Difference between Barons, Dukes, Counts,Earls. who's more powerful etc.?

Question

I've always wondered who is more powerful, Barons, Dukes, Counts, etc. All of the various title for minor nobles. I finished a biography of Elizabeth I and was constantly confused by all the different types of royalty and was wondering if anyone could explain to me who is more powerful.

Thanks.

Answer 1

The Peerage of England comprises all peerages created in the Kingdom of England before the Act of Union in 1707. The ranks of the English peerage are (from highest to lowest) are Duke, Marquess, Earl, Viscount, and Baron.

A duke is a noble person, historically of highest rank below the king or queen, and usually controls a duchy or a Dukedom. Therefore, a duke is the most poweful person within the other peerage titles.

Read more about peerage titles at http://laura.chinet.com/html/titles02.ht...

Answer 2

The order of precedence in British royalty and aristocracy is as follows, from highest to lowest:

King/Queen

Prince/Princess

Duke/Duchess

Marquess/Marchioness

Earl/Countess

Viscount/Viscountess

Baron/Baroness

Baronet

Knight/Dame

Answer 3

Marquis gets his name on billboards

Answer 4

In order of precedence(importance)

Royal Duke,Marquess,Earl,Viscount,

Baron

non-Royal Duke,Marquess,Earl,Viscount,

Baron

Earl is the English equivalent of "Count."

To add to the mix,many titled arisotcrats as well as royals,often bear more than one title.A good example of this is Prince Charles.He Is Prince of Wales,Duke of Cornwall, Duke of Rothesay, Earl of Carrick and Baron Renfrew, Lord of the Isles, and Prince and Great Steward of Scotland.

Non royal aristocrats also can bear more than one title. Earl Snowdon is also Viscount Linley(a title that his eldest son uses).

Titles were given as rewards for aiding the monarch. A Duke often received monet-generating lands called a "duchy" that he was in charge of;he ran the government there for the monarch.Other titles also could come with lands,but less political power.

Visit http://users.chinet.com/~laura/html/titl...