Swedish nobility

The Swedish nobility (Adeln) were historically a legally privileged class in Sweden, part of the so-called frälse (a classification defined by tax exemptions and representation in the diet that also applied to clergy). 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 House of Knights or Riddarhuset also has a special tax for all noblemen over the age of 18. Belonging to the nobility in present day Sweden still carries many social privileges, and is of considerable social significance.
See more at Wikipedia.org...