Viscount

(Fr. Vicomte, It. Visconte, Sp. Vizconde, Port. Vizconde)

The fourth rank of nobility in Great Britain, being above a baron and below an earl.

The origin of this title is very plainly signified by its name. Like all others, it at first designated the office of the bearer; and, like them, it has long been purely titular. When dukes and counts enjoyed the feudal government of a portion of country, they found it convenient, especially those whose jurisdictions were extensive, to appoint delegates to act in subordination to them and dependent on them in certain towns and districts. As the dignity of count was more prevalent, these delegates obtained the title of vice-comites, which has ever since remained, with such alterations as the language of each nation required. The officers thus appointed soon imitated towards their superiors the conduct which they had exhibited towards their own sovereign. It is certain, that the feudal dukes and counts, in all instances, secured to themselves a power and independence much more extensive than that which the king intended to confer, one of the greatest of these encroachments was being to make their dignity hereditary. In the same manner did their delegates, the viscounts, appropriated to themselves a property, in the power with which they were entrusted, and perpetuated it to their descendants.

When thus established as a separate rank, the sovereign adopted it, and granted it in the same manner as other feudal honours, with the exception that it generally conveyed but a civil jurisdiction. The reason for this may be found in the nature of its origin; for, as criminal jurisdiction is always considered one of the essentials of sovereignty, it is natural, that the petty feudal sovereigns, in commissioning their delegates, withheld from them a power which they had so eagerly usurped for themselves.

After the title of viscount became one of royal grant, it still continued to be bestowed by the first donors; but their creations were considered as inferior to those of the king.

The periods at which the title originated, and of its different stages, cannot be ascertained with exactness; it is most probable, that it had its origin in France.

The method of creation is also a subject of dispute: by some, it is said to have consisted in nothing more than giving into the hand a rod of gold; and that this was bestowed, of course, upon every one possessed of three or four baronies, on which ten gentlemen depended. It is also said that the form differed in nothing from the creation of an earl except that, instead of a sword, a dagger was girded on. Creation by patent came into use with this title at the same time as with others.

In Spain, the course of the title was the same as that already described; but, in that country, till the title was established as a distinct order, the heirs-apparent of Condes were always styled Vizcondes.

In England, the office implied in the word viscount, or deputy-governor of a county, has always belonged to the sheriff, and the former name was introduced as a title of honour by Henry VI who, in the eighteenth year of his reign, made John, Lord Beaumont, Viscount Beaumont by patent. This was soon followed by the French patent, conveying to him the feudal viscounty in France; and, not long after, another was issued to assign him the precedence due to his new title, which was between that of earl and baron, the place which it has always occupied.

The coronet of a viscount, which was first assigned to English viscounts in the reign of King James I, is decorated with twelve balls or pearls, only seven of which can be shown in drawings. In other countries where this title has been adopted, it is ornamented with an unlimited and, generally, numerous row of pearls close to the rim. Viscounts have, likewise, a surcoat, hood, mantle and verge; the guards of the mantle or robe being two and a half of plain white fur, called miniver, as a distinguishing mark from that of a baron, which has but two guards of the like fur. A viscount is usually styled by the king our right-trusty and well-beloved cousin; has the privilege of having a cover of essay held under his cup when he drinks, and a travers in his own house; and a viscountess may have her train borne by a woman in the presence of a countess, but out of it by a man. The eldest son of a viscount has no title of peerage, nor are his daughters ladies, but his eldest son takes precedence of all gentry, and before the younger sons of earls and eldest sons of barons.

See Precedence and Nobility.

WILLIAM BERRY (Edited)