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.