Nobility

An order of men in several countries to whom privileges are granted at the expense of the rest of the people.

The Constitution of the United States provides that no state shall "grant any title of nobility; and no person can become a citizen of the United States until he has renounced all titles of nobility." However, the Constitution has no general prohibition against any citizen whomsoever, whether in public or private life, accepting a foreign title of nobility. An amendment of the Constitution in this respect was passed by Congress, but was never ratified by a sufficient number of states.

The upper social class in feudal Europe. They were characterized by the following: a. Ownership of land, as a vassal to another lord; b. A military obligation to the king; c. An administrative obligation to the king; d. Possession of heraldry. Nobility was roughly divided into two classes: Noblesse de epee (of the Sword) - Knights; and, Noblesse de robe (of the Robe) - administrators.
   

This entry contains material from Bouvier's Legal Dictionary, a work published in the 1850's.