The titles of nobility (or titles of nobility) are classifications given to the different hierarchies of the nobility. The granting of these titles served to differentiate the hierarchical position of members of the aristocracy.
Titles have two main characteristics: they are lifetimes (they have no expiration date) and hereditary (They are transmitted from generation to generation, from parents to children).
They arose on the European continent and were related to the royal family that governed a certain region. They were granted taking into account the functions exercised by the nobles and their hierarchical position in relation to the King.
Although they emerged in Europe, it is important to clarify that there are titles of nobility equivalent to these in the monarchies of other places.
Hierarchical order of titles of nobility
Let's now know a little about the five titles of nobility of the members of the aristocracy, according to the order of importance:
1. Duke
The title of Duke is the highest rank of members of the aristocracy, hierarchically just below the King. The Dukes were the members of the nobility who had the closest and most confidence to the King.
The title of Duke was granted in different ways depending on the reign and was usually accompanied by the power of government over a part of the royal territory. These territories were usually called duchies.
The title comes from the Latin word dux, which means who leads, in allusion to the trust placed by the King in the administration of the duchy.
In 1869, Luís Alves de Lima e Silva received the title of Duque de Caxias. The title was awarded for his contribution to the command of the Brazilian Army.
2. marquis
Below the Duke is the title of Marquis. The members of the society who were destined to govern large frontier regions of the royal territories received this title. Whoever received the title had powers of command throughout the administered region.
As with the Dukes, whoever won the title of Marquis, obtained a sort of recognition of his loyalty and trusting relationship with the King.
The title comes from the German word markgraph, which can be translated as the defender or protector of the province.
Brazilian politician Cândido José de Araújo received the title of Marquis of Sapucaí in 1872.
3. count
The title of Count has existed since the time of the Roman Empire and was given to members of the nobility who had the role of advising the King. It could also be given in recognition of loyalty to the monarch.
Counts were normally responsible for protecting and governing royal territories, however, they were responsible for smaller or less important regions.
The title originates from the Latin word eat, which can be translated as companion.
Manuel Marques de Sousa received, in 1868, the title of Count of Porto Alegre. The title was awarded for his participation in the Farroupilha Revolution and the Prata War.
Know the main features of the Roman Empire.
4. Viscount
The title of Viscount was granted to members of the aristocracy who exercised the same functions as the Counts. However, these only acted in substitution, when the Counts had some impediment in their government.
Later, the title of Viscount was also granted to the direct heirs of the Counts.
The origin of the title name is the Latin word vicecomes, which can be literally translated as Vice-Count, that is, the substitute of the Count.
Irineu Evangelista de Souza became Viscount of Mauá in 1874. He received the title for his contribution to the country's economy and industrialization.
5. Baron
The title of Baron is the lowest in the aristocratic hierarchy. It was also granted to people who had functions of government of small territories that belonged to a kingdom.
The title could also be awarded to members of the nobility in recognition of loyal military service rendered to the dynasty, principally for participating in the maintenance of the royal territories.
Thus, the title could be awarded to a person who was not part of the nobility but who had performed great services to the state.
The same Irineu Evangelista de Souza, before becoming Viscount, had already received the title of Baron de Mauá in 1854.
The title originates from the word baro, which in German meant free man.
Also read the meaning of nobility.
Royal family bonds
Titles of nobility have existed since the medieval period and the highest belonged to the royal family: King, Prince and Infante. Just below these were created the titles we have seen, bestowed upon other members of aristocratic society, but who did not belong to the King's family.
King it is the highest title of the nobility, reserved for the member of the royal family who presides over the monarchic government, responsible for the government of the dynasty. Prince it is the title given to the King's children, his heirs in the line of succession to the throne. It is usually given to the first child, who will be the rightful heir.
Already the title of Infant, can be attributed to the other children of the King who are not directly heirs to the throne, as they are not the first-born children.
The granting of this title only occurs in some monarchies. In others, all descendants of the king are princes or princesses, as is the case in England.
Are there variations in the attribution of nobility titles?
Yes, there are differences both in the names and in the form of granting titles of nobility, that is, there are aspects that can vary from one monarchy to another.
Also, the form of concession can be changed according to the season. For example, the way in which titles of nobility were granted during the Empire period may be different from what happens in current monarchies.
See also the meaning of aristocracy.
