Were any of the main characters in *Pride and Prejudice* (Mr. Darcy, Mr. Bingley, Lady Catherine de Bourgh) more than [gentry][1]? Did any of them belong to the [peerage][2]? Was there any **formal difference in the rank** between Mr. Darcy and Mr. Bennet? I guess not, based on what Elizabeth says: >He is a gentleman; I am a gentleman's daughter; so far we are equal. > ><sub>[Chapter 56][3]</sub> So was the superiority felt and expressed by Mr. Darcy and Lady Catherine based *only* on the difference in the scale of property? BTW, was any relevant Jane Austen character a British peer? N.B. I accepted @alexg's answer, because the website unfortunately allows us to accept only one. However I'd like to acknowledge the @verbose's answer as equally useful. [1]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landed_gentry [2]: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peerages_in_the_United_Kingdom [3]: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/1342/1342-h/1342-h.htm#CHAPTER_LVI