wales; Dame of Sark
- Honorific titles and forms of address should be capitalized in any context:
His Majesty; Her Royal Highness, Your Grace; His Eminence, Your Excellency; Your Honor
BUT: my lord is lowercased, as are sir and madam when not followed by a proper name.
Ex: "Yes, my lord."
BUT: "Yes, Lord Aragorn."
Ex: "Yes, sir."
- Some commonly accepted epithets singular to ONE individual and accepted as part of, or substitute for, the name of a particular person ARE capitalized.
Ex: the Great Emancipator; the Sun King; the Swedish Nightingale
The epithet "the" is not capitalized.
Likewise: Isildur's Heir; the Evenstar; Envinyatar; the Dark Lord; the Witch-king of Angmar; the Ring-bearer; the Old Took; the Adorable One *cough* How'd that get in there? ;D
The king of Gondor or steward of Gondor would not apply here, since there have been many kings of Gondor---it must be a unique name intrinsic to one person throughout ALL TIME to be capitalized according to these rules.
Civil titles and offices follow the same basic rules as those for nobility:
Ex: the chief justice of the Supreme Court; the governor; the mayor; the prime minister of England; the congressman from Oregon; Mayor Bill White; Senator Smith; Chief Justice Warren
Likewise: the mayor of Michel-Delving; Mayor Will Whitfoot; the master of Bag End
The exception is: Speaker of the House. In hobbity life, I imagine the Thain would also always be capitalized. Perhaps because only one person holds the title at a time.
- Kinship names---when used before a proper name or alone, in place of the name, they are usually capitalized. Otherwise, they are lowercased.
Ex: My father died at the age of seventy-five.
Ex: Happy Birthday, Uncle Ed.
Ex: I know that Mother's middle name is Marie.
Ex: Please, Dad, let's go.
Likewise: Uncle Bilbo; Bilbo, Frodo's uncle
So, it really boils down to: With few exceptions, proper Chicago Style dictates that titles of nobility, civil office, and kinship be only capitalized when used as 1) a form of direct address, 2) directly before a person's name, 3) in toasts and formal introductions, 4) honorific titles that may be used in direct address, such as Your Majesty, or 5) when a title is used as a characterizing word or phrase that has become accepted as an epithet for one person in history.
***
Whew! I'm tired now. I hope this has helped someone here... I know I get confused on the subject myself. I used to remember it better when I worked using the Chicago Style, but now that I'm not I'm enjoying the refresher course.