European hierarchy?

Question

What differences do the terms viscount, count, baron, etc have? All the definitions just say "_ is one rank below _" but it never gives an actual definition of the word.

Answer 1

Historically, the nobles governed different areas and had different functions. A baron owned a barony, and usually farmed the land with serfs. A count was the governor of a county, and the viscount is a "vice-count" one rank below. A duke governs a duchy, a marquess or marchioness guarded the "march" or border of a land. Now, however, there are no political advantages associated with the titles, except perhaps in the House of Lords in Britain.