Swedish Nobility

The Swedish nobility (Adeln) has historically been a legally and/or socially privileged class in Sweden, part of the so-called frälse (derivation from Old Swedish meaning free neck). The archaic term for nobility, frälse, also included the clergy a classification defined by tax exemptions and representation in the diet. Today, the nobility is still very much a part of Swedish society but they do not maintain many of their former privileges. They still do possess some privileges such as the protection by law of their family names, titles and coats of arms. The Swedish nobility consists of both "introduced" (introducerad adel) and "unintroduced" nobility (ointroducerad adel), the latter has not been "introduced" at the House of Nobility (Riddarhuset).

The House of Nobility also has a special tax for all noblemen over the age of 18. Belonging to the nobility in present day Sweden still carries some social privileges, and is of certain social and historical significance.