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A Peerage is a form of crown distinction, with Peerages in the United Kingdom comprising both hereditary and lifetime titled appointments of various ranks, which form both a constituent part of the legislative process and the British honours system within the framework of the Constitution of the United Kingdom.
The peerage forms the highest rung of what is termed the "British nobility". The term peerage can be used both collectively to refer to this entire body of titled nobility (or a subdivision thereof), and individually to refer to a specific title (modern English language-style using an initial capital in the latter case but not the former). British peerage title holders are termed peers of the Realm. "Lord" is used as a generic term to denote members of the peerage, however individuals who use the appellation Lord or Lady are not always necessarily peers (for example some judicial, ecclesiastic and others are often accorded the appellation "Lord" or "Lady" as a form of courtesy title as a product of their office).
The British monarch is considered the fount of honour and is notionally the only person who can grant peerages, though there are many conventions about how this power is used, especially at the request of the British government.
The peerage's fundamental roles are ones of law making and governance, with peers being eligible (although formerly entitled) to a seat in the House of Lords and having eligibility to serve in a ministerial role in the government if invited to do so by the monarch, or more conventionally in the modern era, by the prime minister.
Until the creation of the Supreme Court of the United Kingdom in 2009, the peerage also formed a constituent part of the British judicial system, via the Appellate Committee of the House of Lords.
The peerage also has a ceremonial aspect, and serves a role as a system of honour or award, with the granting of a peerage title forming the highest rung of the modern British honours system.
Within the United Kingdom, due to the hereditary nature of most peerage titles historically, five peerage divisions currently co-exist, namely:
- The Peerage of England – titles created by the kings and queens of England before the Acts of Union in 1707.
- The Peerage of Scotland – titles created by the kings and queens of Scotland before 1707.
- The Peerage of Great Britain – titles created for the Kingdom of Great Britain between 1707 and 1801.
- The Peerage of Ireland – titles created for the Kingdom of Ireland before the Acts of Union in 1801, and some titles created later.
- The Peerage of the United Kingdom – most titles created since 1801 to the present.