German noble culture, history

Author: Xing Lai Shun
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-12-01
Features: German nobility, like that in other European countries, originally referred to the privileged class in medieval and modern times who held special status in social, political, economic, cultural, and legal aspects. Objectively speaking, as a social class, the nobility has had an extremely significant impact on the society, politics, and culture of European countries, including Germany. A scholar studying noble history once pointed out: "European political history up to the 20th century is a history of the nobility." Whether this statement is appropriate or not, at least it can illustrate a point: the noble class, which ruled Europe for over a thousand years, left a deep imprint on European society and political life. In a sense, the influence of the German nobility even surpasses that of the noble groups in other European countries.
In terms of scope of influence, during the medieval period, the Holy Roman Empire dominated by German nobility once ruled Western Europe. With few exceptions, some famous dynasties of medieval, modern, and even contemporary Europe were related by blood to German nobility, making Germany the homeland of many European royal families. In terms of the duration of influence, until the early 20th century, when countries like Britain and France had already established bourgeois rule, Germany remained under the control of traditional nobility.