TERMS RELATING TO RANKS AND TITLES
lands in that colony, though it had before that date passed into the possession of the French. The dignity in modern times has~ always been created by patent, in which the course of its descent is prescribed — usually to the heir male of the body of the first grantee. Many patents, previous to 1827, contained a clause, under which the eldest son of a Baronet may claim Knighthood on coming of age. The rank of Baronet is a “necessary” addition to the name in all cases, and has to be written in full in official signatures. The abbreviation “Bt.” (not “bart.”) is permissible in ordinary use.
Bishop. — Every Bishop must have been in priest’s orders, must be at least thirty years of age, must be born in lawful wedlock, and must be recommended by the Crown to the dean and chapter by whom he is elected. Each new Bishop is “consecated”; but when a prelate is removed from one see to another the process is called “translation”. The majority of the Bishops have no seats in the House of Lords, being Prelates of Scotland or Ireland, or Colonial or Missionary Bishops. Of the English and Welsh Prelates, the two Archbishops, the Bishops of London, Durham, and Winchester, and 21 of the remaining 30 Bishops, sit as spiritual peers, the eight junior Bishops being excluded. The Bishop of Sodor and Man has a seat but no vote..
Countess. — The wife of an Earl, or the female possessor of a peerage of that rank in her own right by descent or by creation.
Distinguished Service Order. — This Order was instituted by royal warrant, dated 6th September, 1880, for the purpose of adequately rewarding the distinguished services of commissioned officers of the Naval and military services who have been honourably mentioned in despatches. It is to consist of the Sovereign and Companions.
Duke. — This, the highest rank in the British peerage, dates its origin from the 11th of Edward III., in which year that King created his eldest son a Duke: previously the Kings of England had themselves been styled “Dukes” of Normandy, and were naturally restrained from conferring an equal titular designation upon any subject; but Edward III. claimed to be “King of France”, and he was the first to create an English Duke. This order of nobility disappeared wholly in 1572 by the extinction of the heirs of all upon whom it had been conferred, or by the attainder of the remaining possessors of the title; the first peer subsequently raised to this rank was Ludovic Stuart, Duke of
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