Briefadel (inGerman;pronounced[ˈbʁiːfʔaːdl̩]) orbrevadel (inDanish,Norwegian, andSwedish) is a medieval German term for persons or families ennobled byletters patent. The oldest known such letters patent were issued in the middle of the 14th century, during theLate Middle Ages.
Briefadel can be contrasted withUradel, whose nobility predates issuance of letters patent. The term dates to the early nineteenth century.[1]
adel som uppstått genom utfärdande af adelsbref, pappersadel; motsatt: urgammal adel, bördsadel.