Margrave

Margrave was the medieval title for the hereditary nobleman with military responsibility for one of the border provinces of a kingdom. The greater exposure of a border province to military invasion mandated that the margrave be provided with military forces and autonomy of action (political, strategic, tactical) greater than was accorded other lords of the realm, thus the title came to indicate a superior noble rank. As a military governor, the margrave often extended over a territory greater than the province proper, because of border expansion subsequent to royal wars.