We have Lords such as Seb Coe, Andrew Lloyd Webber & their partners are titled Ladies. Then we have Alan Sugar, Elton John (whose partner is of course David Furnish) & others who all have the title 'Sir'. Is one title of a higher rank than the other?
2007-03-02 09:34:25 · 11 answers · asked by funnygirl 4 in Society & Culture ➔ Royalty
sirs are knighted
2007-03-02 09:37:40 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sir is the title used for a knight (and Dame if its a woman created a knight) the wife of a male who is knight is called a Lady. Lady is also the generic for any female peeress (by riht of marriage or held on their own). There is a reallt strong explaination which is actually correct on wikipedia - seach "peerage" and you'll see mention of noble titles and styles. There is the complete break down. For example His Grace The Duke of Westminster is a non-royal dukedom so his eldest son would use the next highest lower title his dad holds as a courtsey...if the duke doesn't have any others then his son can use the title "Viscount Westminster" which they allow for generic use Courtsey peers do not get to be called "his grace or the right honourable or whatever". Though Viscount is also a level of peerage in its own right. Younger sons of a Duke are titled "The Lord Firstname Surname" (Scotland is a little different though). Daughters are "The Lady First name Last name." Even if its a peerage that can pass to a daughter if their isn't a male heir they almost never use one of their fathers courtsey titles because realistically the holder of the peerage could still father a son...even well into old age. The wive of a Baron is not a Baroness - ex. "Baron Rich of Leez" is the title holder...his wife is "Lady Rick of Leez" A Baroness is used by a woman who holds the title in her own right without regard to marriage. A female Baroness however can still be called "Lady whatver" as well as "Baroness Whatever." Children of Barons (that's the lowers title considered to be a peerage) are called "The Honourable Miss(or Mr.) Firstname LastName"
I know its all a bit tricky...but I do suggest checking out wikipedia's articles on the subject. It's very detailed and breaks down the variaces between the different crowns of the kingdom. Things can be very different in Scotland.
2007-03-02 15:45:08 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A lord is a peer of the realm, and until 1999 they could all sit in the House of Lords (save the Irish peers); now only the life members and 92 hereditaries sit. The term 'lord' is commonly used to refer to any peer between the rank of baron and marquess (but not duke). Most of the peers/lords in the UK are hereditary, though since 1964 only three hereditary titles have been created outside the royal family. It is incorrect to say that a peerage title comes with land or requires land ownership.
A 'Sir' is either a knight, like those you mention, or a baronet, whose son will inherit his title. Baronets were only created between the 1640s (or thereabouts) and the 1960s, though there are still almost 1000 of them. Among the knights, they range from the 24 Knights of the Garter (an order founded 1348 which includes Margaret Thatcher, Edmund Hillary and a lot of lords), Knights of St Michael and St George (mainly diplomats), Knights of the Bath (mainly military and civil service) to the more common Knights of the British Empire and Knights Bachelor, like most of the famous ones you've mentioned. A lot of people have both a peerage and a knighthood.
2007-03-02 11:09:03 · answer #3 · answered by Dunrobin 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Lord is an infinitely higher title than Sir. A Lord is a peer of the realm. A Sir is someone who has been endowed with a knighthood.
2007-03-03 01:10:17 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A lord is higher..it is a peerage.Sir is a title given to a mere knight.
These are the British peerage ranks..each has the right to be called 'Lord' but it is usually only the lower orders that do(barons).
The others flaunt their rank..e.g. Viscount Lindley,The Marquis of Bath, The Duke of Edinburgh.
Starting at the bottom:
Baron,
Viscount,
Earl,
Marquis,
Duke.
2007-03-02 09:49:38 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 3⤊ 0⤋
a sir/dame is a title bestowed on those who supply a service to the realm i:e money makers for the commonwealth for goods rendered. sir cliff/dame judi: yawn. but neither was entitled to sit in the house of lords as it was back then. a lord/lady can sit in the house of lords usually landed "gentry" dating way back from the reformation or privvy lords (a'rse wipers, the british queens personal biatches). but as far as i care nobody has ever called me mister so what makes them parasites so much better than me.
2007-03-02 09:56:25 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
A lord is born into that position, but a sir is knighted and that's how he gets his title.
2007-03-03 11:53:48 · answer #7 · answered by Sarah* 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
A lord is granted a region of land by the queen. A "sir" is a knight in service of the queen.
2007-03-02 09:39:09 · answer #8 · answered by martin h 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋
If you get a knighthood you become a Sir. When you become a Lord, you are given a peerage, -you become part of the realm.
2007-03-02 09:46:38 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋
If you're knighted you get to be a Sir.
2007-03-02 15:28:48 · answer #10 · answered by Dethruhate 5 · 0⤊ 2⤋