Edwardian England: A Guide to Everyday Life, 1900-1914 by Evangeline Holland

Author:Evangeline Holland [Holland, Evangeline]
Language: eng
Format: azw3
Publisher: Plum Bun Publishing
Published: 2014-01-11T05:00:00+00:00

The Peerage

The British peerage retained its influence in its simplicity and uniformity. Unlike the European peerage, which basically handed titles to each offspring, thereby diluting the exclusiveness of a title, land and titles remained mostly bound together and created a sturdier foundation for building and retaining wealth and influence.

At the top of the peerage is a duke. The title was first introduced by Edward III in 1337 when he created the Black Prince the first English duke. A Duke is called "Duke" or "Your Grace" by social equals, but only "Your Grace" by commoners. His eldest son bore his courtesy title, his younger sons were known as "Lord Firstname Lastname," and his daughters as "Lady Firstname Lastname."

Next is a marquess/marquis: This was introduced in 1387 by Richard II. A Marquess is called "My Lord" by both social equals and commoners. His eldest son also bore his courtesy title, and like a duke's other children, his younger sons are “Lord Firstname Lastname" and his daughters "Lady Firstname Lastname."

The title of earl was Latin for comes or comte/count in French. Before the creation of a duke, this was the highest degree of rank and dignity in the British peerage. An earl is called "My Lord" by social equals and commoners, the eldest son bore his father’s courtesy title, but though the daughters are "Lady Firstname Lastname," the other sons are "Honorable Firstname Lastname."

The viscount is the fourth degree of rank and dignity in the British peerage, and was introduced by Henry VI in 1440. A viscount is called "My Lord" by social equals and commoners. All of his children are "Honourable Firstname Lastname."

The baron is the lowest rank in the British peerage. A baron is called "My Lord," and all children are "Honorable Firstname Lastname."

Though a baronet is a hereditary rank instituted by James I in 1612, it is lower than the peerage but higher than all knights, those of the Order of the Garter the lone exception.

In matters of precedence, women took theirs from the rank and dignity of their fathers, and all unmarried sisters in any family held the same degree, which is the degree that their eldest brother held (or would hold) amongst men. For example, when the half-brother of Ottoline Morrell (née Cavendish-Bentinck) became the 6th Duke of Portland, she was granted the courtesy title of a duke's daughter, thereby becoming Lady Ottoline.

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