BARONET, a dignity or degree of honour next beneath a baron, and above a knight; having precedence of all knights excepting those of the garter, and being the only knighthood that is hereditary.
The dignity of baronet is given by patent, and is the lowest degree of honour that is hereditary. The order was founded by King James I. at the suggestion of Sir Robert Cotton, in 1611, when 200 baronets were created at once; to which number it was intended they should always be restrained: but it is now enlarged at the king's pleasure, without limitation.
They had several considerable privileges given them, with an habendum to them and their heirs male. They were allowed to charge their coat with the arms of Ulster, which are, in a field argent, a sinister hand, gules; and that upon condition of their defending the province of Ulster in Ireland against the rebels, who then harassed it extremely: to which end they were each to raise and keep up 30 soldiers at their own expence for three years together, or to pay into the exchequer a sum sufficient to do it; which, at 8 d. per day per head, was L. 1095. So that, including fees, the expence of this dignity may be about L. 1200 sterling. To be qualified for it, one must be a gentleman born, and have a clear estate of L. 1000 per annum.
Baronets take place according to the dates of their patents; by the terms of which no honour is to be created between barons and baronets. The title Sir is granted them by a peculiar clause in their patents, tho' they be not dubbed knights: but both a baronet, and his eldest son, being of full age, may claim knighthood. — The first baronet who was created was Sir Nicholas Bzcon of Redgrave in Suffolk, whose successor is therefore styled Primus Baronetorum Anglie.
BARONETS of Scotland, called also Baronets of Nova Scotia. The order of knights-baronets was also designed to be established in Scotland in the year 1621, by King James I. for the plantation and cultivation of the province of Nova Scotia in America; but it was not actually instituted till the year 1625 by his son Charles I. when the first person dignified with this title was Sir Robert Gordon of Gordonstone, a younger son of the Earl of Sutherland. The king granted a certain portion of land in Acadia or New Scotland, to each of them, which they were to hold of Sir William Alexander (afterwards Earl of Stirling), for their encouragement who should hazard their lives for the good and increase of that plantation, with precedence to them, and their heirs-male for ever, before all knights called equites aurati, and all lesser barons called lairds, and all other gentlemen, except Sir William Alexander his majesty's lieutenant in Nova Scotia, his heirs, their wives and children; that the title of Sir should be prefixed to their Christian name, and Baronet added to their surname; and that their own and their eldest sons wives should enjoy the title of Lady, Madam, or Dame.
— His majesty was so desirous of adding every mark of dignity to this his favourite order, that, four years after its institution, he issued a royal warrant, granting them the privilege of wearing an orange ribbon and a medal; which last was presented to each of them by the king himself, according to the words of the warrant. All the privileges of the order, particularly this of wearing the medal, were confirmed at the king's request by the convention of estates in the year 1630; and in order to establish them on the most solid foundation, they were again confirmed by an act of the parliament of Scotland in the year 1633. This mark of distinction fell to the ground with all the other honours of Scotland during the usurpation of the long parliament and of Oliver Cromwell. It continued in general, though not total, disuse, after the Restoration. There have been former meetings of the order to revive the use of it, one in the year 1721, and another in 1734. These meetings proved ineffectual, because the proper steps towards its revival were not taken; but, under the auspices of our illustrious monarch George III. such measures were concerted in the year 1775 as have effectually established this honourable dignity.
BARONETS of Ireland. This order was likewise instituted by King James I. in the 18th year of his reign, for the same purpose and with the same privileges within the kingdom of Ireland, as he had conferred on the like order in England; for which the Irish baronets paid the same fees into the treasury of Ireland. The first of that kingdom who was advanced to this hereditary dignity was Sir Francis Biundell, then secretary for the affairs of Ireland. Since his time, several have been created, no number being limited.