Nobility

The nobility represents, or has represented, the higher stratum of a society in which social classes can be distinguished. The most distinctive feature of nobilty is that once acquired, it is passed to descendants, possibly according to some rules. The word "noble" in "nobility" also means "doing an act worthy of respect" to people.

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Initially nobility descended from chivalry (or warrior class) in the feudal stage of the development of a society. Originally, knights or nobles were mounted warriors who swore allegiance to their sovereign and promised to fight for him in exchange for allocation of land (usually together with serfs living there). The invention of the Musket slowly eliminated the privately owned and operated armies of nobles in feudal societies during the time period of The Military Revolution.

Chivalry: See also order of chivalry...

Feudal: REDIRECT Feudalism...

Knight: :For the chess piece, see knight (chess)....

Nobility related Images and Photos (experimental)

Nobility IV

Louis XV (1710-74) Granting Patents of Nobility to the Municipal Body of Paris

Triumph of Virtue and Nobility

Old Costumes of the Polish Nobility