British nobility refers to a social class in the United Kingdom that has historically held titles and privileges. This class includes various ranks such as dukes, earls, viscounts, and barons. Nobility often owns large estates and has played significant roles in the country's history, politics, and culture. Titles of nobility are often hereditary, passed down through generations, although some can be granted by the monarch. The British nobility is part of the broader peerage system, which includes both hereditary and life peers, the latter being appointed to the House of Lords in Parliament.