Reading historical books, you often come across unfamiliar terms. To understand their meaning, you need to open a dictionary and sometimes look at more than one page. This process can be so tedious that the reader abandons the book in the middle. In this article, we will try to clarify the term "baron". This is not a historical reference, but informative information in a modern interpretation.
The meaning of the term and the history of origin
Initially, the word "Baron" was translated from French as "man". But in Germany it began to be used differently. Here "Baron" became a title. The emperor gave land to the knights, but since these people did not have any titles and regalia, they did not have the right to inherit these land plots. To consolidate the rights of inheritance, the emperor began to give the knights the title of baron. The situation was similar in other European countries. The meaning of the word "baron" here was understood as the lowest title of a noble family.
Surprisingly, even the eldest sons of counts and marquises enjoyed great privileges. Baron - it was an honorary title, he gave the opportunity to rotate in the upper strata of society. True, the counts, marquises and viscounts treated such innovations with contempt.
Title in Russia
Baron is not only a foreign title. In our country, this title was first used by Peter I. After his trip to Europe, the ruler realized that not only ancient noble families should enter the high society. After all, people "from the bottom" are sometimes very worthy and interesting interlocutors who can contribute to the development of the state. That is why Peter I decides to give the named title to people who have reached certain heights in industry and the financial sector. Usually these were we althy citizens who used to be called merchants. They did not have any titles, but their financial condition was sometimes much stronger than that of nobles and counts.
The baronial title in our country was divided into Russian, B altic and foreign. We talked about how domestic industrialists received the honorary title above, and now we will tell about how foreigners were honored to become barons. The fact is that during immigration, all titles were retained by people, and, in addition, they, thanks to a successful marriage, could appropriate a title of nobility.
The most famous representatives
What is a baron, we understood, and now let's look at the list of the brightest personalities,holders of this title:
- von Wetberg;
- von Baer;
- von Richter;
- von Wrangel;
- von Kluhtzner;
- von Orgis-Rutenberg;
- von Nettelhorst;
- von Koskul;
- Baron von Launitz.
Most often, baronial titles were given to military personnel who distinguished themselves in combat operations or showed initiative and quick wits. Regiment commanders, major generals - these are the brave and courageous people who were honored to belong to the highest society.
Do barons exist today
Today, reading stories about knights, it seems that these are tales of a bygone past. But it turns out that the baronial title still exists today. Nobility is practiced in Belgium, Great Britain, Spain and Ireland.
These barons, of course, do not have the privileges of the past, but it is still honorable to have such a title. An interesting fact: all people who have ever held a title of nobility are recognized by the monarchy as counts, viscounts, etc. even in our time.
It's hard to imagine, but in Scotland until 2004 there was a law according to which the barons limited the rights of their feudal lords. Titled persons, at their own discretion, appointed close friends and relatives to responsible posts. And no one could do anything against it, because such suffrage was completely legal.
Who is the gypsy baron
This term cannot be found in any dictionary. Therefore, the "gypsy baron" is an unspoken concept, one might even sayslang. It is used among our compatriots and denotes the leader of the group. In the written gypsy law, everyone is equal, so officially there can be no barons, but still, someone still has to resolve the constant conflicts that arise for the most part precisely through the fault of the ethnic minority. And these people also bear the named title. They are the ones who talk to the media and, if necessary, to the police.
But do not think that the gypsy barons have any power among their people. Among the gypsies, everything is decided through a public meeting: this is how the guilty fellow tribesmen are punished and in the same way people are encouraged. This people does everything together, owns property, raises children, passes new laws.
But as in any team, there are leaders everywhere. After all, everyone knows that a group of 100 people simply cannot organize itself. To move from place to place, you need to develop a plan, find equipment and distribute work in a team. So, despite the reigning democracy and the absence of clear leaders, in any society, even a gypsy, there is a control cell. And even if she is not openly recognized, this does not mean that she is absent.
