The Legitimacy of Non Reigning Royal Families

by Salvatore Caputo

  Before Italian Unification in the mid-19th century, the existence of the Kingdom of Sardinia, the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies (before 1816: the Kingdom of Naples and the Kingdom of Sicily), the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, the Duchy of Parma, the Duchy of Modena, the Duchy of Savoy, the Duchy of Milan, the Papal States, various republics and the Austrian and French dependencies in Northern Italy led to parallel nobilities with different traditions and rules.

  The Papal Nobility . During this period, throughout Italy, various influential families came to positions of power through the election of a family member as Pope or were elevated into the ranks of nobility through ecclesiastic promotion. These families freely intermarried with aristocratic nobility.

  Like other noble families, those with both papal power and money were able to purchase comunes (township or municipality) or other tracts of land and elevate family patriarchs and other relatives to noble titles. Hereditary patriarchs were appointed Duke, Marquis and even Prince of various 16th- and 17th-century principalities.

  Popes commonly elevated members of prominent families to the position of Cardinal; especially second and third sons who would not otherwise inherit hereditary titles. Popes also elevated their own family members - especially nephews - to the special position of Cardinal-Nephew. Prominent families could purchase curial offices for their sons and regularly did, hoping that the son would rise through Church ranks to become a Bishop or a Cardinal, from which position they could dispense further titles and positions of authority to other family members.

  In 1946, the Kingdom of Italy was replaced by a republic. Under the Italian Constitution adopted in 1948, titles of nobility are not legally recognized. Certain predicati (territorial designations) recognized before 1922 may be attached to surnames and used in legal documents, and in most cases these were historic feudal territories of noble families. A high court ruling in 1967 definitively established that the heraldic-nobiliary legislation of the Kingdom of Italy (1861–1946) is not current law.

  The Russian Nobility arose in the 14th century and essentially governed Russia until the October Revolution of 1917. As in other countries, nobility was a status, a social category, but not a title. Nobility was transferred by inheritance or was bestowed by a fount of honor. Unlike the ancient nobility, which was exclusively hereditary, the remaining classes of nobility could be acquired. A newly designated noble was usually entitled to landownership. A loss of land did not automatically mean loss of nobility. In later Imperial Russia, higher ranks of state service were automatically granted nobility, not necessarily associated with landownership.

  The Georgia Nobility. The Georgian nobility was largely organized on a military basis, the army being divided into several corps represented by "banners" (or drosha), each commanded by the great grandees of the realm. These grandees were petty sovereigns within their own domains, enjoying the power of life and death, but owing allegiance to the king.

  The former Soviet republic of Georgia has a monarchic tradition that traces its origins to the Hellenistic period. The medieval Kingdom of Georgia ruled by the Bagrationi dynasty has left behind a legacy that lasts in Georgia even in modern times. The qualities and symbols associated with the Bagrationi monarchy have been crucial in the making of the Georgian nation and the subsequent construction of national history. Their rule ended with the annexation of Georgian lands by the Russian Empire early in the 19th century, although several branches of the dynasty survive to this day. The monarchic restoration was considered by various royalist groups throughout the 20th century. Although Georgia’s politics has been taking place in the framework of a presidential republic since the nation regained its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, the debate on monarchy, particularly its constitutional form, has never actually ceased. The issue came up most recently amid a political crisis in late 2007.

  The Spanish Nobility. Spanish nobles are persons who possess the legal status of hereditary nobility according to the laws and traditions of the Spanish monarchy. A system of titles and honors of Spain and of the former kingdoms that constitute it comprise the Spanish nobility. Some nobles possess various titles that may be inherited, but the creation and recognition of titles is legally a prerogative of the King of Spain.

  Some noble titles and families still exist which have transmitted that status since time immemorial. Some aristocratic families use the nobiliary particle de before their family name. During the rule of General Francisco Franco, some new hereditary titles were conceded to individuals, and the titles granted by the Carlist pretenders were officially recognized.

  Despite accession to Spain's throne of Juan Carlos I in 1975, the court of nobles holding positions and offices attached to the royal household was not restored. Noble titleholders are subjected to taxation, whereas under Spain's ancien régime they were exempt.

  The Swedish Nobility has historically been a legally and/or socially privileged class in Sweden, part of the so-called frälse (derivation from Old Swedish meaning free neck). The archaic term for nobility, frälse, also included the clergy a classification defined by tax exemptions and representation in the diet. Today, the nobility is still very much a part of Swedish society but they do not maintain many of their former privileges. They still do possess some privileges such as the protection by law of their family names, titles and coats of arms. The Swedish nobility consists of both "introduced" (introducerad adel) and "unintroduced" nobility (ointroducerad adel), the latter has not been "introduced" at the House of Nobility (Riddarhuset).

  The House of Nobility also has a special tax for all noblemen over the age of 18. Belonging to the nobility in present day Sweden still carries some social privileges, and is of certain social and historical significance.

