Sir, – In his article on females and the aristocracy (“Royal rights for women escape the aristocracy”, World News, December 21st), Mark Hennessy draws attention to some “quirks” of the Irish peerage.
In fact, these quirks are present in the peerage of the United Kingdom too. The barony de Ros (pronounce roose), whose holder is called the Premier Baron of England, passes to heirs-general and not only heirs male. The 27th holder of that title, Georgiana Maxwell (1933-1983), was the first woman of her line to sit in the House of Lords. Likewise, the Earldom of Mar of the first creation, a title in the Scottish peerage, also passes to heirs-general and currently has a female heir presumptive. Several other ancient titles, such as the Barony le Despencer and the barony Mowbray, have had distinguished female holders. However, one more quirk does perhaps remain. When the holder of the barony de Ros is a woman, she is never styled as the premier baron of England. – Yours, etc,