83,402
edits
no edit summary
No edit summary |
No edit summary |
||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
Back to [[Poland|Poland Page]]► | Back to [[Poland|Poland Page]]► | ||
==The Szlachta or Polish Nobility== | == The Szlachta or Polish Nobility == | ||
*Was established in the Middle Ages and persisted at some level until abolished by the March Constitution in 1921 | |||
*Probably originated as Slavic warriors and protectors of the state | *Was established in the Middle Ages and persisted at some level until abolished by the March Constitution in 1921 | ||
*Noble status could be granted for special services to the state | *Probably originated as Slavic warriors and protectors of the state | ||
*Noble status was hereditary, but was inherited only by those born in wedlock to | *Noble status could be granted for special services to the state | ||
parents who were both members of the nobility | *Noble status was hereditary, but was inherited only by those born in wedlock to parents who were both members of the nobility | ||
*Only members of the nobility could own land | *Only members of the nobility could own land | ||
*At one point, 6.6-8.0% of the total population of Poland and 16% or more of all | *At one point, 6.6-8.0% of the total population of Poland and 16% or more of all | ||
ethnic Poles were members of the nobility | ethnic Poles were members of the nobility | ||
*Unlike other European nobility, Polish nobles sharing ancestry also shared a coat of arms | *Unlike other European nobility, Polish nobles sharing ancestry also shared a coat of arms | ||