European aristocracy

European aristocracy refers to the hereditary noble class that held power, land, and social privilege across Europe from medieval times through the early twentieth century.

The system varied by country—dukes, counts, barons, and other titled ranks formed hierarchies beneath monarchs.

The European aristocracy intermarried extensively across national borders.

The term now often describes descendants of these families or the culture of inherited privilege they represented, though most political power has long since passed to other institutions.