Posted by Henri M on 6/5/2008, 9:20:15, in reply to "Re: Death of a Grandee and former PM"
89.220.134.178
From Wikipedia:
The title Grande apparently was originally assumed by the most important nobles to distinguish them from the mass of the nobles.
It formerly implied certain privileges, notably that of sitting covered in the royal presence.
All grandees were addressed by the King as "my cousin" (mi primo), whereas ordinary nobles were only qualified as "my kinsman" (mi pariente).
Nowadays, all Grandes are of the first class and the designation is purely titular, implying neither privilege nor power. An individual is a Grande if he holds a Grandeeship (Grandeza de España), regardless of possession of a title of nobility.
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