Nobility of Georgia (country): Difference between revisions
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The untitled nobility comprised of the [[gentry]] who were the direct vassals of the King along with the vassals of the various princes and dukes, as well as those of the [[Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia]] who had his own realm.<ref name="toumanoff-maisons" /> Before the formal annexation by the Russian Empire, there were no other hereditary nobiliary titles other than the Western European equivalents of [[Prince]] and [[Duke]].<ref name="toumanoff-maisons" /> |
The untitled nobility comprised of the [[gentry]] who were the direct vassals of the King along with the vassals of the various princes and dukes, as well as those of the [[Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia]] who had his own realm.<ref name="toumanoff-maisons" /> Before the formal annexation by the Russian Empire, there were no other hereditary nobiliary titles other than the Western European equivalents of [[Prince]] and [[Duke]].<ref name="toumanoff-maisons" /> |
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The nobility of Georgia is split into two period, that before Russian annexation and after.<ref name="suny">{{cite book |title=The Making of the Georgian Nation |last=Suny |first=Ronald Grigor |date=1994 |publisher=Indiana University Press |location=Bloomington |edition=2nd |isbn=0-253-21277-4}}</ref> It should be noted that at the time of annexation, approximately 5% of the total Georgian population belonged to the nobility in some form, with the [[Bagration dynasty|Bagratids]] being at the top.<ref name="suny" /> |
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==Archducal status== |
==Archducal status== |
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At the end of the [[middle ages]], the title of Mtavari came to be associated with independent princes whereas Tavadi would designate those directly under Crown.<ref name="toumanoff-maisons" /> The realm of the former would be known as [[samtavaro]] whereas of the latter [[satavado]].<ref name="toumanoff-maisons" /> |
At the end of the [[middle ages]], the title of Mtavari came to be associated with independent princes whereas Tavadi would designate those directly under Crown.<ref name="toumanoff-maisons" /> The realm of the former would be known as [[samtavaro]] whereas of the latter [[satavado]].<ref name="toumanoff-maisons" /> |
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Starting in the 15th century, the newer title of Tavadi began to denote ruling princes whereas the older Mtavari was used explicitly by the five ruling princes of Georgia or by the head of undivided house.<ref name="suny" /> |
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The [[Batonishvili]] title was reserved for Royal Princes and for royal cadet houses, equivalent to the Russian [[czarevich]].<ref name="toumanoff-manuel" /> |
The [[Batonishvili]] title was reserved for Royal Princes and for royal cadet houses, equivalent to the Russian [[czarevich]].<ref name="toumanoff-manuel" /> |
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==Ducal status== |
==Ducal status== |
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The Georgian equivalent of duke was the title of [[Eristavi]] ({{Lang-ka|ერისთავი}}), and in a singular case the Armenian [[Melik]].<ref name="toumanoff-maisons" /><ref name="toumanoff-manuel" /> The need for this class of nobles came out of the need of the Georgian Crown to introduce [[Georgian feudalism|feudal reforms]] in the realm and recognizing the low control of the (semi) independent princely houses.<ref name="toumanoff-maisons" /> The realms under the direct control of the ducal houses were known as [[saeristavo]]. |
The Georgian equivalent of duke was the title of [[Eristavi]] ({{Lang-ka|ერისთავი}}), and in a singular case the Armenian [[Melik]].<ref name="toumanoff-maisons" /><ref name="toumanoff-manuel" /> The need for this class of nobles came out of the need of the Georgian Crown to introduce [[Georgian feudalism|feudal reforms]] in the realm and recognizing the low control of the (semi) independent princely houses.<ref name="toumanoff-maisons" /> The realms under the direct control of the ducal houses were known as [[saeristavo]]. |
