Text this colour links to Pages. Text this colour links to Family Trees. Place the mouse over images to see a larger image. Click on paintings to see the painter's Biography Page. Mouse over links for a preview. Move the mouse off the painting or link to close the popup.
Created Baronetesses of England is in Baronetcies of England.
A Baronet is a Commoner. Baronets are eligible for election to the House of Commons. Baronets are not part of the Peerage.
Baronetcies did occur before 1600, but very rarely. The title appears to have been equivalent to Banneret.
In 1611 King James I of England and Ireland and VI of Scotland granted letters patent to two hundred gentlemen, of good birth with an income of at least £1,000 a year, in return for which each was required to pay for the upkeep of thirty soldiers for three years. These Baronets were created on 22 May 1611, 29 Jun 1611, 24 Sep 1611 and 25 Nov 1611.
Wives of Baronets are referred to as "Lady"; they are not Baronetesses. Most Baronetcies descend through the male line only hence Baronetesses are rare. See Created Baronetesses of England.
On 19th December 1635 Mary Witham 1st Baronetess Bolles (age 56) was created 1st Lady Bolles then Jobson of Osberton by King Charles I of England, Scotland and Ireland (age 35). Possibly the only time a woman has been created a Baronet. There are examples of the widows of Baronets being given the rank of Baronet.
