peerage

Click a letter for the index

Or search the encyclopaedia:

 

 

Go

 

The high nobility; in the UK, holders, in descending order, of the titles of duke, marquess, earl, viscount, and baron. In the late 19th century the peerage was augmented by the Lords of Appeal in Ordinary (the nonhereditary life peers) and, from 1958, by a number of specially created life peers of either sex (usually long-standing members of the House of Commons). Since 1963 peers have been able to disclaim their titles, usually to enable them to take a seat in the Commons (where peers are disqualified from membership).

Unelected Irish peers and peeresses in their own right are members of the peerage but not ‘Lords of Parliament’.

Ghana was the first country to adopt the pan-African colours. The star is known as the ‘lode star of African freedom’. Effective date: 28 February 1966. >>