knighthood
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knighthood
The entirety of knights as a social estate or group, especially in medieval Europe.
Die Ritterschaft war im Mittelalter zu Treue und Kriegsdienst gegenüber ihrem Lehnsherrn verpflichtet.
In the Middle Ages, the knighthood was obligated to loyalty and military service toward its feudal lord.
noble corporation
A corporate organization of the lower nobility in a specific region that continued to exist after the Middle Ages and often had political or administrative functions.
Die Lüneburger Ritterschaft verwaltet bis heute historisches Vermögen und Stiftungen.
The Lüneburg noble corporation still manages historical assets and foundations today.
The word consists of 'der Ritter' (the knight) and the ending '-schaft'. The suffix '-schaft' forms collective nouns and here refers to the entirety or community of knights.
Die Ritterschaft spielte eine zentrale Rolle in der mittelalterlichen Gesellschaft.
The knighthood played a central role in medieval society.
In the meaning of the social estate, 'Ritterschaft' (knighthood) is used almost exclusively in the context of the European Middle Ages. It describes the social class of knights.
Die Ideale der Ritterschaft prägten die Kultur des Hochmittelalters.
The ideals of knighthood shaped the culture of the High Middle Ages.
When 'Ritterschaft' (noble corporation) is connected with a geographical name, e.g. 'die Hannoversche Ritterschaft' (the Hanoverian Ritterschaft), it usually means a specific corporation of the nobility, not the general estate in the Middle Ages.
Die Estländische Ritterschaft hat eine lange und komplexe Geschichte.
The Estonian noble corporation has a long and complex history.
Interestingly, some of these regional 'Ritterschaften' (noble corporations) still exist today as organizations of the nobility. They often manage historical heritage such as lands or foundations.
Die Ritterschaft des Herzogtums Bremen ist heute eine Stiftung des öffentlichen Rechts.
The Ritterschaft of the Duchy of Bremen is today a foundation under public law.
