Freiherr
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Freiherr (German for Baron, lit. Free Lord) is a title of nobility of lower peerage rank in the former Holy Roman Empire and various successor states in the former Holy Roman Empire (notably Austria-Hungary and Germany) and various other states, such as the Baltic and Nordic countries (Sweden, Denmark, Finland), about equal to the elsewhere common title Baron.
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 language, when addressed, a Freiherr is sometimes styled "Baron", although this is not the formal title. (Note: there are also nobility 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), and 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 (German for Baroness, literally "Free Lady"), a daughter of a Freiherr is called Freiin (short for Freiherrin).
Usage note: Nobility authority has been abolished in Germany since 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 high prestige in some circles of society.
Parallel titles
The cognate title friherre in Scandinavian languages is still used in Sweden (below greve 'count, above obetitlad adel 'untitled nobility', all seating 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), in the linguistically unrelated Finnish, is vapaaherra.Finnish title
All heads of the noble families were, since Middle Ages, entitled to a vote in as well in any provincial Diet (of Finland) when such was held, as in the Realm's Herredag, 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 hereditary titles to some of these: count and "vapaaherra", but not all. The rest preserved their hereditary seats and votes in the Aatelissääty, and were yet called as lords. This organization was confirmed in 1625 constitutional arrangements.In the subsequent centuries, vast numbers of families were elevated to counts, to friherres, and to untitled nobles, also 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 lower 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, holding thus each the "peerage" of their family. Their family members carried no 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 addressing was Paroni (like Baron in German for a Freiherr), -tar.
All these nobles held their landed properties in allodial (free-standing) manner; that rälssi (exemption of land taxes) being the origin of the entire Finnish nobility as a class. Theoretically, all created vapaaherra families were given an own barony, but these were realities only in 16th and 17th centuries (when vapaaherra lords were fiefed with real baronies, with some taxation rights and some judicial authority), and afterwards the "barony" was titular, usually in chief of some already owned estate, and sometimes that property was established as a fideicommiss. Thus, in Finland, vapaaherra was more like holder of a fief, whereas both untitled lords, count and barons, all were owners of allodial land (rälssimaa). Their tax-exemption of landed properties continued to 20th century, being however someways lessened already in some reforms of 19th century. Nobility creations continued until 1917, the end of the monarchy.
Swedish title
Quite likewise as 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 as well in any provincial diet when such was 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 yet called lords. This organization was confirmed in 1625 constitutional arrangements.Vast numbers of families were elevated to counts, to friherres, and to untitled nobles, in the subsequent centuries, until in 1905 Sweden moved to unicameral parliament. 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 e.f Germany and Britain, holding thus each the "peerage" of their family. Their family members carried no title and were not entitled to vote or seat in the House. Whereas family members of "friherre" families were entitled to that same title, which in practical addressing 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.
Sources and external links
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