it is the lowest of all the ranks, and granted as reward for a special service rendered, primarily in the military field. Referred to as “Sir John Smith” or just “Sir John” although the
Peerages in a monarchy refer to the hierarchy of ranks and titles given to people with noble status, often based on inheritance, royal appointment or land ownership. The peerage system constitutes for different nobility levels, each with set privileges, social standing and leadership. Peerages can...
But on the whole the structure of society was assumed to be unchanging except in detail. Contemporary writers liked to divide it into ranks or orders according to status, wealth, influence and (in particular) the social estimation and dignity attached by society to each group. Although there ...