Nobility of Belgium

The Belgian nobility comprises individuals and (some members of) families recognized by the Kingdom of Belgium as members of a certain class of persons. Historically, these individuals were a socially privileged class enjoying a certain degree of prestige in society. In contemporary society, much of the historic social privileges associated with being a member of the nobility has become somewhat reduced reflecting the present-day notion of egalitarianism.

The Belgian constitution states that no privileges are attached to bearing a title of nobility.

Because most old families have resided in the current territory of Belgium for hundreds of years, their members have belonged to various nations. Spanish nobles resided in Flanders in the 15th and 16th centuries and married in to local houses. Amongst these houses we find de Peňaranda, Coloma, De Evora y vega, Perez, de Castro y Lopez, de San Estevan, de Horosco, Franco y Feo, Santa Cruz, Gallo de Salamanca, Gerardi, Sant Vittores de la Poitilla.

In the period under Dutch sovereignty, the nobility formed an important factor in the independence. After the independence of Belgium, the Kingdom of the Netherlands lost an important part of nobles: all the high families lived in the south and became part of the Belgian nobility. At court in the 19th century the nobility played a major role.

In some old families the heads of the house have the right of multiple titles. Today, most important families still pass these old titles only in the male line. In the Ancien Régime and Spanish and Austrian period, titles and rights could be inherited by marriage or just by will.

This was legally accepted by the Spanish crown and titles could be accumulated with other legal titles. This system ended after the French Revolution. After the creation of Belgium, families could receive the recognition of their status, which happened for the majority of the current families. Mostly, the noble status was recognized but sometimes too the old title, that could only be passed by the male line of the same noble house. Since this change, old titles have disappeared, and only few old titles survive. Known examples are the counts of Bornhem and the Marquess of Assche titles inherited by the families of Marnix de Sainte-Aldegonde and Vander Noot.

Until 1662 the North part of France belonged to Flanders, under Spanish rule. Titles created before this date ar considered to be part of the Flemish nobility. The Picardian and Artesian nobility lost their land to the French Crown, and was incorporated into the French Kingdom. The Marquess of Morbecque had lost his land after the Battle of Cassel. After this periode much former Flemish houses, were bestowed other French titles.

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Wikipedia