We select title names from France. Why from there? Because people use French names most often. With the exception of some used in Russia. And on this page we will tell you who is doing what.
As a rule, they are presented in order: from the highest to the simplest. Titles going from Emperors to Chevaliers (Knights) are usually called noble titles. For reference: A nobleman is one of the highest classes of feudal society (along with the clergy), who stood in the service of the monarch and performed government activities. In other words, a nobleman is a person in the service of the court, usually a prince or king.
Emperor– the title of a monarch or several monarchs at once, the head of an empire. An emperor is usually the owner of several countries or peoples at once. As a rule, he takes land of his own free will. The highest title currently in existence. Feminine - Empress.
Caesar (Russian – Tsar) – a sovereign sovereign, the owner of a kingdom or a large state. A king is a person chosen by God, the people, etc. Usually associated with the highest dignity of the emperor. In Russia, by the way, the current “tsar” is currently called the president, but in reality this is not so. The king, as a rule, takes charge of the entire country, and the president leads the country through others. Feminine - Queen.
King- the title of a monarch, usually hereditary, but sometimes elective, the head of a kingdom or a small state. Feminine - Queen.
Prince- who is this? It seems that everyone knows, but I’ll tell you anyway: this is the son of a monarch (king, czar or emperor). And when the king dies, the prince takes his place, being the new king. Feminine - Princess.
Duke (Russian – Prince) - leader of the army and ruler of the region. The head of a feudal monarchical state or a separate political entity, a representative of the feudal aristocracy. Highest noble title. Feminine – Duchess or Princess.
Marquis (Russian – Zemsky Boyar) - a noble title higher than a count, but lower than a duke. Marquises usually became counts who had served the king well and received permission to rule a border mark (administrative unit). Hence, by the way, the name of the title. Feminine - Marquise or Boyarina.
Graph (Russian – Princely Boyar) – a title of nobility in Western Europe And pre-revolutionary Russia. It originally denoted a senior official, but since the time of the Norman kings it has become an honorary title. Generally higher than baron and viscount, but lower than marquis and duke. Feminine - Countess.
Viscount- a member of the European nobility, halfway between a baron and a count. As a rule, the eldest son of an earl (during his father's lifetime) bears the title of viscount. In the Russian nobility the title of Viscount is absent. Feminine - Viscountess.
Baron (Russian – Master or Boyarin) is a noble title, lower than count and viscount. A noble person, in the narrow sense, the highest stratum of feudal society. In medieval feudal Western Europe - a major ruling nobleman and feudal lord, later - an honorary title of nobility. Feminine - Baroness or Boyaryna.
Chevalier (Russian – Knight) – he is also a Knight as well. The youngest title of nobility who owned land. Formally, they were not considered nobility and were not included in high society, but at the same time they were persons of blue blood and were still nobles.
Gentleman– initially the word “gentleman” meant a man of noble birth, this was the basic definition of an aristocrat, the next title was Esquire. But then they began to call an educated and well-mannered man, respectable and balanced. Gentleman, as a rule, does not apply to the title of nobility. And there is no female equivalent to the word “Gentleman”. They are called Ladies.
Lord- this is not a title, but a general name for representatives of the upper class. Lord from English means "lord". It can be called any ruler, regardless of rank. Although, if we talk about Great Britain, then Lord is still a title, but in other nations dukes, marquises, counts, etc. are also called lord.
About noble titles, their appropriation, addressing titled persons in different countries, ranks and titles of nobles in European countries, the meaning and status of each title according to its affiliation, the origin of titles and their modern meanings. And also about the hierarchy in Protestant and catholic churches and accordingly addressing their servants.Titles UK
. There is a fairly strict order of protocol seniority - 129 points.
Basic:
The Sovereign and his family members .
Dukes (of England, then Scotland, Great Britain, Ireland, the United Kingdom and Ireland)
Eldest sons of dukes of royal blood
Marquises (same seniority)
Eldest sons of dukes
Graphs
Younger sons of dukes of royal blood
Eldest sons of the marquises
Younger sons of dukes
Viscounts
Earls' eldest sons
Younger sons of the marquises
Bishops
Barons
Eldest sons of viscounts
Younger sons of counts
Eldest sons of the barons
Younger sons of the barons
Sons of life barons
Baronets
Knights of the Orders (except for the Order of the Garter - it is higher)
Knights who are not members of the Orders
Exquires
Squires
In Great Britain, only the head of a family has a noble title. The eldest son and the son of the eldest son (among dukes and marquises) may, by right of courtesy, also bear the title, but below the title of the head by one or more points. The title of Lord is borne by the sons of dukes and marquises. The younger sons of earls and all sons of barons and viscounts are called Honorable (abbreviated to The Hon in letters)
Ladies are the daughters of dukes, marquises and counts. Daughters of Viscounts and Barons - The Hon. Only the Duke and Duchess are invariably referred to by their full title.
Marquises, earls and viscounts are titled only on ceremonial occasions, but on other occasions they should be called Lord or Lady, the same for barons and baronesses.
France.
Sovereign
Princes
Dukes
Awnings
Graphs
Viscounts
Barons
The family title is inherited by the eldest son, the others receive the next in rank.
The title of knight is not inherited.
Appeal:
Mister Duke- Monseigneur le Duc
Madame Duchess- Madame la Duchesse
Common address in aristocratic circles: Duke + first name, Baron/Earl + last name, Sir + first and last name
Church. Appeals.
Protestant.
Archbishop - Your Grace
Bishop - Lord
Clergymen up to the rank of prebendary - Sir
Others - Reverence + first and last name
Catholic
.
Pope - Holy Father or Your Holiness in the third person
Cardinal - Eminence or Your Lordship
Archbishops and bishops - Excellency or Your Lordship in the second person
others - according to rank
LORD (English lord),
1) in medieval England, initially a feudal landowner (lord of the manor, landlord), then a collective title of the English high nobility; assigned to the peers of the kingdom, forming the House of Lords of the British Parliament. Since the 19th century The title lord is granted for the merits of scientists and cultural figures.
2) An integral part of the names of some positions in the UK (for example, Lord Chancellor - chairman of the House of Lords, Lord Mayor - head of local authorities in London and other large cities).
Prince Regent
A Prince Regent (or Regent) is a prince who rules as a monarch. Regent instead of Monarch, for example due to the Sovereign's incapacity (due to age or illness) or absence (the monarch's distance from his state, such as exile or a long trip). At the same time, the title may have a generic meaning and refers to any prince who served as a regent; historically, the title was primarily used to distinguish the small number of those princes who ruled as Regents.
In England, the use of the title Prince with the prefix Regent is usually associated with George IV, who used the title (HRH) during the inability of his father, George III, to govern. This period in British history is known as the English Regency, or simply the Regency. The title was awarded by the Regency Act of 5 February 1811. With certain restrictions during the regency period, the Prince Regent was able to exercise the powers of the King.
