The head of the Empire. The is now no-one able to claim this title and even if an heir was found he would not be welcome.
Signore were original lords of Brindisi. Responsible for the allocation of land to the peasants, holding law courts and generally ruling in feudal fiefs, this title self appointed by claiming land and power became hereditary once stability came to Brindisi(due to one of the Signore claiming the title of emperor and forming the senate). Later on, the Emperors decided who they would have as Signores and strategically replaced these people for thier own ends until the title became unnessesary. Barone is an alternative form for the same rank which arose from the Genuan after Signore became common among the lower classes as a sign of respect.
A knight, or vassal, of a Signore. These were usually men, occupied in a military fashion and loyal over all others to the Signore they served. Resposible for the safety and peace of the local fife they were the backbone of Brindisi society, although not always popular due to their tax collecting duties.
After the fall of empire, the senate members who held land but no titles looked again to Genua and adopted Duca (a corruption of 'Duc' meaning 'war lord'), to justify their positions.
The first to hold the title of Marchese were the Barones deteated in the civil wars after the collapse of empire, yet still willing to be vassels for the victorious Ducas. In this age women were taking power for the first time and 'Marchesa' also came into being, bringing with it, 'Duchessa'.
Although the Duca would live in the capital of his province, along with his Marcheses and other vassals, a local presence would be needed in each town. To those in these positions the title of Conte (Contessa) was awarded, along with Visconte (Viscontessa) for villages (although this was not strictly follwed, several Vicontes became as powerful as Ducas while Marcheses withered away). Since few knights remained from the days of the senate it was normal for the Contes and Visconte to act as generals, and often a family would gain the hereditary title through acts of gallantry in battle.