The Ancient Styles and Designations of Persons. 325 
Society, and in the paper announcing its first annual meeting, our 
noble President has “ The Most Honorable” prefixed to his title ; 
and yet in Gwillim’s Heraldry (Honor Civil, chap. 5, page 102 of 
the Ed. of 1724) there is “the effigies of the Most Noble Charles 
Marquess of Winchester.” 
The uncertainty in this respect no doubt arises from these being 
Styles of Courtesy as contradistinguished from Titles of Dignity. 
Even in the cases of our Sovereigns their styles have been changed 
from time to time. In the reigns of the Sovereigns of the House 
of Tudor, they were styled “ The King’s Grace ;” after that, ‘“ His 
Highness ;” and finally the style of Majesty was assumed. 
In Gwillim’s Heraldry (Honor Civil, before cited, page 2) it is 
said that “a Duke hath the title of Grace,” and being written unto 
is styled “‘Most High, Potent, and Noble Prince ;”’ and Dukes of 
the royal blood are styled “Most High, Most Mighty, and Illus- 
trious Princes.” And of a Marquis he says, “ He hath the title of 
Most Noble and Puissant Prince.” And he further states that 
“ An Earl had formerly the title of Prince, but now is ‘ Most Noble 
and Puissant Lord;’ as also, ‘The Right Honourable and truly 
Noble’.” And of a Viscount he says, “ He hath the title of ‘The 
Most Noble, Potent, and Honorable’.”’ 
But it is worthy of observation that the Sovereign, in letters 
patent, commissions, charters, or grants, never addresses a Peer as 
“His Grace,” “Most Honorable,” “Right Honorable,” &c.; but 
addresses a Duke as 
“Our right trusty and right entirely beloved cousin,! John Duke of — ;” 
a Marquis as 
“Our right trusty and entirely beloved cousin,! Charles Marquis of — ;” 
an Earl as 
“Our right trusty and right well beloved cousin,! Henry Earl of — ;” 
a Viscount or Baron as 
“Our right trusty and well beloved,? James Viscount [or Baron] —.” 
1 If the person addressed be a Privy Councillor, the words ‘and councillor” 
are here inserted. 
2 “ And councillor,” if the person addressed be a member of the Privy Council. 