In Germany, the title Prinzregent (literally Prince Regent) is usually associated with Prince Lutpold of Bavaria, who served as Regent under two of his nephews, King Ludwig II of Bavaria, who was declared feeble-minded in 1886, and King Otto of Bavaria (who was declared insane in 1875). , from 1886 to 1912. The years of Lutpold's regency were marked by enormous artistic and cultural activity in Bavaria, these years were later known as Prinzregentenjahre or Prinzregentenzeit. Numerous streets in Bavarian towns and cities are called Prinzregentenstrasse. Many institutions are named after Lutpold, for example the Prinzregententheater in Munich. Prinzregententorte – a layered chocolate cream cake named after Lutpold. After Lutpold's death, in 1912, his son Prince Ludwig III of Bavaria became Prince Regent. Ludwig retained this title for a short period of less than a year, as the Bavarian Legislature decided to recognize him as king.
Kaiser
Kaiser is a German name meaning "Emperor", Kaiserin - the female equivalent - "Empress". This title is directly derived from the Latin title Caesar, which in turn was derived from the name Julius Caesar.
The style of existence (foundation of institutions, political institutions, regulation of public life) of the Roman Empire was restored in the Kingdom of the Franks by Emperor Charlemagne in 800. When his empire was divided, the title of emperor went to the ruler who ruled the Roman kingdom. Through a system of succession, this kingdom became part of the Eastern ("German") kingdom. The Holy Roman Emperors (962-1806) called themselves Kaiser, combining the imperial title with the title of King of Rome; they perceived their reign as a prototype of the reign of the Roman Emperors and used a title whose pronunciation was derived from the title "Caesar" to reflect their imagined heritage.
The rulers of the Austro-Hungarian Empire (1804-1918) were from the Habsburg dynasty, which represented all the Holy Roman Emperors since 1440. The Austrian-Hungarian rulers adopted the title Kaiser.
On English(untranslated) the word "Kaiser" is mainly associated with the emperors of the united German Empire (1871-1918) and especially with Kaiser Wilhelm II.
In 1871, a debate was held regarding the exact title for the monarch of a united Germany. Deutscher Kaiser ("German Emperor") was chosen among others such as Kaiser von Deutschland ("Emperor of Germany"), or Kaiser der Deutschen ("Emperor of the Germans"); since the selected title expressed the least degree of superiority over the rulers of other principalities. There were only three Kaisers of the (second) German Empire. All of them belonged to the Hohenzollern dynasty, which was the informal leader among the rulers of Germany - the Kings of Prussia, the largest power among the German principalities. German Kaisers:
Wilhelm I (1871-1888);
Frederick III (1888), who ruled for 99 days;
Wilhelm II (1888-1918), during his reign, the monarchy in Germany ended after the end of the First World War.
Infant
In the Spanish and former Portuguese monarchies, the (male) Infante or (female) Infanta was given to the son or daughter of the reigning King, who is not the direct heir to the throne. Also, the Princes of the Blood of the Spanish and Portuguese royal families most often received this title by inheritance (the children of aristocrats also bore the title of Infants, but in their case the title was associated with the definition of “child”, without reference to the royal family). Note that infante is also used for a hereditary title of the aristocracy, such as Los infantas de Carrión (heirs of Carrión).
The name comes from the same root as "baby", "child" in Romance languages ( French, Enfants de France), and in this case indicates that the Infante or Infante is the child of the monarch.
The modern Infantas of Spain are Leonor and Sofia (daughters of Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia), Elena and Cristina (daughters of King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia), Pilar and Margarita (daughters of Juan de Bourbon, Count of Barcelona). Carlos de Bourbon, Duke of Calabria and cousin of King Juan Carlos, also holds the title of Infante of Spain. Prince Felipe, son of King Juan Carlos, is heir apparent to the Spanish throne and therefore bears the title Prince of Asturias.
The modern Infantes of Portugal (now a republic) are Enrique, Duke of Coimbra and Miguel, Duke of Visi (brothers of the Dukes of Duarte Braganza, pretenders to the Portuguese royal throne), Infante Afonso, Prince of Beira, Infanta Maria Francisca Isabel of Portugal and Infante Dinis, Duke of Porto (sons of the above Duke of Braganza).
Prince
The title "prince" has a long history. At the time when Emperor Augustus accepted the title of Emperor from the Roman Senate, it (the title) meant "one who is among equals, or equal." This title remained one of the titles of the Roman Emperor. English word"chief" retains some of this meaning. In German the idea was translated by the title "Fürst".
In most general terms, unless referring to the children of a king, "prince" refers to the supreme or one of the paramount men, that is, the person who has direct personal rule over a relatively small territory, such as modern Monaco and Liechtenstein.
Since the German lands were ruled by a large number of princes, the people were more loyal to the Princes than other European nations outside the Empire (meaning the Holy Roman Empire, it did not occupy all of Europe), and therefore the German language has an additional title to define a prince in the common European sense of the title - this is "Furst". "Prince" in German does not have a royal imprint on an aristocrat's title, and sometimes this title may be classified as a lesser title than Duke, or "Gro?herzog" depending on the history of the particular titular family. "Fürst" is a uniquely German title that is best translated as "prince" and should be regarded as a title above "prince". This title identifies the head of a royal house, or the head of the ruling branch of such a house. For example, the German form of Prince Rainier's name is "Fürst von Monaco".
The electors of the Holy Roman Empire were called "Electors". "Gro?furst" is the word used in German for the Russian Grand Duke (son of the Tsar).
From the above examples it is clear that in the German system (and in other continental systems), a prince sometimes represents something more than a mere nobleman, but not necessarily of royal blood, and it is this difference that makes comparison of this title with the British system difficult.
IN Russian system, "prince" (translated into European languages as prince, e.g. Prince Potemkin) the highest degree of nobility, and sometimes, represents the average title for the senior branch of a dynasty by birth (for example, the Bagrations), who passed into the Russian nobility under the Russian imperial dynasty (previously the Bagrations were a royal dynasty that ruled the Georgian state); this term was also used originally by the Rurik dynasty.
"Prince" is also a term used to translate the most high level old Gaelic nobility.
Graph
Earl or Jarl was an Anglo-Saxon and Scandinavian title meaning "chief" and referring primarily to the chiefs ruling over territory on land owned by the king (a detached manor or castle). In Scandinavia the title became obsolete and fell out of use in the Middle Ages, being replaced by the title of Duke (hertig/hertug), while in Great Britain the title became synonymous with the continental title of Earl.
Today, an earl is a member of the British nobility, and in the aristocratic ranks is ranked below the Marquess and above the Viscount.
The word "earl" comes from the Middle English word "erl" meaning warrior, nobleman, and is the equivalent of jarl in Old Norse. It remains unclear whether there is a real etymological connection with the Anglo-Saxon concept of "Ealdorman", which translates literally as "Elder", and denotes a title that was subsequently replaced by Earl during the eleventh century.
Earls were originally the king's "governors" (that is, appointed administrators). Although the title of Earl was nominally equivalent to the continental sense of a similar title, unlike in continental Europe, counts were not actual rulers of their own domains. After the Norman Conquest, William the Conqueror attempted to rule England using the traditional system, but ultimately changed it to his own. own system boards and divisions of lands. Counties became the largest secular divisions in England.
There was only one person in Iceland who ever held the title of Earl (or Jarl). It was Gissur Borvaldsson who was made Count of Iceland by King Haakon IV of Norway for his efforts in bringing Iceland under Norwegian royal rule.
