Szlachta

Okay kiddo, let me explain szlachta to you. Szlachta is a Polish word that means "nobility" in English. In the old days, when Poland was a kingdom, the szlachta were the group of people who were considered to be very important in society.

You might ask, "what makes someone part of the szlachta?" Well, szlachta was a social class and not everyone could be a part of it. It was mainly composed of landowners, knights, and aristocrats who had a certain rank and title.

The szlachta had privileges that other people in society did not have. For example, they did not have to pay certain taxes and they had the right to their own courts instead of being judged by regular judges. They were also able to vote and make decisions that affected the country.

However, the szlachta also had responsibilities. They were expected to protect the country and fight in wars when needed. They were also required to support the king and the government in various ways.

Throughout history, szlachta played an important role in Poland. They were the ones who helped to shape the country's political, social, and cultural landscape. Today, you might still come across people with the last name "Szlachta" in Poland, but it's no longer a social class.