A person or class of persons with the right to bear arms, use chivalric weapons, and ride warhorses. The most fundamental distinction in status in feudal societies is that between gentlefolk (nobles) and simplefolk (commoners). Gentlefolk are better treated by the law, which protects the privilege of rank. In a dispute between a noble and a simple person, there is rarely doubt as to the outcome. Gentle status may be granted under complex rules by those who already have it or may be obtained by birth or marriage. A person whose parents are gentle is of gentle birth. This has somewhat more status than obtaining gentility by marriage or grant, although the grantor may lend some of his own status to the grant. For example, a man knighted by the king has more status than one knighted by an impoverished knight-bachelor.
Barons and earls have heritable titles that remain with the family unless formally stripped by higher authority. Anyone who holds a heritable title, or is married to or the offspring of such a person, is considered gentle. Gentlefolk with such titles are usually knights, but few knights have heritable titles.
Barons and earls have heritable titles that remain with the family unless formally stripped by higher authority. Anyone who holds a heritable title, or is married to or the offspring of such a person, is considered gentle. Gentlefolk with such titles are usually knights, but few knights have heritable titles.