Khan
Khan is a sovereign (from sovereign, independent ruler) and military title to designate a ruler in Altaic languages. The title originally came from the Turkish language, meaning the tribal leaders of the Mongols and Turks. This title now has many equivalent meanings, such as commander, leader, or ruler. Now the Khans exist mainly in South Asia, Central Asia and Iran. Female alternative titles are Khatun, Khatan and Khanum.
The Khan rules the Khanate (sometimes written as Khanate). The Khan heads the ruling dynasty, and is the ruler in a monarchical state. The Khan is also sometimes perceived in the European sense as a king or prince, but this is wrong. Initially, the khans only headed relatively minor tribal domains, in the vast Eurasian steppe, where the tribes led a largely nomadic lifestyle.
.
The title Khan of Khans was among the numerous titles used by the Sultans Ottoman Empire, as well as the rulers of the Golden Horde and its descendant states. The title Khan was also used in the Seljuk Turkish dynasties of the Middle East to designate the head of a variety of tribes, clans, or nations.
Baron
Baron is a specific aristocratic title. The word Baron itself comes from the old French word baron, and directly from the Frankish word baro, which meant "honorary citizen, warrior"; this word later merged with the related Old English beorn to mean "nobleman".
In the British system of titles of nobility, barons rank below viscounts, being the lowest rank in the peerage (a peer is the name given to aristocrats of all titles). A woman from a family with a baronial title has her own equivalent - a baroness. A baron can hold a barony (multiple baronies) if the title has an original relationship to a feudal barony.
William the First introduced the title of "baron" as a title of nobility in England to distinguish nobles who pledged their loyalty to him. Previously, in the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Britain, the king's companions held the title of earls, and in Scotland, the title of Thane.
In Scotland, the title of Baron is an aristocratic title associated with the feudal nobility of Scotland, and refers to the holder of a feudal barony having its own holdings.
In the twentieth century, Great Britain introduced the concept of non-hereditary life peers. All appointees accept the title of baron, but cannot pass it on to their children.
During the Ancien Regime, the French baronies were very similar to the Scottish ones. Feudal tenants had the right to call themselves barons if they were nobles.
In pre-Republican Germany, all noble families (sometimes distinguished by the prefix "von") were eventually recognized as barons. Families who always held this status were called Original Aristocrats. Today there are no legal privileges associated with hereditary titles. The offspring of those who possessed aristocratic titles may want to distinguish themselves from later "ennobled" families, however, many Baron surnames do not contain any such prefix (von). In general, all male members of a baronial family inherited the title of Baron from birth.
In Spain the title is one of the lowest. The Baron's wife takes the title of "Baronese". The term Baronesa was also used for a woman who was granted a title based on her merits. In general, the title of "Baron" until the nineteenth century corresponded to a title of nobility, derived from the "Crown of Aragon". The title lost territorial jurisdiction around the mid-nineteenth century, and since then it has been used only as an honorific.
The title was very common in most European countries; in various languages the title was pronounced with virtually no changes in sound.
Like other major Western noble titles, Baron is sometimes used to designate a similar title outside the Western world.
In some republics of continental Europe, the unofficial title of "Baron" is retained as a socially prestigious title, without specific political privileges.
In the Polynesian monarchy of Tonga, in contrast to Europe, barons are given power, and usually barons exercise certain political activity being endowed with power.
Viscount
A viscount is a member of the European nobility, a title usually ranked equivalent to the British peerage, above baron, below earl (in Britain) or duke (its continental equivalent).
The word Viscount has been used in English since 1387, and comes from the Old French word visconte (Modern French: vicomte), which in turn comes from the Medieval Latin term vicecomitem (originally meaning companion; later Roman imperial courtier).
As a rank in the British peerage, this title was first registered in 1440, when John Beaumont, 1st Viscount Beaumont, became King Henry VI. According to early sources, early viscounts were not initially granted titles or honors by the monarch, and the title was not hereditary.
A viscount is said to hold a "viscountcy" or area belonging to the viscount. The female equivalent of a viscount is a viscountess.
In British practice, the title of Viscount can be either a place name or a surname, or sometimes a combination of both.
It is certainly British custom to use the title Viscount as an expression of respect for the heir to an earl or marquess. The heir apparent to a peer is sometimes also referred to as a viscount. More often than not, it is not the eldest son of a British duke who receives the title of marquis; with exceptions such as the Duchy of Norfolk, which does not have the title of Marquess, thus the heir receives the next title below Duke, namely that of Earl.
The son of a marquis or earl may be referred to as a viscount when the title of viscount is not the second-highest title in the family. For example, the second most "senior" title of the Marquess of Salisbury is Earl of Salisbury. The eldest son of a Marquess does not use the title Earl of Salisbury, but the eldest title, Viscount Granborne.
Sometimes the son of a peer may be referred to as a viscount, even when he may use a more senior title. In this case, family tradition plays a role. For example, the eldest son of the Marquess of Londonderry is Viscount Castlereagh, even though the Marquess is also the Earl of Vane.
The title of Viscount is less common in Italy ("visconte"), although the noble Visconti family, rulers of Milan, are among prominent representatives modernization of this title.
In the former kingdom of Portugal, the visconde ranks above the baron, and below the conde.
In the Kingdom of Spain, this title began to be awarded from the time of Felipe IV (1621-65; Habsburg dynasty) until 1846.
There are non-etymological equivalents to the title Viscount in several languages, including German. For example, in Dutch, Burggraaf is a title above Baron but below Earl in the kingdoms of the Netherlands and Belgium. In Welsh this title is rendered as Isiarll.
There are also non-Western copies of this title:
Korean jajak or Pansoh
Chinese Tzu or Zi, fourth-class hereditary title
Japanese Shishaku or Shi, the fourth and lowest, but one of the five ranks of noble titles
Duke
The Latin Duke was a military title that could be equivalent to "field marshal". The historical core of the title is found in the stories of King Arthur, and most likely relates to Duke Bellorus, who was responsible for the forces holding back the barbarian attack on early post-Roman Britain. English kings introduced the French ducal structure into the British system, and it was initially primarily a royal title. In France especially after 1600, however, as in Great Britain, the title no longer meant royalty.
However, the perception of the title Duke as a royal one was strong in Germany, perhaps more so than ever in Britain and other parts of Europe, where all children of the head ruling house- automatically received the title of Duke, and the descendants of the Imperial family were Archdukes or Archduchesses.
A duchy (or grand duchy) is a territory ruled by a duke (or grand duke). There are properly only two duchies in Great Britain, Lancaster and Cornwall; they are essentially "corporations" that provide income to the Queen (who is the "Duchess" of Lancaster) and the Prince of Wales (who also holds the title Duke of Cornwall).
A Duke is a nobleman, historically the highest rank below a King or Queen, and usually rules a Duchy. The word itself comes from the Latin word meaning chief, which was understood as "military commander" and was used Germanic peoples directly, as well as by Roman authors.
In the Modern era, the title became a nominal title without an actual principality. Duke is still the highest nominal aristocratic title in France, Portugal, Spain, Great Britain, and Italy.
