Show t. t 1 t Institution of Nobility I The institution of nobility is founded found found- ed on the theory that a special privilege privilege once acquired shall be passed on from generation to generation The no nobles les of Rome called patricians patricians patri patri- I became nobles simply because because be be- I cause they were the original inhabitants inhabitants of the city In Venice the nobility consisted of a group of merchant merchant merchant mer mer- chant traders who had gradually I risen in wealth and power Most of the nobility of Europe on the theother theother theother other hand came from freemen who battled their way to w wealth and privilege These great feudal lords were virtual kings I |