  The Albanian Nobility was an elite hereditary ruling class in Albania, parts of the western Balkans and later in parts of the Ottoman world. The Albanian nobility was composed of landowners of vast areas, often in allegiance to states like the Byzantine Empire, various Serbian states, the Republic of Venice, the Ottoman Empire and the Kingdom of Naples in addition to the Albanian principalities. They often used Byzantine, Latin or Slavic titles, such as sebastokrator, despot, dux, conte and zupan.

  The Mexican nobility refers to the titled nobles and untitled gentry families of Mexico.Most of the descendants of these families still live in Mexico today, but some can be found in Europe and other countries. With the victories of the Mexican Republics over the monarchies of the First Mexican Empire, headed by Agustín I, and the Second Mexican Empire, under Maximilian I—and the writing of the Mexican Constitution of 1917—titles of nobility in Mexico were legally abolished.

  Nobility in Eastern countries Medieval Japan developed a feudal system similar to the European system, where land was held in exchange for military service. The daimyo class, or hereditary landowning nobles, had great social and political power. Like their European counterparts, they commanded private armies made up of samurai, an elite warrior class; for long periods, these held real power without a real central government and often plunged the country into a state of civil war. Although there are differences, the daimyo class can be compared to European peers, and the samurai to European knights, but with important differences, such as the distinction between the European code of chivalry and the Japanese code of bushido. These feudal titles and ranks were abolished in Japan with the Meiji Restoration of 1868 and replaced by the kazoku, a five-rank peerage system after the British example which granted seats in the upper house of the Imperial Diet, but this too was abolished in 1947, following Japan's defeat in World War II.

  Many other non-Western nations have had noble or aristocratic classes of various kinds: these are so diverse that it is somewhat misleading to try to translate them all into western feudal terminology. For the feudal hierarchy on the Indian subcontinent, see princely state.

  In some Islamic countries, there are no definite nobility titles, but the closest to that are given the title Syed or Sayyid. This exclusive title, g
iven only to certain descendants, literally means, 'Sir' or 'Lord'. There are no special rights concerning the title: they are considered more religious than the general population, and many people come to them for first-hand religious questions. In Iran, the nobility titles are Mirza, Khan, ed-Dowleh, Shahzada, and so forth. These titles do not exist in the present day. An aristocratic family is now recognized by family name (often derived from the post hold by their ancestors, considering the fact that family names in Iran only appeared in the beginning of the 20th century).

  In East Asia the system was often modeled on imperial China, the leading culture, where the emperor conferred degrees of nobility, which were not permanent but decreased a rank each generation. Descendants of the Emperor formed the highest class of Ancient Chinese nobility, status based on ranks of the Empress or concubine (as the Emperor was polygamous), and numerous titles such as Taizi (Prince, Princess) were designated. Due to the complex shifts in dynastic rules, a succession of rules was introduced.

  China had a feudal system in the Shang and Zhou dynasties, but the system gave way to a more bureaucratic system beginning in theQin dynasty (221 BC). This continued through the Song Dynasty.

  Dynasties established by the minority non-Han rulers via violent conquest in the later years disrupted this ancient system of social class within Han society, to conform to a racist and ethnic policy, where variously, the Mongols and the Manchus were accorded higher "genteel" status over the Han majority that they controlled.

  By the Qing dynasty, many titles have been corrupted through abuse and perversion of the origin Qin system. Titles of nobility were still granted by the emperor, but served merely as honorifics based on a loose system of favors to the Qing emperor and Manchu interests: under a centralized system, governance in the empire was the responsibility of the Confucian-educated scholar-officials and local gentry. The literati were accorded gentry status based on lineage and for male citizens; advancement in status was possible via success in the top three positions in imperial examinations.

  The establishment of titles was abolished with the establishment of the People's Republic of China in 1949 as part of a larger effort to abolish feudal influences on Chinese society.

  In tribal societies, such as and the Polynesian Island states, the system of often (semi-)hereditary tribal chiefs can also be compared to a form of noble class; in Tonga, after Tongan contact with Western nations, the traditional system of chiefs developed into a Western-style monarchy with a hereditary class of barons, even adopting that English title.

  Tradition of Western European justice The commentaries are aroused on tradition of Western European justice, history and philosophy as well as the law of nations which affirms that under certain circumstances former ruling families possess permanent, never ending and inalienable rights, the right to legal and rightful sovereignty and the right to honor and be honored as such. These are the same rights accorded to any authentic governments in exile.

  However, these special rights can be permanently lost. And if lost, they die forever or become extinct and cannot be retrieved, rehabilitated or reconstituted unless a higher secular sovereign with appropriate jurisdiction rights over the territory in question exists and restores it.

  The aristocratic influence was still profound in European society. The nouveau noble-nouveau riche felt ill at ease in his new social condition if he did not strive to assimilate, at least in part, its profile and manners. He rarely gained easy admittance to many of the salons. This exerted an aristocratzing pressure upon him that was reinforced by the attitude of the common people.

