The Order of Noble Titles: From Gentlemen to Dukes

The comments section for my video from two weeks ago and the questions beneath my Q&A request on my community tab made it clear that today’s video topic is a necessary one. We’re going to go in order from bottom to top, starting with the gentlemen and move up the ranks and titles of the nobility to esquires, knights, baronets, barons, viscounts, earls, marquesses and dukes…

I hope you enjoy this video and find it interesting!

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Images (from Wikimedia Commons, unless otherwise stated):

Portrait of Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester by Steven van der Meulen (c.1564). held by Waddesdon House.

"The answeres of Garter and Clarencieux Kings of arms, to the scrowle of arms exhibited by Raffe Brookesmouth caled York Herauld." (1602). Held by the Bodleian Library, Oxford University, Oxford, UK; MS. Ashmole 846, fol. 50r-v, and fol. 51v.

Portrait of King Henry V by an unknown artist (late 16th or early 17th century). Held by the National Portrait Gallery.

Portrait of King Henry VI by an unknown English artist (circa 1540). Held by the National Portrait Gallery.

Portrait of Anne Boleyn by an unknown artist (circa 1550). Held by Hever Castle.

“Edward VI as a Child” by Hans Holbein the Younger (c.1538). Held by the National Gallery of Art, Washington D.C.

Quoted texts:

Oxford English Dictionary definition of “Esquire”.

Debrett’s definition of “Baron”.

Debrett’s definition of “Duke”.

Also consulted, were:

Other relevant entries from The Oxford Dictionary of National Biography Online.

#Peerage #Royalty #History

[reinadegrillos]

My mother gave me my first novel, The Rosary. The main character was a woman called the Honorable Jane Champion, and her aunt was a Duchess. I never knew what Honorable ment, but now that I'm 72, I know, thanks to you. So, Jane's father was a Baronet, and she was his only child, so the Honorable name was to let everybody know her pedigree. Thank you so much, Dr. Kat!

[eddiehancockii]

An interesting extension of this topic would be the differences between English, Scottish, French and other countries with historic nobility and peerage ranks.

[msinvincible]

Queen Mother is a title that was created specifically for the widow of George VI, because after his death, his mother, the Dowager Queen, was still alive, and to avoid confusion by having 2 dowager queens, it was decided that the younger dowager be known as Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother.

[craigrm]

Great video Dr Kat, thank you! A suggestion for a future video, related to this one: we hear a lot about a number of dukedoms in the Tudor period - Suffolk, Norfolk, Somerset, Northumberland, and others - however, it would be great to hear more about those older dukedoms - and perhaps some other well=known noble titles from the Tudor period- which are still extant today, or if not, when they became extinct.

[squirrelygirl]

Your story about your husband and your exchange of knowledge was so cute and absolutely hilarious! Thank you for the smiles.

[drjeandewet]

Can we possibly have a follow up video looking how peerages are set out in the house of lords. When the subsidiary titles are taken into account it gets complicated as to who is entitled to what. Especially now with a coronation next year when the peers will take part.
Maybe even look at the dukes of wellington also being princes of the Netherlands.

[rhondagriffith]

I love your channel, Dr. Kat. When I talk abut the things I learn here, I say, 'my friend, Dr. Kat told me..." because it literally feels to me that we're just two ladies talking. Your channel is very informative, but in a way that feels conversational and natural, not like a lecture or lesson. I'm an American who has been drawn to the history of England since I understood what it was. I (think I) am descended from the ap Gruffydds and that island is in my blood.

[gerryfennelly]

I am always impressed with your delivery. You are a natural teatcher , I know what you do isn't effortless but at times watching your shows, it is like listening to my undergraduate history student friends ( I did study history too ) who were far far more well read and knowledgeable than me. Please don't take that as a put down to you, to be able to engage and teach about complex historical topics in the way you do is a real talent

[Dave_Hall]

This could so easily have been just a ranked list, but as usual you brought it life and made it very educational as well as clear. Great job! Also, I had no idea that the Black Prince was the first English Duke! And having just finished Bring Up the Bodies, George Boleyn is fresh in my mind 😂

[kathrynmast]

Now my week is complete…another informative visit with Dr. Kat😊😊😊😊😊

[marcieweiler]

As an American, I've managed to figure a lot of what you explained. I had no clue as to "gentleman" "Esquire", and " Knight ". Thank you, very much.

[raygenagarringer]

You mention that it has just been announced Prince Edward is to be granted the title Duke of Edinburgh. Has such an announcement actually been made since Charles took the throne?

[lisakilmer]

Quite revelatory, thanks. I never hear much of Marquesses. When I was about 12 I discovered the Tudors (through the series The Six Wives of Henry VIII) but found the combination of names and titles quite baffling when I eagerly read Neville Williams' "Elizabeth, Queen of England" - at 13. That book did teach me to make a cheat sheet of the family name plus the title(s) of the characters. When each person has two or three or four names, it's very hard for an American child to follow!

[beslim]

You are a wealth of knowledge! Does one Duke (or Earl, baron etc..) have a higher rank than another. Say at Charles III's coronation, does one have more precedence or rank above another?

[Heothbremel]

I knew most of the order but this was so clear and concise that i still learned a lot!!! ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

[rosevale]

I am so happy you did this. I have always wanted to understand how titles were granted and why. You make this very easy to understand.

[bizburgess]

I hadn't ever considered Camilla surviving King Charles III, and certain not having the need for a title as such. I does make sense that she would be The Dowager. Thank you for the clarification. Great channel.

[historybuff]

I always got confused where a Marquess came in the rankings. Thank you for clearing that up. I also like the history given.

[kimberlyperrotis]

I knew quite a bit about English titles just from reading English novels and history for decades. I didn’t have to study it, I just picked it up gradually. Even TV shows like Downton Abbey teach some of it, like when the Lady Mary’s brutish newspaper-man fiancé calls Lady Rosamund “Lady Painswick” in error.

[BTScriviner]

I thought Catherine is not "Princess Catherine" as a stand- alone title but officially as "Catherine, Princess of Wales."