Peerage of Britain and Ireland by date

From the early Middle Ages until early modern times, the nobility was the true basis of power for the English crown. The peerage was where the king would turn for military, judicial and administrative purposes, and the ruler who ignored his nobility, like Edward II, did so at great risk to his position. The peerage can perhaps best be compared to the cabinets of modern-day Prime Ministers or Presidents, though their power and responsibilities were much wider. The emergence of Parliament did not seriously erode the power of the nobility until, at the earliest, the 17th century.

Below can be found lists of the Peerage of England and Ireland during selected years of the Middle Ages. Though this approach naturally will exclude certain important individuals, the lists still work as snap-shots of the elite of the nation at regular intervals during the Middle Ages.

Up until 1340, when the first dukedom was created (1337), the lists only include Earls. From 1390 Marquessates are also included (1385), and from 1450 Viscountcies (1446).

v t e List of peers of Britain and Ireland by date
11th century	1060 1070 1080 1090
12th century	1100 1110 1120 1130 1140 1150 1160 1170 1180 1190
13th century	1200 1210 1220 1230 1240 1250 1260 1270 1280 1290
14th century	1300 1310 1320 1330 1340 1350 1360 1370 1380 1390
15th century	1400 1410 1420 1430 1440 1450 1460 1470 1480 1490
16th century	1500 1510 1520 1530 1540 1550 1560 1570 1580 1590
17th century	1600 1610 1620 1630 1640 1650 1660 1670 1680 1690
18th century	1700 1707 1720 1730 1740 1750 1760 1770 1780 1790