Re: Legal Status of Private Officers of Arms
Posted: 11 Jun 2013, 13:11
Chris Green wrote:I think that the fact that when the post of Finlaggan Pursuivant was revived in 2005 after 500 years, Ross Herald was present representing the Court of the Lord Lyon, was the best evidence that Private Officers of Arms are "legal" in Scotland. The Wiki article uses the word "recognised" by the Court of the Lord Lyon King of Arms. Merely putting on a tabard and calling oneself "MacThingy Pursuivant" would not result in such recognition being forthcoming!
On the other hand, if we construe "legal" as meaning "not contrary to law," it probably would be legal in Scotland for anyone to appoint or even appoint himself a herald of whatever rank. Ridiculous perhaps, but legal.
In England there are no Private Officers of Arms, but two of the Royal Pursuivants of Arms Extraordinary - Fitzalan and Howard - have titles which suggest that they are the Private Pursuivants of the Earl Marshal, the Duke of Norfolk.
But they are appointed by the Queen and not the Earl Marshal acting unilaterally, aren't they?