PEERAGE OF GREAT BRITAIN Meaning and
Definition
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The Peerage of Great Britain refers to the hereditary nobility system in the Kingdom of Great Britain during the period from 1707 to 1801. Following the Act of Union in 1707, which united the Kingdom of England with the Kingdom of Scotland, the Peerage of Great Britain was established to replace the separate English and Scottish peerages.
The Peerage of Great Britain consisted of various ranks, or titles, that were conferred upon individuals by the British monarch. These titles included Duke, Marquess, Earl, Viscount, and Baron. Each rank represented a higher level of nobility, with Duke being the most prestigious and Baron the least.
The individuals who held these titles were known as peers, and they constituted the British aristocracy. Peers were granted certain privileges and rights, including the right to sit in the House of Lords, the upper chamber of the British Parliament. This gave them a role in legislation and governance, as well as social and political influence.
The Peerage of Great Britain was distinct from the Peerage of Ireland and was later superseded by the Peerage of the United Kingdom in 1801, following the Act of Union between Great Britain and Ireland. Despite the subsequent changes in the peerage system, the legacy and history of the Peerage of Great Britain continue to be of significance in British society and the understanding of its aristocratic traditions.
