Baltic nobility

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The Baltic nobility in Latvia and Estonia has existed continuously since the medieval days of Teutonic Knight state. Most of the nobles were Baltic Germans of German origin. This nobility was a source of officers and other servants to Swedish kings in 16th and particularly 17th centuries, when Livonian lands belonged to them. Russian emperors used Baltic nobles in government.

They were organized in institution of nobility in Reval, and another for the duchy of Kurland, and yet one in Riga. Vyborg also had an institution to register rolls of nobles in accordance with Baltic models in 18th century. Most of the nobility was recalled by Hitler to Germany in late 1939, a few months prior to the annexation of Estonia and Latvia by Soviet Union in June 1940 . Although, nowadays it's possible to find the successors of the Baltic Nobility all around the world.

[edit] See also

• Baltic Noble Corporations
• Baltic Germans

[edit] External links

• Genealogisches Handbuch der baltischen Ritterschaften, family trees of Baltic nobility in German
• Baltisches Wappenbuch, coats of arms of Baltic nobility
• Estonian Manors Portal, the English version introduces 438 well preserved manors in Estonia, historically owned by the Baltic nobility