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Viscounts of Great Britain

A viscount's coronet

Current Great Britain Viscountcies

Extinct Great Britain Viscountcies

Vice-Comes, or Viscount, was a title formerly applied to the Sheriff of a county.  It was first used as a title of nobility when King Henry VI created John, Baron Beaumont, Viscount Beaumont by Letters Patent dated 12 February 1440.  Since then all Viscountcies have been created by patent.  Originally conceived as a means of advancing Barons, afterwards it was frequently created with the barony.  In modern times the Viscountcy has been conferred without a Barony, as in the case of Viscount Combermere, Viscount Sidmouth, Viscount Halifax, Viscount Cross, etc.

A Viscount is styled the "Right Honourable" and he is officially addressed by the Crown as "Our Right Trusty and Well Beloved Cousin".  This mode of address started in the reign of King Henry IV, who through his immediate family was related or allied to every Earl in the kingdom.  When a Viscount or any other peer is a member of the Privy Council the word "Counsellor" is placed before his name, for instance:  "Elizabeth......To Our Right Trusty and Well Beloved Cousin and Counsellor, Oliver, Viscount Chandos.....Greeting!".

In common with all peers, Viscounts are entitled to both coronation and parliamentary robes.  The Coronation Robe, which, as the name suggests, is worn only at the Coronation of the Sovereign, is of crimson velvet, edged with white fur and having two and a half rows of ermine on the white fur cape.  Viscountesses are entitled to wear coronation robes similar to those of a Viscount, these being edged with a two inch border of white fur with a train a yard and a quarter on the ground.  The Parliamentary Robe of Estate of a Viscount, which is worn for the State Opening of Parliament or by those taking part in the ceremony of Introduction of a new peer, is of fine scarlet cloth lined with taffeta.  It is trimmed with two and a half guards (or bands) of ermine and gold lace, and is tied at the left shoulder with a white ribbon.

Coronet - A circle of silver gilt, surmounted by sixteen silver balls; a cap of crimson velvet, turned up ermine, thereon a golden tassel.

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