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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 14

Statistics of the Peerage

Statistics of the Peerage.

Increase of the Peerage.

At the death of Queen Elizabeth, in 1603, there were only 56 Peers
James I. raised their number to 105 Peers
Charles I. raised their number to 135 Peers
Charles II. created fifteen Dukes alone, six of whom were his own bastards, and at his death, in 1685, the House of Lords numbered 176 Peers
At the decease of William III., in 1702 192 Peers
At the decease of Anne, in 1714 209 Peers
At the decease of George I., in 1727 216 Peers
At the decease of George II., in 1760 229 Peers
At the decease of George III., in 1820 339 Peers
At the decease of George IV., in 1830 396 Peers
At the decease of William IV., in 1837 456 Peers

Composition of the House of Peers.

Dukes. Marquises. Earls. Viscounts. Barons. Representing Scotland. Representing Ireland. Total Lay Peers. Archbishops and Bishops. Grand Total.
1st year of Anne 21 1 65 9 66 ... ... 162 26 188
1st year of George I. 23 2 74 11 67 16 ... 193 26 219
1st year of George II. 31 1 71 15 69 16 ... 196 26 222
1st year of George III. 25 1 81 12 63 16 ... 198 26 224
1st year of George IV. 25 17 100 22 134 16 28 342 30 372
1st year of William IV. 23 18 103 22 160 16 28 370 30 400
1st year of Victoria 24 19 111 19 192 16 28 409 30 439
1886, September 27 20 118 29 281 16 28 519 26 545

On the union with Scotland, in 1707, the Scotch Peers created before that date became entitled to select 16 of their number to Bit with those of Great Britain: selections to take place for each new Parliament.

On the union with Ireland, in 1801, the Irish Peers created before that date had a similar privilege conceded to them, being empowered to elect for life 28 of their number to sit in the House of Lords.

Of Irish Peers unentitled to sit there, the Sovereign is enabled to create an additional one for every four old patents that become extinct.

Of Life Peers there are three Law Lords, having the right to sit and vote, but not to hand down their titles.

Irish Peers not in the House of Lords may contest any constituency (not Irish) for the House of Commons. Scotch Peers may not contest any at all.

Important Dates in the History of the Peerage.

  • 6 February, 1649.—The House of Lords abolished by resolution of the Commons.
  • 7 February, 1856.—Refused to admit Lord Wensleydale as a Life Peer.
  • 31 March, 1868.—Abolished voting by proxy.
  • 13 July, 1871.—Passed Act depriving bankrupt Peers of seat and vote.
  • 5 October, 1876.—Lords Blackburn and Gordon admitted as Life Peers.