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Netherlands Nobility: Difference between revisions
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The nobility is a class of people who had special political and social status. Members of this class had titles such as Baron [''Baron''], Duke [''Hertog''], Count [''Graaf''], and Knight (Sir) [''Ridder'']. Noble status was usually inherited. It originated with people who had power, influence, and land in ancient times or who received a grant of nobility from a king. | The nobility is a class of people who had special political and social status. Members of this class had titles such as Baron [''Baron''], Duke [''Hertog''], Count [''Graaf''], and Knight (Sir) [''Ridder'']. Noble status was usually inherited. It originated with people who had power, influence, and land in ancient times or who received a grant of nobility from a king. | ||
Most family traditions of a noble ancestor turn out, on investigation, to have little foundation in fact. Most members of the noble class did not emigrate to the United States. In addition, contrary to prevailing opinion, it was not customary to disown members of noble families for unacceptable behavior. Thus, traditions of an ancestor being "erased" or eliminated from "all records" are unfounded. Illegitimate children, while not entitled to noble status, were often recorded (although the father may not have been named) and can be found in the records. | '''Most family traditions of a noble ancestor turn out, on investigation, to have little foundation in fact. Most members of the noble class did not emigrate to the United States. In addition, contrary to prevailing opinion, it was not customary to disown members of noble families for unacceptable behavior. Thus, traditions of an ancestor being "erased" or eliminated from "all records" are unfounded. Illegitimate children, while not entitled to noble status, were often recorded (although the father may not have been named) and can be found in the records.''' | ||
The noble class formed only a small percentage of the population of the Netherlands, and the growth of the noble class was limited. Laws specified which children of the nobility inherited their parents’ status. | The noble class formed only a small percentage of the population of the Netherlands, and the growth of the noble class was limited. Laws specified which children of the nobility inherited their parents’ status. | ||