Short answers, pulled from the story.
The first English peerage to be created was the Dukedom of Cornwall, established in 1337. This event marked the beginning of a formalized system of nobility that would shape English governance for centuries.
King Edward III created the Dukedom of Cornwall in 1337 to ensure that the heir to the throne, the Prince of Wales, had a substantial and independent income source. This title has been held by the heir apparent since its inception.
The ranks of the Peerage of England include duke, marquess, earl, viscount, and baron. The rank of duke was introduced in the 14th century, while the rank of marquess and the rank of viscount were introduced in the 15th century.
In the Peerage of England, the eldest son inherits the title and the rest of the family receives lesser titles or lands. This system of primogeniture ensures that the family's wealth and power remain concentrated, preventing the fragmentation of estates.
Many titles in the Peerage of England became extinct due to the lack of male heirs or political upheaval. The lack of female inheritance in many peerages also led to the extinction of titles and the loss of family legacies.
The Peerage of England existed before the Act of Union in 1707. The ranks of nobility in the Kingdom of England underwent significant transformations over the centuries until this date.