No edit summary |
|||
| Line 31: | Line 31: | ||
The nobility is a class of people who had special political and social status. Nobility is inherited or granted by the Crown as a reward to people who perform a heroic deed, achieve greatness in some endeavor, or hold a prominent government position. | The nobility is a class of people who had special political and social status. Nobility is inherited or granted by the Crown as a reward to people who perform a heroic deed, achieve greatness in some endeavor, or hold a prominent government position. | ||
British nobility has a well-defined order. The highest noblemen are peers, which include the titles of (in descending rank) duke, marquis, earl, viscount, and baron. This is followed by the gentry, whose titles are baronet, knight, esquire, and gentleman. Both peers and gentry are entitled to coats of arms. | British nobility has a well-defined order. The highest noblemen are peers, which include the titles of (in descending rank) duke, marquis, earl, viscount, and baron. This is followed by the gentry, whose titles are baronet, knight, esquire, and gentleman. Both peers and gentry are entitled to coats of arms. | ||
| Line 42: | Line 40: | ||
Illegitimate children are not entitled to noble status and often do not appear on family pedigrees. They may, however, be granted a variation of the father’s coat of arms. | Illegitimate children are not entitled to noble status and often do not appear on family pedigrees. They may, however, be granted a variation of the father’s coat of arms. | ||
{{Wikipedia|Heraldic visitation}} | {{Wikipedia|Heraldic visitation}} | ||
==Knights Of The Realm & Commonwealth Index== | ==Knights Of The Realm & Commonwealth Index== | ||
[https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/britain-knights-of-the-realm-and-commonwealth-index Britain, Knights of the Realm and Commonwealth] | [https://search.findmypast.com/search-world-Records/britain-knights-of-the-realm-and-commonwealth-index Britain, Knights of the Realm and Commonwealth] | ||
edits