During the Middle Ages, after the collapse of Roman power in Western Europe, the title was still used in the Germanic kingdoms, most often by the rulers of old Roman regions and colonies.
In the 19th century, the supreme dukes of Parma and Modena in Italy, and Anhalt, Brunswick-Lüneburg, Nassau (state), Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, Saxe-Main and Saxe-Altenburg in Germany survived Napoleon's restructuring. Since the unification of Italy in 1870 and the end of the monarchy in Germany in 1918, there have been no more ruling dukes in Europe; only the Grand Duke remains, who rules Luxembourg.
Spanish infantas were usually given a dukedom upon marriage. This title is currently not hereditary. Modern royal duchesses: HRH Duchess of Badajoz (Infanta Maria del Pilar), HRH Duchess of Soria (Infanta Margherita) (although she inherited the title of Duchess of Hernani from her cousin and is the second holder of that title), HRH Duchess of Lugo (Infanta Elena) and HRH Duchess of Palma de Mallorca (Infanta Cristina).
Emperor
An emperor is a (male) monarch, usually the supreme ruler of an empire or other type of "imperial" kingdom. Empress - female uniform title. As a title, "empress" can refer to either the wife of the emperor (empress consort) or the woman who is the reigning monarch (empress regnant). Emperors are generally recognized to be superior to kings in the aristocratic hierarchy. Today, the Emperor of Japan is the only reigning emperor in the world.
Both kings and emperors are monarchs. Within the European context of monarchical titles, "emperor" is considered the highest of monarchical titles. Emperors were once given primacy over kings in international diplomatic relations; Currently, such primacy is limited to the duration of the period on the throne of the head of state.
Y. Pantyukhin "Prince Alexander Nevsky"
But first, let’s deal with the concept of “nobility” itself. “What is nobility? – wrote A.S. Pushkin. “The hereditary class of the people is the highest, that is, awarded with great advantages regarding property and private freedom.”
The emergence of the nobility in Russia
The word "nobleman" literally means "a person from the princely court", or "courtier".
In Russia, the nobility arose in the 12th century. as the lowest part of the military service class, which made up the court of a prince or a major boyar.
In the Code of Laws Russian Empire"It is said that belonging to the noble class" is a consequence flowing from the quality and virtue of the men in command in ancient times, who distinguished themselves by merit, by which, turning the service itself into merit, they acquired a noble name for their offspring. Noble means all those who were born from noble ancestors, or were granted this dignity by monarchs.”
Rise of the nobility
Since the 14th century nobles began to receive land for their diligent service. This is how the class of landowners - landowners - emerged. Later they were allowed to buy land.
The Code of Law of 1497 limited the right of peasants to move and thereby strengthened the position of the nobles.
In February 1549, the first Zemsky Sobor took place in the Kremlin Palace. Ivan IV (the Terrible) gave a speech there. The Tsar set a course towards building a centralized monarchy (autocracy) based on the nobility, which meant a struggle with the old (boyar) aristocracy. He accused the boyars of abuse of power and called on everyone to work together to strengthen the unity of the Russian state.
G. Sedov “Ivan the Terrible and Malyuta Skuratov”
In 1550 chosen thousand Moscow nobles (1071 people) were placed within 60-70 km around Moscow.
In the middle of the 16th century. The Kazan Khanate was annexed, and the patrimonial people were evicted from the oprichnina region, which was declared the property of the tsar. The vacated lands were distributed to the nobles under the condition of service.
In the 80s of the 16th century. were introduced reserved summers(the period during which in some regions of the Russian state peasants were prohibited from going out on the autumn St. George’s Day, provided for in the Code of Laws of 1497. Reserved summers began to be introduced by the government of Ivan IV (the Terrible) in 1581.
The “Conciliar Code” of 1649 secured the right of nobles to perpetual possession and indefinite search for fugitive peasants.
But Peter I began a decisive struggle against the old boyar aristocracy, making the nobles his support. In 1722 he introduced Table of ranks.
Monument to Peter I in Voronezh
The table of ranks replaced the principle of birth with the principle of personal service. The table of ranks influenced the official routine and the historical destinies of the noble class.
Personal length of service became the only regulator of service; “fatherly honor”, the breed has lost all meaning in this regard. Under Peter I, the rank of the lowest XIV class in military service gave the right to hereditary nobility. Civil service in the rank up to VIII class gave only personal nobility, and the right to hereditary nobility began with the rank of VIII class. “For this reason, we do not allow anyone of any rank,” wrote Peter, “until they show us and the fatherland any services.”
The table of ranks was subject to numerous changes, but in general it existed until 1917.
After Peter I, the nobles received one privilege after another. Catherine II actually freed the nobles from compulsory service while maintaining serfdom for the peasants, which created a real gap between the nobles and the people. The pressure of the nobles on the peasantry and their embitterment became one of the reasons for Pugachev's uprising.
The apogee of the power of the Russian nobility was the receipt of “noble liberties” - a charter from Catherine II, which freed nobles from compulsory service. But this began the decline of the nobility, which gradually turned into a “leisure class,” and the slow ruin of the lower nobility. And after the peasant reform of 1861, the economic position of the nobility weakened even more.
By the beginning of the 20th century. the hereditary nobility, “the first support of the throne” and “one of the most reliable tools of the government,” is gradually losing its economic and administrative dominance.
Noble titles
In Muscovite Rus' there was only one aristocratic title - “prince”. It came from the word “to reign” and meant that his ancestors had once ruled some part of Russia. Not only Russians had this title - foreigners who converted to Orthodoxy were also allowed to become princes.
Foreign titles in Russia appeared under Peter I: “baron” and “count”. There is the following explanation for this: in the territories annexed by Peter there were already people with such titles, and these titles were also borne by foreigners whom Peter attracted to Russia. But the title “count” was initially burdened with the words “Holy Roman Empire”, i.e. this title was assigned at the request of the Russian monarch by the German emperor. In January 1776, Catherine II petitioned the “Roman Emperor” Grigory Orlov “ give the Roman Empire princely dignity, for which I greatly owe myself».
Golovin (1701) and Menshikov (1702) become the first counts of the Holy Roman Empire in Russia, and under Catherine II, four of her favorites received the titles of princes of the Holy Roman Empire: Orlov, Potemkin, Bezborodko and Zubov. But the assignment of such titles ceased in 1796.
Title "Count"
Earl's heraldic crown
Graph(German) Graf) - a royal official in the Early Middle Ages in Western Europe. The title arose in the 4th century. in the Roman Empire and was originally assigned to high dignitaries.
During the period of feudal fragmentation graph– feudal lord of a county, then becomes a title of the highest nobility. Woman - countess. It continues to be formally retained as a title in most European countries with a monarchical form of government.
Sheremetyev became the first Russian count in 1706.
Boris Petrovich Sheremetyev (1652-1719)
Russian commander during the Northern War, diplomat, one of the first Russian field marshals.
Born into the old boyar family of the Sheremetyevs.
In 1681 he commanded troops against the Tatars. He proved himself in the military and diplomatic fields. In 1686 he participated in the conclusion of the “Eternal Peace” with the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, and then was sent to Warsaw to ratify the concluded peace.
