Jarl

Each of the nine Holds of Skyrim are governed by a Jarl. The Jarls are largely independent, but they swear fealty to Skyrim's High King. The Jarl is the official in charge of the local Hold, controlling the local Hold Guard and regulating trade.

Ascension
The position of Jarl is hereditary, passing from parent to their first-born child, daughters are apparently equal in the line of succession, as Idgrod the Younger of Morthal clearly states that she is to inherit the office of Jarl from her mother, Jarl Idgrod Ravencrone. Dowagers may inherit the title from their deceased husbands.

Elder Council
The Jarls of Skyrim may be part of the Elder Council. As part of the Elder Council they have the power to legislate for the entire Empire. In the absence for a legitimate heir of the Emperor, the Elder Council rules in the Emperors stead. If there is not a legitimate heir for a Jarl the Elder Council chooses a suitable replacement Jarl to rule.

High King
The High King or High Queen is the leader of Skyrim. The High King or Queen typically inherits the throne by birth and rules for life or until abdication. In the event that no direct heir to the throne exists, a specially convened council of all the Jarls, called the Moot, meet with the express purpose of choosing Skyrim's High King. .

Court
Each Jarl elects a cabinet of officials to assist them with governing their Hold:


 * Stewards control public relations and are often approached about business, civil disputes, and the purchasing of property, instead of approaching the Jarl directly.


 * Court Wizards serve as the Jarl's specialist on arcane knowledge, though it is very rare for Court Wizards to be involved in the court, instead focusing on their experiments. It is also rare for Court Wizards to change with a regime, as demonstrated throughout the Civil War questline.


 * Housecarls or personal bodyguards protect the Jarl at all times, although the hold guards also possess this responsibility.


 * Thanes appointed by the Jarl are also considered members of the Court. They are often nobles, who serve the Jarl as advisors and councillors, however Thanes are not a necessary part of a Hold's government.


 * Hold Guard Captains are men put in command of the Hold Guard, they are charged with upholding the law and defending the Hold from attack.

Granting titles
Since the Jarl is the head of the court, he or she can grant the title of Thane to the Dragonborn, but first they need to prove themselves before being granted the honor and title of Thane. Thanes are also members of the Jarl's Court. The number of Thanes a Hold has varies largely depending on its size.

Residence and apparel
Jarls reside in lavish palaces in the main cities of the holds in which they govern. There, they sit upon the throne, surrounded by their subjects. Jarls also wear specific coronets, similar to circlets, with the exception of Jarl Ulfric Stormcloak and Jarl Idgrod Ravencrone. Jarls from all holds wear Noble Clothes, a set of which can be found on a shelf in the East Empire Company Warehouse.

Form of address
As a title, Jarls are addressed to as Jarl (Name) i.e. "What do you say on this matter, Jarl Ulfric?" The full name is not required when addressing to a Jarl. The "J" is pronounced as a "Y", as in the word "Yacht".

Jarls
During the events of, the province is in a civil war so the Jarls may change throughout the game depending on which side the Dragonborn chooses.

Other Jarls

 * "The Bear", Jarl of Windhelm. Ulfric Stormcloak's father.
 * Elgryr the Unminded, Jarl of Windhelm sometime during the Second Era.
 * Hanse, Jarl of Winterhold.
 * Hosgunn Crossed-Daggers, Jarl of Riften.
 * Hrolfdir, Jarl of Markarth.
 * Olaf One-Eye, Jarl of Whiterun.
 * Torygg, Jarl of Solitude.
 * Valdimar, Jarl of Winterhold during The Great Collapse.

Post-Civil War
After completing the Civil War questline, the Jarls loyal to the victorious factions will remain instated in their respective holds, while Jarls loyal to the defeated faction will be relocated to their side's capital hold's palace (with the exception of a few individuals, such as Maven Black-Briar, who remains in Riften due to her political influences).

The relocated Jarls along with their housecarls will insult the Dragonborn if approached, although they will still give out radiant bounties and quests if interacted with.

Trivia

 * Jarls are a historical title in Norse culture comparable to the Earls of Anglo-Saxon peerage.
 * Alternative names for the Jarl rank in the nobility structure are used in other parts of Tamriel, such as Count in the province of Cyrodiil or Councilor in the province of Morrowind.
 * In Norse mythology, Jarl was the name of the third of the first three men created by the god Heimdallr. He represented the noble class, with the other two being Thrall, the slave or serf, and Karl (or "Carl", as in "housecarl"), the free man.