The British peerage has five descending, hereditary degrees. They are Dukes, Marquesses, Earls, Viscounts and Barons.
An Earl is the third highest grade of the peerage. A wife of an Earl is styled Countess.
-Formally addressed as ‘Lord Courtesy’ and ‘Lady Courtesy’.
My Lord
I have the honour to be Your Lordship’s obedient servant,
Envelope: The Right Hon. the Earl of Courtesy
Madam
I have the honour to be Your Ladyship’s obedient servant,
Envelope: The Right Hon. the Countess of Courtesy
My Lord
Yours faithfully
Envelope: The Earl of Courtesy
Madam
Yours faithfully
Envelope: The Countess of Courtesy
Dear Lord Courtesy or Dear Courtesy
Yours sincerely
Envelope: The Earl of Courtesy
Dear Lady Courtesy
Yours sincerely
Envelope: The Countess of Courtesy
Vestments
The coronet of an Earl has eight strawberry leaves and eight ‘pearls’ (note: not actual pearls) raised on stalks.
An Earl’s coronation and parliamentary robes have three ermine tails / miniver bars.
The train of a Countess’s coronation robe will be one and a half yards with three-inch edging. Their miniver cape will also have three rows of ermine, as with an Earl, to indicate their rank.
VESTMENTS
The coronet of an Earl has eight strawberry leaves and eight ‘pearls’ (note: not actual pearls) raised on stalks.
An Earl’s coronation and parliamentary robes have three ermine tails / miniver bars.
The train of a Countess’s coronation robe will be one and a half yards with three-inch edging. Their miniver cape will also have three rows of ermine, as with an Earl, to indicate their rank.
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