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Question: British history!? What is the difference between dukes and earls and other aristocratic names!?
I'm reading a lot about queens and kings (i'm in the US!.) and am puzzled by all the titles in the country and the royal courts !. What are the ranks of these people in order of prestige!? What about sirs!? Are they just common people!?
Thank you for answering this question!.Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
A duke is higher than the Earl

Here's the order of rank in British peerage!. These are hereditary and can be passed on according to male-preference primogeniture laws (meaning the eldest son gets the title upon the title holder's death)!.

King
Duke
Marquess
Earl- counterpart is Count in the European continent
Viscount
Baron - N!.B!. some barons could be life peerages

Sirs and Ladies are Knights!. Knights and sometimes the title of baron are awarded by the monarch to people who have a lot of contributions for the prestige of the kingdom such as in the arts and sciences!. They are considered life peerages and cannot be passed on to a child!. These are usually awarded to commoners because a heriditary titled individual was always considered of higher rank than a person with a life peerage!.Www@QuestionHome@Com