Great House

The Great Houses are a Klingon feudalistic social organization that dominates the Klingon Empire. Each house is usually led by the eldest male of the ruling family, for whom the house is named. His wife is the Mistress of the Great House, who usually oversees the running of the household and approves all marriages into the family. Traditionally the ruling family is of noble descent, although in recent times that is not always the case. The Great House also includes various properties and holdings, and commands military forces. The rulers of the 24 most powerful Great Houses form the Klingon High Council.

When the head of a Great House dies, either in battle or of natural causes, leadership of the house passes to his heir, usually his son. If he was defeated in honorable combat, his wife also has the right to choose his victor as the new head of her house (see also: brek'tal ritual). If the head of the house left no male heir, the High Council may arrange special dispensation for someone else to rule the house, such as the Mistress. It is possible for individuals unrelated by blood to join a Great House, by consent of the house's head. (see also: R'uustai)

Great Houses which have been gravely dishonored by the actions of their rulers may be disbanded, and their holdings claimed by other houses.

Great Houses

• House of Antaak
• House of D'Ghor
• House of Duras
• House of Grilka ("House of Quark")
• House of Konjah
• House of Kor
• House of Kozak
• House of Martok
• House of Mo'kai
• House of Mogh
• House of Noggra

Background

Ronald D. Moore stated:

We've never explored the hows and whys regarding the naming of Klingon Houses. The House of Mogh reference was probably something that Worf carried on out of respect for his deceased father. This might be the right of a son -- to perpetuate a single name for the House instead of supplanting it with his own. [1]

References

• ENT: "Divergence"
• TNG: "Redemption, Part I"
• DS9:
  • "The House of Quark"
  • "The Way of the Warrior"
  • "Sons of Mogh"
  • "Apocalypse Rising"
  • "Soldiers of the Empire"
  • "Sons and Daughters"
  • "Once More Unto the Breach
  • "When It Rains..."
  • "Tacking into the Wind"