OF THE DIFFERENT DEGREES OF NOBILITY. (From Beatson's Index.) THE degrees of Nobility in Great Britain and Ireland are Five, Dukes, Marquesses Earls, Viscounts, and Barons; to which may be added a Sixth degree, that of Bishops, inasmuch as bishops are entitled to a seat in the House of Peers, as Barons of the realm. DUKE is the first rank of nobility. It was introduced by Edward III., who created his eldest son, Edward the Black Prince, in 1337 (then earl of Chester), duke of Cornwall. This title subsequently merged (1343) in that of prince of Wales, and has ever since been vested in the heir apparent to the crown, who, at his birth, becomes duke of Cornwall. The only ceremony at the investiture of the Black Prince was, the girding him with the sword. When John of Gaunt, fourth son of Edward III., was created duke of Lancaster by his father, he had investiture, not only by the girding him with the sword, but by putting on him a cap of fur, under a coronet of gold set with precious stones. In the twenty-first of Richard II. the duke of Hereford, and several others, were created by placing a cap of honour on their heads, and by delivering a rod into their hands: the surcoat, mantle, and hood followed. All these, however, have been laid aside, dukes being now created by patent. The mantle and surcoat worn by a duke at the coronation of a king or queen, is of crimson velvet, lined with white taffeta; his parliamentary robes are of fine scarlet cloth. His cap is of crimson velvet, lined with ermine; and his coronet of gold, set round with ornaments in the form of strawberry-leaves. A duke is styled "His Grace;" and is officially addressed by the king or queen as "Our Right Trusty and Right Entirely Beloved Cousin," and if of the privy council, with the addition of "Councillor." His title is "The Most High, Potent, and Noble Prince." MARQUESS. This dignity is the Saxon Markin-Reve, and the German Markgrave, or Margrave (from Mark or Marche, which, in the languages of the northern nations, signifies a limit or bound), conferred by our ancestors and neighbours upon an officer who had to guard or govern the frontiers of a province. It has the next place of honour to a duke, and was introduced several years after that title had been established in England. The first on whom it was conferred, was the great favourite of Richard II., Robert de Vere, earl of Oxford, who was created marquess of Dublin, and by him placed in parliament between the dukes and earls. The creation to this dignity was with nearly the same ceremony as that of a duke; but marquesses are now created by patent under the great seal. The coronation robes are of crimson velvet, lined with white taffeta; and the cap is of crimson velvet, lined with ermine. The coronet is of gold, and has pearls and strawberry-leaves mixed alternately round, of equal height. A marquess is styled "Most Honourable;" and he is addressed by the king or queen “Our Right Trusty and Entirely Beloved Cousin." as EARLS.-This honour, which came from the Saxons, was of great dignity and power, and for many ages continued the highest rank in England, till Edward III. created dukes, and Richard II. created marquesses, both of whom had precedence assigned above earls. Earls had anciently, for the support of their state, the third penny out of the sheriff's court, issuing out of the pleas of the shire whereof they had their title; for in early times there was no count or earl but had a county or shire for his earldom. Afterwards, the number of earls increasing, they took their title from some eminent town or village, or from their own seats or parks; and some from illustrious families, as Salisbury, Peterborough, Stamford, Paulet, Cholmondeley, Ferrers, Waldegrave, Stanhope, Ashburnham, &c. Nor were titles confined to England