where does the term robber baron come from
Robber baron (industrialist) The term robber baron derives from the Raubritter (robber knights), the medieval German lords who charged nominally illegal tolls (unauthorized by the Holy Roman Emperor) on the primitive roads crossing their lands[1] or larger tolls along the Rhine river â€” all without adding anything of value, but instead lining their pockets at the cost of the common good (rent seeking).