Peerage of France

Some etymologists{{Who|date=May 2011}} posit that the French (and English) word ''[[baron]]'', taken from the Latin ''{{lang|la|baro}}'', also derives from the Latin ''{{lang|la|par}}''. Such a derivation would fit the early sense of "baron", as used for the whole peerage and not simply as a noble rank below the comital rank.

Some etymologists{{Who|date=May 2011}} posit that the French (and English) word ''[[baron]]'', taken from the Latin ''{{lang|la|baro}}'', also derives from the Latin ''{{lang|la|par}}''. Such a derivation would fit the early sense of "baron", as used for the whole peerage and not simply as a noble rank below the comital rank.

===Under the Monarchy: feudal period and ''{{lang|fr|Ancien Régime}}''===

===Under the monarchy: feudal period and ''{{lang|fr|Ancien Régime}}''===

[[File:Grand Royal Coat of Arms of France.svg|thumb|Arms of the Kingdom of France]]

[[File:Grand Royal Coat of Arms of France.svg|thumb|Arms of the Kingdom of France]]

[[File:Arsenal ark 12148 Les Croniques de France ( )Gaguin Robert bpt6k10568539J1K14DOZ.jpg|thumb|Coats of arms of the twelve peers of France, 1516]]

[[File:Arsenal ark 12148 Les Croniques de France ( )Gaguin Robert bpt6k10568539J1K14DOZ.jpg|thumb|Coats of arms of the twelve peers of France, 1516]]