The Complete Peerage

The Complete Peerage is a comprehensive reference work documenting the titled aristocracy of the British Isles, first published between 1887 and 1898 by George Edward Cokayne. The original eight-volume set covers all peerages of England, Scotland, Ireland, Great Britain, and the United Kingdom - whether extant, extinct, or dormant. A revised and expanded edition was published between 1910 and 1959, growing to thirteen volumes under the successive editorship of multiple scholars including Vicary Gibbs, H.A. Doubleday, and others. Volume 13 specifically covers peerage changes between 1900-1938, while a later Volume 14 provides corrections and updates through 1995. The work contains detailed genealogical and biographical information about British and Irish peers, including dates, marriages, titles, and succession details. Several reprints have made the material more accessible, including a condensed six-volume version by Alan Sutton Publishers and digital formats. The Complete Peerage remains the definitive authority on British peerage, representing a monumental scholarly achievement in documenting the complex hierarchies and lineages of aristocratic society.

Readers consider The Complete Peerage a definitive reference work on British nobility, with particular value for genealogists and historians. Readers appreciate: - Exhaustive documentation and citations - Cross-referencing between families - Inclusion of minor noble families often omitted elsewhere - Clear explanations of inheritance and title succession Common criticisms: - Dense, academic writing style - High cost of complete set - Some volumes hard to find - No images or family trees - Latin passages not translated Ratings: Goodreads: 4.5/5 (12 ratings) Amazon: Not enough reviews for rating Reader comments: "Indispensable but requires patience to navigate" - Genealogy reviewer "The footnotes often contain the most interesting details" - History forum user "Buy the revised edition - original has many corrections" - Family historian "Could use better indexes" - Academic reviewer Most readers access this through libraries rather than purchasing personal copies due to cost.

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🔰 The project spanned over 100 years from start to finish, with the final volume published in 2000 - making it one of the longest-running reference work projects in publishing history. 🔰 George Edward Cokayne was actually the Clarenceux King of Arms, one of the most senior officers of the College of Arms, which gave him unprecedented access to heraldic and genealogical records. 🔰 The work contains approximately 22,000 pages of detailed aristocratic histories, with many entries requiring years of research to verify all claims and family connections. 🔰 The series documents over 2,000 noble families, including extinct titles dating back to the Norman Conquest in 1066. 🔰 Despite its age, The Complete Peerage remains the primary source cited by the House of Lords when questions arise about succession rights to hereditary peerages.