PEERS of France, the twelve great lords of that kingdom, of which six are dukes, and six counts; and of these, six are ecclesiastics, and six laymen; thus, the archbishop of Rheims, and the bishop of Lyon and Langres are dukes and peers; and the bishops of Chalon on the Marne, Noyons, and Beauvais, are counts and peers. The dukes of Burgundy, Normandy, and Aquitain, are lay peers and dukes; and the counts of Flanders, Champaign, and Toulouse, lay peers and counts. These peers still assist at the coronation of kings, either in person or by their representatives, where each performs the functions attached to his respective dignity; but as the six lay peerages are all at present united to the crown except that of the count of Flanders, six lords of the first quality are chosen to represent them; but the ecclesiastical peers usually assist in person. At present the title of peer is bestowed on every lord whose estate is erected into a peerage, the num-
ber of which is uncertain, and it depends entirely on the king.