This syllabus is concerned with different aspects of power in Europe and the societal structures associated with that power. The syllabus consists of five sections, which all deal with the main theme but approach it through different perspectives and historical contexts. The syllabus is not construced chronologically as all the five sections have their own chronological structure. Thus, each of the the five sections can be taught as an entity or as independent study units. Societal structures and social clases have had a significant role in European history throughout centuries. Position, wealth and property have had and continue to have a close relationship with political power creating different kinds of influental groups such as aristocracy, nobility and oligarchs. However, often these and other terms are used interchangeablly and without their historical contexts. In this study unit the vocabulary related to different social classes is described and defined. In addition, the changing position and influence of the European ruling classes is explored briefly before focusing on the British and Swedish cases.