When you think of a monarchy, you probably imagine a king and a queen, maybe some princes and princesses, but many other royal titles are held by families. Right below the status of a prince is the duke. If the king is the boss, then the dukes/duchesses are the employees. They oversee smaller portions of land, defending against intrusions and advising the king. The taxes raised in these districts were returned to the king/queen. Below dukes and duchesses are marquesses or marchionesses. The title was used to refer to an individual who ruled a border area between two nations. Then, there are earls and countesses, who preside over counties. After them, there are viscounts (like the guy from Bridgerton). Unlike many other positions, this role is not passed down hereditarily and is often just a courtesy. The title of knight or dame is bestowed on those who have done great service in certain subjects such as science or the humanities. You get a ‘Sir’ or ‘Dame’ added to the front of your name too!
There are lots of different titles floating around monarchies, so next time you watch a period drama, maybe this guide will help!