Nobility Articles
Noble German Surnames & What They Mean
Like many of their European neighbours, and similar to German royalty last names, the German nobility adopted the custom of using the name of their estate or region as their surname or integrating it into their given family name. This was often done using a prefix...
The Monarchies That Didn’t Survive The Middle Ages
The great monarchies of history are famous for their hereditary lines of kings, queens, emperors and rulers. Within the history of royalty, the lines of succession, the blue bloodlines and the family ties played crucial roles in the stories and dramas of those who...
The Difference Between a Plutocracy & Aristocracy
Historically, the aristocracy has often been regarded as the realm of powerful nobles and the wealthy classes. So, it can be common to wonder exactly what official power the aristocracy hold within society, and what role their wealth plays in their status. For...
What Are The Smallest Kingdoms In The World
As the nations of the world evolved during the Middle Ages, boundaries and borders were drawn to represent the various kingdoms. In the earliest times, when the larger countries we know today were made up of many smaller territories, these would each be headed by a...
The Grandest Dynasties Of Europe
The Grandest Dynasties of Europe include some of history's most infamous and legendary royal and noble families. A dynasty is classed as a line of reigning sovereigns, or a prominent family line in the realms of commerce or politics, and throughout the ages, Europe...
Rich & Famous Aristocrats from Renaissance Europe
To be a member of the aristocracy must surely be one of the most fascinating of life paths. Not least are they blessed at birth with a rich and noble heritage, often with family histories that inspire esteem and admiration from all levels of society, aristocrats...
The Most Famous Aristocratic Families of Europe
The European aristocracy lays claim to a vast array of noble families that have left an indelible mark in the history books over the centuries. Many of the aristocratic families of Europe have been closely linked to the monarchies of the various countries and...
Noble Old Money Families of Europe
The aristocracy of Europe is regarded as the preeminent social class outside of the various nations' royal families. And it's true that this elite group of noble families have enjoyed a privileged and prestigious position in the higher echelons of society ever since...
Who Were the Nouveau Riche Aristocrats?
There are two aspects that have defined the aristocracy through the ages; wealth and exclusivity. And while the fortunes of many nobles and aristocrats may have risen and fallen over the centuries, the air of elitism, exclusion and rare privilege has been much more of...
Old Money vs New Money Within The Aristocracy
Within the higher echelons of society such as the nobility or aristocratic systems of the world, there's an idea of Old Money vs New Money. This is a kind of discrimination or judgement about individuals or their families, based on their background, familial lineage...
Who Are the American Aristocracy?
Over the last few centuries, there developed a class of eminent families and individuals in the United States that have come to be known as the American Aristocracy. In the truest sense of the term, America doesn't have an aristocratic or noble class, largely because...
The Italian Aristocracy of the Renaissance
The Italy that we know today is a unified country, a world-renowned nation that includes many famous cities and regions, such as Rome, Florence, Genoa, Milan and Tuscany, Sicily and Sardinia. While these places are an integral part of modern Italy, they each have...
Legends of Spanish Royalty
Spain and its surrounding territories are rich with history and legend. From the famous tales of how the city of Barcelona was named after the ships of Hercules, to the much-loved stories of San Jorge rescuing his princess from the fearsome dragon, the Spanish lands,...
Lavish Lifestyles of the French Aristocracy
La noblesse - the legendary nobility of France - conjures up the epitome of lavish aristocratic lifestyles. The heyday of the infamous court of 17th century Versailles is perhaps the ultimate example of the wealth, decadence, drama and refinement that the aristocrats...
The Grand Homes of German Royalty
While the life stories and legends of royalty through the ages may have filled the history books, there's another legacy of royal life that has long fascinated people from all walks of life and continues to captivate millions everywhere - the grand homes of those...
Aristocratic Lifestyles of Colonial India
India has always been a nation of contrasts. Throughout history, there has been a spectrum of social orders and hierarchies, ranging from the stupendous wealth of the Maharajas, Nizams and Nawabs to the everyday peasant workers and the poorer members of society. The...
Notable Noblewomen of Medieval Times
The Middle Ages were a period of great historic interest, with dramatic upheavals and transformations across the entire spectrum of civilised life, including politics, culture, agriculture, social orders and all aspects of daily living for all classes. Even the...
