Forms of Address
What to do when one encounters a member of British peerage while out and about (or when writing a British-set historical novel)? What does one call the Earl's mama? What's the difference between a baron and a viscount? In movies, lords are often called Your Majesty or Your Grace. Is that accurate?
The answer to that last question is a resounding no. And as for the earlier questions, well...that's tricky. One addresses members of the peerage according to a particular set of rules.
First of all, Your Majesty is reserved for the Sovereign (today, Queen Elizabeth II). In the Regency period, the Prince Regent was always addressed as Your Royal Highness, and after that, Sir. (Today, Prince Charles is styled the same way.)
Following the Royal Family, the peerage has five descending ranks: Duke, Marquess, Earl, Viscount, and Baron. While a few women were and are peeresses in their own right, the majority of peers are men and they are considered noble. Wives and children of peers are considered commoners (Lady Diana Spencer, daughter of an earl, was a commoner when she married Prince Charles--even though she became the Princess of Wales, she was not a princess in her own right and was still a commoner). Children, primarily first-born sons, sometimes receive a courtesy title of lesser rank, but it is not until their father dies that the eldest son inherits the father's title and is considered a peer rather than a commoner.
Surnames are not the same as titles, although the Spencers are an exception: Lady Diana Spencer's father was Earl Spencer and the family surname is Spencer, but in most all other cases, the titles do not match the family surname. Titles are often associated with a place, such as Devonshire or Argyll.
On another note, first names were not always used by noblemen during the Regency. Often, from birth to adulthood, a peer was referred to by his title rather than his first name, even by his close family. But not always.
Now for my Forms of Address list. I hope it's handy and helpful. I have also included Lords of Parliament in my list, which is a Scottish title. You'll see Baronets listed, too, although they are not peers but commoners. However, the title is hereditary and they are included in published Peerages listing Who's Who and all those lists explaining Whom Enters the Dining Room first.
DUKE
Duke (David Moneybags, the Duke of Bigbucks)
Introduced as: His Grace the Duke of Bigbucks
Referred to as: His Grace
In Speech: Your Grace (by inferiors), Duke (by peers)
Duchess (Davinia Moneybags, the Duchess of Bigbucks)
Introduced as: Her Grace the Duchess of Bigbucks
Referred to as: Her Grace
In Speech: Your Grace (by inferiors), Duchess (by peers)
Dowager: Her Grace Elinor, Duchess of Bigbucks or Her Grace the Dowager Duchess of Bigbucks
Eldest Son (George Moneybags, The Marquess of Midas -- courtesy title)
Introduced as: The Marquess of Midas
In Speech: Lord Midas, my lord
Younger Son (Henry Moneybags)
Introduced as: Lord Henry Moneybags
In Speech: Lord Henry
Daughter (Olivia Moneybags)
Introduced as: Lady Olivia Moneybags
In Speech: Lady Olivia
MARQUESS (Sometimes Marquis)
Marquess (John Awesome, the Marquess of Fabulous)
Introduced as: The Marquess of Fabulous
Referred to as: Lord Fabulous
In Speech: Lord Fabulous, my lord
Referred to by employee as: my lord (to his face) or your lordship (in reference to)
Marchioness (Emily Awesome, the Marchioness of Fabulous)
Introduced as: The Marchioness of Fabulous
Referred to as: Lady Fabulous
In Speech: Lady Fabulous, my lady
Referred to by employee as: my lady (to her face), her ladyship (in reference to)
Dowager: Mary, Marchioness of Fabulous, or the Dowager Marchioness of Fabulous
Eldest Son (Charles Awesome, the Earl of Cool -- courtesy title)
Introduced as: The Earl of Cool
In Speech: Lord Cool
Younger Son (William Awesome)
Introduced as: Lord William Awesome
In Speech: Lord William
Daughter (Sarah Awesome)
Introduced as: Lady Sarah Awesome
In Speech: Lady Sarah
EARL
Earl (Sylvester Goodlooks, the Earl of Handsome)
Introduced as: The Earl of Handsome
