[] 3 Inst. 30, 31.
[t] 2 Inst. 50.
[] Finch. L. 355. 1 Ventr. 298.
[w] 2 Inst 49.
[x] 1 P. Wms. 146.
[y] Salk. 512.
[z] Cro. Car. 64.
[a] 3 Edw. I. c. 34. 2 Ric. II. st. 1. c. 5. 12 Ric. II. c. 11.
A peer cannot lose his nobility, but by death or attainder; hough there was an instance, in the reign of Edward the fourth, of the degradation of George Nevile duke of Bedford by act of parliament[], on account of his poverty, which rendered him unable to support his dignity[c]. But this is a singular instance: which serves at the same time, by having happened, to shew the power of parliament; and, by having happened but once, to shew how tender the parliament hath been, in exerting so high a power. It hath been said indeed[d], that if a baron waste his estate, so that he is not able to support the degree, the king may degrade him: but it is expressly held by later authorities[e], that a peer cannot be degraded but by act of parliament.
[] 4 Inst. 355.