alone, as many were taken from the kingdom of France, as Albemarle and Tankerville. Upon the increase of earls, their revenue ceased, and their powers were much abridged; and it became the custom of the kings of England to assign some stated pension to the personage he ennobled, for the better support of his dignity. Anciently, an earl was created with nearly the same ceremony as a duke or marquess; but he is now created by letterspatent. His coronation and parliamentary robes are nearly the same as those of a duke or a marquess. Sir Robert Cecil, earl of Salisbury, viscount Cranbourne, was the first of the degree that wore a coronet. An earl's coronet has pearls raised upon points, and strawberry-leaves low between them. His style is "Right Honourable; and he is addressed by the king or queen as "Our Right Trusty and Right Well Beloved Cousin." VISCOUNT was anciently the name of an office under an earl, Vice Comes, who being oftentimes required at court, the viscount was his deputy to look after the affairs of the county; but in the reign of Henry VI. it became a degree of honour, and was made hereditary. The first viscount in England, created by patent, was John, lord Beaumont, who was by the above-named king created viscount Beaumont, and given precedence above all barons. A viscount is created by letters-patent. His coronet is surrounded with a row of pearls close to the chaplet. His style is " Right Honourable;" and he is addressed by the king or queen as “Our Right Trusty and Well Beloved Cousin." 66 BISHOPS.-The precedence of bishops was settled by statute 31st Henry VIII. cap. x, to be next to viscounts, they being barons of the realm. They have the title of 66 Lords," and Right Reverend Fathers in God." Before the Saxons came into England, there were three archbishoprics, viz. London, York, and Caerleon-uponUsk; each of which had many suffragans: but, soon after St. Augustine's arrival in England, that personage, from the great kindness he received from the king of Kent, fixed the metropolitan see at Canterbury, where it has continued ever since. York continued archiepiscopal, but London and Caerleon lost the dignity. The latter was situated too near the Saxons to be much at ease; wherefore one of its bishops removed the see to St. David's, in Wales. The archbishop of Canterbury is the first peer in Great Britain, next to the royal family. The lord high chancellor is the second, and the archbishop of York the third; they take place of all dukes, and have the title of "Grace" given to them. The archbishop of Canterbury writes himself, " By Divine Providence;" the archbishop of York, and the other bishops, "By Divine Permission." The bishops of London, Durham, and Winchester, have precedence of all their brethren; the other bishops rank according to seniority of consecration. BARON. This title is extremely ancient. The dignity of a baron, by tenure, appertained to the holding of certain lands, according to the feudal system, directly under the crown, and conditionally upon the performance of honorary services to the king, such as advising him in council, attending him in the field, and providing him a given number of knights or men-at-arms. A baron, by writ, was an elevation to the peerage by a summons to attend the king in parliament; but some barons were only summoned once. This mode of creation, however, has been a long time laid aside; and the only writs now issued are those to the eldest sons of higher peers, in their fathers' baronies. The first who was raised to the dignity of baron, by patent, was John de Beauchamp, of Holt Costle, created baron of Kidderminster, in Worcestershire, by Richard II., in the 11th year of his reign. A baron's coronet has six pearls, set at equal distances on the chaplet. His style is "Right Honourable;" and he