nobles
Lords and ladies
Nobles are members of the aristocracy—people who hold hereditary titles and rank above commoners in traditional social hierarchies: The nobles gathered at court.
The word can also function as an adjective meaning having high moral qualities or impressive character, though noble without the s is more common in that sense.
Historically, nobles held land, political power, and legal privileges denied to ordinary citizens.
Rule by hereditary elite
- gentryHighborn but not noble
- eliteSuperior select group
- peerageSystem of noble ranks
- patriciateHereditary noble class
gentility · establishment · ruling class · upper class · privilege · rank · station · caste
Highest-ranking nobleman
- duchessWoman of ducal rank
- baronLow-ranking peer
- baronessFemale holder of barony
- countessFeminine noble rank
viscount · marquess · earl · knight · lady · lord · dame · peer
Family line of descent
- bloodlineAncestry through generations
- lineageDescent from progenitors
- dynastySuccessive family rulers
- pedigreeRecord of descent
descent · succession · genealogy · forebears · ancestors · scion · primogeniture · birthright
Land-for-service social structure
- manorLanded aristocratic residence
- fiefdomFeudal territory under lord
- vassalLand-holding sworn subordinate
- liegeFeudal superior or subject
serfdom · chivalry · knighthood · courtier · heraldry · manorialism · vassalage · castles
Supporter's financial backing
- influencePower to affect others
- authorityPower to enforce obedience
- dominionAuthority to rule
- governanceHow authority is exercised
sovereignty · rule · command · ascendancy · leverage · clout · control · landownership
High regard, moral dignity
- dignityInnate personal worth
- gallantryCourage, especially in combat
- valorCourage in danger
- graceEffortless beauty of motion
distinction · eminence · magnanimity · benevolence · duty · loyalty · courage · integrity
aristocracy
Rule by hereditary elite
patriciate · gentility · establishment · ruling class · upper class · privilege · rank · station · caste · social standing
duke
Highest-ranking nobleman
countess · viscount · marquess · earl · knight · lady · lord · dame · peer · baronet
ancestry
Family line of descent
pedigree · descent · succession · genealogy · forebears · ancestors · scion · primogeniture · birthright · inheritance
feudalism
Land-for-service social structure
- manorLanded aristocratic residence
- fiefdomFeudal territory under lord
- vassalLand-holding sworn subordinate
liege · serfdom · chivalry · knighthood · courtier · heraldry · manorialism · vassalage · castles · medieval
patronage
Supporter's financial backing
governance · sovereignty · rule · command · ascendancy · leverage · clout · control · landownership · taxation
honor
High regard, moral dignity
grace · distinction · eminence · magnanimity · benevolence · duty · loyalty · courage · integrity · prestige
- medieval lifechivalry, royal courts, jousting, knighthood, falconry
- medieval societyserfs, peasants, serf, heir, lords
- Ancient RomansJulius Caesar, patricians, consuls, Marcus Aurelius, Nero
- eliteelite, elites, aristocrats, best, finest
- medieval courtkings, lord, queens, lady, queen
- princely courtsthrone room, courtiers, royal advisors, ladies-in-waiting, chamberlain
- noble familyLineage of aristocrats
- noble gasesNonreactive elemental group
- noble birthAristocratic family lineage
- noble deedsMorally admirable actions
- noble rankAristocratic social standing
- noble houseAristocratic hereditary clan
noble, ignoble, ennoble, nobleman, nobly, nobler, noblest, noblesse, ennobled