Protected Russia from Crimean raids. In 1695 he took part in the first Azov campaign Peter I.
In 1697-1699 visited Poland, Austria, Italy, the island of Malta, carrying out diplomatic assignments of Peter I. During the Northern War of 1700-1721. proved himself to be a cautious and talented commander who earned the trust of Peter I. In 1701 he inflicted a defeat on the Swedes, from which they “remained ignorant and would not recover for a long time,” for which he was awarded the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called and granted the rank of Field Marshal. Subsequently he won several victories over the Swedes.
In 1705-1706 Sheremetyev suppressed the mutiny of the archers in Astrakhan, for which I was first in Russia awarded the title of count.
IN recent years he expressed a desire to become a monk of the Kiev Pechersk Lavra, but the tsar did not allow this, just as he did not allow Sheremetyev’s will to be buried in Kiev-Pechersk Lavra: Peter I ordered Sheremetev to be buried in the Alexander Nevsky Lavra, forcing even his dead associate to serve the state.
At the end of the 19th century. There were over 300 count families in Russia. Count's title Soviet Russia was liquidated by the Decree of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee and the Council of People's Commissars of November 11, 1917.
Title "baron"
English baronial crown
Baron(from Late Lat. baro with the original meaning “man, man”). In medieval feudal Western Europe, a major ruling nobleman and feudal lord, later simply an honorary title of nobility. Woman - Baroness. The title of baron in England continues to this day and is located in the hierarchical system below the title of viscount. In Germany, this title was lower than the count's.
In the Russian Empire, the title of baron was introduced by Peter I, and P. P. Shafirov was the first to receive it in 1710. Then A. I. Osterman (1721), A. G., N. G. and S. G. Stroganov (1722), A.-E. Stambken (1726). The families of the barons were divided into Russian, Baltic and foreign.
Pyotr Pavlovich Shafirov (1669-1739)
Diplomat of Peter's time, vice-chancellor. Knight of the Order of St. Andrew the First-Called (1719). In 1701-1722 in fact, he was in charge of the Russian postal service. In 1723 he was sentenced to death penalty on charges of abuse, but after the death of Peter he was able to return to diplomatic activity.
He came from a family of Polish Jews who settled in Smolensk and converted to Orthodoxy. He began serving as a translator in 1691 in the same embassy department where his father served. Accompanying Peter the Great during his travels and campaigns, he took part in concluding an agreement with the Polish king Augustus II (1701) and with the ambassadors of the Sedmigrad prince Rakoczi. In 1709 he became a privy councilor and promoted to vice-chancellor. In 1711 he concluded the Prut Peace Treaty with the Turks and he himself, together with Count M. B. Sheremetev, remained hostage with them. He concluded agreements with Denmark, Prussia, and France to maintain peace in Europe.
In 1723, Shafirov quarreled with the powerful Prince A.D. Menshikov and Chief Prosecutor Skornyakov-Pisarev, convicting them of embezzlement. In response, he himself was accused of embezzlement and sentenced to death, which Peter I replaced with exile to Siberia, but on the way there he allowed him to stop “to live” in Nizhny Novgorod"under strong guard."
Empress Catherine I, upon her accession to the throne, returned Shafirov from exile, returned his baronial title, awarded him the rank of actual state councilor, made him president of the commerce board and commissioned the compilation of the history of Peter the Great.
Barons enjoyed the right to appeal "your honor"(like untitled nobles) or "Mr. Baron".
At the end of the 19th century. in Russia there were about 240 baronial families (including extinct ones), mainly representatives of the Baltic (Baltic) nobility. The title was abolished by the Decree of the All-Russian Central Executive Committee and the Council of People's Commissars of November 11, 1917.
Baron P.N. Wrangel
Title "prince"
Prince- head of a feudal monarchical state or a separate political entity (appanage prince) in the 9th-16th centuries. among the Slavs and some other peoples; representative of the feudal aristocracy. Later it became the highest noble title, equivalent to a prince or duke in Western and Southern Europe, in Central Europe (the former Holy Roman Empire), this title is called Fürst, and in Northern Europe - konung.
In Russia Grand Duke (or princess) is a noble title for members of the royal family. Princess also called the prince's wife, prince(among the Slavs) - the son of a prince, princess- daughter of a prince.
Y. Pantyukhin “Prince Alexander Nevsky” (“For the Russian Land!”)
Princely power, at first most often elective, gradually becomes hereditary (Rurikovich in Rus', Gediminovich and Jagiellon in the Grand Duchy of Lithuania, Piasts in Poland, etc.). With the formation of a centralized state, appanage princes gradually became part of the grand ducal (from 1547 - royal) court in the Moscow principality. In Russia until the 18th century. the title of prince was only generic. From the beginning of the 18th century. The title of prince also began to be granted by the tsar to the highest dignitaries for special merits (the first prince granted was A.D. Menshikov).
Russian princes
Before Peter I, there were 47 princely families in Russia, some of which traced their origins to Rurik. Princely titles were divided into "His Excellency" And "his lordship", which was considered higher.
Until 1797, no new princely families appeared, with the exception of Menshikov, who was granted the title of Prince of Izhora in 1707.
Under Paul I, awards with this title began, and the annexation of Georgia literally “exploded” the Russian nobility - 86 families recognized the princely title.
TO end of the 19th century V. in the Russian Empire there were 250 princely families, 40 of which traced their origins to Rurik or Gediminas. 56% of the princely families in the empire were Georgian.
In addition, there were about 30 Tatar, Kalmyk and Mordovian princes; the status of these princes was considered lower than that of barons.
Did you know?
Portrait of A.V. Suvorov. Unknown artist of the 19th century.
Did you know that Alexander Vasilyevich Suvorov, national hero Russia, the great Russian commander, who did not suffer a single defeat in his military career(more than 60 battles), one of the founders of Russian military art, had several titles at the same time: prince Italian (1799), graph Rymniksky (1789), graph Holy Roman Empire, Generalissimo of the Russian land and naval forces, Field Marshal General of the Austrian and Sardinian troops, Grandee of the Kingdom of Sardinia and Prince of the Royal Blood (with the title "King's Cousin"), Knight of all Russian orders of his time awarded to men, as well as many foreign military orders
At the very top is the royal family (with its own hierarchy).
Next, in order of importance of titles, are:
Princes - Your Highness, Your Serene Highness
Dukes - Your Grace, Duke/Duchess
Marquises - My Lord/Milady, Marquis/Marquise (mention in conversation - Lord/Lady)
Eldest sons of dukes
Dukes' Daughters
Counts - My Lord/Milady, Your Highness (mention in conversation - Lord/Lady)
Eldest sons of the marquises
Daughters of the Marquises
Younger sons of dukes
Viscounts - My Lord/Milady, Your Grace (mention in conversation - Lord/Lady)
Earls' eldest sons
Younger sons of the marquises
Barons - My Lord/Milady, Your Grace (mention in conversation - Lord/Lady)
Eldest sons of viscounts
Younger sons of counts
Eldest sons of the barons
Younger sons of viscounts
Younger sons of the barons
Baronets - Sir
Eldest sons of younger sons of peers
Eldest sons of baronets
Younger sons of baronets
Sons
The eldest son of the title holder is his direct heir.