  Nobility Influence Today The 20th century saw a large number of monarchies dismantled. Notable examples are Imperial China (1911, became the Republic of China and later the People's Republic of China); the Russian Empire (1917, became the Soviet Union); German Empire (1918, became a democratic republic); AustriaHungary (1919), and the Ottoman Empire (fell apartas consequence of defeat in World War I, 1923). After the end of World War II several more joined the club: Bulgaria (1945); Yugoslavia (1945); Italy (1946); and Romania (1947). Greece and a few African and Asian states (Egypt, Iraq, Iran, Libya, Afghanistan, Vietnam) became republics during the second half of the century. The aristocratic spirit transcended frontiers. For the nobleman Europe was the homeland. Italian plasterers and painters, German musicians, and French cabinetmakers traveled for high commissions. There were variations reflecting local traditions: the Baroque style was interpreted distinctively in Austria, Italy, Spain, and France. But high style reveals certain underlying principles and convictions. The same is true of the intellectual life of Europe, reflecting as it did two main sources, French and English. It was especially to France that the two most powerful rulers of Eastern Europe, Frederick II and Catherine II, looked for mentors in thought and style. The French language, deliberately purified from the time of Richelieu and the foundation of the Academy, was well adapted to the clear expression of ideas. The salons stimulated the discussion of ideas and engendered a distinctive style. Feminine insights there contributed to a rational culture that was also responsive to the claims of sensibility.

  Today, many European Nobles are dispersed throughout the world, and have important careers, incorporating their rich culture into their American everyday lives. Every Noble is a volunteer that must enlarge, expand, promote, and improve, by its commanding presence the high value goals and missions to make a real difference in their newly adopted Country with special and unique worthwhile professions: professors, market analysts, mayors, auctioneers, mortgage brokers, bankers, military, actors and artists, charity volunteers and many other vital professions.

  Nobility in USA It seems impossible to calculate how many noblemen lost or abandoned their titles and went to America. Probably there were far less than ten thousands of them, as compared to some 10 million German immigrants during the 19th century, so the story may be true in fewer than one in a thousand emigration cases.

  However, many Americans are likely descended from European noble families through an illegitimate descent of one of the emigrants' ancestors, which occurred many generations ago and may not even have been known to the emigrant himself.

  Due to primogeniture, many colonists of high social status were younger children of English aristocratic families who came to America looking for land because, given their birth order, they could not inherit. Many of these immigrants maintained high standing where they settled. They could often claim royal descent through a female line or illegitimate descent. Many Americans descend from these 17th-century British colonists who had royal descent.

  There were at least 650 colonists with traceable royal ancestry, and 387 left descendants in America. These colonists with royal descent settled in every state, but a large majority lived in Massachusetts or Virginia. Several families, who settled in those states, over the two hundred years or more since the colonial land grants, interlinked their branches to the point that almost everyone was somehow related to everyone else.

  Many other Nobles have inherited their Titles after becoming US citizens and as of now there is no law that would have the Government bases any action against the said Nobles, if one was even taken. Article I Section 9 Clause 8 of the Constitution clearly forbids the Granting or use of Titles in the USA but does not state a way to enforce the above law, quoted below:

  The Title of Nobility Clause in USA The title of nobility clause is a provision in Article I, Section 9, Clause 8 of the United States Constitution2that forbids the United States from granting titles of nobility and restricts members of the government from receiving gifts from foreign states without the consent of the United States Congress. This clause is also sometimes called the "federal" Nobility Clause, because a similar clause in Article I, Section 103, Clause 1 bars the states (rather than the federal government) from granting titles of nobility. The Title of Nobility Clause is also one of the clauses that is sometimes called the "Emolument Clause".

  Section nine and ten of the Constitution o
f the United States of America in no way forbids or disallows Titles of Nobility but merely disallows the granting of Titles of Nobility by the government of the United States.

  “Therefore, according to the Constitution, the State is not interested whether a person has an ancient or new noble title, and does not forbid the title being born and used in public and private relations, nor is the abuse of noble titles considered a crime”.

  From domestic American tradition: From the 1890s onwards, the American genealogists became aware of the fact that many Americans had noble ancestors. This coincides with the foundation of several lineage-societies: Order of the Crown in America, 1898; The Baronial Order of Magna Charta, 1898, The National Society of Americans of Royal Descent, 1908, and others.

  The search for royal ancestors is not a new story: in 1883, in the USA, a country without organized nobility, Charles H. Browning compiled a series of royal descents from the medieval Kings of England and France in a book appropriately named Americans of Royal Descent. The book was expanded, reedited and reprinted in 1891, 1894, 1897, 1900, 1905, 1911, 1969, 1986 and 1998.

  In 1993, Gary Boyd Roberts wrote The Royal Descents of 600 Immigrants to the American Colonies or Charles H. Browning the United States: as compared with Browning, the method followed is the same but well known figures of today were added, such as most of the Presidents of the United States. Another difference is the inclusion of several European aristocratic recent immigrants

  such as Arnaud de Borchgrave, Wernher von Braun, Egon von Fürstenberg, Ted Morgan, Catherine Oxenberg and Brooke Shield. It can be estimated that as many as 150 million Americans have traceable royal European descent. Gary Boyd Roberts, an expert on royal descent, most Americans with significant New England Yankee, Mid-Atlantic Quaker, or Southern planter ancestry are descended from medieval kings, especially those of England, Scotland, and France. Some Americans may have royal descents through immigrants who had an illegitimate descent from European royalty.