Aristocratic Families of the Renaissance
The Renaissance era is undoubtedly one of the most richly fascinating periods of history. With world-changing advances in science, politics and the arts, shifts that spread across the entire globe, this was a time of great change, but also a time of great improvements...
The Lifestyles of Nobles in the Middle Ages
The centuries of the Middle Ages, generally regarded as the period between the 5th and the 15th century, is one of the most captivating eras of European history. This enchanting epoch conjures up images of chivalrous knights in gleaming armour, fighting courageously...
The Lifestyles of Renaissance Nobles
After the centuries of feudal life and territorial battles that defined the Middle Ages, the Renaissance heralded a shift to the finer aspects of human existence. A new world of culture and politics emerged from the medieval period, one that celebrated art,...
The Top 3 Royal Palaces in France
During the early Middle Ages, as the social systems and hierarchies were evolving around the world, the rulers and leaders of the various kingdoms would usually inhabit a fortress-like building, such as a castle, fort or citadel. These would be highly functional...
5 Types of Palaces for Royals & Aristocrats
The common definition of a palace is that it is the grand home or headquarters of a king, queen, or head of state. A palace can also be the residence or administrative centre for religious leaders, such as the lavish ecclesiastical command posts of Europe that were...
The 10 Most Beautiful European Palaces
Throughout the ages, sovereigns, monarchs, royal families and political leaders have established their grand homes and residences around the world, staking their claim on their territories, and attempting to display to the world the extent of their power, wealth or...
The 3 Most Beautiful Royal Palaces in India
India is rich with colour and history, with a fascinating past that still lives on in the country's buildings and architecture. Nowhere is this rich history more evident than in the exquisite and lavish royal palaces that still captivate and delight locals and...
What Were the Earliest Medieval Noble Ranks?
The system of noble ranks and aristocratic titles that we know today evolved largely throughout the centuries of the medieval era, with the more formal aspects developing during the later Middle Ages and the Renaissance period. Although their power and social...
German Nobility Ranks
The nobility of Germany shares many of the traits and origins of the aristocratic systems of its European neighbours, such as France, Italy, Spain, Austria and England. Like them, the German nobility emerged in the Middle Ages and blossomed in wealth, power and...
Who Were the Dukes of Burgundy?
Of all the many colourful aristocratic dynasties and eminent noble families of the Middle Ages, one of the most fascinating and renowned is the legendary line of the Dukes of Burgundy. This ancient noble lineage has been a source of fascination and curiosity for...
How to Address Nobility & Royalty
The Importance of Etiquette The formalities most royal courts employ today are different to how things were in the past. Many formal vestiges of the royal courts and aristocratic systems of old are no longer observed as strictly as they once were – when a breach of...
5 Synonyms for Aristocracy & Nobility
The terms aristocracy and nobility are often used interchangeably these days, even though their original definitions and etymology do vary slightly. Both words give a sense of superiority, suggesting the air of an elite social class. As the hierarchies of society...
What is the Landed Gentry?
Throughout the history of social evolution, there are many references to a class known as the Landed Gentry. They appear in folk songs and fairy tales. They provide the plotlines and imposing mansions of Victorian novels. And in modern times, they grace our sumptuous...
How American Heiresses Saved England’s Noble Houses
In the fictional TV series, Downton Abbey, the character of Cora, the beautiful chatelaine of the estate, is an American heiress whose fortunes and million-dollar dowry played a key role in her marriage to the handsome Earl of Grantham. While the characters of Downton...
The Decadent Lifestyles of the Renaissance Noble Classes
Throughout history, the noble classes have been famed for their decadent lifestyles. The landed gentry are renowned for the vastness and splendour of their plush homes, estates, palaces and castles. Stories of wealthy aristocrats over the ages are rife with lavish...
Who First Offered Titles of Nobility For Sale?
King James I of England left an indelible mark on the history books, famed for a whole range of royal roles and historic connections. As the son of Mary, Queen of Scots, James was proclaimed King of Scotland during infanthood, and went on to become the first King of...
