a modern degree of honour, next to a baron, created by K. James I. in order to propagate a plantation in Ulster in Ireland, for which purpose each of them was to maintain thirty soldiers in Ireland, for three years, after the rate of eight pence sterling per day to each soldier. The honour is hereditary, and they have the precedence of all knights, except those of the garter, bannerets, and privy-counsellors. They are styled baronets in all writs, and the addition of Sir is attributed to them, as the title of Lady is to their wives. No honour is be created between barons and baronets.