How Aristocratic of You! and The Cowboy Duke

What has the British aristocracy to do with a romance novel written by an American author? What is a Cowboy Duke for Pete’s sake?  Ladies and Gentlemen, saints and sinners, allow me to answer these compelling questions in my own humble words.

First, let’s talk about the class structure of class structure among the British.  The British peerage has evolved over the centuries into the five ranks that exist today. In descending order, these are duke, marquess, earl (count), viscount, and baron. Until 1999, peers were entitled to sit in the House of Lords and were exempt from jury duty. Titles may be hereditary or granted for life. In 1998 Tony Blair’s Labor government introduced legislation depriving 750 hereditary peers of their 700-year-old right to sit and vote in the upper chamber, the House of Lords. Future votes and compromises were necessary before restructuring of the House of Lords could occur, but at this writing, the number of members in the House of Lords is 755.  I’m no quite sure what Mr. Blair’s legislation achieved if there are now 5 more members than when it was introduced. The House of Lords is the only upper house of any bicameral parliament in the world to be larger than its lower house.

Currently, there are 24 dukes, not including Royal dukes, in the UK. Besides the dukedoms of Cornwall and Lancaster, the oldest extant title is that of Duke of Norfolk. This dukedom dates from 1483 (the title was first created in 1397). The Duke of Norfolk is considered the premier duke of England. The premier duke of Scotland is the Duke of Hamilton and Brandon. The premier duke of Ireland is the Duke of Leicester.

There are 34 Marquesses; 191 Earls; 111 Viscounts; and 426 hereditary Barons.

The heroine in The Cowboy Duke is the Duchess of Langdon. So, you can see that if she existed, she’d be high in the pecking order. She would most likely sit in the House of Lords and probably rub shoulders with royalty. At one point in the book, she realizes that Charlie (the hero) is more of a prince than most of the aristocracy she knows. It’s then she understands she’s falling for the cowboy—contrary to her father’s wishes. On his death bed, she promised her dad that she’d marry only aristocracy or royalty. A far cry from Charlie.

Charlie is simply a hardworking, red-blooded Texas cowboy. His roots grow deep in the soil of The Lone Star State. There are so many obstacles in the path of these unlikely lovers that romance is indeed a rougher ride than the broncs Charlie rode in the rodeo.

Dorothy has to overcome her highhanded ways. Her Duchessness and Charlie his commonness (though he is an uncommon man).

If they were to marry, would Charlie automatically become a Duke?  No. The only way he would become a Duke is if the King conferred the title on him.  There is a mistake in the book that could not have been avoided. Dorothy says that she’d petition the Queen for the title for Charlie. The book was released shortly before Queen Elizabeth died. Of course, now King Charles would be petitioned.

Having probably given more answer than there was interest, I’ll leave you now with Happy Trails until we meet again on November 14^th. Happy Halloween, Everyone! ~ Linda

Buy Link for The Cowboy Duke