The eldest son of a duke, marquis or earl receives a "courtesy title" - the eldest from the list of titles belonging to the father (usually the road to the title passed through several lower titles, which then "remained in the family"). This is usually the next most senior title (for example, a duke's heir is a marquess), but not necessarily. In the general hierarchy, the place of the sons of the title holder was determined by the title of their father, and not by their "courtesy title."
The eldest son of a duke, marquess, earl or viscount comes immediately after the holder of the title next in seniority to his father's title.
(see "Ladder of titles")
Thus, the heir of a duke always stands immediately behind the marquis, even if his “courtesy title” is only that of count.
The younger sons of dukes and marquises are lords.
_______________________________________________________
Women
In the vast majority of cases, the title holder was a man. In exceptional cases, a title could belong to a woman if the title allowed transmission through the female line. This was the exception to the rule. Mostly women's titles - all these countesses, marquises, etc. - are “courtesy titles” and do not entitle the holder to the privileges accorded to the holder of the title. A woman became a countess by marrying a count; marquise, marrying a marquis; etc.
In the general hierarchy, the wife occupies a place determined by the title of her husband. You can say that she is standing on the same step of the stairs as her husband, right behind him.
Note: You should pay attention to the following nuance: For example, there are marquises, wives of marquises and marquises, wives of the eldest sons of dukes (who have the “courtesy title” of marquis, see section Sons). So, the former always occupy a higher position than the latter (again, the position of the wife is determined by the position of the husband, and the marquis, the son of the duke, always ranks below the marquis as such).
_______________________________________________________
Women- holders of the title "by right".
In some cases, the title could be inherited through the female line. There could be two options here.
1. The woman became, as it were, the custodian of the title, then passing it on to her eldest son. If there was no son, the title, under the same conditions, passed to the next female heir for transfer then to her son... At the birth of a male heir, the title passed to him.
2. A woman received the title “in her own right”. In this case, she became the owner of the title. However, unlike male title holders, a woman did not receive, along with this title, the right to sit in the House of Lords or hold positions associated with this title.
If a woman got married, then her husband did not receive the title (both in the first and second cases).
Note: Who occupies a higher position, the Baroness "in her own right" or the Baron's wife? After all, the title of the first belongs directly to her, and the second enjoys the “title of courtesy.”
According to Debrett, a woman's position is entirely determined by that of her father or husband, unless the woman has the title "in her own right." In this case, her position is determined by the title itself. Thus, of the two baronesses, the one whose barony is older is higher in position. (two title holders are compared).
_______________________________________________________
Widows
In the literature, in relation to the widows of titled aristocrats, you can often find a kind of prefix to the title - Dowager, i.e. Dowager. Can every widow be called a "Widower"? No.
Example. The widow of the fifth Earl of Chatham may be called the Dowager Countess of Chatham if the following conditions are simultaneously met:
1. The next Earl of Chatham was the direct heir of her late husband (i.e. his son, grandson, etc.)
2. If there is no other Dowager Countess of Chatham alive (for example, the widow of the fourth Earl, the father of her late husband).
In all other cases, she is Mary, Countess of Chatham, i.e. name + title of her late husband. For example, if she is the widow of a count, but the widow of her husband's father is still alive. Or if after the death of her husband his nephew became the count.
If the current holder of the title is not yet married, then the widow of the previous holder of the title continues to be called Countess of Chatham (for example), and becomes "Dowager" (if eligible) after the current holder of the title marries and a new Countess of Chatham is created.
How is the position of a widow in society determined? - By the title of her late husband. Thus, the widow of the 4th Earl of Chatham is higher in position than the wife of the 5th Earl of Chatham. Moreover, the age of women does not play any role here.
If a widow remarries, her position is determined by that of her new husband.
_______________________________________________________
Daughters
Daughters of dukes, marquises and counts occupy the next step in the hierarchy after the eldest son in the family (if there is one) and his wife (if there is one). They stand above all other sons in the family.
The daughter of a Duke, Marquis or Earl receives the courtesy title "Lady". She retains this title even if she marries an untitled person. But when she marries a titled man, she receives the title of her husband.
Titled nobility
Prince(German Prinz, English and French prince, Spanish príncipe, from Latin princeps - first) - one of highest titles representatives of the aristocracy. The Russian word "prince" means direct descendants of monarchs, as well as, by special decree, other members of the royal familyDuke(Duc)- Duchess(Duchess)
The Duke (German Herzog, French duc, English duke, Italian duca) among the ancient Germans was a military leader elected by the tribal nobility; in Western Europe, during the early Middle Ages, - a tribal prince, and during the period of feudal fragmentation - a large territorial ruler, occupying first place after the king in the military-feudal hierarchy.
Marquis(Marquess) - Marquise(Marchioness)
Marquis - (French marquis, Novolat. marchisus or marchio, from German Markgraf, in Italy marchese) - a Western European noble title, standing in the middle between count and duke; in England, besides M. in the proper sense, this title (Marquess) is given to the eldest sons of dukes.
Graph(Earl) - Countess(Countess)
Count (from German Graf; Latin comes (lit.: “companion”), French comte, English earl or count) - a royal official in the Early Middle Ages in Western Europe. The title originated in the 4th century in the Roman Empire and was originally assigned to high dignitaries (for example, comes sacrarum largitionum - chief treasurer). In the Frankish state, from the second half of the 6th century, the count in his district-county had judicial, administrative and military power. By decree of Charles II the Bald (Capitulary of Quersea, 877), the count's position and possessions became hereditary.
The English earl (OE eorl) originally denoted a senior official, but since the time of the Norman kings it has become an honorary title.
During the period of feudal fragmentation - the feudal ruler of the county, then (with the elimination of feudal fragmentation) the title of the highest nobility (female - countess). It continues to be formally retained as a title in most European countries with a monarchical form of government.
Viscount(Viscount) - Viscountess(Viscountess)
Viscount - (French Vicornte, English Viscount, Italian Visconte, Spanish Vicecomte) - this was the name in the Middle Ages for a governor in some possession of a count (from vice comes). Subsequently, individual V. became so strong that they became independent and owned well-known destinies (Beaumont, Poitiers, etc.) and began to be associated with the title of V. Currently, this title in France and England occupies a middle place between count and baron. The eldest son of a count usually bears the title V.
Baron(Baron) - Baroness(Baroness)
Baron (from Late Lat. baro - a word of Germanic origin with the original meaning - person, man), in Western Europe a direct vassal of the king, later a noble title (woman - baroness). The title of B. in England (where it remains to this day) is lower than the title of Viscount, occupying the last place in the hierarchy of titles of the highest nobility (in a broader sense, all the English high nobility, hereditary members of the House of Lords, belong to B.); in France and Germany this title was lower than the count's. In the Russian Empire, the title B. was introduced by Peter I for the German nobility of the Baltic states.
"Ladder" of titles
At the very top is the royal family (with its own hierarchy).
