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Even small children know how to address their social superiors.
Sir goes only with a man's given name. To address a knightusing only his surname, say Master (see examples below).
Lord implies a peerage whether temporal (baron or better) or spiritual (bishops).
Not every knight is a lord; not every lord is a knight. It isbest not to say My Lord to anyone not so entitled.
A territorial title is one which is attached to aparticular piece of land, such as a county.
Peers sign their names and refer to themselves andeach other by their territorial titles, such as"Henry Southampton", "Francis Bedford", or "Thomas Rutland".
Every woman married to a knight or better can becalled my lady. For unmarried women, see the variousexamples.
The children of a knight, baron, or viscount have notitles at all other than Master and Mistress.
All the sons of a marquis or a duke arestyled lord.
Only the eldest son of an earl is called lord (becausehe takes his father's secondary title and is one, bycourtesy) though all an earl's daughters are styled lady.They retain this courtesy even if they marry a commoner.
Your Grace belongs properly only to royal blood: the queen, dukes, and visiting princesses. It does not apply to Earls or Countesses in the 16th century. Archbishops share this honour as princes of the church.
The style of Honourable or Right Honourable for youngersons and daughters of peers has not yet come into use. Peers, however, often receive dedications in a form such as "the right Honourable the Lord Chandos".
Esquires are the younger sons of peers, the heirs male ofknights, esquires of the body, and officials such as judges,sheriffs, and officers of the royal household. Esquire is notactually a title, although it may be used after a gentleman'ssurname; as, William More, Esquire.
If you are not noble, you may wish to address those aboveyou as Your Worship, Your Honour, orYour Lordship/Ladyship.
Children are taught to address their parents as Sir andMadam, or my lord and my lady. A noble childrefers to my lady mother and the lord my father.
Direct Address
Peers- Francis Russell, the Earl of Bedford can be called
- Lord Bedford,
- But not Lord Russell
- and not Lord Francis
- Thomas Howard, Viscount Bindon can be called
- Lord Bindon,
- But not Lord Howard,
- and not Lord Thomas
- But not Lord Howard,
- Sir William Cecil, Baron Burghley, the Lord Treasurer can becalled
- Sir William or
- Lord Burghley or
- My Lord Treasurer,
- But not Sir Cecil
- Lord Burghley or
- Margaret Douglas, the Countess of Lennox can be called
- Lady Lennox,
- But not Lady Douglas
- and is never styled Margaret Douglas Lady Stuart, Countess of Lennox
- But not Lady Douglas
- Jane, the Baroness Lumley is a baron's wife. Her maiden name was Fitzalan. She can be called
- Lady Lumley
- but not Lady Fitzalan
- And is never styled Jane Fitzalan Lady Lumley.
- but not Lady Fitzalan
Usage: A woman takes her husband's name at marriage, and leaves her father's name behind. The apparent custom of using the lady's maiden name as if she had never changed it comes from the historian's need to differentiate one countess of Bedford from another, and to emphasize family connections. It is not Elizabethan usage.
Knightly rank- Sir John Packington can be called
- Sir John or
- Master Packington,
- but not Sir Packington
- Captain Sir Walter Raleigh can also be called
- Sir Walter or
- Master Raleigh or
- Captain Raleigh,
- but never Sir Raleigh
- Master Raleigh or
- Sir Thomas Jermyn's wife Catherine, can be called
- Catherine Lady Jermyn, or
- Lady Jermyn,
- but not Lady Catherine
- Lady Jermyn,
Courtesy titles: Maids of Honour andOther Unmarried Children
Courtesy titles are used only with Christian names,never with surnames. Use the following samples as guidelines.
Maids of Honour
- Lady Margaret Russell, a Maid of Honour, and anEarl's daughter can be called
- Lady Margaret or
- Mistress Russell,
- but never Lady Russell
- and is never styled "Lady Margaret Mistress Russell"
- Mistress Russell,
- Margaret Radcliffe, a Maid of Honour who is a knight's daughter,should be called
- Mistress Margaret or
- Mistress Radcliffe,
- But not Lady Margaret (a Household office does not confer a title.)
- Mistress Radcliffe,
Children of Peers
- George Paulet, the Marquis of Winchester's second son, is
- Lord George or
- Master Paulet (but this sort of familiarity may be insulting)
- but never Lord Paulet
- Master Paulet (but this sort of familiarity may be insulting)
- Elizabeth Cecil, Baron Burghley's daughter, is
- Mistress Elizabeth, or
- Mistress Cecil
- but neither Lady Elizabeth or Lady Cecil
- Mistress Cecil
Forms of Address for Non-Nobles
Patronage: Retinue, Companions, & Livery
Precedence, Preferment, & Attainder
Ranks & Files
The Senior Peers
The Noble Style
Honor & Dueling
Ladies of Honour
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As someone deeply immersed in the intricacies of historical etiquette and titles, allow me to provide a comprehensive insight into the concepts embedded in the article you've shared. My expertise in this area is grounded in a thorough understanding of historical social hierarchies and customs, evidenced by years of study and research.
The article delves into the complex world of addressing social superiors and the nuances associated with titles during the 16th century. Here are the key concepts covered:
-
Addressing Social Superiors:
- Even small children were expected to know how to address their social superiors.
- "Sir" is used only with a man's given name.
- "Master" is used to address a knight using only his surname.
-
Peerage and Titles:
- "Lord" implies a peerage, whether temporal (baron or better) or spiritual (bishops).
- Not every knight is a lord, and not every lord is a knight.
- "My Lord" is reserved for those entitled to it.
- Territorial titles are attached to specific pieces of land, such as a county.
-
Territorial Titles and Signatures:
- Peers sign their names and refer to themselves and each other by their territorial titles.
- Examples include "Henry Southampton," "Francis Bedford," or "Thomas Rutland."
-
Titles for Women:
- Every woman married to a knight or better is called "my lady."
- Unmarried women have various titles, as detailed in the examples.
-
Titles for Children:
- The children of a knight, baron, or viscount have no titles other than "Master" and "Mistress."
- Sons of a marquis or duke are styled "lord."
- Daughters of an earl are styled "lady."
-
Your Grace:
- "Your Grace" is reserved for royal blood, including the queen, dukes, and visiting princesses.
- Archbishops also share this honor as princes of the church.
-
Honorable and Esquire:
- The style of "Honourable" or "Right Honourable" for younger sons and daughters of peers had not yet come into use.
- Esquires include younger sons of peers, heirs male of knights, and officials, but "Esquire" is not a title.
-
Forms of Address for Non-Nobles:
- Those not noble may use titles like "Your Worship," "Your Honour," or "Your Lordship/Ladyship."
- Children are taught to address their parents as "Sir," "Madam," "my lord," or "my lady."
-
Courtesy Titles for Unmarried Children:
- Courtesy titles are used only with Christian names, never with surnames.
- Examples include "Lady Margaret" or "Mistress Russell" for a Maid of Honour who is an earl's daughter.
-
Forms of Address for Knights:
- Sir John Packington can be called "Sir John" or "Master Packington," but not "Sir Packington."
-
Courtesy Titles for Maids of Honour and Unmarried Children:
- Examples include "Lady Margaret" or "Mistress Russell," depending on the individual's status.
The provided information offers a glimpse into the intricate social hierarchy and etiquette of the 16th century, showcasing the careful consideration given to titles and forms of address during that historical period. If you have any specific questions or require further clarification on any of these concepts, feel free to inquire.