Baronet

( Her.) Literally, "a little baron;" specifically, a dignity or degree of honor next below a baron, and above a knight. They bear the prefix "Sir" before their name, and the term Bart. (contraction of baronet) as a postfix; as, "Sir Walter Scott, bart.;" their wives are styled Lady, or Dame. This dignity differs from that of a knight, inasmuch as the title is hereditary, while that of the latter rank exists only for one person's lifetime. The order of B. was instituted, or, as some a ert, adopted, because the title existed previously in Ireland, by James I., in 1611. The rank of B. existe but in Great Britain. It is the lowest of the hereditary titles; but a B. has no robes, coronet, or distinctive badge whatever, except in the case of Scottish B., who, in 1629, were granted the privilege of wearing an orange riband and badge. Baronetage, n . The collective body of baronets. Bar'onetcy, n . The condition or rank of a baronet. Baro'nial, a. Pertaining to a baron. Bar on i us, CESARE, ( bă - ro'ne -us,) an Italian cardinal, в. 1538. He was elected Superior-General of the order of the Oratory in 1583, and became librarian of the Vatican and confe or of Clement VIII. His great work is the Annales Ecclesiastic i , in 12 vols. folio: a work of immense research, which occupied him 30 years, and has pa ed through many editions. D. 1607. Bar'ons' War. ( Hist . ) The name given to an internecine war in England, which originated in the refusal of Henry III. to ratify the statutes enacted at Oxford, in the "Mad Parliament," June 11, 1258. The matter was referred to the arbitration of Louis IX. of France, who decided, at a council held at Amiens, that the statutes should be annulled 23d Jan., 1264. The barons, with Simon De Montfort at their head, took up arms, and totally defeated the king at Lewes, May 14th. A parliament a embled at London, 20th Jan., 1265. Disputes arose among the barons, and a second great battle was fought at Evesham, 4th Aug., in the same year, in which the king was victorious, and De Montfort slain. The barons, who continued to oppose the royal authority, took refuge in Kenilworth Castle, but were compelled by famine to surrender, in Nov., 1266. The war was still carried on, and Prince Edward (afterwards Edward I.) reduced the Isle of Ely, their last stronghold, 25th July, 1269.