The Karolevian Nobility

See also: List of Karolevian Noble Families

The **Karolevian Nobility** (Karolevian: дворянство tr. *dvoryanstvo)* originated in the 14th century. By the early 20th century, there were around 1,900,000 members of the nobility, about 1.1% of the population. The noble estate staffed most of the Karolevian government.

The Karolevian word for nobility, *dvoryanstvo* (дворянство), comes from the word *dvor* meaning "court of a Prince (Knayz)" and later the court of the King. Many descendants of ancient nobility ended up becoming impoverished over time and new nobility gained wealth and formal nobility.

## History

The King of Karoleva granted estates from the royal lands to feudal lords in return for their service to the crown, either for as long as they preformed service or for their lifetime. These estates had eventually become private property.

### Westernization

The adoption of western fashion, mannerisms, and ideals from the West was mostly restricted to the court. The nobility's "western" tendencies were most aesthetic and confined to a small portion of the population. In the 17th century, clothing in Karoleva turned went from traditional into western. Much of the Karolevian Court took influence from France, and the court language (Court Karolevian) became a softer and more French version of traditional Karolevian. While French did not become the official court language, it was widely known in the Karolevian aristocracy.

Advanced schools were founded that taught foreign languages, philosophy, medicine, and law. Nobility was freed from obligatory civil and military service.

### Modern Era

By the 19th century, the various ranks of the nobility had become blurred. There were Counts wealthier and more important than Princes and noble families whose wealth had dissipated due to extravagance and poor estate-management. Young nobles served in the military but did not acquire any new landed estates doing so, though 90% of the officers were noble.

## Organization

Nobility was transferred by inheritances or was bestowed by the King of Karoleva. Inheritance went by primogeniture, from father to eldest surviving son while women could inherit the family title and estate if there was no male heirs. Nobility was ranked as below.

* Prince (*knyaz* Княз) e.g Prince Gorchakov
* Count (*graf* Граф) e.g Count Volkonsky
* Baron ((*baron* Барон) e.g Baron Vitori

A newly designate noble usually was entitled to landownership, but the loss of land did not automatically mean loss of nobility. High ranks in state service were automatically granted nobility without land ownership.

Karoleva's nobility did not generally have a noble particle before a surname (such as *von* in German or *de* in French), but the Karolevian name suffix -skij which means "of" and is equal to particles was used in many noble surnames.

Russian noblemen were accorded an official style that varied by rank such as *your high born,* your high well born, *your well born, etc.* The address of *your serenity* or *your excellency* could be used depending on rank and position.

### Titled Nobility

Titled nobility was the highest category: those who had titles such as prince, count, and baron. A baron or count could either be proprietary (actual) or titular (in title only). In some cases, the King could transfer nobility along an indirect or female lines, for example to preserve a notable family name.

### Personal Nobility

Personal nobility could be acquired through service or admission into orders of a knighthood. But, the title was not inheritable and only transferable to the wife.

### Estateless Nobility

Estateless nobility was nobility acquired by state service, but without a grand of land.

### Ancient Nobility

Ancient nobility were noble families recognized as descendants of the former rulers of Karoleva and historical Princes, e.g the Gorchakovs, the Volkonskys, the Khilkovetsvnas, the Rostovas, etc.

### Privileges

Karolevian nobility possessed the following privleges:

* A former style, that varied by rank: *The High Born, The High and Well Born, The Well Born, etc*
* The right to enter specially designated educational institutions such as the Alexander Lyceum, the Page Corps, etc
* The right to bear and use a coat of arms
* Right to serve in the Royal Court
* Enlistment immediately in the rank of officer
* Right to wear a sword
* Exemption from personal taxes

### Acquisition

Hereditary nobility could be achieved in the following ways:

1. by Royal grant to individuals or families
2. by attaining a certain military or civil officer's rank while in active service
3. awarded an order of chivalry of the Kingdom of Karolevars.

Personal nobility could be acquired in the following ways:

1. Royal grant
2. attaining the rank of ensign or Councillor
3. Awarded the orders of the Kingdom of Karoleva.

## Gallery

Prince Alexei GorchakovCountess Katerina MendozaCount Mikhail VolkonskyNatasha KhilkovetsvnaOlga Rostova