baronets
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Baronets are hereditary knights. The order was instituted by James I in 1611 as a means of raising money for the army in Ulster. Baronets remained commoners and were therefore eligible for membership of the House of Commons. Pledges to limit the number granted were soon broken.
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Oxford Dictionary of British History
A Dictionary of British History. Copyright © 2001, 2004 by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.
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