Swedish nobility

The Swedish nobility (Adeln) was historically a privileged class in Sweden. Noble families and their descendants are still a part of Swedish society today, but do no longer retain any specific or granted privileges to speak of. The Swedish nobility is organized in to three classes according to a scheme introduced in 1561, where the classes are:

Related Topics:
Adeln - Class - Sweden - 1561

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• count (greve)
• baron (friherre)
• untitled nobility (obetitlad adel).

Swedish dukes (hertig) have always been royals and counted as such.

Related Topics:
Swedish dukes - Hertig

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Following the elevation into nobility by the Swedish monarch, the key concept was that of introduction to ones peers at the House of Knights (Riddarhuset), which formerly was a chamber in the Riksdag of the Estates, the Swedish Parliament. After 1866 the House of Knights served as a official representation on the nobility regulated by the Swedish government, but the regulation has decreased in step with the privileges. Virtually all noble families are introduced (with the exception of some members of foreign nobility that, while having been naturalized to the royal court, never has been introduced), and their members are listed in a calendar published every three years.

Related Topics:
Swedish monarch - House of Knights - Riksdag of the Estates - 1866 - Swedish government

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Swedish nobility: Medieval nobility ►