English Aristocracy

The British nobility is made up of the peerage and the gentry of the British Isles.

Though the UK is today a constitutional monarchy with strong democratic elements, historically the British Isles were more predisposed towards aristocratic governance in which power was largely inherited and shared amongst a noble class. The nobility of the four constituent home nations and crown dependencies therefore has played a major role in shaping the history of the British Isles, and remnants of this nobility exist throughout the UK's social structure and institutions.

Traditionally, the British nobility rank directly below the British royal family. In the modern era, this ranking is more of a formally recognised social dignity, rather than something conveying practical authority; however, through bodies such as the House of Lords, the nature of some offices in the Royal Household, and British property law, the British nobility retain some aspects of political and legal power.

The vast majority of the British nobility (in the Continental sense) is formed by the 'Gentry', which primarily consists of those who hold a coat of arms, but holds ranks including baronets, knights, esquires and gentlemen.

All ranks and titles of nobility in the British Isles that are higher than Gentleman are strictly personal and limited to the lifetime of the holder, though many can be transmitted by primogeniture, usually to heirs male of the body of the original recipient. Male-line descendants of members of the royal family, peers, baronets, knights and esquires do not sink below the rank of Gentleman as long as they are armigerous. Coats of arms are marks of nobility in Britain unlike on the Continent, where a grant of arms does not necessarily result in ennoblement or confirmation of nobility.

The British nobility should not be confused with the British upper class, though functionally the nobility may be said to make up a significant portion of the upper class. Those belonging to the upper or upper middle class are able to formally accede to the nobility by obtaining a grant of arms.

The Peerage

The British nobility in the narrow sense consists of Peers, not even including their wives. Members of the peerage carry the titles of duke, marquess, earl, viscount or baron (in Scotland historically lord of parliament). British peers are sometimes referred to generically as lords, although individual dukes are not so styled when addressed or by reference, and those holding some offices are afford the title "Lord" by courtesy.

All modern British peerage dignities are created directly by the Crown and take effect when letters patent are issued, affixed with the Great Seal of the Realm. The Sovereign is considered to be the fount of honour and, as "the fountain and source of all dignities cannot hold a dignity from himself", cannot hold a British peerage. Peerages inherited by the Crown, for example those held by the Prince of Wales upon the demise of the monarch, merge with it and can be regranted to a new individual.

Membership in the Peerage is strictly personal and for life ( life peerages) though often heritable ( hereditary peerages) primarily by agnatic primogeniture with some exceptions. All British subjects who are not themselves Peers of the Realm are technically ''commoners'', regardless of ancestry, wealth, or other social factors. This includes Princes of the United Kingdom who have not yet been granted a Peerage. The term "Commoner" does not imply that the person is not noble in the Continental sense, but rather that he is not a Peer and is therefore entitled to be elected to the House of Commons.

Unlike the feudal titles they replaced, peerages are personal title that cannot be transferred, bought, or sold by the title holder. Historically monarchs sold peerage titles under limited circumstances. This was often done to raise funds. For example, in the early Stuart period, King James I sold peerages, adding sixty-two peers to a body that had included just fifty-nine members at the commencement of his reign. Some governments through history also sold peerages to fund government activities, or more controversially, party activities. The selling of peerage grants by a government was made illegal in 1925 with the ''Honours (Prevention of Abuses) Act 1925''. The act was the result of the administration of David Lloyd George selling a high number of controversial peerages. The Blair administration was later accused of trying to skirt this law in 2006 in the so called "Cash-for-Honours scandal", as was an aide of Prince Charles in the 2021 Cash-for-Favours scandal.

Lists

Dukes

*Dukes in the United Kingdom
*List of dukes in the peerages of Britain and Ireland
*List of dukedoms in the peerages of Britain and Ireland
* List of dukedoms in the baronage of Scotland

Marquesses

*Marquesses in the United Kingdom
*List of marquesses in the peerages of Britain and Ireland
*List of marquessates in the peerages of Britain and Ireland
* List of marquessates in the baronage of Scotland

Earls

* Royal earldoms in the United Kingdom
*List of earls in the peerages of Britain and Ireland
*List of earldoms
* List of earldoms in the baronage of Scotland

Viscounts

*List of viscounts in the peerages of Britain and Ireland
*List of viscountcies in the peerages of Britain and Ireland

Barons/Lords of Parliament of Scotland

*Royal baronies in the United Kingdom
*List of barons in the peerages of Britain and Ireland
*List of baronies in the peerages of Britain and Ireland
* List of baronies in the baronage of Scotland
*List of life peerages
* List of lordships of Parliament

The Gentry

The vast majority of the British nobility is formed by the gentry. These individuals are commoners (in the British sense) who do not have a peerage, but possess another mark of nobility, or in the British sense, ''gentility.''

