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There is a hierarchy of honours which runs:
Duke/Duchess (highest)
Marquess/Marchioness
Earl/Countess
Viscount/Viscountess
Baron/Baroness

The following briefly explains the hierarchy and coronet system, with female equivalents noted where applicable. Most important are dukes, of which there are 24 and whose emblem is a coronet composed of eight strawberry leaves. Next in rank are the 35 marquesses, indicated on their coronets by four strawberries alternating with four silver balls. Earls, the level below, are shown by a design of eight silver balls on stalks, alternating with eight gold strawberry leaves. There are around 200 earls in the UK in total. The female equivalent of an earl is a countess. The 120 or so viscounts are indicated by 16 silver balls, and the nearly 500 barons or baronesses by 6 silver balls.

Life peers, called baron or baroness, total approximately 500 and use the same coronet as hereditary barons. Nonjudicial life peerages, first conferred in 1958 with the introduction of the Life Peerages Act, are bestowed by the monarch upon distinguished people from various careers. A life peer has all the rights of an hereditary peer, but he or she cannot pass on the title to his or her heirs.

These ranks, or degrees, further divide, in descending order of importance, into peerages of England, Scotland, Great Britain, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. Irish peers no longer sit in the House of Lords unless they have additional English, Scottish, British, or United Kingdom peerage titles.

2007-09-29 22:22:12 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2 0

Order of British Peerage

Below are the five grades of peers ranked from the highest to the lowest and the dates they were created (Duke is the highest hereditary rank below that of prince.)

1. duke or duchess (created 1337)
2. marquess, marquis or marchioness (created 1385)
3. earl or countess (created between 800 and 1000)
4. viscount or viscountess (created 1440)
5. baron or baroness (created 1066)

A baronet is not included among the peerage, but the title can be inherited. Below a baronet, is a knight, which is a title of honor rather aristocracy.

2007-09-30 06:46:54 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1 0

The list in the first answer is correct, but omits the lowest order of British nobility, baronet. Of course, not only do Irish peers no longer sit in the House of Lords - neither do the majority of English and Scottish peers.

2007-09-30 06:33:13 · answer #3 · answered by rdenig_male 7 · 0 1

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