Robed nobility - French for "houfukukizoku" (English: Noblesse de robe)

The new nobility was made up of holders of high-ranking government positions in 17th and 18th century France. The feudal nobility, who boasted traditional traditions and status, were called the "nobility of the sword" to distinguish them from the feudal nobility. Holders of high-ranking government positions, such as those of commoner origin who inherited the position of a judge at the Paris High Court for more than two generations, received the noble title of knight or squire. In France, where the system of selling government positions progressed, this gave wealthy people an opportunity to rise to nobility. The title of robed nobility was given mainly to judges at the High Court, but it was also given to other high-ranking officials in the highest courts. The nobility of the sword looked down on the new nobility, but they were equal in terms of the privileges of nobility, such as tax exemptions, honors, and judicial privileges, and the two groups were in fact mixed through marriage and other means.

[Haruo Chiba]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

17、18世紀フランスの高級官職保有者からなる新貴族。従来の伝統と格式を誇る領主貴族は「剣の貴族」とよばれて区別された。高級官職保有者、たとえばパリ高等法院法官職を二世代以上継承した平民出身者は、騎士や従騎士の貴族号を得た。売官制が進行したフランスでは、資産家に貴族身分への上昇の機会を与えることになった。法服貴族とは、主として高等法院法官がその特典を得たからであるが、その他の最高諸院高官にも与えられた。また剣の貴族はこの新貴族を蔑視(べっし)していたが、免税、栄誉、裁判特典など貴族身分の特権については同等であり、縁組みなどを通じて両者は事実上混合したのである。

［千葉治男］

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