The Washington herald., 1911-11-05
THE EXTRA" TITLES
IN BRITISH PEERAGE
Many Mobiles Have Unlimited
Names" to Spare.

| The British present many points Of
curious interest In the first place there
exists an astonishing disparity in the
number Of titles enjoyed by the different
peers, the Duke Of Atholl, for instance,
being so richly provided for in this rela-
| ton that, were he competent. he might
transfer a title to each Of twenty-one
different men, and yet retain his duke
dom for himself.
The Duke Of Argyll is also a man Of
many titles. In addition to that Of duke,
he holds some seventeen titles as baron,
viscount, earl. and marquis, to say moth
ing of a knlghthood over six hundred
years old.
The Duke Of Hamilton has sixteen IT,
ties to spare; the Duke Of Buccleuch and
the Marquis of Butte could each spare
fifteen, while retaining the rank where
by he is chiefly known.
Despite the almost unlimited range for
choice Of a title. many OF the British
peers have titles which they share with
several others. No fewer than five mem
bers Of the English nobility are Lords
Howard, and a like number are entitled
to pose as Lord Hamilton. There are
four Lords Grey, and the same number
of Lords Stuart or Stewart, while OF
Lords Bruce. Boyle, Hay. and others
there are at least three apiece.
This confusion of titles in England is
the more difficult to understand because
there are quite a number Of counties still
unappropriated for purposes Of ennoble-
ment. Embryo peers may have q choice
Of seven counties in England, nine in
Scotland. and six in Ireland. or the
towns awaiting selection by ennobled
gentlemen there are quite a few, includ-
ing London and Liverpool.
There have been cases IN England in
which, curiously enough, a young son
has become a peer before an elder son,
and son has attained such title before
his father. When. in 1888, the Duchess
of Sutherland died her second son be-
came a peer, as Earl Of Cromartie, four
years before his elder brother. after
ward the duke, was entitled to sit In
the House OF Lords.
When Susan, Baroness North, died in
1884 her son succeeded her in the barony.
and took seat in the Lords, while his
father, Col. North, was sitting in the
lower chamber.
Many OF the privileges possessed by the
peers are quaint and interesting. The
rights of Lords Kingsale and Forester
include that of retaining their hats in
the royal presence. Lord Inchiquin, who
traces his descent to a date antecedent
to the Conquest, is entitled to deck his
servants in the royal livery, a privilege
that dates from the time OF Henry VIII.
A much prouder privilege is that which
for over five centuries has been the pre-
rogative of the Dymokes of Scrivelsby.
This family furnished the royal cham
pion'' for every coronation until that or
Edward VII, when the privilege was
abolished. The champion, clad In mail.
with visor closed and lowered lance,
rode into Westminster Hall and chal-
lenged the0world to dispute the title to
the crown. This quaint reminder Of the
days OF chivalry survived for more than
eight hundred years.
The term benefit of peerage'' covers
some odd privileges. Under II q peer can
demand a private audience with the SOW
ereign to present his vfews on matters
of public welfare. For treason or felony
he can demand to be tried by his peers.
he cannot be outlawed In any civil ac-
ton, and he is exempt from jury service.
He may sit with his hat on In courts Of
justice, and, should he be liable to the
last penalty of the law, he can demand
a siIken cord instead OF a hempen rope.