peerage

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peerage, Body of peers or titled nobility in Britain. The five ranks of British nobility, in descending order, are duke, marquess, earl (see count), viscount, and baron. Until 1999, peers were entitled to sit in the House of Lords and exempted from jury duty. Titles may be hereditary or granted for life.

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The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica This article was most recently revised and updated by Maren Goldberg.