Earl Marshal of the College of Arms, the body concerned with all matters of genealogy and heraldry. In conjunction with the Lord High Constable, he had held a court, known as the Court of Chivalry, for the administration of justice in accordance with the law of arms, which was concerned with many subjects relating to military matters, such as ransom, booty and soldiers' wages, and including the misuse of armorial bearings. In 1672, the office of Marshal of England and the title of Earl Marshal of England were made hereditary in the Howard family. In a declaration made on 16 June 1673
John Boyle, 15th Earl of Cork crossbench hereditary peers. Though his Irish titles came from the Peerage of Ireland, which does not make him eligible for election, he also holds the title of Baron Boyle of Marston in the Peerage of Great Britain which allowed him to stand in the by-election for hereditary peers. In the House of Lords, he is referred to by his higher ranking Irish titles as Earl of Cork and Orrery despite being elected via his barony. The Earl of Cork and Orrery was educated at Harrow School. He is married to Rebecca Juliet née Noble, daughter of Michael Noble, Baron Glenkinglas.