When it comes to the House of Lords, the clergymen are known as Lords Spiritual. But what about the secular members? Secular members of the House of Lords are known as Lords Temporal.

While the Lords Spiritual are made up of bishops from the Church of England, the Lords Temporal are made up of life peers, hereditary peers, and bishops from other religious denominations. Together, they form the upper house of Parliament in the United Kingdom, with the ability to review and amend legislation proposed by the House of Commons.

Unlike the Lords Spiritual, who hold their positions by virtue of their office within the Church of England, the Lords Temporal are appointed or inherit their titles. Life peers are appointed by the monarch on the advice of the Prime Minister, while hereditary peers inherit their titles from their ancestors.

While the House of Lords has a long history dating back to the 14th century, it has undergone significant reforms in recent years to make it more representative and accountable. Today, the majority of members are life peers, with only a small number of hereditary peers remaining.

For more information on the House of Lords and its members, you can visit the official website of the UK Parliament at https://www.parliament.uk/about/faqs/house-of-lords-faqs/lords-spiritual-temporal/. Here, you can learn more about the roles and responsibilities of both the Lords Spiritual and the Lords Temporal, as well as the history and functions of the House of Lords as a whole.

Overall, the House of Lords plays a crucial role in the UK Parliament, providing a check on the powers of the government and ensuring that legislation is thoroughly scrutinized before it becomes law. By understanding the distinction between the Lords Spiritual and the Lords Temporal, you can gain a better understanding of how the upper house operates and contributes to the democratic process in the UK.

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