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# The ladder of women's titles in the 18th century, from mistress to duchess
- URL: https://theparnassian.com/en/devushki-xviii-veka-goniatsia-za-titulami/
- Published: 2018-02-02T12:06:03.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-02T19:05:44.000Z
- Author: Alexandr Radayev
- Tags: Aristocracy, Art, Mores, Humour

[​​](http://telegra.ph/file/00e2123fedd6fb6ce395c.jpg?ref=theparnassian.com)Girls of the eighteenth century chase after titles. At the very bottom of the ladder lies an ordinary mistress with her bosom bared, unable to rise; one rung above her is a baronet's wife, who has been overtaken by a baroness, above whom looms a viscountess, and higher than all of them has climbed a countess, with a marchioness before her, and at the very top a duchess, who is but one step away from the crown. In short, with a fortunate marriage the prospects are perfectly real!