is addressed by the king or queen as "Right Trusty and Well Beloved." . Beatson. THE PRIVILEGES OF PEERS OF GREAT BRITAIN. The nobility of England enjoy many great privileges, the principal of which are the following: They are free from all arrests for debt, as being the king's hereditary councillors. A peer cannot, therefore, be outlawed in any civil action; and no attachment lies against his person; but execution may be taken upon his lands and goods. For the same reason, peers are free from all attendance at courts leet, or sheriff's turns; or, in case of a riot, from attending the posse comitutus. In criminal causes, they are tried by their peers, who give in their verdict, not upon oath, as other juries do, but upon their honour. And then a court is usually built on purpose in the middle of Westminster Hall, at the king's charge, which is pulled down when the trial terminates. To secure the honour of, and prevent the spreading of any scandal upon, peers, or any great officer of the realm, by reports, there is an express law, called Scandalum Magnatum, by which any man convicted of making a scandalous report against a peer of the realm (though true), is condemned to an arbitrary fine, and to confinement in prison until the fine be paid. Peers have the privilege of voting in parliament by proxy; a mode they very frequently adopt, when ill or absent from other cause. Upon any great trial in a court of justice, a peer may come into the court, and sit there covered. The barons of Kinsale enjoy, exclusively, the hereditary privilege of being covered in the royal presence. - Beatson. THE PEERS OF ENGLAND. (Compiled from Sir William Dugdale's “ Baronage,” the “ Stemmata Anglicana” of Sir Thomas Banks, and the “Synopsis" of Sir Harris Nicolas.1) ABERCORN. A. John James Hamilton, earl of Abercorn (in Scotland) and viscount Hamilton, in England, created marquess of Abercorn, Oct. 2, 1790. ABERCROMBY. Mary Anne Abercromby (widow of lieut.-general sir Ralph Abercromby), created baroness Abercromby, of Aboukir and Tullibody, co. Clackmannon, May 28, 1801. George-Ralph, her grandson, is the present baron. ABERGAVENNY. William, baron Cantilupe, baron by tenure, temp. Henry III. - William de Beauchamp, descendant, baron by writ, Nov. 23, 1392.-Edward Nevills, who married Elizabeth, sole heir of this family, was summoned to parliament Sept. 5, 1450.-The barony descended to George Nevill, 16th baron, created viscount Nevill, of Berling, co. Kent, and earl of Abergavenny, co. Monmouth, May 17, 1784. ABINGDON. James Bertie, baron Norris, or Norreys, of Rycote, created earl of Abingdon, co. Berks, Nov. 30, 1682. Montagu Bertie, who succeeded in 1799, is 5th and present earl of Abingdon. See Norreys. ABINGER. James Scarlett, lord chief baron of the exchequer, created baron Abinger, of Abinger, co. Surrey, Jan. 12, 1835. ACHESON. Archibald Acheson (son of earl Gosford (in Ireland), by courtesy viscount Acheson, created, vitâ patris, baron Acheson, of Glencairney, co. Armagh, Sept. 18, 1847. ADBASTON. Sir Charles Whitworth, bart., created baron Adbaston of Adbaston, co. AILESBURY. Robert Bruce, baron Bruce of created baron Bruce, of Skelton, co. York, viscount Bruce, of Ampthill, co. Bedford, and earl Bruce, of Ailesbury, co. Bucks, March 18, 1664. Charles Bruce, grandson and heir, created baron Bruce, of Tottenham, co. Wilts, April 17, 1746. All the English honours except the last-mentioned barony became ertinct in 1747. Thomas Bruce Brudenell (Bruce), nephew and heir, baron Bruce, of Tottenham aforesaid, created earl of Ailesbury, co. Bucks, June 8, 1776.