Vassals or tenants of the same lord, who were obliged to serve and attend him in his courts, being equal in function. These were termed ” peers of fees ,” because holding fees of the lord, or because their business in court was to sit and judge, under their lords, of disputes arising upon fees; but, if there were too many in one lordship, the lord usually chose twelve, who had the title of peers, by way of distinction; whence, it is said, we derive our common juries and other peers. Cowell.
Black’s Law Online Dictionary
