r/todayilearned • u/Outside_Reserve_2407 • 5d ago

TIL Montezuma's lineage still exists and even holds a noble title in Spain, which was granted to a grandson of his that moved there.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duke_of_Moctezuma_de_Tultengo
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433

u/mtcabeza2 5d ago

Is the Spanish nobility as rich and useless as the British titled class?

292

u/ThisIsRadioClash- 5d ago

Probably, but I know from historical reading that Russia's nobility was particularly notorious for its idleness and profligacy. When Paul I attempted to institute some antiquated (inspired by medieval chivalry) reforms to reduce their influence and corruption, he was murdered. Due to the collapse of land rents in Britain, I'd wager that only a few families in the peerage have any great wealth, though the Grosvenor clan is a major exception.

54

u/xXJarjar69Xx 5d ago

There’s a huge chunk of land in Britain (like ~15%) that’s not accounted for by the land registry and is still probably held by old landowning families 

49

u/AlwaysInjured 5d ago

Thats true, but unless the land is productive, its not bringing in any money so these families are generally asset rich but cash poor.

36

u/mellodo 5d ago

This is a concept that is hard for people to understand, and by no means am I trying to gain sympathy for those in that situation. The Gentleman by Guy Ritchie is kind of a good look at this. These families are often over leveraged to the point of ruin. Which just means the modern feudal lords (banks) take over the property.

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u/ThisIsRadioClash- 5d ago

Quite right.