PEER, in general, signifies an equal, or one of the same rank and station: hence in the acts of some councils, we find these words, with the consent of our peers, bishops, abbots, &c. Afterwards the same term was applied to the vassals or tenants of the same lord, who were called peers, because they were all equal in condition, and obliged to serve and attend him in his courts; and peers in fief, because they all held fiefs of the same lord.
The term peers is now applied to those who are impanelled in an inquest upon a person for convicting or acquitting him of any offence laid to his charge: and the reason why the jury is so called, is because, by the common law and the custom of this kingdom, every person is to be tried by his peers or equals; a lord by the lords, and a commoner by commoners. See the article JURY.