1
The
table shows English titles and their approximate Continental equivalents,
in their order of rank. In Great Britain, the largest surviving monarchy,
the peerage (nobility) was gradually evolved after the Norman Conquest.
The barons were originally the chief tenants of the land, subject to summons
to the king's court. At the first summons was general; later some
personal summonses were issued, thus initiating distinctions of rank which
eventually resulted in exclusive hereditary ranks with special titles.
The first recorded use of the word peers as applied to barons who
were regularly summoned by special visit is in a document of 1321.
The bestowing of titles of nobility is now the monarch's prerogative and
has long since ceased to be associated with land tenure.
2 The emperor of Russia
was called tzar; the emperor of Japan is called mikado.
3 The male heir apparent,
the first son of the sovereign, has usually (not invariably) been created
prince of Wales. There is no succession to this title.
4 The sovereign's eldest
son is duke of Cornwall from his birth, and is entitled to the revenues
of his duchy. This title passes directly to the next heir apparent.
Each royal prince is usually created duke soon after reaching his majority.
In Saxon times officers or commanders of armies were called dukes.
Edward III in 1337 created his son, the Black Prince, duke of Cornwall.
At first the title of duke was limited to royalty later it was conferred
on others. In Scotland the title was introduced by Robert III c.
1400.
5 The title was introduced
in England by Richard II c. 1385. It was given to persons who had
extensive lands which were converted into a marquisate by letters patent.
6 This is the only
title now in use that antedates the Conquest. The first to bear the
title, which was probably taken over from the Saxons by the Norman kings,
was Geoffrey de Mandeville, earl of Essex. Earls originally had a
county or shire for their earldom, but their powers were later abridged. |
7 The title
may have been brought to England by under an earl, similar to that of sheriff
of a county. Under Henry VI the title was made hereditary.
The first viscount created by patent was John Lord Beaumont (1440, by Henry
VI).
8 Richard II first
made the title one merely of honor. John de Beaumont was created
baron of Kidderminster in 1387. Baron is now the most general title
of nobility. Originally every peer of superior rank had a barony
annexed to his other titles. Barons are usually created by patent,
sometimes by writ of summons in the sovereign's name.
9 The title was revived
by James I, the existing baronetage dating from 1611. The baronets
are commoners. Their oldest sons, on coming of age, may claim the
honor of knighthood.
10 An institution
of the days of chivalry, originally the reward of valor or of especial
merit.
11 French titles were
abolished in the Revolution but were reëstablished in 1852.
12 In the Middle Ages,
the military commanders of a territory (comté). The comtés
instituted by Charlemagne were gradually made independent.
13 Formerly the ruler
of lands called a vicomte; later a title of nobility.
14 Originally a member
of the military and religious order of the Chevalerie, instituted
for fighting the Infidels; later an honorary title conferred by the king.
15 Title given to
governors of frontier cities or provinces, later to persons who had a considerable
demesne.
Crowns and art furnished by Arnaud
Benul & Héraldique européenne
Chart furnished by the Columbia Encyclopedia 1941 edition page 1768 |
