viscountcy
Aristocratic hereditary title
The rank, title, or domain of a viscount—a nobleman ranking below an earl and above a baron.
The term refers either to the position itself or to the territory over which a viscount has authority: He inherited the viscountcy from his uncle.
Also spelled viscounty.
Low-ranking peer
- earlBritish hereditary noble rank
- marquessNobleman below duke
- dukeHighest-ranking nobleman
- baronetHereditary British "Sir"
nobility · aristocracy · gentry · peerage · precedence · hierarchy · gradation · echelon
Obvious; inventor's monopoly
- creationMaking something exist
- ennoblementConferring noble rank
- investitureCeremony conferring rank
- coronetSmall noble's circlet
dignity · honour · style · courtesy · precedence · heraldry · armorial · mantling
Property received from ancestors
- successionFollowing in order
- heirOne who receives legacy
- descendantPerson from earlier generations
- ancestryFamily line of descent
pedigree · bloodline · dynasty · primogeniture · entail · remainder · creation · extinction
Area of control
- demesneLord's private estate
- estateProperty and grounds
- manorLanded aristocratic residence
- landsComes to ground
jurisdiction · county · shire · province · district · region · holding · seat
Pledged devotion to authority
- vassalLand-holding sworn subordinate
- liegeFeudal superior or subject
- suzerainLord over vassals
- homageExpression of deep respect
overlord · tenure · obligation · allegiance · knight · bannerman · stewardship · seneschal
baron
Low-ranking peer
baronet · nobility · aristocracy · gentry · peerage · precedence · hierarchy · gradation · echelon · order
patent
Obvious; inventor's monopoly
- creationMaking something exist
- ennoblementConferring noble rank
- investitureCeremony conferring rank
coronet · dignity · honour · style · courtesy · precedence · heraldry · armorial · mantling · ensigns
inheritance
Property received from ancestors
- successionFollowing in order
- heirOne who receives legacy
- descendantPerson from earlier generations
ancestry · pedigree · bloodline · dynasty · primogeniture · entail · remainder · creation · extinction · dormancy
domain
Area of control
lands · jurisdiction · county · shire · province · district · region · holding · seat · bailiwick
fealty
Pledged devotion to authority
homage · overlord · tenure · obligation · allegiance · knight · bannerman · stewardship · seneschal · bailiff