Referred to as: Lord Handsome
In Speech: Lord Handsome, my lord
Referred to by employee as: my lord (to his face), his lordship (in reference to)
Signs letters: Handsome
Countess (Jane Goodlooks, the Countess of Handsome)
Introduced as: The Countess of Handsome
Referred to as: Lady Handsome
In Speech: Lady Handsome, my lady
Referred to by employee as: my lady, or her ladyship (in reference to)
Dowager: Elizabeth, Countess of Handsome or The Dowager Countess of Handsome
Eldest Son (Andrew Goodlooks, the Viscount Comely--courtesy title)
Introduced as: The Viscount Comely
In Speech: Lord Comely
Younger Son (The Honorable Bertram Goodlooks)
Introduced as: Mr. Bertram Goodlooks
In Speech: Mr. Goodlooks
Daughter (Georgiana Goodlooks)
Introduced as: Lady Georgiana Goodlooks
In Speech: Lady Georgiana
VISCOUNT
Viscount (Edmund Jewel, the Viscount Diamond--note, there is no "of" in the title)
Introduced as: The Viscount Diamond
Referred to as: Lord Diamond
In Speech: Lord Diamond, my lord
Referred to by employee as: my lord, or his lordship (in reference to)
Viscountess (Gemma Jewel, the Viscountess Diamond)
Introduced as: The Viscountess Diamond
Referred to as: Lady Diamond
In Speech: Lady Diamond, my lady
Referred to by employee as: my lady, or her ladyship (in reference to)
Dowager: Sapphira, Viscountess Diamond, or The Dowager Viscountess Diamond
Eldest Son (The Honorable Robert Jewel)
Introduced as: Mr. Robert Jewel
In Speech: Mr. Jewel
Younger Son (The Honorable Giles Jewel)
Introduced as: Mr. Giles Jewel
In Speech: Mr. Jewel
Eldest Daughter (The Honorable Emeraldine Jewel)
Introduced as: Miss Emeraldine Jewel
In Speech: Miss Jewel
Younger Daughter (The Honorable Pearl Jewel)
Introduced as: Miss Pearl Jewel
In Speech: Miss Pearl Jewel (includes first name)
BARON
Baron (Peter Storehouse, Baron Gold)
Introduced as: The Lord Gold
Referred to as: Lord Gold
In Speech: Lord Gold, my lord
Referred to by employee as: my lord or his lordship
Baroness (Eliza Storehouse, Baroness Gold)
Introduced as: The Lady Gold
Referred to as: Lady Gold, my lady
In Speech: Lady Gold
Referred to by employee as: her ladyship
Dowager: The Right Hon. the Dowager Lady Gold or Caroline, Lady Gold
Son (The Honorable Hugh Storehouse)
Introduced as: Mr. Hugh Storehouse
In Speech: Mr. Storehouse
Eldest Daughter (The Honorable Aurora Storehouse)
Introduced as: Miss Aurora Storehouse
In Speech: Miss Storehouse
Younger Daughter (The Honorable Cassandra Storehouse)
Introduced as: Miss Cassandra Storehouse
In Speech: Miss Cassandra Storehouse
(LORD OF PARLIAMENT -- a Scottish title which would fall here in order of succession)
Lord of Parliament (Angus MacDonald, The Lord Haggis)
Introduced as: The Lord Haggis
Referred to as: Lord Haggis
In Speech: my lord
Referred to by employee as: my lord, his lordship
Lady (Flora MacDonald, Lady Haggis)
Introduced as: The Lady Haggis
Referred to as: Lady Haggis
In Speech: Lady Haggis, my lady
Referred to by employee as: my lady, her ladyship
Oldest Son (Alexander MacDonald, The Master of Haggis)
Introduced as: The Master of Haggis
Referred to as: The Master
In Speech: The Master
Younger Son (Fergus MacDonald)
Introduced as: Mr. Fergus MacDonald
In Speech: Mr. MacDonald
Daughter (Fiona MacDonald)
Introduced as: Miss Flora MacDonald
In Speech: Miss MacDonald
BARONET
Baronet (Thomas Pleasant)
Introduced as: Sir Thomas Pleasant
Referred to as: Sir Thomas
In Speech: Sir Thomas, sir
Referred to by employee as: Sir Thomas
Wife (Anne Pleasant)
Introduced as: Lady Anne Pleasant
Referred to as: Lady Pleasant, Madam
In Speech: Lady Pleasant, my lady
Referred to by employee as: my lady
Dowager: Dowager Lady Pleasant
Son (Edward Pleasant)
Introduced as: Mr. Edward Pleasant
In Speech: Mr. Pleasant
Eldest Daughter (Lydia Pleasant)
Introduced as: Miss Pleasant
In Speech: Miss Pleasant
Younger Daughter (Maria Pleasant)
Introduced as: Miss Maria Pleasant
In Speech: Miss Maria Pleasant
KNIGHT
Knight (Richard Braveheart)
Sir Richard Braveheart
Wife (Georgiana)
Lady Braveheart
The various orders of knighthood are not hereditary.
