[quote=The Fated Fallen]
Where do you think nobles come from? Noble blood but impoverished marries a rich merchantman's daughter. Noble gets money, merchant gets to live the rest of his life knowing his legacy shall be powerful
[/quote]

Ah yes, but if it continues for long enough, they may forget -how- they got that way, and only focus on the fact they are rather powerful. There is a difference between 'fresh' and 'old' nobles.

I'd say the Council would have 'Old Money' who've always known they were awesome because of something they did, but it also has (being infected by, as the Old Money would say) the 'New Money' who just got to that position. And that causes some internal bickering...