Forms of Address

There are many forms of address used in the Honorverse stories, and many of them are replicated and used within The Royal Manticoran Navy: The Official Honor Harrington Fan Association, Inc..

Dame

In the societal context, it is a title of nobility for women who are members of the various orders of knighthood within the Star Empire. The title 'Dame' is pre-pended to their names and the post-nominal letters of their order(s) of knighthood are appended in descending order of seniority. In the case of military women in a military context, the title is inserted after their rank and before their name. For example, Alice Truman is a Knight Companion of the Most Honorable Order of King Roger. Socially she is announced as Dame Alice Truman, and in the Manticoran peerage she appears as Dame Alice Truman, KCR. Militarily, she is Vice Admiral Dame Alice Truman.

Ma'am

A shortened form of 'Madam', this is the proper form of address by an enlisted person or warrant officer to a female commissioned officer; also how a junior officer properly addresses a senior female commissioned officer.

Sir

This has two primary modes of use.

1. In the military context, it is how an enlisted person or warrant officer addresses a male commissioned officer; it is also how a junior commissioned officer addresses a senior male commissioned officer.
2. In the societal context, it is a title of nobility for men who are members of the various orders of knighthood within the Star Empire. As such, it is pre-pended to their names, and the post-nominal letters of their order(s) of knighthood are appended in descending order of seniority. In the case of military men and in a military context, it is inserted after their rank and before their name. For example, Aivars Terekhov is a Knight Companion of the Most Honorable Order of King Roger. Therefore, socially, he would be announced as Sir Aivars Terekhov. In a peerage listing, he would appear as Sir Aivars Terekhov, PMV, KCR, MC. When addressed or referred to formally in a military context, he is Captain Sir Aivars Terekhov.

My Lord

This is the form of address for a baron, an earl, or a male steadholder. Male military officers who bear one of these peerages are usually addressed as "sir" by junior officers and enlisted personnel within a military context, but may alternately be addressed as My Lord.

My Lady

This is the form of address for a baroness, a countess, or a female steadholder. Female military officers who bear one of these peerages are usually addressed as "ma'am" by junior officers and enlisted personnel within a military context, but may alternately be addressed as My Lady.

Your Grace

This is the form of address for a duke or duchess, or for a grand duke or grand duchess. Military officers who bear a ducal or grand ducal title are usually addressed as "sir" or "ma'am" by junior officers and enlisted personnel within a military context, but may alternately be addressed as "Your Grace." The Protector of Grayson is also addressed as "Your Grace."