The answer to that last question is a resounding no. And as for the earlier questions, well...that's tricky. One addresses members of the peerage according to a particular set of rules.
First of all, Your Majesty is reserved for the Sovereign (today, Queen Elizabeth II). In the Regency period, the Prince Regent was always addressed as Your Royal Highness, and after that, Sir. (Today, Prince Charles is styled the same way.)
Following the Royal Family, the peerage has five descending ranks: Duke, Marquess, Earl, Viscount, and Baron. While a few women were and are peeresses in their own right, the majority of peers are men and they are considered noble. Wives and children of peers are considered commoners (Lady Diana Spencer, daughter of an earl, was a commoner when she married Prince Charles--even though she became the Princess of Wales, she was not a princess in her own right and was still a commoner). Children, primarily first-born sons, sometimes receive a courtesy title of lesser rank, but it is not until their father dies that the eldest son inherits the father's title and is considered a peer rather than a commoner.
Surnames are not the same as titles, although the Spencers are an exception: Lady Diana Spencer's father was Earl Spencer and the family surname is Spencer, but in most all other cases, the titles do not match the family surname. Titles are often associated with a place, such as Devonshire or Argyll.
On another note, first names were not always used by noblemen during the Regency. Often, from birth to adulthood, a peer was referred to by his title rather than his first name, even by his close family. But not always.
Now for my Forms of Address list. I hope it's handy and helpful. I have also included Lords of Parliament in my list, which is a Scottish title. You'll see Baronets listed, too, although they are not peers but commoners. However, the title is hereditary and they are included in published Peerages listing Who's Who and all those lists explaining Whom Enters the Dining Room first.
DUKE
Duke (David Moneybags, the Duke of Bigbucks)
Introduced as: His Grace the Duke of Bigbucks
Referred to as: His Grace
In Speech: Your Grace (by inferiors), Duke (by peers)
Duchess (Davinia Moneybags, the Duchess of Bigbucks)
Introduced as: Her Grace the Duchess of Bigbucks
Referred to as: Her Grace
In Speech: Your Grace (by inferiors), Duchess (by peers)
Dowager: Her Grace Elinor, Duchess of Bigbucks or Her Grace the Dowager Duchess of Bigbucks
Eldest Son (George Moneybags, The Marquess of Midas -- courtesy title)
Introduced as: The Marquess of Midas
In Speech: Lord Midas, my lord
Younger Son (Henry Moneybags)
Introduced as: Lord Henry Moneybags
In Speech: Lord Henry
Daughter (Olivia Moneybags)
Introduced as: Lady Olivia Moneybags
In Speech: Lady Olivia
MARQUESS (Sometimes Marquis)
Marquess (John Awesome, the Marquess of Fabulous)
Introduced as: The Marquess of Fabulous
Referred to as: Lord Fabulous
In Speech: Lord Fabulous, my lord
Referred to by employee as: my lord (to his face) or your lordship (in reference to)
Marchioness (Emily Awesome, the Marchioness of Fabulous)
Introduced as: The Marchioness of Fabulous
Referred to as: Lady Fabulous
In Speech: Lady Fabulous, my lady
Referred to by employee as: my lady (to her face), her ladyship (in reference to)
Dowager: Mary, Marchioness of Fabulous, or the Dowager Marchioness of Fabulous
Eldest Son (Charles Awesome, the Earl of Cool -- courtesy title)
Introduced as: The Earl of Cool
In Speech: Lord Cool
Younger Son (William Awesome)
Introduced as: Lord William Awesome
In Speech: Lord William
Daughter (Sarah Awesome)
Introduced as: Lady Sarah Awesome
In Speech: Lady Sarah
EARL
Earl (Sylvester Goodlooks, the Earl of Handsome)
Introduced as: The Earl of Handsome
Referred to as: Lord Handsome
In Speech: Lord Handsome, my lord
Referred to by employee as: my lord (to his face), his lordship (in reference to)
