Nobles above viscounts (5)
I believe the answer is:
earls
'nobles above viscounts' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for earls that I've seen before include "They're below marquess and above viscount" , "London exhibition centre" , "Laser the British peers" , "Nobles" , "members of the House of Lords" .)