Baroniet

Baroniet is a term used in some legal and historical contexts to refer to a barony, which is a territorial division often held by a baron. Historically, baronetcies were hereditary titles of honor in the United Kingdom, granted by the Crown, but distinct from peerages. Baronetcies were a lesser rank than baron, but higher than knights. They were created by King James I in 1611 to raise funds for the settlement of Ulster in Ireland. The title of baronet was not a peerage, meaning baronets did not have a seat in the House of Lords. Unlike peerages, baronetcies could be inherited by heirs male. The creation of new baronetcies ceased in 1964. Today, existing baronetcies continue to be passed down according to the specific limitations of their creation.