An hidalgo or fidalgo was a member of the lower Spanish nobility. Hidalgos were exempt from paying taxes, but did not necessarily own real property. The Lords and Barons prove their Nobility by hanging their Banners and exposing their Coats-of-arms at the Windows of the Lodge of the Heralds. ... A tax (also known as a dutyor Zakat in islamic economics) is a charge or other levy imposed on an individual or a legal entity by a state or a functional equivalent of a state (e. ... The factual accuracy of this article is disputed. ...

Since the 7th century, the words fijodalgo and fidalgo were used in Spain, especially Castile, to refer to low-ranking landed gentry. Both were corruptions of the term "fijo de algo" (son of something). In the middle ages pronunciation changed to hijodalgo and hidalgo. // Overview Events The Roman-Persian Wars end. ... A former kingdom in modern-day Spain, Castile (Spanish: Castilla; usually pronounced Cast-EEL in English) now compromises the regions of Old Castile in the north-west, and New Castile in the center of the country. ...

To qualify as an hidalgo solariego ("ancestral hidalgo"), one had to prove that all four of one's grandparents were hidalgos. One could also receive the title as a reward for meritorious acts, or by joining a fraternity. Of all those who held the title, hidalgos solariegos were regarded as the most noble, and treated with the most respect. Look up fraternity in Wiktionary, the free dictionary. ...

Over the years the title lost its significance. Kings routinely awarded the title in exchange for personal favors. By the time of the reign of the House of Bourbon, over half a million people enjoyed tax exemptions, putting tremendous strain on the state. Attempts were made to reform the title, but by the early 19th century, it had entirely disappeared, along with the social class it had originally signified. Quid pro quo (Latin for something for something, many times understood by English speakers as what for what or tit for tat) is used to mean, in the English speaking world, a favor for a favor (in other linguistic contexts, such as Portuguese and French, it means a misunderstanding, a... The House of Bourbon is an important European royal house. ... Alternative meaning: Nineteenth Century (periodical) (18th century — 19th century — 20th century — more centuries) As a means of recording the passage of time, the 19th century was that century which lasted from 1801-1900 in the sense of the Gregorian calendar. ...

The prototypical hidalgo is Don Quixote, who is sometimes known as "The Hidalgo". This page is about the fictional character and novel. ...

See also

• Hidalgo (disambiguation)