The Original Nobility: Patricians and Knights

By "nobility" I refer to that class in society which once had hereditary political, financial and social privileges guaranteed by law. By "original nobility" I follow the German (and now internationally accepted) definition and refer to those families who were ennobled (or generally recognised as nobles) before the year 1400. With "patricians" I refer to those families who from time immemorial were recorded as local and regional leaders, and usually as a base for their power had vast landed properties. With "knight" I refer to the warrior class that emerged and developed during 900 - 1300 AD.

The original nobility was comprised of those two categories, the patricians and the knights. The patricians soon developed into the higher nobility, and were often granted land and titles by the king or ruler. To administer the vast and scattered estates they needed local commanders, who in their turn needed well armed warriors to defend the properties. During the 11th, 12th and 13th centuries the duties and privileges (e.g. to maintain an armed force and enjoy tax exemption) became formalised and hereditary.

Among the knights one could originally distinguish two classes: the nobiles (who belonged to the hereditary and wealthy higher nobility, usually derived from the patricians), and the milites (the lower nobility which served as officers in the castles of the higher nobility).

During the 12th and 13th centuries these two groups, the nobiles and the milites, were merged, as the milites gained priveleges, built their own castles and married the daughters of the nobiles.

Slowly a chivalric ideal developed, and chivalric virtues such as bravery and gallantry were praised.

As the military importance of the knights decreased during the 14th and 15th centuries, the chivalric system became more of a cultural institution. The knights became more closely attached to the royal and princely courts, and more importance was given to heraldry and various ceremonies. It became increasingly more common for the king or prince to create new nobles by means of letters patent, and soon this newly created titular nobility had by far outnumbered the original nobility. During the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries the creation of new nobles in many countries became so extensive they were soon regarded as the "only" and the "real" nobility. The original nobility had by then in many cases lost their original landed properties, due to ward and seizures, and along with them the recognition they once enjoyed.

So it was that the exception became the rule (patent nobility) and substance was replaced by shadow (landed properties with honorific titles). But until this day it remains true that "Laws may be changed, privileges may expire. But the duties to the Fatherland remain. And once those duties are fulfilled, little does it worry the true nobility where its position in society is put" (Count Gustaf Lagerbjelke, 1866).

If you found this article about the original nobility interesting, you may wish to have a look at my book "Find Your Noble Ancestors!", where I develop the subjects outlined above.

Jan-Olov von Wowern lives in Stockholm, Sweden, and is the head of the Swedish branch of the von Wowern family, dating back to its founder who was born around 1090 and made a Marquis in 1141. He is active in European charitable and nobiliary work. Visit his page at http://www.findyournobleancestors.com and download a FREE chapter from his book.

---

10 Feng Shui Tips for a Better Life

Ever walked into a house that felt like home? Ever... Read More

Chinese Zodiac Signs

Each Chinese New Year begins on the day of first... Read More

Painting as a Spiritual Expression

Is a painting no more than a piece of paper... Read More

Rules of Noble Succession

Let me first say that the rules of noble succession,... Read More

On Being Human

Are we human because of unique traits and attributes not... Read More

Man and His Machines

A woman creates life from her womb, and man tries... Read More

The Life of Nikola Tesla - Intro

It is not my purpose to claim to know all... Read More

Precious Stones The Big Five-Part 5 The Pearl

Since pearls are so rare and possess such a high... Read More

A Maiden Trip

I belong to a hamlet called 'Konthai' which is in... Read More

The Birth Of Eskimo Inuit Art Prints

Unlike Inuit sculpture, art prints from the Canadian Arctic are... Read More

Ancient Indian Civilizations - Where Did They All Go?

In 1350 AD we were still quite a few centuries... Read More

Astrology Refuted: They Should Have Seen It Coming

A comedian once showed a newspaper to his audience. The... Read More

A Brief Biography of Rene Boissevain the Agate Adventurer and Creator of The Crystal Caves Museum

In 1964 myself (René), Nelleke my wife, and our daughter... Read More

Flows of Civilization; Views from a Think Tank

Over the past few years we have been discussing many... Read More

Rasputin

GRIGORY EFIMOVICH NOVYKH (RASPUTIN):'Hail, Hail, Ras-putin'. This man's story has... Read More

Mythology and Parables in Modern Communication - Part 2

There is a big adjustment coming in terms of our... Read More

Violence

Flashes of memory stream into my consciousness. They take me... Read More

Josephine the Merovingian

I cannot emphasize enough the dearth of information, or the... Read More

Working With The Generations

For the first time in history, there are four generations... Read More

The Trafalgar Way - Devon Remembers the Battle of Trafalgar

During the third week of August 2005 the Trafalgar Way... Read More

Family, Incest, and Law

Family Values in Ancient Times:Many people of the present make... Read More

Top 10 Questions about Body Piercing

Body piercing has grown so much in popularity in recent... Read More

Human Cultural Evolution

If we think about it at this juncture, clearly there... Read More

The Five Feng Shui Elements and Their Characteristics

Feng shui handles five main elements in order to achieve... Read More

Civil War Uniform Shirts ? When to Use a One and Two Piece Body!

So, you want to make your own Civil War shirt.... Read More

OM to Ogham

Plato observed that the advent of an alphabet making writing... Read More

Thaitsuki Nihonto Samurai Swords: Leading The Way

So why are these swords so popular? There are several... Read More

The Masked Fool

The FoolMy first direct experience of the fool in masking... Read More

Brazil--Comments by a Gilliam Fan a Little Too Late

Either I am one of the darkest people ever or... Read More

Tribal Tattoo Designs - Why Are They So Popular?

Tribal tattoos have been practiced for thousands of years. Modern... Read More

Old Russian Symbolics on a White and Blue Porcelain

Russian porcelain is widely known and is often used as... Read More

African Masks The Art of Creation

With western eyes we tend to view a tribal mask... Read More

How to Make Your Civil War Uniform Shirt

Your own shirt designed and made by you for your... Read More