-Charles Bruce Brudenell Bruce, his son and heir, created viscount Savernake, of Savernake Forest, co. Wilts, earl Bruce, of Whorlton, co. York, and marquess of Ailesbury, co. Bucks, July 17, 1821. AILSA. Archibald Kennedy, earl of Cassilis (in Scotland), created baron Ailsa, of the Isle of Ailsa, co. Ayr, Nov. 4, 1806; and marquess of Ailsa, Sept. 10, 1831. ALBANY, dukedom of, June 29, 1716. Extinct ALBEMARLE. Odo, earl of Champagne and Holdernesse, created earl of Albemarle, or Aumarle, temp. William I. The earldom descended by marriage, to the family of de Fortibus, whose heiress, circa 1259, married Edmund, earl of Lancaster, 2nd son of Henry III. Thomas Plantagenet, duke of Gloucester (youngest son of Edward III.), summoned to parliament as duke of Aumarle, Sept. 3, 1385; but not afterwards. Edward Plantagenet, earl of Rutland, created duke of Albemarle, Sept. 29, 1397. Forfeited 1399.Thomas Plantagenet (2nd son of Henry IV.), created earl of Albemarle and duke of Cla rence, July 9, 1411. Extinct 1421.- Richard Beauchamp, earl of Warwick, created earl of Albemarle for life, 1417. Extinct 1439. 1 Sir Thomas Banks angrily complains, in the Preface to his Baronia Anglica Concentrata, that Sir Nicholas Harris Nicolas drew much of the materials for his ynopsis from Sir Thomas's previous work, the Stemma'a Anglicana, without acknowledgment. Be this as it may, Sir Harris has produced the most perfect general Peerage now extant. Of this Peerage, ours may be said to be, in some measure, an abridgment; and we adopt the alphabetical order of it (which, however, originated with Sir Thomas Banks), as being more perspicuous and easy of reference. - EDITOR. 2 Previous writers have considered all the possessors of the Castle of Bergavenny, or, as it is now written, Abergavenny, as barons of Bergavenny; but much doubt exists whether, until the writ of summons, 29 Henry VI. to Edward Nevill, as "Domino de Bergavenny," the proper designation of the previous barons was not that of their family name. - Sir Ilarris Nicolas. George Monk, general, created baron Monk, of Potheridge, baron Beauchamp, of Beauchamp, and baron Teyes and earl of Torrington, all of co. Devon, and duke of Albemarle, July 7, 1660. Extinct in his son, 1688.Arnold Joost von Keppel, created baron Ashford, co. Kent, viscount Bury, co. Lancaster, and earl of Albemarle, Feb. 10, 1696. ALBINI. William de Albini, baron by tenure, temp. Henry I.- William de Albini, son and heir, became possessed of the castle of Arundel, and by that tenure became earl of Arundel. See Arundel. ALBINI, of Belvoir. William de Albini, lord of Belvoir Castle, baron temp. William II. ALDBOROUGH, barony of, April 7, 1722. Extinct 1778. See Walsingham. ALDEBURGH. William de Aldeburgh, baron by writ, Jan. 8, 1371. Presumed to be in abeyance. Neither Dugdale's, nor any other peerage, notices this baron. Nicolas. ALDERNEY, barony of, July 27, 1726. Extinct 1765. See Cumberland. ALFORD, barony of, Dec. 24, 1698. Extinct 1754. See Grantham.-Viscounty of Alford, created Sept. 30, 1815. See Brownlow. ALLINGTON. William Allington, baron Allington (in Ireland), created baron Allington, of Wymondley, co. Herts, Dec. 5, 1682. Extinct 1691. ALTHORP, Viscounty of, Nov. 1, 1765. See Spencer. ALTON, marquisate, April 30, 1694. Extinct 1718. See Shrewsbury. ALVANLEY. Richard Pepper Arden, chief justice of the common pleas, created baron Alvanley, of Alvanley, Cheshire, May 22, 1801. AMESBURY. Charles Dundas, created baron Amesbury, of Kintbury-Amesbury, and Barton Court, co. Berks, May 10, 1832. Extinct same year. AMHERST. Sir Jeffrey Amherst, created baron Amherst, of Holmesdale, co. Kent, May 20, 1776; and baron Amherst, of Montreal, co. Kent, Sept. 6, 1788. The first extinct in 1797. -William Pitt Amherst, heir, created earl Amherst and viscount Holmesdale, Dec. 19, 1826. ANCASTER and KESTEVEN. Robert Bertie, earl and marquess of Lindsey and baron Willoughby of Eresby, created duke of Ancaster and Kesteven, July 16, 1715. Extinct 1809. ANDOVER. Thomas Howard, 2nd son of the earl of Suffolk, created baron Howard, of Charleton, co. Wilts; viscount Andover, co. Hants, Jan. 23, 1622; and earl of Berkshire, Feb. 5, 1626. See Berkshire. ANGLESEY. Christopher Villiers, 3d son of George Villiers, by Mary, duchess of Buckingham, created baron Villiers, of Daventry, co. Northampton, and earl of Anglesey, in Wales, April 18, 1623. Extinct 1659. — Arthur Annesley, viscount Valentia (in Ireland), created baron Annesley, of Newport-Pagnel, co. Buckingham, and earl of Anglesey, in Wales, April 20, 1661. Extinct 1761.