Feudal Lordship
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A feudal lordship is a title of nobility in Scotland. Most Scottish feudal lords are also barons, but some are not. A feudal lordship ranks just above feudal barons of regality, and just below a viscount. Any nobles above feudal barons are considered part of the peerage of Scotland, but are not automatically able to sit in the Parliament of Scotland. Feudal lords originally sat in parliament, and were granted land by the Crown. They were fewer in number, and costly to create.
A Feudal Lord is different from a Lord of Parliament in several ways. Lords of parliament are relatively modern, while all feudal lords predate 1587. Lords of parliament are often styled, "Lord (Surname)," while feudal lords have been recorded as either "Lord of (Placename)," or "Lord (Placename)." Current convention holds that feudal lords are addressed as "Lord of (Placename)," and should they be nominated to the House of Lords then become "Lord (Placename)." A feudal lordship no longer carries any inherent political power or priviledge. A non-parliamentary feudal lord may be addressed as "The Much Honorable (Firstname) (Surname), Lord of (Placename)" or as "His Lordship," although both are somewhat antiquated and very formal. Most usually use "(Firstname) (Lastname) of (Placename), Lord of (Placename)" or prefer to simply be called, "(Placename)."
A female Lord is usually referred to as "Lady." The wife of a Lord receives the courtesy title "Lady (Placename)," but the husband of a Lady is just plain "Mr. (Surname)"
A feudal lordship is not to be confused with a manorial lordship, which is not a title of nobility.
Scottish titles, in order of precedence, are as follows: Duke, Marquis, Earl, Viscount, Lord, Baronet, Knight, Baron/Laird, Chief, Esquire, Gentleman.
[edit] References
Register of the Great Seal of Scotland; Abolition of Feudal Tenure Act, Scotland; Statutes of 1592 and the Baronetcy Warrants of Charles I
