Freiherr
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Freiherr, a German word, is a title of nobility of lower peerage rank in the former Holy Roman Empire, its various successor states (notably Austria-Hungary and Germany) and elsewhere, such as the Baltic and Nordic countries, about equal to the title Baron. Its literal translation is Free Lord. The original distinction to other German barons was that a Freiherr's landed property was allodial instead of a fief.
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[edit] German title
A German Freiherr is called "Baron" in English, although the title was derived separately in the English and German languages (even though the function was practically the same). Even in German, when addressed, a Freiherr is sometimes styled "Baron", although this is not the formal title and there is also a rank called Baron in German.
The title derives from the fact that the holder held free (allodial) title to his land, unlike ordinary barons, who were originally knights (Ritter), unlike peasants and serfs, and unlike medieval German ministerials as local lords. A Freiherr usually held hereditary administrative and judgeship rights (some jurisdiction) in his barony instead of the territorial lord — the duke or count.
The wife of a Freiherr is called Freifrau (literally "Free Lady"), a daughter of a Freiherr is called Freiin (short for Freiherrin).
Reichsfreiherr was a title, usually translated Baron of the Empire, of the Holy Roman Empire. After the dissolution of the Holy Roman Empire, the title officially came to an end although it continued unofficially to some extent. After dissolution of the empire, Reichfreiherren were usually made normal Freiherr under one kingdom or another.
Noble authority was abolished in Germany in 1918; the titles are now legally considered to be simply part of the family name, and they may or may not be used. They do, however, have prestige in some circles of society.
[edit] Parallel titles
The cognate title friherre in Scandinavian languages is still used in Sweden (below greve, "count", and above obetitlad adel, "untitled nobility", all seated in the Swedish Diet's Riddarhuset 'House of Knights') and was used to some extent in Denmark-Norway. The equivalent in Finland (once under the Swedish crown) is vapaaherra in the linguistically unrelated Finnish language.
[edit] Finnish title
All heads of the Finnish noble families were, since Middle Ages, entitled to a vote in any provincial Diet of Finland when held, as in the Realm's Herrainpäivät, later Aatelissääty of the Riksdag of the Estates. In the beginning, they were all without honorific titulary, and known just as Lords. In 1561, the Swedish king Eric XIV granted the hereditary titles count and "vapaaherra" to some of these, but not all. The rest also preserved their hereditary seats and votes in the Aatelissääty, and were still called lords. This organization was confirmed in 1625 constitutional arrangements.
In the subsequent centuries, vast numbers of families were elevated to counts, vapaaherras, and untitled nobles when Finland was an autonomous Grand Duchy. Those noble families which were noble from time immemorial, so-called ancient nobility when neo-organization came in 1625, were called Original Nobility. Heads of lowest, untitled, noble families continued to enjoy rather similar "lord of parliament" position as their counterparts in e.g. the Holy Roman Empire's Reichstag and Britain's House of Lords. Their family members carried no formalized, hereditary title and were not entitled to vote or seat in the House. Whereas family members of "vapaaherra" families were entitled to that same title, which in practical address became Paroni or Paronitar.
All these nobles held their landed properties in allodial (free-standing) manner, rälssi (exemption of land taxes) being the origin of the entire Finnish nobility as a class. Theoretically, all created vapaaherra families were given a barony, but these were realities only in the 16th and 17th centuries (when vapaaherra lords were fiefed with real baronies, with some taxation rights and some judicial authority). Afterwards the "barony" was titular, usually in chief of some already-owned property, and sometimes that property was established as a fideicommiss. Thus, in Finland, vapaaherra was more like holder of a fief, whereas untitled lords, counts and barons, all were owners of allodial land (rälssimaa). Their tax-exemption of landed properties continued to 20th century, being, however, someways lessened already by some reforms of the 19th century. Nobility creations continued until 1917, the end of the grand ducal monarchy.
[edit] Swedish title
Quite like in Finland, with whom the position of Swedish nobility shares most of its origins, each head of a noble house were, since Middle Ages, entitled to a vote in any provincial diet when held, as in the Realm's Herredag, later Riddarhuset of the Riksdag of the Estates. In the beginning, they were all without honorific titulary, and known just as Lords. In 1561, King Eric XIV granted some of them the titles count and "friherre", but not everyone. The rest preserved their hereditary seats and votes in the First Estate, and were still called lords. This organization was confirmed in 1625 constitutional arrangements.
Vast numbers of families were elevated to counts, to friherres, and to untitled nobles until the beginning of the 20th century. Those noble families which were noble from time immemorial, so-called ancient nobility when neo-organization came in 1625, were called Uradlig, original nobility. Heads of lower noble families continued to enjoy rather similar "lord of parliament" position as their counterparts in, for instance, Germany and Britain, holding thus each the "peerage" of their family. Their family members carried no title and were not entitled to vote or sit in the House. Whereas family members of "friherre" families were entitled to that same title, which in practical address was Baron, -essa. All these nobles held their landed properties in allodial manner, that frälse, exemption of land taxes, being the origin of the entire Swedish nobility as a class. Theoretically, all created friherre families were given a barony, but these were realities only in 16th and 17th centuries (when friherre lords were fiefed with real baronies, with some taxation rights and some judicial authority), and afterwards the "barony" was just a name usually based on some already owned property. Thus, in Sweden, friherre was more like holder of a fief, whereas untitled lord was owner of allodial land, as were friherre families too.
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