earls

**] It also appears that the aldermen or governors of counties, who, after the Danish times, were often called earls, [***] [7] were admitted into this council, and gave their consent to the public statutes.

The History of England in Three Volumes, Vol.I., Part A. From the Britons of Early Times to King John David Hume 1743

There came to meet them men from those realms, and said that the earls were a short way off with a great host.

The Story of Burnt Njal: the great Icelandic tribune, jurist, and counsellor Unknown

If this is so, the declaration of the earls is the first clear evidence we have that the barons of England were beginning to realize their legal right of resistance and to get sight of the great principle which was so soon to give birth to the constitution.

The History of England from the Norman Conquest to the Death of John (1066-1216) George Burton Adams 1888

Mormaer of the province became the earl; and the Crown appointed _vice - comites_, sub-earls, that is sheriffs, who administered the King's justice in the earldom.

A Short History of Scotland Andrew Lang 1878

Two kings commanded one division, and certain chieftains, called earls, directed the other.

King Alfred of England Abbott, Jacob, 1803-1879 1849

The old demarcations of the heptarchy, as thou knowest, are scarce worn out; it is even now less one monarchy, than various states retaining their own laws, and inhabitated by different races, who under the sub-kings, called earls, acknowledge a supreme head in the Basileus of Britain.

Harold : the Last of the Saxon Kings — Volume 10 Edward Bulwer Lytton Lytton 1838

The old demarcations of the heptarchy, as thou knowest, are scarce worn out; it is even now less one monarchy, than various states retaining their own laws, and inhabitated by different races, who under the sub-kings, called earls, acknowledge a supreme head in the Basileus of Britain.

Harold : the Last of the Saxon Kings — Complete Edward Bulwer Lytton Lytton 1838

He says he will name his thanes and kinsmen as "earls", the first earls of Scotland in history.

LearnHub Activities 2008

"Hrothgar loved peace more than war and was glad when the earls were his friends, and he said: 'I will build a great hall, a house of joy for all my friends.

Northland Heroes Florence Holbrook 1896

"So, O great King, as says Homerus, this wise king called his earls, knights, sea-captains, and housecarles, and said unto them, 'Which of these two kings is in the right, who can tell?

Hereward, the Last of the English Charles Kingsley 1847