Changes

The ancient [[Greece|Greek]] system of [[government]] that translates to "rule by the best".  It entails government by nobles. The nobles, with titles like "duke", "count", "earl" or "baron," comprised a privileged class. The members have a "right" to rule the country, and non-nobles have no say in the matter. Historically noble status was typically inherited from father to son, and usually tied to ownership of vast amounts of land. Farmers who worked the land were politically controlled by the nobles.   

The ancient [[Greece|Greek]] system of [[government]] that translates to "rule by the best".  It entails government by nobles. The nobles, with titles like "duke", "count", "earl" or "baron," comprised a privileged class. The members have a "right" to rule the country, and non-nobles have no say in the matter. Historically noble status was typically inherited from father to son, and usually tied to ownership of vast amounts of land. Farmers who worked the land were politically controlled by the nobles.   

Aristocratic societies usually (but not always) have a monarch. The king is himself an aristocrat and has the power to create new aristocrats. In Britain today, the prime minister nominates distinguished Britons on whom the king confers a "peerage" or title of aristocracy.  The aristocrats form the British House of Lords. The strong tendency in Britain is to move away from inherited titles; the new aristocrats have noble status but their children no longer inherit it.

Aristocratic societies usually (but not always) have a monarch. The king is himself an aristocrat and has the power to create new aristocrats. In Britain today, the prime minister nominates distinguished Britons on whom the king confers a "peerage" or title of aristocracy.  The aristocrats form the British House of Lords. The strong tendency in Britain is to move away from inherited titles; the new aristocrats have noble status but their children no longer inherit it. However, the House of Lords still contains a minority of hereditary peers.

In many European armies and navies, until 1918, high rank was associated with noble status.  Likewise high rank in the established church was often a privilege of the aristocracy.

In many European armies and navies, until 1918, high rank was associated with noble status.  Likewise high rank in the established church was often a privilege of the aristocracy.