  NobilityHistory Originally, Frilandic nobility was meritocratic in nature: only those who had distinguished themselves from the common folk by performing exceptional deeds, were counted amongst the nobility. Usually these were warriors who had shown remarkable courage on the battlefield and were therefore held in high esteem. Because of this the nobility has always had a warlike nature and even today there are still many officers in the Frilandic army who have a noble background. There are also some remaining chivalric orders. Eventually nobility became inheritable, but it has never lost its meritocratic nature completely and nobles are therefore expected to keep distinguishing themselves from the common people with good deeds. Because of this a difference is made between the "bladațal" (paper nobility) and the "wurhtațal" (deed-nobility); the first group is only noble in name but doesn't live up to that in deeds. The second group on the other hand, acts as an example to society and is therefore held in high regard. Other countries have movie stars, but in Friland it is the deed-nobility that serves as a role model to society. However, the power that the nobility used to hold has disappeared: it has the same rights and obligations as the citizenry and the only thing they have left is the respect that many people still have for them. Who is noble? Nobility can be obtained in two ways: the first is when a child is born within an officially recognized marriage, where the father is of nobility (patrilineality). The second way is ennoblement by royal decree. This is quite rare and only happens as the ultimate tribute to individuals who have distinguished themselves in an exceptional way on the battlefield or in the service of society. An exception is also sometimes made for a noble family that is threatened with extinction, where a descendant in the female line or an illegitimate child can be ennobled. Members of the Royal House can also be ennobled; in the case of children of a female heir to the throne, this even happens automatically in order to guarantee the continued existence of the monarchy. After all, Frilandic law recognizes equal primogeniture (= no male preference). Titles and particles Noble titles like baron or burggrave no longer exist in Friland because it's not allowed to call yourself like that without actually having this function. 'If we allow the nobility to carry an empty title it is a matter of time before every nitwit and bumpkin starts calling himself king of Friland,' is the belief of the Riksțing. Therefore there is only one particle that all registered nobles are allowed to carry and that is "junkar" (lord) or "jungfro" (lady). During the late Middle Ages, when there were intensive trade contacts with the North and Baltic Sea areas, the particle "junkar" was probably borrowed from German "junker" or Dutch "jonker". Despite the Frilandic aversion to loan words, this word eventually displaced the literal translation "junghair" ("young lord"). A title that one actually holds, such as a military, political or medical position, may be put before the particle. For example "colonel lord" (uberst junkar) or "doctor lady" (lek jungfro). Nobles are also allowed to use the name of their family as a middle name. For example: Frițwen Hrudgarssun, who is a member of the noble family of the Tiswaldungan, is fully called "junkar Frițwen Tiswaldung Hrudgarssun". Noble families Below are the most important noble families, the more numerous "lower" nobility has been left aside. Hiverian nobility In Hiveria the nobility has always been more powerful than in Friland: at its height the nobles had estates, castles, palaces, trading fleets, private armies and enough power to make whole cities or even provinces do their bidding. However, during the Hiverian revolution in the 18th century this ended and many Hiverian nobles were killed, expropriated or expelled. Nowadays, the remaining noble families in Hiveria no longer have any privileges. The most important noble families in Hiveria are:  |