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== Grandees == |
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The term '''didebuli''' ({{lang-ka|დიდებული}}) came into being with the introduction of feudalism and had the equivalent meaning as a [[grandee]] in Spain applying to all of the highest nobility.<ref name="suny" /> From the 11th and through the 14th century, the titles of Mtavari and Tavadi were equal to Eristavi, all three referring to the upper nobility, the princes. <ref name="suny" /> However, starting in the 15th century, the title with its feudal connotations started to fade away.<ref name="suny" /> |
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==Untitled nobility== |
==Untitled nobility== |
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{{see also|Aznauri}} |
{{see also|Aznauri}} |
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The broad class of untitled nobles were known as Aznauri ({{lang-ka|აზნაური}}).<ref name="toumanoff-maisons" /> |
The broad class of untitled nobles were known as Aznauri ({{lang-ka|აზნაური}}).<ref name="toumanoff-maisons" /><ref name="suny" /> These lesser nobles were divided into the '''mamaseulni''' ({{lang-ka|მამსეულნი}}) or '''natesavit aznauri''' ({{lang-ka|ნათესავით აზნაური}}), which were nobles of [[time immemorial]] (equivalent to the [[uradel]] of Germany) and the '''aghzeebul aznauri''' ({{lang-ka|აღზეებულ აზნაურს}}), the nobility through a brevet (granted by a King or lord).<ref name="suny" /> |
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It is noticeable that the feudal untitled nobles of Georgia starting in the 15th century, were much more dependent on their lords compared to their counterparts in western Europe, so much so that the Aznauri were considered to be slaves ({{lang-ka|ქმანი|tr}}) of the feudal lords.<ref name="suny" /> |
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==Integration into the Russian Empire== |
==Integration into the Russian Empire== |
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With the formal integration of the Georgian Kingdoms into the Russian Empire, all former royal, princely, and ducal houses were received by imperial decree as princes of the empire.<ref name="toumanoff-maisons" /> The untitled nobles were incorporated as untitled nobility of the Empire and a full list of admitted families was published by imperial authorities.<ref name="toumanoff-maisons" /> |
With the formal integration of the Georgian Kingdoms into the Russian Empire, all former royal, princely, and ducal houses were received by imperial decree as princes of the empire.<ref name="toumanoff-maisons" /> The untitled nobles were incorporated as untitled nobility of the Empire and a full list of admitted families was published by imperial authorities.<ref name="toumanoff-maisons" /> |
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After the annexation, all nobiliary titles in what were the former independent kingdoms of Georgia followed the [[Russian nobility]] system.<ref name="toumanoff-maisons" /> |
After the annexation, all nobiliary titles in what were the former independent kingdoms of Georgia followed the [[Russian nobility]] system.<ref name="toumanoff-maisons" /><ref name="suny" /> Interestingly, in 1837 the untitled nobles in eastern Georgia were emancipated from their princes but were required to prove the title to their lands; if they were unable to do so, the lost the land to their lords and became peasants.<ref name="suny" /> This was repeated in western Georgia in the 1840s.<ref name="suny" /> |
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==See also== |
==See also== |
Revision as of 11:55, 23 October 2023
The nobility of Georgia was the social and legal grouping of individuals and families with a special status in the former Kingdom of Georgia (along with its successor states).