-Henry Bailey Paget, created earl of Uxbridge, co. Middlesex, May 19, 1784.-Henry William Paget, 2d earl of Uxbridge, created marquess of Anglesey, in Wales, June 23, 1815. See Uxbridge. ANNESLEY, barony of, April 20, 1661. Presumed to have become extinct in 1761. See Anglesey. ANSON. Admiral George Anson, created lord Anson, baron of Soberton, co. Hants, June 13, 1747. Extinct in 1762. Thomas Anson (Adams), created viscount Anson of Shugborough and Orgrave, co. Stafford, and baron Anson, of Soberton, Feb. 17, 1806. See Lichfield. AP ADAM. Johan Ap-Adam, baron by writ, ARCHER. Thomas Archer, baron Archer of Umberslade, co. Warwick, July 14, 1747. Eztinct in 1778. ARDEN. Charles-George Perceval, baron Arden (in Ireland), created baron Arden, of Arden, co. Warwick, July 20, 1802. Merged in the Irish earldom of Egmont. ARDROSSAN. Hugh Montgomerie, earl of Eglinton (in Scotland), created baron Ardrossan, of Ardrossan, co. Ayr, Feb. 15, 1806. Merged in the Scotch earldom of Eglinton. ARLINGTON. Hon. Henry Bennet, created baron Arlington, of Arlington, co. Middlesex, April 14, 1664; and viscount Thetford, co. Norfolk, and earl of Arlington, April 12, 1672. Charles Fitz-Roy, duke of Grafton, succeeded to these titles in 1723. See Grafton. ARUNDEL Roger de Montgomerie, created earl of Arundel and Shrewsbury, temp. William I. Deprived for treason 1102. By tenure of the castle of Arundel, the title descended to the families of de Albini and Fitz-Alan: Philip Howard, their 19th descendant, and grandson of Thomas, 4th duke of Norfolk, by Mary Fitz-Alan, their heiress, was summoned to parliament as earl of Arundel, Jan. 16, 1580. Forfeited.-Thomas Howard, restored in blood, as earl of Arundel and Surrey; and had the baronies of Fitz-Alan, Clun, and Oswaldestre and Maltravers, annexed by act 3rd Charles I., 1627. See Norfolk. ARUNDEL. John de Arundel or Fitz-Alan, baron de Arundel, by writ, Aug. 4, 1377. In abeyance. ARUNDEL, of Wardour. Thomas Arundel, baron Arundel, of Wardour, co. Wilts, May 4, 1605. This barony descends. ARUNDEL, of Trerice. Richard Arundel, baron Arundel, of Trerice, co. Cornwall, March 23, 1664. Extinct in 1768. AsCOTT, viscounty. Aug. 2, 1628. Extinct 1709. See Carnarvon. ASHBURNHAM. John Ashburnham, baron Ashburnham of Ashburnham, co. Sussex, May 30, 1689. John Ashburnham, heir, created visct. St. Asaph, in Wales, and earl of Ashburnham aforesaid, May 14, 1730. created 1 Richard, sixth earl of Anglesey, died in 1761, leaving a son, Arthur, of the legitimacy of whose birth there is some doubt, although on coming of age he was summoned to the Irish parliament as viscount Valentia; but on his petitioning his majesty for a writ of summons to the parliament of Great Britain, as earl of Anglesey and baron Annesley, the question of his birth was referred to the House of Peers, who decided against him. It is, however, to be observed, that, notwithstanding this decision, the House of Peers of Ireland afterwards solemnly adjudged that he was born in wedlock. In 1793 he was created earl of Mount Norris in Ireland. ASHFORD, barony of, Feb. 10, 1696. See Albemarle. ASHLEY. Sir Anthony Ashley Cooper, created baron Ashley of Wimborne St. Giles, co. Dorset, April 20, 1661; and baron Cooper and earl of