What makes a viscount

Marchio was a Norman term of reference to earls or barons guarding the Welsh and Scottish Marches, or border territories. The title of marquess remained unpopular in England. John Beaufort was the eldest of the legitimated sons of John of Gaunt. At present there are 34 marquesses not including courtesy marquesses. The premier marquess of England is the Marquess of Winchester created , who lives in South Africa.

The premier marquess in Scotland is the Marquess of Huntly created Since only one marquessate has become extinct, Ormonde, in Earl is the third rank of the Peerage, standing above the ranks of viscount and baron, but below duke and marquess. Before King Canute c. As with dukes, the dignity of earl was conferred by the fastening of a ceremonial sword to a belt or girdle cincture.

In time, a ceremonial cape and golden circlet placed on the head were added to the ceremony. In , under King James I, these rites ceased. Some Scottish earldoms may be inherited by a woman or pass through the female line. At present there are earls not including the Earl of Wessex and courtesy earldoms , and four countesses in their own right. The most recent earldom to be created is Stockton, created in Since four earldoms have become extinct, Amherst, Monsell, Sondes and Munster, and Breadalbane is dormant.

A title generally falls dormant in circumstances when a peer dies and, although it is believed that there may be heirs to the title in existence, a their whereabouts may not be known, or b there is insufficient documentary evidence for an heir to prove that he is in fact the next heir of line to the late peer. The fourth rank in the peerage, the viscount is ranked below duke, marquess and earl, but above baron.

This title had its origin in the office of the deputy or the lieutenant vice-comes of a count, a rank that had become hereditary in the Holy Roman Empire by the beginning of the 10th century. It was also used for the sheriff of a county. This new peerage title received precedence above all barons, but it did not become popular until the 17th century.

At the present time there are viscounts not including courtesy viscounts. The premier viscount of England is Viscount Hereford created The premier viscount of Scotland on the Roll is Viscount Falkland created , and the premier viscount of Ireland is Viscount Gormanston created Since eight viscountcies have become extinct: Muirsheil, Furness, Watkinson, Lambert, Leverhulme, Greenwood, Cross and Ingleby, and Barrington is dormant or extinct.

The fifth and last rank of the peerage is that of baron, which is ranked beneath duke, marquess, earl and viscount in precedence. In the 13th century the barons were summoned by the monarch, by means of a Royal writ, to attend the Counsel or Parliament. Initially the conferral of this privilege did not imply that their successors would necessarily also be summoned to subsequent Parliaments.

But by the reign of King Edward III it had become usual for successors of the more important barons to receive writs as a matter of course, in practice creating an hereditary dignity. After about this became the normal method of creation of baronies.

Well, wonder no more. The title has been in existence for a long time. In fact, it's the oldest title. Under Norman kings, the title became hereditary and was passed down through the males of the family. According to Merriam-Webster , it's an ancient title that comes from the words "warrior" and "nobleman" impress your friends with that knowledge at your next royal trivia session.

The equivalent of an earl on the continent is a European count. This number does not include the most famous earl - the Earl of Wessex, Prince Edward the youngest child of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip , as well as any courtesy earldoms. A courtesy title is given to close family members of a peer. One particularly noteworthy earl was the third Earl of Southampton, Henry Wriothesley, who was Shakespeare's definite patron and possible lover. Another more modern earl you might have heard of?

George Windsor is the Earl of St. And it's entirely possible that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's baby, Archie Harrison , will one day take the earl title. He'll have the option and right to use his dad's second peerage title, which just so happens to be the Earl of Dumbarton.

But his parents have so far indicated that they won't be using a title for him anytime soon. Duke is the highest possible out of the five different peerage ranks. The word comes from the Latin dux, which means leader. It became a peerage title way back in - and until , it was almost exclusively given to members of the Royal Family. According to a BBC documentary on the subject, dukes are a dying breed since the title can only pass down the male line.

Learn More About viscount. Time Traveler for viscount The first known use of viscount was in the 15th century See more words from the same century. From the Editors at Merriam-Webster. Statistics for viscount Look-up Popularity. Style: MLA. English Language Learners Definition of viscount.

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