- Baltic nobility
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, but Polish and Swedish joined as well; and Russians later underRussian empire . [ [http://mdz1.bib-bvb.de/cocoon/baltlex/Band_bsb00000445.html Carl Arvid von Klingspor’s "Baltisches Wappenbuch. Wappen sämmtlicher, den Ritterschaften von Livland, Estland, Kurland und Oesel zugehöriger Adelsgeschlechter" (Stockholm 1882)] ]This nobility was a source of officers and other servants to Swedish and Polish kings in 16th and particularly 17th centuries, when Estonian, Oeselian, Kurlandian and 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 ofKurland , and yet one inRiga .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 bySoviet Union in June 1940 . Although, nowadays it's possible to find the successors of the Baltic Nobility all around the world.See also
*
Baltic Noble Corporations
*Baltic Germans External links
* [http://mdz1.bib-bvb.de/cocoon/baltlex/Band_bsb00000558.html Genealogisches Handbuch der baltischen Ritterschaften] , family trees of Baltic nobility in German
* [http://mdz1.bib-bvb.de/cocoon/baltlex/Band_bsb00000445.html Baltisches Wappenbuch] , coats of arms of Baltic nobility
* [http://www.mois.ee/english/ Estonian Manors Portal] , the English version introduces 438 well preserved manors in Estonia, historically owned by the Baltic nobilityReferences
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