How to become noble
Contrary to what is usually known about titles of nobility, this lordship is not awarded by a king and then passed on to his descendants. It is tied instead to the ownership of the land and is automatically passed on to the new (co-) owner when the land is sold or inherited. This opens up, of course, unexpected perspectives for people like you and me who were not born into illustrious circles. Just buy a plot of land and ‘Count’ or ‘Countess’ of Neuschwanstein Manor are ready. The nice thing about it: the size of the land does not matter. So we own 1 acre piece of land in the near of Neuschwanstein Castle, for which we sell you shared ownership. This joint ownership makes you a landowner.
Earls, Counts, and Countesses
Counts and earls share the same rank, which is why the wives of earls are called countesses. Today, counts do not necessarily hold land or rule shires like it still is with Scottish peerage. However, in the past, counts governed shires and received one-third of the revenue generated in their shires. When an earldom was created, it would often be established in an area where the new count already had land holdings and influence among the local people. Not surprisingly, many people still believe in the strong association between counts and their lands. The naming conventions for counts were fairly relaxed. A count’s title might have been based on any of the following things:
- The shire he owned
- A county town in the shire
- Another well-known place within the shire
- His family name
It was less typical for an count to be addressed by family name, but this may have occurred when counts had limited land holdings in their shires. If an count held land in a shire that already was designated to another count, he may have received a title referring to land near his property. For example, the count of Oxford primarily owned property in Essex, but they could not be titled accordingly, since other nobles already held the title Count of Essex
Am I noble now?
Of course it is not a real title of nobility, which can only be acquired by marriage or adoption. However, your new title of nobility is to be understood as a name addition to your civil name and can be used everywhere. Wear the title on business cards, on letterheads or to reserve a table in a restaurant or a room in a hotel. The wearing of our titles is legally impeccable. Besides the fantastic possibility to be addressed in the future with count or countess, you will have a lot of fun!
What can I do with such a noble title?
As mentioned before, it is primarily a symbolic title, in which you or the person to whom you give the title can have a lot of fun. Just impress your fellow men a little by placing the appointment certificate in your living room or office. Surround yourself with noble insignia such as an extra-printed coffee mug or pillow. Enjoy it to guide your new nobility title as a name addition on your business cards and letterheads, and note how respectfully you are treated as Count or Countess suddenly in the hotel.
Legal use of your title of nobility
You can carry all our titles as follows:
- Your first and last name, Count of Neuschwanstein Manor
- Count your first and last name of Neuschwanstein Manor
- Count your first name of Neuschwanstein Manor
With or without „his/her highness“, add the title in this form to business cards, on letterheads, or to reserve a table in the restaurant or a room in the hotel.