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The French nobility (French: la noblesse française) was an aristocratic social class in France from the Middle Ages until its abolition on 23 June 1790 during the French Revolution. From 1808 [ 1 ] to 1815 during the First Empire the Emperor Napoléon bestowed titles [ 2 ] that were recognized as a new nobility by the Charter of 4 June 1814 ...
The prestigious title and position of Peer of France (French: Pair de France) was held by the greatest, highest-ranking members of the French nobility. [1] French peerage thus differed from British peerage (to whom the term "baronage", also employed as the title of the lowest noble rank, was applied in its generic sense), for the vast majority ...
The growth of the French Army during Louis XIV meant that most noblemen served as officers. During the 18th century, the nobility was officially prohibited from serving in the ranks. [2] Almost 90% of the rank and file came during the 18th century from the peasantry and the working class, while about 10% came from the petty bourgeoisie.
Barons were the lowest rank of nobility and were granted small parcels of land. Earls were the next highest rank with larger land holdings. Dukes were the highest rank and held the largest holdings, known as duchies. The monarch was the ultimate authority and was able to grant and revoke titles.
Since Louis VII (1137–80), the highest precedence amongst the vassals (Prince-bishops and secular nobility) of the French crown was enjoyed by those whose benefice or temporal fief was a pairie, i.e. carried the exclusive rank of pair; within the first (i.e. clerical) and second (noble) estates, the first three of the original twelve ...
Charles-Alexandre de Calonne by Élisabeth-Louise Vigée-Le Brun (1784), London, Royal Collection.Calonne is shown in the costume of his rank, noblesse de robe. Under the Ancien Régime of France, the Nobles of the Robe or Nobles of the Gown (French: noblesse de robe) were French aristocrats whose rank came from holding certain judicial or administrative posts.
Explanation of the various marks on the shields indicating rank or function. Along with a new system of titles of nobility, the First French Empire also introduced a new system of heraldry. Napoleonic heraldry was based on traditional heraldry but was characterised by a stronger sense of hierarchy.
For an explanation of the French peerage, see the article Peerage of France. Note that peerages and titles were distinct, and the date given for the extinction of the peerage is not necessarily the same as that of the extinction of the title. For more on noble titles and distinctions, see French nobility.