Baron and Baronetcy what does it mean in British and English history?

Baron and a Baronetcy: confused by all the terms used in the peerage and whats the difference?  Here we aim to clarify in terms of British and English history specifically what these terms mean.

What is a Baron?

Associated with great meetings and gatherings of the Lords of the Land, we probably have all heard of references to the Baron’s War or the Baron’s demanding, as with Magna Carta for terms to be agreed by the king. But who are these Baron’s how important are they and from whence do they get the right and title and what significance do they have within the British System of Peerage?

A Baron is actually the lowest rank in the British system of Hereditary Peerage. Barons were originally individuals who were or had performed military or distinguished service in the performance of their obligations to their great lord or king. Over time the word came to refer exclusively to the king’s barons and then more particularly to the great barons, implying a heightened position or rank, who attended the king’s Great Council, or from the time of Henry III were summoned to Parliament at the king’s bidding.

Parliament started to be a representation of the Great Barons and thanks to Simon de Montfort by 1265 begins to be a representation of both Lords and the Commons. In line with the spirit of the principles ascribed to Magna Carta but actually established before and after that short historic document, the word Baron begins to be substituted for the the word Peers and/or Lords of Parliament. The early Parliaments were formed from a representation of a number of knights from each county/shire (the Lords (Knights)) and the Burgesses (the Commons.)

The creation of Barons by patent and the establishment of a particular title in terms of status and rank began under Richard II

 What is a Baronetcy? Basically Honours for Cash for the King’s Purse

It gets more complicated here, a Baronet (Baronetcy) is a hereditary title, that ranks above a Knighthood and below the younger sons of Barons. And yes that sounds as clear as mud. A Baronetcy was invented by the needy James I in 1611, purportedly to finance defence for the Ulster Plantations, and later supplemented by the Baronetcies for the inauguration of Nova Scotia in Canada during 1624-1625.

This profiteering from the creation of new Baronetcies back fired on the Stuarts after an initial period of eager purchase by the Knights. The Stuart greed and general inflation of the price of receiving an honour devalued the creations and caused much ill will with those who had earnt by deed and not just cash their entry into the Peerage.

But look around today and the often cited ‘cronyism’ of modern honours which are now becoming more and more independent. But Baronets continue to be created as an elevated form of Knighthood more often a reward for political allegience as much as to the monarch or the nation.  But thats a bridge too far for now, a Baronet is not the same as  a Baron an important differential. As we add more to our glossaries and FAQs we will see many of the influences that have shaped these definitions but for the moment that is where we are at with Barons and Baronets.

Barons’ War(s) what if any is the Connection?

The Baron’s Wars were civil wars the most notable of which took place during the reign of Henry III between 1264-1268 and were largely concerned with the broader group known as the ‘Barons’ insisting on limiting the powers of their Kings. Whilst Simon de Montfort is credited with the seeds of Parliamentary Democracy we should not over state this. He was equally motivated by his own circumstances, family, finances and self-interests. There were in fact other Baron’s Wars and indeed arguably Magna Carta in 1215 was nothing but more of the same between King John and the Baron’s who again sought o curb his successes.

For more on the Barons War(s) look to Provisions of Oxford, Provisions of Westminster and in particular the Battles of Lewes 1254 and the Battle of Evesham in 1265.