Princes - Your Highness, Your Serene Highness
Dukes - Your Grace, Duke/Duchess
Marquises - My Lord/Milady, Marquis/Marquise (mention in conversation - Lord/Lady)
Eldest sons of dukes
Dukes' Daughters
Earls - My Lord/Milady, Your Lordship (mention in conversation - Lord/Lady)
Eldest sons of the marquises
Daughters of the Marquises
Younger sons of dukes
Viscounts - My Lord/Milady, Your Grace (mention in conversation - Lord/Lady)
Earls' eldest sons
Younger sons of the marquises
Barons - My Lord/Milady, Your Grace (mention in conversation - Lord/Lady)
Eldest sons of viscounts
Younger sons of counts
Eldest sons of the barons
Younger sons of viscounts
Younger sons of the barons
Baronets - Sir
Eldest sons of younger sons of peers
Eldest sons of baronets
Younger sons of baronets
Sons
The eldest son of the title holder is his direct heir.
The eldest son of a duke, marquis or earl receives a "courtesy title" - the eldest of the list of titles belonging to the father (usually the road to the title passed through several lower titles, which then "remained in the family"). This is usually the next most senior title (for example, a duke's heir is a marquess), but not necessarily. In the general hierarchy, the place of the sons of the title holder was determined by the title of their father, and not by their "courtesy title."
The eldest son of a duke, marquess, earl or viscount comes immediately after the holder of the title next in seniority to that of his father. (see "Ladder of titles")
Thus, the heir of a duke always stands immediately behind the marquis, even if his “courtesy title” is only that of count.
The younger sons of dukes and marquises are lords.
Women
In the vast majority of cases, the title holder was a man. In exceptional cases, a title could belong to a woman if the title allowed transmission through the female line. This was the exception to the rule. Mostly women's titles - all these countesses, marquises, etc. - are “courtesy titles” and do not entitle the holder to the privileges accorded to the holder of the title. A woman became a countess by marrying a count; marquise, marrying a marquis; etc.
In the general hierarchy, the wife occupies a place determined by the title of her husband. You can say that she is standing on the same step of the stairs as her husband, right behind him.
Note: You should pay attention to the following nuance: For example, there are marquises, wives of marquises and marquises, wives of the eldest sons of dukes (who have the “courtesy title” of marquis, see section Sons). So, the former always occupy a higher position than the latter (again, the position of the wife is determined by the position of the husband, and the marquis, the son of the duke, always ranks below the marquis as such).
Women are title holders “by right.”
In some cases, the title could be inherited through the female line. There could be two options here.
1. The woman became, as it were, the custodian of the title, then passing it on to her eldest son. If there was no son, the title, under the same conditions, passed to the next female heir for transfer then to her son... At the birth of a male heir, the title passed to him.
2. A woman received the title “in her own right”. In this case, she became the owner of the title. However, unlike male title holders, a woman did not receive, along with this title, the right to sit in the House of Lords or hold positions associated with this title.
If a woman got married, then her husband did not receive the title (both in the first and second cases).
Note: Who occupies a higher position, the Baroness "in her own right" or the Baron's wife? After all, the title of the first belongs directly to her, and the second enjoys the “title of courtesy.”
According to Debrett, a woman's position is entirely determined by that of her father or husband, unless the woman has the title "in her own right." In this case, her position is determined by the title itself. Thus, of the two baronesses, the one whose barony is older is higher in position. (two title holders are compared).
Widows
In the literature, in relation to the widows of titled aristocrats, you can often find a kind of prefix to the title - Dowager, i.e. Dowager. Can every widow be called a "Widower"? No.
Example. The widow of the fifth Earl of Chatham may be called the Dowager Countess of Chatham if the following conditions are simultaneously met:
1. The next Earl of Chatham was the direct heir of her late husband (i.e. his son, grandson, etc.)
2. If there is no other Dowager Countess of Chatham alive (for example, the widow of the fourth Earl, the father of her late husband).
In all other cases, she is Mary, Countess of Chatham, i.e. name + title of her late husband. For example, if she is the widow of a count, but the widow of her husband's father is still alive. Or if after the death of her husband his nephew became the count.
If the current holder of the title is not yet married, then the widow of the previous holder of the title continues to be called Countess of Chatham (for example), and becomes "Dowager" (if eligible) after the current holder of the title marries and a new Countess of Chatham is created.
How is the position of a widow in society determined? - By the title of her late husband. Thus, the widow of the 4th Earl of Chatham is higher in position than the wife of the 5th Earl of Chatham. Moreover, the age of women does not play any role here.
If a widow remarries, her position is determined by that of her new husband.
Daughters
Daughters of dukes, marquises and counts occupy the next step in the hierarchy after the eldest son in the family (if there is one) and his wife (if there is one). They stand above all other sons in the family.
The daughter of a Duke, Marquis or Earl receives the courtesy title "Lady". She retains this title even if she marries an untitled person. But when she marries a titled man, she receives the title of her husband.
Ruler titles
Inherited:
Prince
Tsar heir Tsarevich (not always)
King heir Dauphin, Prince or Infant
Emperor
Maharajah
Elected:
Caliph of the Kharijites
Noble titles:
Boyarin
Chevalier
Kazoku - Japanese title system
Monarchs
Emperor(Latin imperator - ruler) - the title of a monarch, head of state (empire). Since the time of the Roman emperor Augustus (27 BC - 14 AD) and his successors, the title of emperor acquired a monarchical character. Since the time of Emperor Diocletian (284-305), the Roman Empire has almost always been led by two emperors with the titles of Augustus (their co-rulers bore the title of Caesars).
Also used to designate the rulers of a number of eastern monarchies (China, Korea, Mongolia, Ethiopia, Japan, pre-Columbian states of America), despite the fact that the name of the title is on official languages these countries does not come from the Latin imperator.
Today, only the Emperor of Japan has this title in the world.
King(Latin rex, French roi, English king, German Konig) - the title of a monarch, usually hereditary, but sometimes elective, head of the kingdom.
A queen is the female ruler of a kingdom or the consort of a king.
Tsar(from tssar, ts?sar, lat. caesar, Greek k????? - one of the Slavic titles of the monarch, usually associated with the highest dignity of the emperor. In an allegorical speech to denote primacy, dominance: “lion is the king of beasts.”
The queen is the reigning person or the wife of the king.
Tsarevich - the son of a king or queen (in pre-Petrine times). In addition, the title of prince was given to some descendants of independent Tatar khans, for example, the descendants of Kuchum Khan of Siberia had the title of prince of Siberia.
Tsesarevich is a male heir, the full title Heir Tsesarevich, informally shortened in Russia to Heir (with a capital letter) and rarely to Tsesarevich.
Tsesarevna is the wife of the Tsarevich.
A princess is the daughter of a king or queen.
Titled nobility:
Prince(German Prinz, English and French prince, Spanish principe, from Latin princeps - first) - one of the highest titles of representatives of the aristocracy. The Russian word “prince” means direct descendants of monarchs, as well as, by special decree, other members royal family
Duke (Duc) - Duchess (Duchess)
The Duke (German Herzog, French duc, English duke, Italian duca) among the ancient Germans was a military leader elected by the tribal nobility; in Western Europe, during the early Middle Ages, a tribal prince, and during the period of feudal fragmentation, a large territorial ruler, occupying first place after the king in the military-feudal hierarchy.
