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Titles of nobility, or peerages, are granted by the
king or queen of Great Britain upon the recommendation
of the prime minister. In most hereditary peerages, the
title passes on to a peer's oldest son, or to his closest
male heir if the peer has no son (the other children
are considered commoners). The title becomes extinct
if there is no male heir. There are some ancient peerages
that allow the title to be passed to a daughter if the
holder leaves no male descendant. The last hereditary
peerage was granted in 1964.
Life peerages are created each year by the British monarch
for several distinguished persons. Life peers hold the rank
for their own lives only; the titles do not pass on to their
children. Both men and women may be granted life peerages,
and the titles given to them are baron and baroness.
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.) and there are additional resources outlining
spoken and written forms
of address in this section as well.
| 1. duke |
or |
duchess (1337) |
| 2. marquess, marquis |
or |
marchioness (1385) |
| 3. earl |
or |
countess (c. 800-1000) |
| 4. viscount |
or |
viscountess (1440) |
| 5. baron |
or
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baroness (c. 1066) |
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