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A marquess ( English spelling) or '''marquis''' ( North American English and the original French spelling) is a Nobleman of hereditary rank in various European monarchies and some of their colonies. The term is also used to render equivalent oriental styles as in imperial China and Japan. In the British Peerage it ranks below a Duke and above an Earl , on the continent usually equivalent where a cognate title exists. A woman with the rank of marquess, or the wife of a marquess, is a '''marchioness''', ( IPA Pronunciation : ) or '''marquise''' (North American English and the original French spelling). ORIGIN The original title was Margrave , or rather its original in German, ''Markgraf'', with a few equivalents in other languages in use in parts of the Holy Roman Empire (such as ''Markgraaf'' in Dutch, ''Margravio'' in Italian). The English word derives via the Middle French ''marquis'' (feminine, ''marquise'') from Old French ''Marchis'' from Medieval Latin ''marca'' "frontier, frontier territory", ultimately from a Germanic word for 'border' (''mark'') which in English became march, plural Marches . The French form ''marquis'', recorded in English since 1300, is still sometimes used (especially in Scotland), though ''marquess'' is now the preferred British usage. They were originally Count s who were granted extra powers because they guarded border areas. This gave them precedence over other counts (in England, earls). This origin is still evident in the German language (''Mark+graf''=March+count). In Venice, so many of the nobles in the '' in 1861: all the patricians of Genoa were declared ''marchesi al cognome'' ("marchesi by name"—"only" being implied). BRITISH MARQUESSES Peerage of England Unlike the continent, in England (later Britain, ultimately the UK) the monarchy is the only authority capable of awarding hereditary titles. It managed to keep a tight grip on aristocratic titles, so the ranks of the Peerage still correspond fairly neatly to the wealth of those who bear titles. Thus, there are currently only 34 marquessates (see List ). The first marquess in England was Robert De Vere, 9th Earl Of Oxford , who was created Marquess Of Dublin by Richard II on 1 December 1385 . On 13 October 1386 , the patent of this marquessate was recalled, and Robert de Vere was raised to Duke Of Ireland . John Beaufort, 1st Earl Of Somerset , the second legitimate son of John Of Gaunt , was raised to the second marquessate as Marquess Of Dorset in September 1397 . In 1399 , he was disgraced, and the king revoked his marquessate. The Commons petitioned Richard for his restoration but he himself objected stating ''"the name of marquess is a strange name in this realm"''. From that period the title appears to have been dormant till the reign of Henry VI, when it was revived in 1442. The only woman to be created a marchioness in her own right was Lady Anne Boleyn , who was created Marchioness of Pembroke in preparation for her marriage to Henry VIII . The investiture ceremony was held at Windsor Castle on September 1 1532 . Forms of address |
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