RE: Dominus/miles

Yes, I knew most of this. (I was at a weekend house party years ago
where
another guest was Edward, the present Duke of Norfolk. He was introduced
as "Teddy Arrrrndle" (no Surrey). His infant son, who was also there,
was
introduced as "Maltr'vers" -- a suitably aged courtesy title.)

Peter analogizes using Sir with Earl to using Baron with Earl. But the
difference, as previously noted, is that earl outranks baron on the same

track (peerage) while earl does not outrank knight on the chivalric
track.

What I am trying to learn is whether it is better form to write "Richard
Neville, Earl of Warwick" or "Sir Richard Neville, Earl of Warwick" in a
genealogical or historical article or book. Burke's Peerage (103d
edition)
is wildly inconsistent on this and so is no help.

I'd much appreciate the input of others, especially Brits.

Tim Powys-Lybbe...

One of the sources for later medieval usage is the titles on the stall
plates of the knights of the garter in St George's chapel, Windsor. I
happen to have a copy of St John Hope's book of the plantagenet such
stall plates, ie before 1485. In a week or so, when the English tax
gathering season is behind me, I will make a list of the usages of the
87 such knights and report back; until then, there is no time.

Unless someone gets there before me!

Peter Stewart...

On the whole it would be wise not to categorise your sources of
information according to nationality - this is somewhat like preferring
to have Catholics tell you about Roman theology, when a Protestant who
has studied it with a purpose may well know far more about the subject.
My experience in these matters comes from official practice, in
England, not from books that are available everywhere.

The essential point you are missing is that the monarch is the fount of
honour - so the idea that a title of knighthood and one from a peerage
come from "different tracks" is misleading: the source is the same.

Titles, including foreign ones, may only used by British subjects in
the British Isles with the monarch's permission. The same principles of
rank and seniority apply to correct usage, whether the title happens to
be "Sir" or "Lord" or "Duke".

"Sir Forename Surname" is a style of the late medieval gentry that
became established as a convenient means of distinguishing knights from
esquires, when there was no other nomenclature in English to designate
their relative rank, not amongst the nobility to distinguish knighted
peers from others.

Peter Stewart