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.

---

How to Make Your Civil War Uniform Shirt

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

The Crisis of Human Survival

Environmental Pollution1. Damage to The Ozone Layer Causes Radiation PollutionThe... Read More

Tarot Cards Demystified: The Suit of Pentacles

There are many ways to interpret the symbolism found in... Read More

Last Chance to See: Grove Mill, Mitcham

Grove Mill, Mitcham; where in 1934 many of the iron... Read More

Astrologers Just Plain Stupid?

We live at an interesting time of scientific knowledge. Scientists... Read More

Sixties: The Decade of Rebellion

It is safe to say that in ... Read More

What is Your Birthstone?

Just about everyone knows what his or her birthstone is.... Read More

Precious Stones The Big Five-Part 5 The Pearl

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

Tribal Masks

Original Tribal masks are often seen by unknowing eyes as... Read More

Hip-hop Jewelry and Todays Stars

Watch any of the major movie, television, and music award... 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

The Man Who Loved Jail

Around my twentieth birthday life became a series of incredible... Read More

Druidic University

MEGALITHIIC POWER PLANTS:Druidic University:Long before there was a Rome or... Read More

Fancy Dress Parties

Fancy dress parties have been around since for centuries and... Read More

The Symbolism Behind an Anchor Tattoo and Anchor Tattoo Design

Anchor tattoos were all the rage for sailors. It was... Read More

A Short Biography on Some of Europes Most Loved and Hated Monarchs - Pt 5 Charles II

Born in 1630, Charles II was the second eldest son... Read More

Ogham and Aymara

OGHAM:As any reader of my work knows by now, Ogham... Read More

How to Clean Your Civil War Uniform

How necessary is cleaning your Civil War Uniform?The every day... Read More

The Dating Game

Lord Renfrew, Disney Professor of Archaeology at Cambridge University states:... Read More

When We Was Kids In Chicago (Part 2)

From an early age my Mother sent me to the... Read More

Family, Incest, and Law

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

Is Timing the Secret of Success?

Success is often viewed as a magic potion. Market demand... Read More

Gymnastics Olympic Champions From 1988-2004

Here are the men's and women's all-around champions from the... Read More

Leonardo Da Vinci

THE BICYCLE OF LEONARDO DA VINCI: - "? a man... Read More

Building Catapults Required Engineering Know How

When building catapults, armies had to include in their ranks... Read More

Chinese Tattoos - Meaning of Chinese Dragon Tattoos

Chinese Tattoos have always been hugely popular. At one stage... Read More

Christopher Columbus

CHRISTOPHER COLUMBUS: - It seems a mystery to most academics... Read More

At 60 plus Amitabh Bachchan Rules! - A Vastu Study

No words in this universe are enough to describe him,... Read More

An Interview on History and Educational Media

1. Can you briefly summarize why you think history is... Read More

Insider Tips to Quadruple Your Art Show Sales

At a recent art show, I could not help but... Read More

Learn How To Draw Faces Realistically

Drawing a face isn't as hard as it looks. To... Read More

American Citizenship

Can We Pass The Test?American CitizenshipI'm the daughter of an... Read More

African Masks The Art of Creation

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