Signs letters: Handsome
Countess (Jane Goodlooks, the Countess of Handsome)
Introduced as: The Countess of Handsome
Referred to as: Lady Handsome
In Speech: Lady Handsome, my lady
Referred to by employee as: my lady, or her ladyship (in reference to)
Dowager: Elizabeth, Countess of Handsome or The Dowager Countess of Handsome
Eldest Son (Andrew Goodlooks, the Viscount Comely--courtesy title)
Introduced as: The Viscount Comely
In Speech: Lord Comely
Younger Son (The Honorable Bertram Goodlooks)
Introduced as: Mr. Bertram Goodlooks
In Speech: Mr. Goodlooks
Daughter (Georgiana Goodlooks)
Introduced as: Lady Georgiana Goodlooks
In Speech: Lady Georgiana
VISCOUNT
Viscount (Edmund Jewel, the Viscount Diamond--note, there is no "of" in the title)
Introduced as: The Viscount Diamond
Referred to as: Lord Diamond
In Speech: Lord Diamond, my lord
Referred to by employee as: my lord, or his lordship (in reference to)
Viscountess (Gemma Jewel, the Viscountess Diamond)
Introduced as: The Viscountess Diamond
Referred to as: Lady Diamond
In Speech: Lady Diamond, my lady
Referred to by employee as: my lady, or her ladyship (in reference to)
Dowager: Sapphira, Viscountess Diamond, or The Dowager Viscountess Diamond
Eldest Son (The Honorable Robert Jewel)
Introduced as: Mr. Robert Jewel
In Speech: Mr. Jewel
Younger Son (The Honorable Giles Jewel)
Introduced as: Mr. Giles Jewel
In Speech: Mr. Jewel
Eldest Daughter (The Honorable Emeraldine Jewel)
Introduced as: Miss Emeraldine Jewel
In Speech: Miss Jewel
Younger Daughter (The Honorable Pearl Jewel)
Introduced as: Miss Pearl Jewel
In Speech: Miss Pearl Jewel (includes first name)
BARON
Baron (Peter Storehouse, Baron Gold)
Introduced as: The Lord Gold
Referred to as: Lord Gold
In Speech: Lord Gold, my lord
Referred to by employee as: my lord or his lordship
Baroness (Eliza Storehouse, Baroness Gold)
Introduced as: The Lady Gold
Referred to as: Lady Gold, my lady
In Speech: Lady Gold
Referred to by employee as: her ladyship
Dowager: The Right Hon. the Dowager Lady Gold or Caroline, Lady Gold
Son (The Honorable Hugh Storehouse)
Introduced as: Mr. Hugh Storehouse
In Speech: Mr. Storehouse
Eldest Daughter (The Honorable Aurora Storehouse)
Introduced as: Miss Aurora Storehouse
In Speech: Miss Storehouse
Younger Daughter (The Honorable Cassandra Storehouse)
Introduced as: Miss Cassandra Storehouse
In Speech: Miss Cassandra Storehouse
(LORD OF PARLIAMENT -- a Scottish title which would fall here in order of succession)
Lord of Parliament (Angus MacDonald, The Lord Haggis)
Introduced as: The Lord Haggis
Referred to as: Lord Haggis
In Speech: my lord
Referred to by employee as: my lord, his lordship
Lady (Flora MacDonald, Lady Haggis)
Introduced as: The Lady Haggis
Referred to as: Lady Haggis
In Speech: Lady Haggis, my lady
Referred to by employee as: my lady, her ladyship
Oldest Son (Alexander MacDonald, The Master of Haggis)
Introduced as: The Master of Haggis
Referred to as: The Master
In Speech: The Master
Younger Son (Fergus MacDonald)
Introduced as: Mr. Fergus MacDonald
In Speech: Mr. MacDonald
Daughter (Fiona MacDonald)
Introduced as: Miss Flora MacDonald
In Speech: Miss MacDonald
BARONET
Baronet (Thomas Pleasant)
Introduced as: Sir Thomas Pleasant
Referred to as: Sir Thomas
In Speech: Sir Thomas, sir
Referred to by employee as: Sir Thomas
Wife (Anne Pleasant)
Introduced as: Lady Anne Pleasant
Referred to as: Lady Pleasant, Madam
In Speech: Lady Pleasant, my lady
Referred to by employee as: my lady
Dowager: Dowager Lady Pleasant
Son (Edward Pleasant)
Introduced as: Mr. Edward Pleasant
In Speech: Mr. Pleasant
Eldest Daughter (Lydia Pleasant)
Introduced as: Miss Pleasant
In Speech: Miss Pleasant
Younger Daughter (Maria Pleasant)
Introduced as: Miss Maria Pleasant
In Speech: Miss Maria Pleasant
KNIGHT
Knight (Richard Braveheart)
Sir Richard Braveheart
Wife (Georgiana)
Lady Braveheart
The various orders of knighthood are not hereditary.