What are the rankings of Lord, Earl, Viscount, etc., and what do they mean?

Question

Yes, I know about Wikipedia. Just looking for something short and sweet.

Answer 1

Lord is a general term used for anyone who has a title of nobility. Lady is the honorific extended to his spouse.

Dukes are the highest order of nobility in Britian, with royal dukes coming first in rank.

Marquis is the second rank.

Earl is the third rank.

Viscount is fourth rank.

Barons are fifth in rank.

Knights Banneret are sixth in rank, and like other knights are addressed as "Sir", not "Lord"

Knights Bachelor are the lowest rank.

Answer 2

They are ranks within the medieval feudal hierarchy. The actual titles used varied by country, but here's a rough breakdown.

A Count or Earl was in charge of a county, a large area that reported directly to the local sovereign. A March (Marquis) was often a county on the border that semi-independent.

Viscount is a French term meaning vice-count. Generally, a Viscount was either a non-landed count, or was in charge of a very small county or part of a county under a full Count.

A Baron (controlling a Barony) was originally a small estate that reported directly to the sovereign. Over time, Baronies was placed within Counties or Duchies as well.

A Lord or Lady was any individual who held noble title, usually inherited. Any landed estate holder was also properly called a Lord or Lady as well.

For modern usages in medieval recreation societies, check out the link below.