is understood of a lord of the first rank or prime quality.

In Spain, the term grandees is used absolutely to denote 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.