The House of Lords is made up of the Lords Spiritual (bishops from the Church of England) and the Lords Temporal. The Lords Temporal, also known as peers, are appointed by the Queen or inherit their title based on heredity. Once appointed or chosen to serve as a peer, they are appointed for life. Today, the Lords Spiritual do not play an important role in the House of Lords but merely appear due to custom.

A drawing of English Parliament in session with members talking to one another and reading from paper handouts.

Source: Passing of the Parliament Bill, 1911, Project Gutenberg, Wikimedia