While reading a history book or watching a movie, one may come across the word "lord". This is an English term that appeared several centuries ago. It is currently the official title in the UK. Read the article about the meaning of the word "lord", its features and varieties.
In the dictionary
The word "lord" is interpreted as "master", "lord", "master". It comes from the Old English hlaford (hlafweard) by combining the words hlaf (bread) and weard (watchman). In a literal translation, the lord is the "keeper of bread." This should be understood as "the guardian of the lands on which bread grows." Thus, the origin of the word "lord" determines its meaning as the guardian, the owner of the lands.
Initially, the title of lord was worn by all people belonging to the feudal class and being landowners. In this sense, this title was opposed to the term "peasantry", which denoted all those who lived on the land of the lord. They had duties and various duties, and also had to be faithful to their feudal lord.
Varieties
Later varieties appear titles such as "Lord of the Manor". This is a feudal lord, the owner of land in Medieval England, received directly from the monarch. This lord was different from the Scottish lairds and the English knights of the Gentry, who, although they owned lands, in fact these territories belonged to other feudal lords.
In the XIII century, with the emergence of parliaments in England, as well as in Scotland, the feudal lords acquired the opportunity to directly participate in them. Moreover, in English, a separate House of Lords (upper), also called the House of Peers, was created. Peers were in it by birthright. In this they differed from other lords, who were obliged to choose their representatives in a separate house of commons (by counties).
Title Ranks
After the appearance of title varieties, the lord began to be divided into five ranks of the English peerage:
- duke;
- Marquis;
- graph;
- viscount;
- Baron.
Initially, only nobles who were knighted could receive a peerage title. However, in the period from the 18th to the 19th centuries, the peerage began to be granted to representatives of other strata of English society, primarily the bourgeoisie.
Also, the so-called spiritual lords had this title. These are 26 bishops of the Anglican Church. They also sat in the House of Lords. In the 20th century, the practice of conferring a peerage title for life, but without the right to inherit it, spread. Such a title was usually given in the rank of baron to professional politicians in order tocould be called to meetings in the House of Lords.
Lower ranks
It should be noted that the title lord is often used to denote the four lowest ranks in the peerage. So, for example, this applied to the barons. In fact, they were always called lords. And then the title "Staffordshire" was added, but the Baron "Staffordshire" was almost never spoken of.
In the Scottish ranking system, the Lord of Parliament is considered the lowest. The assignment of such a title made it possible for the feudal lords to participate in the Scottish Parliament.
For viscounts, earls and marquesses, the title of lord was also common. First they called the rank, then the title. It is worth noting that in order to name a peer, along with the title of Lord, you do not need to use his last name, for example, York.
When addressing a male peer personally, the expression My Lord is used, which means “my lord” in English. When addressing dukes, they say Your Grace, which means “your grace.”
Conclusion
During the opening of the parliamentary session, the rather archaic expression Your Lordship is used, which translates as "your grace." In tsarist Russia and in the Russian language, the address "my lord" was adopted, which came from the French language. It was widely used in France in the 19th century when referring to absolutely any Englishman, regardless of whether he was a peer, duke or viscount.
Currently, the titles of lords have representatives in the supreme courts of Great Britain, Scotland and Canada. However, they are not peers, and the title given to them is obtained solely because of the office.
The title in question in today's England is held by some of the highest royal dignitaries who are appointed by a special committee. So, for example, in order to fulfill the duties of the Lord High Admiral, his appointment by a special body is necessary. There is a special Admir alty Committee for this. It is led by a person called the First Lord.