Other than their designation, such as Gentleman or Esquire, they enjoy only the privilege of a position in the formal orders of precedence in the United Kingdom. The largest portion of the British aristocracy has historically been the landed gentry, made up of baronets and other non-titled armigerous landowners whose families hailed from the medieval feudal class (referred to as gentlemen due to their income solely deriving from land ownership). Roughly a third of British land is owned by the nobility and landed gentry.

Children of Peers

The eldest sons of Peers who are Earls or higher and possess multiple titles may use their father's next-lower title ''by courtesy'', their own eldest sons may use the third-highest title and so on. They are not Peers but remain Esquires until they inherit the substantive peerage themselves. Until 1999, they could sit in the House of Lords by virtue of a Writ of Acceleration.

Baronets and Knights

Baronets

Baronets are generally considered part of the gentry, being hereditarily titled but not Peers, and form the upper tier. They entitle the holder to the title "Sir/Lady ame, and will be recognised as the "Baronet of lacename. The position is therefore comparable with hereditary knighthoods in continental European orders of nobility, such as ''Ritter'', rather than with knighthoods under the British orders of chivalry. However, unlike the continental orders, the British baronetcy system was a modern invention. Baronet titles cannot be bought and sold by the holder, however they were designed specifically to raise money for the Crown with the purchase of the title. No new Baronetcies have been issued since the 1980's, however there is nothing preventing future monarchs or governments from doing so.

Hereditary Knights

In the British isles Knighthoods are not hereditary, with the exception of three Irish hereditary knighthoods created for their kinsmen by the Earls of Desmond. Since 2011, all but one of the knighthoods are dormant. The only active one being the Knight of Kerry (Green Knight) – the holder is Sir Adrian FitzGerald, 6th Baronet of Valencia, 24th Knight of Kerry. Unlike other knighthoods they do not entitle the holder to the title 'Sir', but rather 'Knight'.

Knighthoods

Knighthoods in the UK are typically honours associated with orders of chivalry, with knights ranking in accordance with these orders. The exception is the lowest tier of knighthood Knight Bachelor which is not associated with any order.

Historically the rank of Knight banneret (knights created by the sovereign on the field of battle) also existed, though it is disputed by historians whether any have been created since the time of George I. Traditionally these knights would rank above all other members of the gentry, including Baronets (or directly below Baronets depending on the terms of creation).

Barons in Scotland

In Scotland, a 'baron' or 'baroness' is a hereditary title of honour in the Baronage of Scotland, but distinct from peerages. Historically called feudal barons but in 2004, the Abolition of Feudal Tenure etc. (Scotland) Act abolished all feudal aspects of baronies while preserving the nobility and dignity of the titles. Today, baronies are non-territorial personal titles, otherwise known as incorporeal hereditaments, just like hereditary peerages, baronetcies and coat of arms but unlike them, can be transferred outside the bloodline or bequeathed to an appointed heir. Higher ranks within the Baronage of Scotland, such as lordship, earldom, marquessate, and dukedom, exist but are less common. Innes of Learney, a noted heraldic authority and former Lord Lyon King of Arms representing the monarch in Scotland, stated that Scottish barons are equivalent to Continental barons.

The Barony of the Bachuil is a unique Scottish barony in two regards: firstly, because it belongs to whoever is the legal possessor of a particular ancient stick, and secondly, because it is held "By the Grace of God" making its holder the only person other than the King entitled to this style. The title is in the possession of the Chief of Clan Livingstone. The Barony is therefore considered to be allodial and not of feudal origin.

In contrast, feudal baronies including recognition for the titles were abolished in England and Ireland much earlier in the 16th century, having been replaced with peerage barons. Unlike in Scotland the lowest rank of the peerage being Lord of Parliament and baron being a territorial rank of nobility. In Scotland, feudal baronies were abolished 2004, but with full continued legal recognition for the titles.

Esquires and Gentlemen

Esquires

The rank of Esquire in the British isles was historically a title of respect accorded to men of higher social rank than that of gentlemen. It dated from the military rank of squire, who was a personal attendant to a knight. In a more modern sense it served as a category indicating "candidates for knighthood", and was therefore typically associated with certain professions (such as judges, justices of the peace, and sheriffs). It was also associated with lords of the manor (who made up the traditional 'squirearchy'), as well as certain personal attendants and courtiers to the King, and those who had been presented with a Collar of Esses.

In a contemporary sense, Esquire is often used as a courtesy title in formal address, appended to a man's name when no other title is used, however this does not imply the recipient is actually considered to be at the rank of esquire. The heraldic authorities have specific criteria for whom they consider to be an esquire.

