Baron

Baron is a title of honour in many European peerage systems. It is often a hereditary title that ranks as the one of the lower titles in a peerage. In the UK peerage system, the five peerage titles from highest to lowest are duke, marquess, earl, viscount and baron.^[1] Baronets and knights are not members of the peerage although a baron may also be a knight. In the feudalism of medieval England a baron was a tenant-in-chief who held his lands directly from the king.^[2] During the 13th century barons were summoned by royal writ to attend Parliament.^[3]

The word baron comes from Old French baron, itself from Frankish baro meaning "freeman, warrior". It later merged with Old English beorn meaning "nobleman." The lands of a baron are called a barony. The female title for a baron is baroness. The form of address for a baron is "Lord" and for a baroness "Lady".^[4]

List of English and Irish Barons

References

1. "Ranks and Privileges of the Peerage". Debrett's. Archived from the original on 12 June 2014. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
2. "Feudal Terms". University of Mississippi. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
3. "Baron". Debrett's. Retrieved 12 January 2016.
4. Titles and Forms of Address: A Guide to Correct Use (London: A. & C. Black, 2007), p. 45