BARONET (Fr. dimin. of baron). The low est degree of hereditary honor in Great Britain. The name baronet or bannaret was originally applied to the lesser barons of the kingdom, but passed out of use with time. The order of baronets was created in 1611 by King James I., for the ostensible object of promoting the plan tation of Ulster, in Ireland; but in reality for the purpose of refilling his depleted exchequer. The sum exacted, with the fees of honor due to the officers, amounted to upward of £1000 on each patent. Every person, however, who sought the dignity of a baronet was compelled to give proof that he was a gentleman of blood, and had an annual income of more than £1000. It was part of the bargain that no title should he created between a baronet and a baron, and that the number of the former should be per mitted to diminish as the families of the original two died out. The latter stipulation was very speedily departed from. Irish baronets were created until 1800, since which period all baronetcies are of the United Kingdom. There is
no limit to the creation of baronets but the will of the sovereign. At investiture there is no ceremony. The rank is communicated by patent or writ. According to the patent, the rank may be confined to direct heirs-male; or extended to heirs-male collateral, and sometimes, in default of direct male heirs. to the husbands of heirs female. The rank of baronet does not raise a person above the rank of commoner. Baronets of Scotland and Nova Scotia were instituted in 1625 by Charles 1. for the purpose of encour aging the settlement of Nova Scotia. There are no new additions to this branch of the baronet age; the latest creation having been in 1707, the year of the union of Scotland and England. Though created for a mercenary object, the order of baronet has always constituted a conservative force in the political and social life of Great Britain, consisting as it does of men of wealth and influence.