Sons of Peers, the primogeniture heirs of Knights as well as the heirs of certain individuals created such by the Crown are Esquires. A rare hereditary variety of English esquire is found in the West Country, primarily in Devonshire, called White Spur. Though it is possible there remain White Spur families in existence, the title is now not used. The form of usage or style was: "(Surname) the White Spur".

Gentlemen

The untitled nobility consists first and foremost of all those who bear formally matriculated, or recorded, armorial bearings (a coat of arms). the Sovereign Military Order of Malta both consider armorial bearings as the main, if not sole, mark of gentility (untitled nobility) in Britain. Those who are noble but have no higher title or rank are Gentlemen. The next-higher rank is that of Esquire, which is usually not considered a title.

The only kind of gentility that is transmitted to all descendants (in the male line) is that established by a grant, matriculation or confirmation of arms. Men entitled to arms are archaically called ''gentlemen of coat armour''. Lyon Innes of Learney introduced the term Noblesse referring specifically to the Scottish armigerous gentry, but it is unpopular with some modern heraldic enthusiasts.

In Scotland, arms are only transmitted by primogeniture and younger sons must matriculate differenced arms. Nevertheless, male-line descendants of an armiger who have not yet matriculated differenced arms are usually also considered gentlemen by birth.

Certain offices and ranks confer gentility or even the rank of Esquire for life or for the duration of office. This includes barristers, professors, doctors, military officers and senior civil servants. Those who hold or have held personal gentility or the designation of Esquire by office are generally considered eligible for a grant of arms and can thus obtain hereditary gentility fairly easily.

Eligibility for a grant of arms can also be established by social status alone. There are no fixed criteria but it is generally understood that only a minority of those who would theoretically be entitled to a grant make use of the possibility.

A grant of arms made to a person who is not a subject of the King, i.e. not a citizen of a Commonwealth realm, does not constitute the recipient a member of the British gentry. However, later naturalisation has constitutive effect and a new warrant is not needed, unlike for turning a honorary knighthood into a substantive one.

Clan Chiefs

Scottish and Irish Clan chiefs and chieftains form a rank of nobility. The title is hereditary but succession is more flexible than with most other titles. In Scotland, only those recognised as such by the Lord Lyon are considered legitimate Chiefs and there is
procedure
for Clans currently lacking a chief to choose one.

Feudal Titles

Prior to the creation of the peerage, the nobility of the British isles was predominantly ordered according to feudalism. Feudal titles are the only titles that can be bought and sold freely by the holder, and are also not considered honours. For the most part there is no longer a formal tie between land and feudal titles in either England or Scotland, however many feudal titles are still connected to land rights. For example, the Marquess of Salisbury owns the mineral rights below Welwyn Garden City, not because of the peerage, but because he also owns the separate historic feudal title " Lord of the Manor of Hatfield" which granted these rights. Many feudal titles are still in the possession of noble families, and noble individuals owning Scottish baronies formerly enjoyed heraldic privileges. Some feudal titles held by Grand Serjeanty include (now) ceremonial offices of state, for example the King's Champion is an office held by the Lord of the Manor of Scrivelsby in Lincolnshire. It is debated whether any feudal title alone can in the present era afford nobility. In theory for example, a Lord of the Manor holds the rank of Esquire, but would only be considered noble if they also held a coat of arms, and the possession of such a title does not always guarantee eligibility.

Lords of the Manor

The historically feudal title Lord of the manor continues to exist in England to this day, and the status of lord of the manor is often associated with the rank of esquire by prescription. Landed Lords of the Manor historically made up the majority of the gentry in England. A lordship of the manor does not entitle the holder to the title of 'Lord'. Ownership can be noted on request in British passports through an official observation worded, 'The Holder is the Lord of the Manor of lace name.

Lairds

In Scotland, the approximate equivalent title to Lord of the manor is Laird. This rank is held only by those holding official recognition in a territorial designation by the Lord Lyon King of Arms. They are usually styled ame urnameof airdship The title of Laird cannot be acquired by purchasing a souvenir plot and Lord Lyon warns against the activities of companies purporting to confer it that way. Lairdships do not confer nobility in themselves if the Laird does not petition for a grant of arms, and the possession of such a title does not guarantee eligibility.

