What are the differences between 'Duke', 'Marquis', 'Éarl', 'Baron', 'Count' and 'Lord'?

Question

What are the differences between 'Duke', 'Marquis', 'Éarl', 'Baron', 'Count' and 'Lord'?

Answer 1

marquis is french and isn't part of the english nobilty titles

Answer 2

Nature of their attributions, and possibly country of title origin.

For instance, a count is usually regarded as equivalent to an earl in power or nobility, but originally, 'count' is a Carolingian French title while 'earl' is Norse.

Lord is the most generic word, and can designate any noble. Originally, it meant a lord of enough importance to have followers expecting him to provide for them (the title is derived from old English for 'loaf keeper'), but with time came to designate just any landed nobility.

Count is from the latin comes/comitis. it meant a 'companion' of the king, who received the administration of a province in the Carolingian empire.

Marquis used to be a 'count of the marches'. A count administering a border province, and granted extra powers, especially judicial and military, in order to better keep order and defend provinces regarded as less stable than more central ones.

Earl derives from old Norse 'Jarl'. a wealthy man with a large following of warriors and influence over a large area, a step under a king.

Duke comes from the Latin 'dux bellorum', or war leader. The title was usually granted to independant lords of powerful provinces when they decided to pay homage to a king (as opposed to counts whom the king appointed from his friends to rule over conquered provinces). They usually were quite powerful, and their vast armies made them prone to extra politicking and power plays (see the historiees of Aquitain, Normandy or Burgundy)

Baron is generally the lowest of titles, short of a simple lord or knight, simply being Frankish for 'warrior, nobleborn'... of course, in French usage, the most powerful nobles of the kingdoms were still known as 'great barons' nearly until the renaissance.

EDIT Traditionally, a viscount was a count's subordinate, in charge of certain domains. In the peerage system, younger sons of earls hold equivalent rank and can use the style.

Answer 3

They are all arguing over whether Britney Spears is fat or not.

The Duke says.."She's Fat as a  Porker!"

The Marquis says: "You shut up! O no you di'int!"

The Earl says: "Duke Duke Duke Duke of Earl Earl Earl"

The Baron says.."I like a little junk in the trunk!"

The Count says .."Count me In....Cider!"

The Lord says..."She dances like a White Girl!"

Brittney says: "

"More pizzas and milkshakes, please!"

Answer 4

It is all a question of rank within the nobility. They do differ between various European countries but this is, roughly, the British system in order:-

Duke - Originally meant a "field-marshall" but with the introduction of the french ducal system it began to have more royal connections (the Prince of Wales is also the Duke of Cornwall, his brother the Duke of York etc). There are exceptions such as the Duke of Westminster who's family are one of the oldest in Britain and he a direct descendent of a knight who came to England with William the Conqueror (he's also about 3 times as wealthy as the Queen and owns sections of London given to his family by WtC).

A duchy is the territory or land ruled by the duke. There are really only two in the UK, the duchies of Cornwall and Lancaster; these are essentially corporations holding properties for the Queen (who is the "duke" of Lancaster !?!) and Prince Charles.

Marquis - Roughly meaning a "march lord" or someone in charge of the border regions (marches) of a realm distinct from those in more settled regions. Originally a war lord with broad powers. A rare title in earlier times but later revived to a grade between Earl and Duke but still not that common (although about two thirds of english dukes are also marquisses).

Earl/Countess - Earl is related to the old norse "jarl" and is equivalent to "count" which itself is from the Latin "comes". This in turn is related to the english word "county" which pretty much explains what an Earl or Count was: the principal figure in the county. The anglo saxon name Earl was believed to be similar to the french Count so there are none of that title in England. However there was no female equivalent so Countess was adopted.

It is widely believed that a British Earl outranks a continental Count because (like Dukedoms) the title was handed out in a rather slapdash fashion and there are proportionally fewer Earls than european Counts.

Viscount - This title is mostly conferred on those who are not important enough to be made an Earl or Count. A rather late innovation it means the Earl or Counts deputy, quite literally the "vice-count".

Baron - Barons were those who originally got their land direct from the King. Not all british nobles have baronies and many viscounts do not. In the modern run of things Life Peers are all Barons or Baronesses (ex Prime Minister Baroness Thatcher for example). Once a Baron was an important title, for it was the Barons who forced King John to sign Magna Carta. At that time there was very little difference between neighbouring nobles so the term Baron could be used to describe them all, big or small, which still has some currency today roughly meaning "Peer" or "Lord".

Baronet - This can be thought of as a sort of hereditary knighthood but there are those who would disagree about it's nobility. A Baronet is not allowed a seat in the House of Lords unless they hold a peerage as well.

Lord - This can be conferred onto anyone as a Life Peerage and allows them a seat in the House of Lords. This is not a hereditary title. While it confirms a "noble" status on the family of a life peer that family still remains "common".

Answer 5

In the UK in order the ranks go (highest first)

Duke

Marquess

Earl

Lord

A Count in the UK doesn't exist but the rank is equal to an Earl (The wife of an Earl is a Countess), a Baron is a Lord (however, the wife of a Baron is a Lady, a Baroness is a female Lord - held in her own right) e.g. Baroness Thatcher is a member of the House of Lords).

Answer 6

Language

Answer 7

Isn't a viscount the elder son of an Earl? I always understood that they were the ones to inherit the title and estates. Diana was Lady Diana, while her brother, affectionately known as Good Time Charlie at university, was Viscount Spencer.

Answer 8

This Is Highest To Lowest-

Duke

Marquess

Earl

Count

Viscount

Baron

Lord Is Just A Courtesy Title, You Would Say  "His lordship, the Duke of Cornwall!", Get It? Sometimes There Is "Baronett" After Baron.

Duke

Marquess

Earl

Count

Viscount

Baronett

Baron