GRANDEE, is underblood of a lord of the first rank
or prime quality.
In Spain, the term grandees is used absolutely to de-
note the prime lords of the court, to whom the king
has once given leave to be covered in his presence:
there are some grandees for life only; made by the
king's saying simply, Be covered. Others are grandees
by descent; made by the king's saying, Be covered for
thyself and heirs. These last are reputed far above
the former.
There are some who have three or four grandeeships
in their family.