The Georgian nobility has always been split across two main groups: the princely and ducal Houses, which were in the minority, and the untitled noble Houses which comprised the vast majority.[1]
The untitled nobility comprised of the gentry who were the direct vassals of the King along with the vassals of the various princes and dukes, as well as those of the Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia who had his own realm.[1] Before the formal annexation by the Russian Empire, there were no other hereditary nobiliary titles other than the Western European equivalents of Prince and Duke.[1]
The nobility of Georgia is split into two period, that before Russian annexation and after.[2] It should be noted that at the time of annexation, approximately 5% of the total Georgian population belonged to the nobility in some form, with the Bagratids being at the top.[2]
Archducal status
The Georgian nobiliary system had a title equivalent to that of a western archduke called Eristvi-mtavar.[3]
Princely status
The Georgian hereditary titles of Mtavari (Georgian: მთავარი) and Tavadi (Georgian: თავადი), both having similar roots, were granted to heads of noble houses and considered equivalent to the German Fürst while cadet houses (and their heads), would use titles such as Tavadischvili and Eristvichili.[1][3] These houses enjoying the title of Mtavari or Tavadi are recognized by the sovereign as being of the most important in the realm, of nobility from time immemorial equivalent to the uradel of Germany or the noblesse de race of France.[1] These princely houses of Georgia enjoyed full authority over their dominion and headed their own armies, enjoying a kind of mediatized sovereignty under the Georgian Crown.[1]
At the end of the middle ages, the title of Mtavari came to be associated with independent princes whereas Tavadi would designate those directly under Crown.[1] The realm of the former would be known as samtavaro whereas of the latter satavado.[1]
Starting in the 15th century, the newer title of Tavadi began to denote ruling princes whereas the older Mtavari was used explicitly by the five ruling princes of Georgia or by the head of undivided house.[2]
The Batonishvili title was reserved for Royal Princes and for royal cadet houses, equivalent to the Russian czarevich.[3]
Ducal status
The Georgian equivalent of duke was the title of Eristavi (Georgian: ერისთავი), and in a singular case the Armenian Melik.[1][3] The need for this class of nobles came out of the need of the Georgian Crown to introduce feudal reforms in the realm and recognizing the low control of the (semi) independent princely houses.[1] The realms under the direct control of the ducal houses were known as saeristavo.
Grandees
The term didebuli (Georgian: დიდებული) came into being with the introduction of feudalism and had the equivalent meaning as a grandee in Spain applying to all of the highest nobility.[2] From the 11th and through the 14th century, the titles of Mtavari and Tavadi were equal to Eristavi, all three referring to the upper nobility, the princes. [2] However, starting in the 15th century, the title with its feudal connotations started to fade away.[2]
Untitled nobility
The broad class of untitled nobles were known as Aznauri (Georgian: აზნაური).[1][2] These lesser nobles were divided into the mamaseulni (Georgian: მამსეულნი) or natesavit aznauri (Georgian: ნათესავით აზნაური), which were nobles of time immemorial (equivalent to the uradel of Germany) and the aghzeebul aznauri (Georgian: აღზეებულ აზნაურს), the nobility through a brevet (granted by a King or lord).[2]
It is noticeable that the feudal untitled nobles of Georgia starting in the 15th century, were much more dependent on their lords compared to their counterparts in western Europe, so much so that the Aznauri were considered to be slaves (Georgian: ქმანი, romanized: kmani) of the feudal lords.[2]
Integration into the Russian Empire
With the formal integration of the Georgian Kingdoms into the Russian Empire, all former royal, princely, and ducal houses were received by imperial decree as princes of the empire.[1] The untitled nobles were incorporated as untitled nobility of the Empire and a full list of admitted families was published by imperial authorities.[1]
After the annexation, all nobiliary titles in what were the former independent kingdoms of Georgia followed the Russian nobility system.[1][2] Interestingly, in 1837 the untitled nobles in eastern Georgia were emancipated from their princes but were required to prove the title to their lands; if they were unable to do so, the lost the land to their lords and became peasants.[2] This was repeated in western Georgia in the 1840s.[2]
See also
- List of Georgian princely families
- Georgian feudalism
- Court officials of the Kingdom of Georgia
- Noble families of Georgia
- Noble titles of Georgia
- Bagrationi dynasty
- "Georgian Nobility in the Russian Empire". Russian Nobility Association in America.
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n Toumanoff, Cyril (1983). Les Maisons princières géorgiennes de l'Empire de Russie (in French). Rome.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Suny, Ronald Grigor (1994). The Making of the Georgian Nation (2nd ed.). Bloomington: Indiana University Press. ISBN 0-253-21277-4.
- ^ a b c d Toumanoff, Cyril (1976). Manuel de généalogie et de chronologie pour l'histoire de la Caucasie chrétien (Arménie - Géorgie - Albanie) (in French). Rome.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)