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A. Nobility in 18th-century Europe – exclusivity and internal differentiationThe nobility continued even in the estatic society of the 18th century to assert its leading position as the political and social estate that was built primarily on land ownership, privileges and a largely intact monopoly on key positions in the early modern state, i.e. the military. The crisis-ridden, war-torn 17th century had once more underscored the dominance of the nobility within the society of the estates, and the Baroque court culture of the European monarchs and princes, with its pomp and cer…