Nobles of the Robe

They were distinct from the "Nobles of the Sword" (French: noblesse d'épée), whose nobility was based on their families' traditional function as the knightly class and whose titles were usually attached to a particular feudal fiefdom, a landed estate held in return for military service.

Originally given out as rewards for services to the king, the offices became venal, a commodity to be bought and sold (under certain conditions of aptitude).

[3] However, after the 17th century, the descendants of those who had earned the rank as a reward for services to the monarchy fought to limit access to the class.

The Nobles of the Robe protested heavily when the monarchy, in desperate need of money, would create massive numbers of such positions within the bureaucracy to raise revenue.

[6] In order to become a baron or viscount, a new untitled nobleman needed to acquire a fief (baronies, viscountcies, etc.

During the French Revolution, the Nobles of the Robe lost their place when the parlements and lower courts were abolished in 1790.