The Most Famous French Noble Houses of the Renaissance
The centuries of the Renaissance call to mind images of audacious opulence, lavish decadence, palatial properties, and rich living in the lap of luxury. Nowhere was this spectacular period played out more fully than in the French royal courts and palaces during the...
Who are the Wealthiest Modern Aristocrats?
Throughout the ages, the world's aristocrats and nobles have been renowned for their lives of luxury, privilege, and enormous wealth. Though the status and power of modern aristocrats may have waned in recent centuries as ancient systems have given way to republics or...
What is Hereditary Aristocracy?
When it comes to the world of nobility titles and aristocratic ranks, the hereditary nature of those titles and ranks are a big deal. After all, many noble titles throughout history have included components such as vast wealth, palatial estates or property, eminent...
Famous Noble Families Around the World
In the centuries since the medieval period, when the aristocratic structures began to emerge, the various noble families have had a chequered history. Some great lineages dominated their times and maintained their power and influence for generations, only to disappear...
The Royalty Titles of Asia
The diverse blend of countries and regions within Asia gives rise to an eclectic mix of cultural history, and nowhere is this more apparent than in their kings and queens and royal families. The names and titles of monarchs and sovereigns within the Asian continent...
The German Nobility – German Nobility Information
Adel is the original name of the German Nobility since time immemorial. This peculiar social class was a hereditary and very elite group that dominated the social, political and economic life of the Holy Roman Empire and the German and Austrian Confederation. The...
Indian Royal Titles & Aristocratic Ranks
The diverse cultures of the modern Indian subcontinent are the result of centuries of change and evolution, incorporating a bewildering array of tribes, kingdoms, cultures, languages and faiths. These tumultuous times resulted in a rich and fascinating legacy of royal...
Noblewomen of the Middle Ages
As decreed by the Church and religious leaders that dominated the centuries of the Middle Ages, the role and importance of women were regarded as secondary to that of men. As a result, the lives and times of medieval women were rarely documented and even more...
What are the Titles of Nobility for Females?
Noble & Royal Titles for Females In the fascinating system of aristocracy and nobility that emerged during the Middle Ages, a particular hierarchy developed that meant noble titles had a rank and unique set of privileges. These nobility titles were often based on...
The Lavish Lifestyles of Renaissance Noblewomen
The Renaissance Period is renowned for being a Golden Age of music, art, architecture, science and discovery. There was a cultural shift away from the constant labour and back-breaking toil of medieval times, as people began to pursue more refined lifestyles and...
The Original American Aristocracy
In 1787, America's founding fathers outlined details in their Constitution prohibiting the granting of nobility titles by the United States. In a spirit of liberty, fraternity and 'domestic Tranquility', America held a vision of all persons being of equal merit and...
America’s Dollar Princesses & the British Aristocracy
In the late 19th century, America began to see a new breed of successful businessmen accumulating vast fortunes from their triumphant enterprises in ventures such as finance, stockbroking, rail and retail. However as these business titans and their families grew in...
Barony Titles for Sale
Our company owns archival software and databases listing practically the totality of all the Barony Titles existent in France, Italy and the Germanic Lands of Europe. This gives us a privileged position to research and find extremely valuable Barony Titles. Our...
The Homes of Great Nobles in the Middle Ages
During the Middle Ages, a system of hierarchy began to emerge within the noble families and aristocratic ranks. Over time, these groupings became a firmly delineated social order, with strict rules regarding status and privilege. However, during the early generations...
The Stately Homes of European Nobles
Throughout the ages, the great noble families of Europe have been renowned for their power and influence within the royal courts and governments. These positions of prestige and status were usually accompanied by vast wealth, grand estates and opulent homes, ranging...
Great Estates of Medieval Europe
During the Middle Ages, the drama and politics played out most notably in the hubs of government, the royal courts and the palatial seats of imperial power. Yet the everyday stories of millions of medieval people, from all walks of life, were simultaneously carried...
Famous Palaces in India
Is there anywhere in the world that sums up the opulence and grandeur of royal life more than the palaces of India? Boasting over eighty palaces and palatial royal retreats, India’s wealth of regal residences are the result of centuries of dynastic development...