Imperial, royal and noble ranks

Traditional rank amongst European imperiality, royalty, peers, and nobility is rooted in Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages. Although they vary over time and among geographic regions (for example, one region's prince might be equal to another's grand duke), the following is a reasonably comprehensive list that provides information on both general ranks and specific differences.[vague] Distinction should be made between reigning (or formerly reigning) families and the nobility – the latter being a social class subject to and created by the former.