Hi,Just reading some old books written in the 1830's by my g.g.g.g grandfather and in one of them he states that he is a free baron of dover ,what is a 'free baron'?

here is an interesting bit too where he speaks of the importance of oral tradition in british history:

"Oral tradition must have had some source more worthy
of credit than the love of the marvellous ,or the idle inventions
of mankind;and in days long past it was regarded with extreme
veneration;the names and places of things were carefully preserved
and transmitted from generation to generation as unfailing register of
sudden casualties and extraordinary events."

Completely guessing - but could it be that he gained the title not through inheritance??? I've no idea, but we could kick some ideas around the place.

I don't know if there is an online dictionary that could helpo or anything - anyone know anything like that?