PEERS, in the former government of France, were twelve great lords of that kingdom; of which six were dukes and six counts; and of these, six were ecclesiastics and six laymen: thus the archbishop of Rheims, and the bishop of Loau and Langres, were dukes and peers; and the bishops of Chalons on the Marn, Noyons, and Beauvais, were counts and peers. The dukes of Burgundy, Normandy, and Aquitain, were lay peers and dukes; and the counts of Flanders, Champagne, and Toulouse, lay peers and counts. These peers assisted at the coronation of kings, either in person or by their representatives, where each performed the functions attached to his respective dignity: but as the six lay peerages were all united to the crown, except that of the count of Flanders, six lords of the first quality were chosen to represent them: but the ecclesiastical peers generally assisted in person. The title of peer was lately bestowed on every lord whose estate was erected into a peerage; the number of which, as it depended entirely on the king, was uncertain.