Everything that you ever needed to know about British titles and the honours system - in the present and in history - in one easy to read and informative book. Have you ever wondered what the British aristocracy's titles are, how and when they were created, what their social history is? What do these people wear on ceremonial occasions? What are the Orders of the Bath and the Order of Merit and why are they different to the Order of the Garter? Which titles have become extinct and why? Do present day Dukes and Earls live in fairytale castles or do they have jobs like the rest of us? Life peers outnumber hereditary peers in the House of Lords. Why and who are these life peers? Find out about M.B.E's, O.B.E's and C.B.E's, knighthoods, damehoods, and chivalric orders that date back hundreds of years. A number of titles were invented to give Charles II's illegitimate children status. But which ones? In 1917 a number of royals found themselves retitled but not to the same rank as they'd held before World War One. Why and who were they? Why did people refuse particular honours? e.g. Winston Churchill. Who has been stripped of their honours? This book gives you the answers and many many more interesting facts about honours in British history. Please enjoy this book about British social history, heritage, culture and social graces.