Originally all the nobles in the Western Peninsular Christian Realms were "hidalgos" and, as "cristianos viejos", held nearly exclusive right to privileged status (although there were some Jews and Muslims recognized as "hidalgos", who shared their privilege to bear arms as knights in the "mesnada real"). The first of the kings of Pamplona and Asturias were originally elected and lifted up on a shield to assume "Princeps inter Pares" status, by these otherwise untitled nobles. For approximately three hundred years the "hidalgos" retained this privilege, only a few of them eventually being granted the non-heritable title of "Comes#Medieval usages". Unlike Spain's later titled nobles, the early "hidalgo" did not necessarily possess or receive any fief or land grant. Many were as poor as commoners, although they were tax-exempt and could join the civil service or the army.