[quote=@VoiD]
<Snipped quote by Andreyich>

Generally nobility would seek commissions as an officer -- few of the gentry would suffer the ignominy of serving at the same level as the "common" class, unless they were in abject poverty. If you want to go that route, your character would likely want to keep the fact that he is nobility a secret.

A titled norse/varangian family is perfectly fine, though. 
[/quote]

Actually, not speaking of his nobility because of the poorness they reached and subsequent fear of opportunistic hate/reprisal from lower class comrades as well as shame would make the character all the more interesting, I'll get right to it!