Lord of Parliament facts for kids
A Lord of Parliament is a special title in Scotland. It was the lowest rank of a noble title, called a peerage, that allowed someone to be part of the old Parliament of Scotland.
After Scotland and England joined together in 1707, this title became the lowest rank in the Peerage of Scotland. It ranks just below a viscount. When someone holds this title, it is called a Lordship of Parliament.
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What is a Lord of Parliament?
The noble titles in Scotland are a bit different from those in England or Ireland. In England and Ireland, the lowest noble title is a "baron." But in Scotland, a "baron" is usually a local lord who is not part of the peerage.
The Scottish title that is similar to an English or Irish baron is a Lord of Parliament.
How are they Addressed?
If a man holds this title, he is called a "Lord of Parliament." You would usually call him Lord X, where X is his family name or title.
If a woman holds this title, she is known as Lady X. The wife of a Lord of Parliament is also called Lady X.
Children of Lords of Parliament have a special way of being addressed. They are usually called The Honourable [First Name] [Last Name]. The oldest son who will inherit the title is called The Master of [peerage title]. If a daughter is expected to inherit the title, she might be called The Mistress of [peerage title].
When did these Titles Stop?
New Lordships of Parliament stopped being created in 1707. This was when Scotland and England formed one country, the Kingdom of Great Britain. Their parliaments also joined together.
Lords of Parliament in the House of Lords
From 1707 to 1963, Scottish nobles, including Lords of Parliament, chose a few people to represent them in the House of Lords. The House of Lords is part of the UK Parliament.
From 1963 to 1999, all Scottish nobles could sit in the House of Lords. But in 1999, a new law changed this. Most noble titles are passed down through families, and these are called hereditary peers. The new law took away their automatic right to sit in the House of Lords.
However, some hereditary peers can still sit if they are elected by other hereditary peers. In 1999, two Lords of Parliament were elected: Lord Reay and Lady Saltoun. After Lord Reay passed away in 2013, Lady Saltoun was the only one left. She later left the House of Lords in 2014.
Lords of Parliament and the Scottish Parliament
The current Scottish Parliament does not have special places for Lords of Parliament. However, a law from 1998 says that being a noble does not stop someone from being a member of the Scottish Parliament.
Other Uses of the Term
Sometimes, the term Lord/Lady of Parliament can also mean any member of the House of Lords. For example, some bishops who are called to the House of Lords are not nobles themselves, but they are still called Lords of Parliament.
See also
- Laird
- List of Lordships of Parliament
