Orders of Precedence in Wessex

The  Order of precedence in Wessex is the sequential hierarchy for Peers of the Realm, officers of state, and holders of various Orders of Chivalry.

For information on the stylings and honors of the nobility look at: The Royal Warrant of the Nobility.



Peers of the Realm
The ranks of Peers are as follows: — Duke (and Duchess), Marquess (and Marchioness), Earl (and Countess), Viscount (and Viscountess), Baron (and Baroness), Baronets, Lords (The Lady), and Sirs (and Lady) of the nobility.

Within their own respective ranks, the rank of Peers correspond to the venerability (age) of the creation of their peerages, unless the current holder of a lower peerage has the title of "The Most Honorable", or "The Honorable", or "The Noble" in which case would move them ahead of a peer who does not hold a style great than his.

i.e. The Honorable 10th Duke of Blank would yeild prededence to The Most Honorable 5th Duke of Missing. Even though the Dukedom of Blank is older than the Dukedom of Missing, The current holder of the Dukedom of Missing has the additional style of "The Most Honorable" which ranks higher than Duke of Blank's style "The Honorable".

Subject to the same governing rules as detailed in the paragraphs above, the rank of the wives of Peers is also governed by the venerability (age) of the peerage. A dowager Peeress (widow of a deceased Peer) would however always precede the wife of the present Peer.