Help needed for a story: U.K Peerages

[Guest]

I wrote this sci-fi story (ho-hum) where my character is an alien *and* an English Lord.

I have kind of written myself into a corner with that one. I have researched a bit on the subject but I feel I need some updated information.

What are the obligations of a peer after the Parlamentary reforms the UK has undergone?

My character is absent for long periods of time. Is a peer necessarily a public figure? Are there any hermit Lords and Ladies out there?

Any insight into the subject would be much appreciated.

Many thanks,

Maharat

 

[elfin_odalisque]

Maharat, suddenly a subject I know something about. Took a course at college about hereditary things.

In UK, until about 1970, all aristocratic awards were in perpetuity (and only followed down the male line). So, someone got dubbed (idea of touching a sword to the two shoulders by the sovereign) lord, duke or baron and was then entitled to sit in the Upper House (House of Lords) (equivalent of the Senate really). The eldest sons of this bunch were called baronets which meant they were called Sir So and So and would inherit the title when their father died.

In the 'Upper Chamber' there were also Bishops, Judges and people called ' Life peers' -(that meant people, often ex-politicians, who were made 'Lord' but didn't pass the title on to their children.

A few years ago, all the hereditary peers (except 90) were barred from the House of Lords and more and more 'working' peers were appointed

The current situation is a complete mess, but no-one - left or right - seems to know how to solve things.

If you want to know more, PM me.

 

[MarshAlien]

Maharat, suddenly a subject I know something about. Took a course at college about hereditary things.

Genetics?

 

[elfin_odalisque]

Genetics?

Yeah, bumping squishy bits together until the outcome crops up.

 

[Guest]

Maharat, suddenly a subject I know something about. Took a course at college about hereditary things.

In UK, until about 1970, all aristocratic awards were in perpetuity (and only followed down the male line). So, someone got dubbed (idea of touching a sword to the two shoulders by the sovereign) lord, duke or baron and was then entitled to sit in the Upper House (House of Lords) (equivalent of the Senate really). The eldest sons of this bunch were called baronets which meant they were called Sir So and So and would inherit the title when their father died.

In the 'Upper Chamber' there were also Bishops, Judges and people called ' Life peers' -(that meant people, often ex-politicians, who were made 'Lord' but didn't pass the title on to their children.

A few years ago, all the hereditary peers (except 90) were barred from the House of Lords and more and more 'working' peers were appointed

The current situation is a complete mess, but no-one - left or right - seems to know how to solve things.

If you want to know more, PM me.

Thank you!

Mind working...my character is now barred from Parliament. He gets cranky when pissed. hmmmmm

So, a noble could basically be some business guy who travels frequently? Would that work?


Maharat

 

[Handprints]

So, a noble could basically be some business guy who travels frequently? Would that work?

That would describe the majority of peers under 50, almost none of whom use their titles at work or on their business cards.

The exceptions to that rule tend to be the work-shy types who make a Paris Hilton-style living out of being peers, opening nightclubs and inviting you, the reader, into the thier gracious Belgravia homes...

H

 

[Guest]

peers

That would describe the majority of peers under 50, almost none of whom use their titles at work or on their business cards.

The exceptions to that rule tend to be the work-shy types who make a Paris Hilton-style living out of being peers, opening nightclubs and inviting you, the reader, into the thier gracious Belgravia homes...

H

Paris Hilton, yuck. Well there is her British counterpart, Lady Victoria. Except that she is no Lady, yet.

That is very interesting. Would it ring true too them, if nobody really cared where he spends his time, except perhaps for a close circle of friends who would actually know some of the truth?

Thanks!

Maharat

 

[Handprints]

That is very interesting. Would it ring true too them, if nobody really cared where he spends his time, except perhaps for a close circle of friends who would actually know some of the truth?

Sure. There's still a population of peers who have sufficient asset-based income not to need to work, or who are only planning to work for the first 10-20 years after university to ensure they really know how to manage their assets. The lower on the seating chart the peer is (ie a baronet), the less likely anyone other than his friends of family would have any clue what his employment/financial situation is.

Hope that's of use,
H

 

[Guest]

thank you

Sure. There's still a population of peers who have sufficient asset-based income not to need to work, or who are only planning to work for the first 10-20 years after university to ensure they really know how to manage their assets. The lower on the seating chart the peer is (ie a baronet), the less likely anyone other than his friends of family would have any clue what his employment/financial situation is.

Hope that's of use,
H

Yup, but all the Earls know each other?

That is very helpful, thank you.

Maharat

 

[neonlyte]

There are 735 members of the House of Lords and only 250 seats, a spare part is unlikely to be missed. Active members tend to be former politicians, current politicians, and members who need the daily attendence allowance.

 

[Handprints]

Yup, but all the Earls know each other?

That is very helpful, thank you.

Maharat

There are enough earls out there that they all probably haven't been introduced but I would guess the number is small enough (less than 600, maybe?) that most will have at least heard of each other. Peerage is like horse breeding - those involved pay a lot more attention to the bloodstock books than anyone else.

It's your story but I'd suggest that if near-anonymity is required, you're more likely to be accurate with a Viscount or Baronet - the UK and Ireland are littered with them and they're not, typically, prominent enough to attract a newsdesk's attention purely on the basis of their title.

Hope that's of use,
H

 

[matriarch]

This report was in yesterday's news. The Marquess of Blandford is quite 'infamous' for his misdemeanors.

 

[Guest]

estate

There are enough earls out there that they all probably haven't been introduced but I would guess the number is small enough (less than 600, maybe?) that most will have at least heard of each other. Peerage is like horse breeding - those involved pay a lot more attention to the bloodstock books than anyone else.

It's your story but I'd suggest that if near-anonymity is required, you're more likely to be accurate with a Viscount or Baronet - the UK and Ireland are littered with them and they're not, typically, prominent enough to attract a newsdesk's attention purely on the basis of their title.

Hope that's of use,
H

Thank you!

That could work. Would a Viscount or Baronet own any sort of hereditary estate? I am thinking great house + lots of land around it.

Maharat

 

[Guest]

This report was in yesterday's news. The Marquess of Blandford is quite 'infamous' for his misdemeanors.

strange fella.

A Lordship does not an insanity plea make.


Maharat