Freigraf
Encyclopedia
Freigraf is a title of Germany nobility
. It is derived from the German
words frei ("free") and the feudal title graf
("count
"). It can be used in two different contexts:
Graf
Graf is a historical German noble title equal in rank to a count or a British earl...
. It is derived from the German
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
words frei ("free") and the feudal title graf
Graf
Graf is a historical German noble title equal in rank to a count or a British earl...
("count
Count
A count or countess is an aristocratic nobleman in European countries. The word count came into English from the French comte, itself from Latin comes—in its accusative comitem—meaning "companion", and later "companion of the emperor, delegate of the emperor". The adjective form of the word is...
"). It can be used in two different contexts:
- A feudal count with an unusually extended title (which may express an allodial status), notably in the part of the old realm of BurgundyCounty of BurgundyThe Free County of Burgundy , was a medieval county , within the traditional province and modern French region Franche-Comté, whose very French name is still reminiscent of the unusual title of its count: Freigraf...
that retains from this title its name: the Eastern FrenchFranceThe French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
region of Franche-ComtéFranche-ComtéFranche-Comté the former "Free County" of Burgundy, as distinct from the neighbouring Duchy, is an administrative region and a traditional province of eastern France...
. - A supreme executive of a vehmgericht. See League of the Holy CourtLeague of the Holy CourtThe Vehmic courts, Vehmgericht, holy vehme, or just the Vehm, also spelt Feme, are names given to a "proto-vigilante" tribunal system of Westphalia active during the later Middle Ages, based on a fraternal organisation of lay judges called “free judges” . The principal seat of the courts was in...
.