Order of Precedence

OK, you're planning a fabulous party and inviting all the hoi polloi. How do you know whom to sit next to whom? Who will be unutterably offended if they are partnered with someone of ahem ...lesser station? Which lady, when forced to converse with a paltry member of the nobility, will forever shun you and ruin all chances for your social acceptance? How will you know if Marquis Such-and-Such is of a higher rank than the Earl of Wherever?

Well, now you will. I'm not quite sure why you would care, but...

Rules

Peers are ranked within each title by the date of creation of the title. An Earl created in 1753 outranks an Earl created in 1754. Apparently, this can get pretty tight, and often only days separate some estates.

Titles within the Peerage are hereditary. The eldest son inherits the title and the estates. If no son is born, or if there are no children, the title passes to the brother of the title bearer, then to uncles, etc., down to the boy with the barest connection to the family by blood.

You were always recognized by your highest rank first. An Earl who was also Lord Chancellor was ranked as Lord Chancellor. Also, you could string all sorts of titles together. Bob could be Earl of Wherever, Viscount Here, Baron There.

Gentlemen were ranked within the framework of Baronets and Knights. Baronetcy carried with it an inheritable estate, while Knighthood did not.

A Lady, upon marrying someone higher up on the social scale, would rise to his status and was entitled to his title. A man did not change his status, and if he married a woman of higher status, would still not be eligible to assume her title. A gentleman marrying a widowed Countess is still only a gentleman, while a woman marrying a Count becomes a Countess.

A Gentleman was very clearly defined as someone with no real trade or occupation. You could not be a gentleman if you engaged in any sort of commerce or, basically, if you worked.

Royalty

The Sovereign
Sons of the Sovereign
Grandsons of the Sovereign
Brothers of the Sovereign
Nephews of the Sovereign
Uncles of the Sovereign
Younger princes of royal blood

Peers

Archbishop of Canterbury
Lord Chancellor
Archbishop of York, Archbishop of Armagh, Archbishop of Dublin
President of Council
Lord Privy Seal
Lord Great Chamberlain
The Earl Marshall
Lord Steward of Household
Dukes
.....if a Marquis:
Lord Great Chamberlain
Lord High Constable
Earl Marshall
Lord Steward of Household
Lord Chamberlain of Household
Marquises
Eldest sons of Dukes
.....if an Earl:
Lord Great Chamberlain
Lord High Constable
Earl Marshall
Lord Steward of Household
Lord Chamberlain of Household
Earls
Eldest sons of Marquises
Younger sons of Dukes
.....if a Count:
Lord Great Chamberlain
Lord High Constable
Lord Steward of Household
Lord Chamberlain of Household
Viscounts
Eldest sons of Earls
Younger sons of Marquises
Bishop of London, Bishop of Durham, Bishop of Wincester
English Bishops, by date of consecration
Bishop of Meath
Irish Bishops, by date of consecration
.....if a Baron:
Lord Great Chamberlain
Lord High Constable
Lord Steward of Household
Lord Chamberlain of Household
Barons
Speaker of the House of Commons
Commissioners of the Great Seal
Treasurer of the Household
Comptroller of the Household
Master of the Horse
Vice Chamberlain of the Household
Secretary of State, if below the rank of Baron
Eldest sons of Viscounts
Younger sons of Earls
Eldest sons of Barons

Gentlemen

Knights of the Garter
Privy Councillors, in order of appointment
Chancellor of the Garter
Chancellor of the Exchequer
Chancellor of Duchy of Lancaster
Chief Justice of Queen's Council
Master of the Rolls
Chief Justice of the Common Pleas
Chief Baron of Exchequer
Vice-Chancellors, in order of appointment
Puisne Judges of the Queen's Bench
Puisne Justices of Common Pleas
Puisne Barons of the Exchequer
Commissioners of Bankruptcy
Younger sons of Viscounts
Younger sons of Barons
Baronets of England, Scotland, Great Britain, Ireland
Knights of the Thistle
Knights of St. Patrick
Knights Grand Cross of the Bath
Knights Commanders of the Bath, St. Michael, and St. George
Knights Bachelors
Companions of the Bath, St. Michael, and St. George
Eldest sons of younger sons of peers
Eldest sons of Baronets
Eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of the Bath
Eldest sons of Knights Grand Cross of St. Michael, and St. George
Eldest sons of Knights Commanders of the Bath, St. Michael, and St. George
Eldest sons of Knights Bachelors
Younger sons of younger sons of Peers
Younger sons of Baronets
Esquires of the Sovereign's Body
Gentlemen of the Privy Chamber
Esquires of the Bath
Esquires by appointments or office
Younger sons of Knights
General and Flag Officers
Colonels in the Army, Captains in the Navy
Gentlemen entitled to bear arms.