TERMS RELATING TO RANKS AND TITLES
Richmond, 17th May, 1623. There are at present only two dukedoms in Ireland, those of Leinster and Abercorn, besides the Royal Dukedom of Connaught.
Earl. — The title of Earl may be traced to the Saxon earldorman, or the Danish jarl; but its constitution as a dignity is, of course, subsequent in date to the Norman Conquest, when the designation comes. Count, or Earl, took a prominent place in the peerage. Till the reign of Henry III, this dignity, together with that of Baron, wholly constituted the nobility of the realm; and previous to that period earldoms seem in several instances to have been enjoyed, like baronies, as a consequence of the tenure of certain lands. Originally the title was derived from the name of a county, the government of which was attached to the honour; but in modern times the dignity and the duty have long been divided, and towns, villages, and country seats occasionally furnish the name of an Earl.
Imperial Service Order. — Instituted by King Edward on his Coronation, 1902, for members of the Civil Service of the Empire, to be conferred after Long and Meritorious Service.
Knight Bachelor. — This rank is far more ancient than any of the fraternities existing under the name of Orders. By the mere imposition of the Sovereign’s sword on the shoulder, accompanied with the words “Arise, Sir — ”, its privileges are conferred; and even the members of the Orders of Knighthood must all now receive this accolade before they can assume the designation of “Sir”. When residence abroad prevents the personal reception of this honour, it has of late become the practice to issue letters patent granting the “style, title, and dignity of a knight” to the favoured individual. The prefix of “Sir” is exclusively English as appertaining to Knighthood, and is not necessarily borne by any Foreign knight. In Ireland the Lord Lieutenant can confer the honour of Knighthood. The origin of the designation Knight Bachelor is plausibly derived by some authors from the words bas chevalier, indicating the superiority of the class of Knights Banneret who were created under the royal standard displayed in open war.
Knights of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath. — The practice of creating Knights with various ceremonies, of which bathing was one, is undoubtedly a custom of considerable antiquity; but the institution which now bears the name cannot be traced as a State Order, regulated by statutes and ordinances,
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