ritter

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(rĭt'ər) pronunciation
n., pl., ritter.
A knight.

[German, from Middle High German riter, from Middle Dutch ridder, from rīden, to ride.]


Royal, noble and chivalric ranks
Coronet of an earl
Emperor & Empress consort
Empress & Emperor consort
Empress dowager or Empress mother
King & Queen consort or Princess consort
Queen & King consort or Prince consort
Queen dowager or Queen mother
Princess dowager or Princess mother
Grand Duke & Grand Duchess
Grand Prince & Grand Princess
Viceroy & Vicereine
Archduke & Archduchess
Infante & Infanta
Duke & Duchess
Prince & Princess
Marquess & Marchioness
Marquis & Marquise
Margrave & Margravine
Count & Countess
Earl & Countess
Viscount & Viscountess
Baron & Baroness
Freiherr & Freifrau
Baronet & Baronetess
Hereditary Knight, Ritter
Knight & Dame
Nobile, Edler von

Ritter (German for "knight") is a designation used as a title of nobility in German-speaking areas. Traditionally it denotes the second lowest rank within the nobility, standing above "Edler" and below "Freiherr" (Baron). For its historical association with warfare and the landed gentry in the Middle Ages, it can be considered roughly equal to the titles of "Knight" or "Baronet".

As with most titles and designations within the nobility in German-speaking areas, the rank was normally hereditary and would generally be used together with the nobiliary particle of von or zu before a family name.

In the Austrian Empire the title of "Ritter von" would be bestowed upon citizens who deserved more than the plain "von" but were not considered deserving enough as to be given a barony as "Freiherr". In addition to the described system, some states like Württemberg and Bavaria introduced orders of merit beginning in the late 18th century which also conferred nobility as "Ritter von" but kept the title limited to the recipient's lifetime (see Military Order of Max Joseph).

In heraldry, from the late 18th century a Ritter would often be indicated by the use of a coronet with five points, although not everyone who was a Ritter and displayed arms actually made use of such a coronet.

See also



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