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A baronet (traditional abbreviation Bart, modern abbreviation Bt) is the holder of a species of knighthood known as a baronetcy. The title was introduced by James I of England in 1611 to raise funds. It is an hereditary honour, but it does not amount to a peerage. Baronets use the title "Sir" before their name, but whereas all other knighthoods apply to an individual only, a baronetcy is hereditary. The eldest son of a baronet who is born in wedlock is entitled to accede to the baronetcy upon the death of his father. With a few exceptions, baronetcies can only be inherited by, or inherited through, males.
Originally Baronets also had other rights, including the right to have their eldest son knighted on his 21st birthday. However, beginning in the reign of George IV these rights have been gradually revoked, on the grounds that sovereigns should not be bound by acts made by their predecessors.
It is now rare for new baronetcies (like all hereditary titles) to be created, but one notable recent example is that of the late Sir Denis Thatcher, the husband of former Prime Minister (and now baroness) Margaret Thatcher. Upon his death in 2003, their eldest son became the 2nd Baronet, Sir Mark Thatcher.
Baronet is not a peerage title and does not disqualify the holder from standing for election to the British House of Commons. However since 1999 neither do hereditary peerages, so the distinction has become historical. A number of Baronets were returned in the 2001 General Election. A full list of British Baronets can be found in Burke's Peerage and Baronetage .
Some notable baronets:
- Sir George Cayley (Aviation pioneer)
- Sir Humphry Davy (Chemist)
- Sir Edward Elgar (Composer)
- Sir Oswald MosleySir Oswald Ernald Mosley, 6th Baronet ( November 16, 1896 December 3, 1980) was a British politician and founder of the British Union of Fascists. He was also the sixth baronet of a title established in 1720. Mosley's family were Anglo-Irish but his branc (Fascist)
- Sir Robert PeelSee also Robert Peel (Christian Science The Right Honourable Sir Robert Peel, 2nd Baronet ( February 5, 1788 July 2, 1850) was British Prime Minister from December 1834 to April 1835, and again from June 1841 to June 29, 1846. Born in Bury, Lancashire to (Politician)
- Sir Robert Baden-Powell (Founder of the world scoutingFor professional sport scouts, see Scout (sport). Scouting is a world-wide youth organization. Its aim is to develop young people physically, spiritually and mentally through non-formal education with emphasis on practical activities in the outdoors so th movement)
See also:
- Baronetage of EnglandThe Baronetage of England comprises all baronetcies created in the Kingdom of England before the Act of Union in 1707. In that year, the Baronetage of England and Baronetage of Nova Scotia were replaced by the Baronetage of Great Britain. Many baronets al
- Baronetage of Ireland
- Baronetage of Nova ScotiaThe Baronetage of Nova Scotia was devised in 1624 as a means of settling the plantation of that province. King James I announced his intention of creating a hundred baronets, each of whom was to support six colonists for two years (or pay 2000 marks in li
- Baronetage of Great Britain
- Baronetage of the United Kingdom
- List of BaronetciesThis page lists all baronetcies, extant, extinct, dormant, abeyant, or forfeit, in the baronetages of England, Nova Scotia, Great Britain, Ireland and the United Kingdom. Baronetcies in the Baronetage of England, 1611-1707 References Lists of peerages. (presently incomplete)
Titles
