| Nobility can be many things including a social and | | | | from non-nobility or nobility of lesser rank in society, |
| historical concept. This is different from social status or | | | | and could exercise political or power religious over |
| class which is more related to income . Nobility in | | | | them. |
| ancient Roman society was not established simply by | | | | Titles of nobility could be earned or inherited. In this |
| birth. It could be maintained and acquired by service in | | | | aspect, nobility is different from peerage. Peerage is |
| public offices and promotion to senior positions, which | | | | only passed to an individual family member. For nobility |
| were called honores. Nobility has been seen as a sign | | | | was not only something one could acquire, but |
| of biological or racial superiority; as a desired political | | | | something one could also lose. |
| arrangement; or as compensation for services given. | | | | Characteristics of the Ranks |
| Nobility was once demonstrated by the showing of an | | | | Some of the more popular noble ranks and their |
| aristocratic pedigree and wealth. Chivalry focused the | | | | characteristics are listed below. |
| demonstration of nobility on action and strived to show | | | | Marquis |
| that true nobility comes from the heart. Nobility titles | | | | A marquis is a noble title which is normally an inherited |
| are found today in quite a few countries, mostly | | | | rank of varied European countries and sometimes their |
| though it is usually often with former or present | | | | colonies. The term originally denoted a count holding a |
| monarchies. | | | | march, or mark (frontier district). Originally, they were |
| The Noble | | | | counts which had extra powers due to the fact that |
| Nobles typically controlled resources, such as money, | | | | they protected border areas. This gave them higher |
| food, or labor, from other more common members or | | | | rank over other counts or earls as they were called in |
| of lower rank nobles of their societies, and could | | | | England. |
| exercise political or religious power over them. Having | | | | Prince |
| wealth or influence does not necessarily cause one to | | | | Prince is a title of some members of Royal families |
| become a noble, neither do all nobles have influence | | | | and the highest ranks of the aristocracy or the nobility. |
| and wealth. Nobles or knights were warriors on | | | | A ruler, derived from Latin princeps, which means first |
| horseback who were committed to their ruler and | | | | in rank. Generally, any ruler was known as the 'prince', |
| swore to fight on his behalf for an grant of land | | | | the 'ruler'. A prince is known for being a leader or ruler. |
| together along with serfs. Heraldry or having a coat of | | | | A prince is known for his fairness and his ability to |
| arms, was never restricted to the just the noble | | | | guide or inspire others. |
| classes for most countries, and having a coat of arms | | | | Knight |
| does not mean a person is part of nobility. Typically, | | | | There were three types of soldiers in the middle ages |
| but not always, nobles were entitled to land or other | | | | and the knight was one of these: Archers, Foot |
| property, which was often demonstrated in their title. | | | | Soldiers, and Knights. Knights followed a code known |
| Power | | | | as chivalry. They were committed to be courteous to |
| In some countries in which nobility was popular, they | | | | women, defend weaker people, and of course |
| were slowly displaced in power by wealthy individuals | | | | demonstrate loyalty to their king, and be of service to |
| not connected to nobility. For example a rich merchant | | | | God. Knights were taught to be humble to others, |
| had more influence than a lesser nobleman. As | | | | particularly their superiors. Knighthood was eventually |
| mentioned before, nobles typically controlled resources | | | | merged into the nobility as a lower noble title. |