Hochwohlgeboren

Honor, is a form of address for a member of the lower nobility.

Deserved the original Titulation high and Honor first alone barons and lords ( unless they came from the nobility ), the title " Your Excellency " gradually also for other members of the lower nobility ( knights and nobles ) became common. Since the late Middle Ages also led ( Civil ) Doctors of rights the salutation, as it ranked according to imperial law with the Knights. With the salutation the right was connected to inherit and free to manage their own lands his family crest.

Highborne was initially the nobility of the Dukes, who changed in the 17th century Highness, reigning dukes since 1844 also to sovereignty; Highborne then remained the salutation for not reigning Count ( regnant: Grace ) as well as barons or lords of the nobility.

Honor, however, was the salutation on Civil dignitaries, but increasingly insisted on the title " Excellency " in the 19th century.