Lords and Ladies

An attempt is being made to slow the rate at which hereditary titles become extinct; no I don’t know why either. Lord Trefgarne has introduced a Succession to Peerages Bill in the House of Lords which, if it receives Royal Assent, will allow hereditary titles to be inherited by the eldest child of either sex.

As it happens Lord Trefgarne has two sons both of whom are older than his daughter, so his legislation is entirely disinterested. However, meddling with ancient titles may have unintended consequences. First, some titles already pass through the female line. For example the oldest English barony, de Ros, was held from  1907 until 1983 by a succession of three baronesses, allowing Lord Stourton to claim to be the premier baron during those years.

May I digress? When the many-titled 23rd Lord Stourton (Charles) was serving in the Grenadier Guards in the Second World War he was challenged by a sentry and replied (pronouncing r as w) “Mowbray, Segrave and Stourton”. The sentry commanded, “come forward one and be recognised.”

An obvious short-coming in this proposed legislation is that no provision is made for either Irish Peers or any sort of baronets. Another aspect that has been ignored is whether splitting titles might be allowed. For example, might Lord Henley, who sits as Lord Northington, petition for his daughter (my goddaughter) to succeed to the Northington barony while his son would keep the Henley barony? Lord Northington, as a UK peer, is entitled to sit in the House of Lords (if elected); Lord Henley, as an Irish peer, cannot stand for election. (This is theoretical as his daughter is younger than his son.)

Over time there could be a lot more titled women. How are their husbands to be styled? It seems peculiar, although it would be correct, if the husband of a duchess were to be a commoner. The younger children of such a marriage would presumably take their father’s surname, while their elder brother/sister would inherit their mother’s title. As you will have observed, it will still be what is vulgarly called the Lucky Sperm Club but with daughters allowed to participate.

This draft legislation is a long way from becoming enshrined in law. It had a Second Reading in the Lords in September last year. The Committee stage has not been scheduled and, after that, there are a further eight stages in the Lords and Commons before it can get Royal Assent. I very much doubt that it will even get as far as the Commons. “Call it dumb, call it clever, you can get odds forever”, but I’m not betting on this Bill getting to the finishing post; after all, it is not part of this government’s long-term economic plan to prop up the peerage.

However, my goddaughter might like to join me in a loud rendition of Luck Be A Lady.