Baronet/Baronetess
A baronet (abbreviated Bart or Bt) or the female equivalent, a baronetess (abbreviation Btss), is the holder of a baronetcy, a hereditary title awarded by the Crown. A baronet is addressed as "Sir" (just as is a Knight ) or "Dame" in the case of a baronetess but ranks above all knighthoods and damehoods in the order of precedence. Baronets belong to the lesser nobility and would typically have lands that included a manor and the surrounding farmland, though a landless baronet would not carry the same shame of being landless that a higher title would. A baronet would oversee the village or town associated with their manor, but unlike a Baron/Baroness or higher that would own the land through title, a baronet would be primarily administrative in service to a direct liege-lord.
Unlike knighthoods – which apply to the recipient only – a baronetcy is hereditarily entailed. The eldest child of a baronet who is born in wedlock succeeds to a baronetcy upon his father/mother's death but will not be officially recognized until his name is recognized by the Crown. Baronetcies often pass to the eldest child, though different cultures may prioritize male or female children, and a baronet has the right to designate a younger child heir should he feel it justified.
A baronetcy is not a peerage; so, baronets, like knights and junior members of peerage families, are commoners and not peers of the realm. Baronets have the right to have the eldest son knighted on his 21st birthday.
The wife of a baronet is addressed and referred to as "Lady [surname]," regardless of context. Her given name is used only when necessary to distinguish between two holders of the same title. For example, if a baronet has died and the title has passed to his son, the widow (the new baronet's mother) will remain "Lady [surname]" if the new baronet is unmarried or never marries. But, if he is married or becomes married then his wife becomes "Lady [surname]" while his mother will be known by the style "[name], Lady [surname]". Alternatively, the mother may prefer to be known as "The Dowager Lady [surname]". A previous wife will also become "[name], Lady [surname]" to distinguish her from the current wife of the incumbent baronet. She would not be "Lady [full name]", a style reserved for the daughters of dukes, marquesses, and counts. As with knight's, the husband of a baronet would be addressed as "Mr. [surname]." Unlike with a wife, the husband is not granted longstanding courtesy, meaning that should he cease to be the husband for any reason he returns to whatever his current station would entail.
The children of a baronet are not entitled to the use of any courtesy titles aside from "Master/Mistress [name/surname]."
Unlike knighthoods – which apply to the recipient only – a baronetcy is hereditarily entailed. The eldest child of a baronet who is born in wedlock succeeds to a baronetcy upon his father/mother's death but will not be officially recognized until his name is recognized by the Crown. Baronetcies often pass to the eldest child, though different cultures may prioritize male or female children, and a baronet has the right to designate a younger child heir should he feel it justified.
A baronetcy is not a peerage; so, baronets, like knights and junior members of peerage families, are commoners and not peers of the realm. Baronets have the right to have the eldest son knighted on his 21st birthday.
Methods of Address
Like knights, baronets are accorded the style "Sir [name]." and baronetesses use "Dame [name]," regardless of context. Wives of baronets are not baronetesses; only women holding baronetcies in their own right are so styled.The wife of a baronet is addressed and referred to as "Lady [surname]," regardless of context. Her given name is used only when necessary to distinguish between two holders of the same title. For example, if a baronet has died and the title has passed to his son, the widow (the new baronet's mother) will remain "Lady [surname]" if the new baronet is unmarried or never marries. But, if he is married or becomes married then his wife becomes "Lady [surname]" while his mother will be known by the style "[name], Lady [surname]". Alternatively, the mother may prefer to be known as "The Dowager Lady [surname]". A previous wife will also become "[name], Lady [surname]" to distinguish her from the current wife of the incumbent baronet. She would not be "Lady [full name]", a style reserved for the daughters of dukes, marquesses, and counts. As with knight's, the husband of a baronet would be addressed as "Mr. [surname]." Unlike with a wife, the husband is not granted longstanding courtesy, meaning that should he cease to be the husband for any reason he returns to whatever his current station would entail.
The children of a baronet are not entitled to the use of any courtesy titles aside from "Master/Mistress [name/surname]."
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