The Hereditary Titles of Europe

From the time that the Roman Empire faded until the 20th century, the political history of Europe is above all the history of its hereditary rulers. Over time a distinct hierarchy has emerged with titles indicating the regions over which each person ruled. As regions merged through marriage or conquest, so the power of each dinisty grew. The rulers readily accepted new titles but reluctantly gave any up. Instead the Kings appointed favoured relatives and warriors to hold sway over sections of their land and they gave lesser titles to each. When they died the title was passed on to their eldest sons or daughters according to the laws they laid down, and so the system was maintained over the centuries.

By the 14th century a scale of rankings for titles was recognised over the whole of Europe. The top four indicate royalty. A boy born to a king is given the title of prince until he inherits the kingdom on the death of his father or elder brother. Then he takes the title of King himself. A ruler who has dominion over an empire may be called emporer and has higher rank than a king. The lesser titles are given to knights or princes who will not become King. They are accompanied by dominion over a region and are passed to their heirs. The ranks of Marquis, Earl, Viscount and Baron may also use the title of Lord.