Marquis (Marquess) - Marchioness
Marquis - (French marquis, Novolat. marchisus or marchio, from German Markgraf, in Italy marchese) - a Western European noble title, standing in the middle between count and duke; in England, besides M. in the proper sense, this title (Marquess) is given to the eldest sons of dukes.
Earl - Countess
Count (from German Graf; Latin comes (lit.: “companion”), French comte, English earl or count) - a royal official in the Early Middle Ages in Western Europe. The title originated in the 4th century in the Roman Empire and was originally assigned to high dignitaries (for example, comes sacrarum largitionum - chief treasurer). In the Frankish state, from the second half of the 6th century, the count in his district-county had judicial, administrative and military power. By decree of Charles II the Bald (Capitulary of Quersea, 877), the count's position and possessions became hereditary.
The English earl (OE eorl) originally denoted a senior official, but since the time of the Norman kings it has become an honorary title.
During the period of feudal fragmentation - the feudal ruler of the county, then (with the elimination of feudal fragmentation) the title of the highest nobility (woman - countess). It continues to be formally retained as a title in most European countries with a monarchical form of government.
Viscount - Viscountess
Viscount - (French Vicornte, English Viscount, Italian Visconte, Spanish Vicecomte) - this was the name in the Middle Ages for the governor of some possession of a count (from vice comes). Subsequently, individual V. became so strong that they became independent and owned well-known destinies (Beaumont, Poitiers, etc.) and began to be associated with the title of V. Currently, this title in France and England occupies a middle place between count and baron. The eldest son of a count usually bears the title V.
Baron - Baroness
Baron (from Late Lat. baro - a word of Germanic origin with the original meaning - person, man), in Western Europe a direct vassal of the king, later a noble title (woman - baroness). The title of B. in England (where it remains to this day) is lower than the title of Viscount, occupying the last place in the hierarchy of titles of the highest nobility (in a broader sense, all the English high nobility, hereditary members of the House of Lords, belong to B.); in France and Germany this title was lower than the count's. In the Russian Empire, the title B. was introduced by Peter I for the German nobility of the Baltic states.
Baronet - (no female version of the title) - although this is a hereditary title, baronets do not actually belong to the peerage (titled aristocracy) and do not have seats in the House of Lords.
Note: All others fall under the definition of "commoner", i.e. untitled (including Knight, Esquire, Gentleman)
Comment: In the vast majority of cases, the title belongs to the man. In rare cases, a woman may hold the title herself. Thus, Duchess, Marchioness, Countess, Viscountess, Baroness - in the vast majority of cases these are "courtesy titles"
Within a title there is a hierarchy based on when the title was created and whether the title is English, Scottish or Irish.
English titles are higher than Scottish ones, and Scottish ones, in turn, are higher than Irish ones. With all this, the “older” titles are at a higher level.
Comment: about English, Scottish and Irish titles.
IN different times titles were created in England:
before 1707 - peers of England, Scotland and Ireland
1701-1801 - Peers of Great Britain and Ireland
after 1801 - peers of the United Kingdom (and Ireland).
Thus, an Irish earl with a title created before 1707 is lower in the hierarchy than an English earl with a title of the same time; but higher than Earl of Great Britain with a title created after 1707
Lord(English Lord - lord, master, ruler) - a title of nobility in Great Britain.
Initially, this title was used to designate everyone belonging to the class of feudal landowners. In this sense, the lord (French seigneur (“senior”)) opposed the peasants who lived on his lands and owed him allegiance and feudal obligations. Later, a narrower meaning appeared - the holder of lands directly from the king, in contrast to knights (gentry in England, lairds in Scotland), who held lands belonging to other nobles. Thus, the title of lord became a collective title for the five ranks of the peerage (duke, marquis, earl, viscount and baron).
With the emergence of parliaments in England and Scotland in the 13th century, lords received the right to directly participate in parliament, and in England a separate, upper house of lords of parliament was formed. Nobles holding the title of lord sat in the House of Lords by birthright, while other feudal lords had to elect their representatives to the House of Commons by county.
In a narrower sense, the title of lord was usually used as equivalent to the title of baron, the lowest in the peerage system. This is especially true in Scotland, where the title of baron is not widespread. The granting of the title of lord by the Scottish kings to the nobles gave them the opportunity to directly participate in the country's parliament, and was often not associated with the appearance of land holdings in such persons by right of holding from the king. Thus the title of Lords of Parliament arose in Scotland.
Only the king had the right to assign the title of lord to a nobleman. This title was inherited through the male line and in accordance with the principle of primogeniture. However, the title of lord also began to be used by the children of nobles of the highest ranks (dukes, marquises, viscounts). In this sense, the wearing of this title did not require special sanction from the monarch.
Lord, this is not a title - it is an address to the nobility, e.g. Lord Stone.
Lord (lord, in the original meaning - owner, head of the house, family, from the Anglo-Saxon hlaford, literally - keeper, protector of bread), 1) originally in medieval England in the general meaning - feudal landowner (lord of the manor, landlord) and lord his vassals, in a more special meaning - a large feudal lord, the direct holder of the king - a baron. Gradually, the title of L. became the collective title of the English high nobility (dukes, marquises, earls, viscounts, barons), which was received (since the 14th century) by the peers of the kingdom, constituting the upper house of the British parliament - the House of Lords. The title of L. is passed on through male lineage and seniority, but can also be granted by the crown (on the recommendation of the Prime Minister). Since the 19th century complains (“for special merits”) not only to large landowners, as was previously customary, but also to representatives of big capital, as well as some scientists, cultural figures, etc. Until 1958, seats in the House of Lithuania were filled only by inheritance of this title. Since 1958, the appointment by the monarch of some of the members of the House of Lithuania has been introduced, and those appointed by Lithuania sit in the House for life; their title is not inherited. In 1963, hereditary L. received the right to relinquish their title. 2) An integral part of the official title of some senior and local officials of Great Britain, for example, Lord Chancellor, Lord Mayor and others. Lord Chancellor, Supreme Law of Great Britain, is one of the oldest government positions (established in the 11th century); in modern Great Britain, the Chancellor is a member of the government and a representative of the House of Lords. Mainly performs the functions of the Minister of Justice: appoints judges in counties, heads Supreme Court, is the custodian of the great state seal. Lord Mayor is a title preserved from the Middle Ages for the head of local government in London (in the City area) and a number of other large cities (Bristol, Liverpool, Manchester and others). 3) In the 15th-17th centuries, an integral part of the title of L.-protector, which was assigned to some high-ranking statesmen of England, for example, regents under a minor king. In 1653–58, the title of L. Protector was also borne by O. Cromwell.
——————
Emperor
Kaiser | King | Konung | King | Basileus
Grand Duke | Grand Duke | Duke | Elector | Archduke | Prince
——————
Titled nobility
——————
Infant | Prince | Jarl/Earl | Palatine Count
Marquis | Margrave | Count | Landgraf| Despot | Ban
Viscount | Burggraf | Views
Baron | Baronet
——————
Untitled nobility.