Baron A

Baron, A (sometimes called a "temporal baron" when mentioned in contradistinction to a bishop, who is a "spiritual baron"), is, as we now understand the word, one holding the lowest rank in the peerage, or, in other words, one bearing the lowest hereditary title which carries with it the privilege of voting in the Upper House or in the elections of representative peers. The dignity ranks next in nobility, honour, and precedence to that of a bishop. At the present time there are existing in England "baronies by writ" and "baronies by patent"; anciently there were also "baronies by tenure" of certain lands, but it is believed that there are none such now in existence. A baron "by writ" is one "unto whom a writ of summons in the name of a Sovereign is directed (without a patent of creation) to come to the Parliament appointed to be holden at a certain time and place, and there to treat and advise with his Sovereign, the prelates, and nobility about the weighty affairs of the nation."

A barony by writ is a much older form of the dignity than a barony by patent, and is heritable and enjoyable by females, descending in every case to the "heir-general." In England, in the case of two or more coheiresses, the barony falls into abeyance between them until the death without issue, or the failure of the issue of all the daughters save one, when the heir of this one inherits. But the Sovereign has the power (and the prerogative is not infrequently exercised) of "terminating" the abeyance, as it is called, in favour of any descendant of the last baron whom he or she may think fit. In Scotland, however, the eldest daughter inherits at once. Barons by writ take precedence according to the date of the writ of summons, but the exact origin of a good many titles is shrouded in much uncertainty. Baronies by patent were first created by King Richard II., and are those which originate with letters patent, the title in each case descending strictly in accordance with the limitations contained therein, and usually confined to the "heirs male." All barons at the present day are created by patent, with the rare exception of such an one as maybe summoned to Parliament during the lifetime of his father, in one of his father's baronies already existing. A peer is entitled to display his armorial bearings, with the helmet, coronet, and mantle of his degree, and will also use supporters, which descend with the title. A baron is usually known as "Lord ___," and his sons and daughters are addressed in writing as the "Hon. ___."

Peers of Scotland rank next to the peers of England, and before those of Great Britain; and peers of Ireland created before the Union take place before peers of the United Kingdom. Those of England and the United Kingdom have seats in the House of Lords; and all peers of Scotland and Ireland have votes at the election of Scottish and Irish representative peers respectively. But many peers of Scotland and Ireland have in addition English titles, under which they sit and vote in the English Parliament. The chief privileges, in addition to his right of voting, which a peer enjoys are, that he is free from arrests for debt, and no attachment lies upon his person, though execution may be taken upon his goods and lands. He is exempted from serving the office of sheriff; and in criminal cases he is tried by his peers, who give their verdict not upon oath, but upon their honour.

By a law against "Scandalum magnatum," dating from 1275, any man convicted of making a scandalous report against a peer of the realm, though true, is condemned to a fine, and to remain in prison until the same be paid.