An earl is a British nobleman, ranking above a viscount and below a marquess in the traditional hierarchy of titles. Earls have existed in England since Anglo-Saxon times, originally serving as powerful administrators and military leaders for the king. They often governed large territories called earldoms.

The title is usually hereditary, meaning it often passes from parent to child through generations. An earl's wife is called a countess (the feminine form of the equivalent title in other European countries). You might encounter earls in British history books or historical novels: the Earl of Sandwich is often credited with popularizing the sandwich, while the Earl of Cardigan led the famous Charge of the Light Brigade.

Today, earls no longer govern territories or command armies, but the title still exists as an honor. Some modern earls sit in the House of Lords, part of Britain's Parliament. The title appears frequently in British literature and period dramas, representing the old aristocratic world of estates, formal dinners, and inherited privilege.