Seigneuries

In the Channel Islands, there are Seigneuries. The most notable Seigneur is that of Sark, who until recently enjoyed considerable legal privileges. Feudalism has retained a more prominent role in the Channel Islands than in the UK. The Channel Islands are remnants of the Duchy of Normandy and are held directly by the crown on a feudal basis as they are self-governing possessions of the British Crown. The 'Squirearchy' or seigneurial class has been paramount in the social hierarchy of Jersey and Guernsey for many centuries, and some of its members still participate annually in the Court of Chief Pleas in Guernsey and the Assize d'Heritage in Jersey. Seigneurs were (and are) commonly referred to by the names of their fiefs. Purchasing a Channel Island fief is possible for anyone, regardless of nationality or citizenship. However, this occurs infrequently, as fiefs tend to pass down within families.

Others

Descendants in the male line of peers and children of women who are peeresses in their own right, as well as of baronets, knights, dames, and of non-armigerous landowning families are typically considered members of the gentry informally but must apply for a grant of arms to join a formal nobility association. Their social status will typically make them eligible for a grant.

Lists and articles

Baronets (styled as ''Sir'')

*List of baronetcies

Hereditary knights (styled as ''Sir'')

*Knight of Kerry

Knights (styled as ''Sir'')

*Knight, from Old English ''cniht'' ("boy" or "servant"), a cognate of the German word ''Knecht'' ("labourer" or "servant").
*British honours system

Dames

*Dame

Scottish designations

*Titles in the Baronage of Scotland
*Noblesse

*Clan chief
*Laird
Territorial Designation

Untitled members of the gentry

*Esquire (ultimately from Latin ', in the sense of shield bearer, via Old French ') - comparable to the French-Belgian ''ecuyer'', Dutch ''jonkheer'' and German ''Edler''
*Gentleman - the lowest rank and lowest common denominator of British nobility

Ennoblement

The Monarch grants Peerages, Baronetcies and Knighthoods to citizens of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth Realms at the advice of the Prime Minister. Honours lists are published regularly at important occasions. Hereditary titles have been seldom conferred on non-royals since 1965.

Untitled nobility, i.e. gentility, being identical to armigerousness, falls into the jurisdiction of the College of Arms and Lyon Court. Part of the Monarch's fons honorum—the power to grant arms—has been de facto devolved to Garter King of Arms and Lord Lyon King of Arms, respectively. A grant of arms is in every regard equivalent to a patent of nobility on the Continent; depending on jurisdiction and circumstances it can be seen as either an act of ennoblement or a confirmation of nobility.

Thus, along with Belgium and Spain, the United Kingdom remains one of the few countries in which nobility is still granted and the nobility (except for the hereditary peerage and baronetage) does not form a closed, purely "historical" class.

Positions requiring nobility

There is a number of positions, such as ceremonial offices in government, in public organisations and membership in orders of chivalry, that require existing nobility. Usually, the requirement can be satisfied by obtaining a new grant.

* Sheriffs of the City of London must be armigerous. This requirement can be satisfied by a new grant. One must have been a Sheriff to become the ceremonial Lord Mayor of London.
* Knights of Justice of the Venerable Order of Saint John must be armigerous. This requirement can be satisfied by a new grant.
* Admission to the Order of the Garter also requires a right to arms. This requirement can be satisfied by a new grant.
* Knights of Grace and Devotion in the British Association of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta must demonstrate 100 years of gentility in the male line. For Knights of Honour and Devotion, either 300 years of gentility in the male line or four armigerous grandparents are required. Newer armigers and non-armigers are admitted as Knights of Magistral Grace. There have been cases in which sons of Scottish heraldic heiresses were admitted to the noble grades based on maternal descent from a sufficiently ancient family.

History

Early English period

In the 5th century, Germanic peoples collectively known as Anglo-Saxons migrated to sub-Roman Britain and came to dominate the east and southeast of the island. Around half the population were free, independent farmers () who cultivated a hide of land (enough to provide for a family). Slaves, mostly native Britons, made up the other half. By the late 6th century, the archeological evidence (grander burials and buildings) suggests the development of a social elite. The Late Antique Little Ice Age and the Plague of Justinian may have caused famine and other societal disruptions that compelled previously independent farmers to submit to the rule of strong lords. The Old English word for ''lord'' is ( or ).

The early law codes of Kent use the Old English word (, ) to describe an aristocrat. By the 8th century, the word '' gesith'' (; ) had replaced as the common term for a nobleman.

By the 10th century, Anglo-Saxon society was divided into three main social classes: slaves, (), and (, ). ''Thegn'' (Old English: ) meant servant or warrior, and it replaced the term ''gesith'' in the 10th century. In 1066, there were an estimated 5,000 thegns in England. Thegns were the backbone of local government and the military. Sheriffs were drawn from this class, and thegns were required to attend the shire court and give judgment. For these reasons, historian David Carpenter described thegns as "the country gentry of Anglo-Saxon England".

Thegns were divided into three ranks: ealdormen

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