Shaftesbury, April 23, 1672. Shaftesbury. See ASTLEY. Philip de Estley 1, baron by tenure, ASTLEY, of Reading, Jacob Astley, created AUDLEY. Henry de Aldithley, baron by te- ours, 1512. Again forfeited 1631. James Touchet, created baron Audley and earl of Castlehaven (in Ireland) 1634, and restored to the English barony by act of parliament, 1678. George-Edward Thicknesse Touchet is 20th and present baron. AUDLEY. Hugh de Aldithley, baron of "Audleigh," May 15, 1321. Forfeited 1521. AUDLEY, of Walden. Thomas Audley, created baron Audley, of Walden, Essex, Nov. 29, 1538. Extinct 1544. AYLESFORD. Heneage Finch, baron Guernsey, created earl of Aylesford, co. Kent, Oct. 26, 1714. Heneage Finch is 5th and present carl. B. BAALUN. Hameline de Baalun, baron by tenure, Bartholomew de Badlesmere, baron of Badlesmere, by writ, Oct. 26, 1309. BAGOT. William Bagot, created baron Bagot of BALIOL. Guy de Baliol, baron by tenure, temp. BANBURY. William Knollys, visc. Walling- BARHAM. Sir Charles Middleton, bart., created BASSET, of Drayton. Ralph Basset, baron by tenure, temp. Henry II. Ralph Basset, grandson, baron by writ, Dec. 14, 1264. Supposed to be extinct, though attributed to the Townshend family. BASSET, of Sapcoate. William Basset, baron by tenure, temp. Henry II.-Ralph Basset, heir, baron by writ, Dec. 14, 1264. In abeyance from 1378. BASSET, of Stratton. Sir Francis Basset, baron de Dunstanville, created baron Basset, of Stratton, co. Cornwall, Nov. 7, 1797. The title has descended to his daughter and heiress, Frances Basset, present baroness. "Of this family," says Dugdale," John de Astley is eminently distinguished in the histories of those times, for his great and heroic actions." In the year 1438, the 29th of August, in the presence of Charles VII, then king of France, he maintained a duel on horseback, in Paris, with one Peter de Massei, a native of that country, in the street called St. Antoine, and piercing Massei through the head, had (as was mutually stipulated) the honour of presenting his lady with Massei's helmet. Arriving in England, he did (with great honour to his king and country), 30th January 1441, in presence of king Henry VI., undertake another combat in Smithfield, in the city of London, with Sir Philip Boyle, an Arragonian knight, who, Dugdale continues, “having been in France, by the king his master's command, to look out some such hardy person, against whom he might try his skill in feats of arms, and missing there of his desires, repaired hither." After the combat ended, which was gallantly performed on foot with battle-axes, spears, swords, and daggers, he was knighted by the king, and had an hundred marks given him during his life; and so famous did he grow for his valour, that he was elected knight of the most noble order of the Garter. Sir Thomas Banks. 2 Sir Robert Knollys, of this family, was one of the thirty English, who, for the honour of their country, undertook to encounter the same number of Brittanese, and came off triumphant In 1350, he was sent into France with an army, where he drove the French before him like sheep, overwhelming their towns and cities in such a number, that years afterwards the sharp points and gable ends of overthrown houses, cloven asunder with instruments of war, were commonly called Knoll's Mitres. The French styled him "La véritable démon de guerre," or the thunderbolt of war. He was made seneschal of Guienne by Edward III., who commissioned him to assist John de Montfort in the recovery of his duchy of Brittany, wherein he acquitted himself so nobly, that he alone was esteemed a fit parallel to Bertrand de Gascelin, the French commander. He was appointed by John de Montfort lieutenant of Brittany; and his services were rewarded by the said duke with a fair estate in the duchy. -Sir Thomas Banks. |