The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-10-24
Individual at Edinburgh Fined
for Using Armorial Bearings
Without Warrant.
BY la MARaUIsE DE FoNTENOY.

Without Warrant.
BY IA MARQUISE DE FONTENOI.
q Up JAMES PAULS recent action in
imposing by virtue OF his office
~ as Lyon King OF Arms a fine
upon an individual at Edinburgh for
using ar,norial bearings, assumed with
out due warrant. serves to call atten-
ton to the fact that Scotland, like
Germany, Austria and Russia, deals
very severely with usurpations OF this
nature.
In Scotland, the Lyon King, as prin-
cipal hcraldic officer of the kingdom OF
Scotland. and as executive officer of
its court of chivalry, has the right to
impose fines, amounting up TO $500.
in such instances, as we'll as to con
fiscate all gold and silver plate, por-
celain, carriages, automobiles, harness,
liverics-nay, even stained glass win
dows and ornamental iron gates, on
which armorial bearings are displayed
for the use of which no official war
rant can be produced.
Here on this side of the Atlantic.
where the new-rich are so apt to as
sumo as their own any armorial de-
vices that may strike their fancy when
offered for their inspection by their
stationer, their silversmith. or by the
vendors of their automobiles, their
Carriages and harness. it is we'll that
this provision o. Scott sh law should
be widely known, In view of the num-
bers who cross the ocean each sum-
mer TO spend tho fall in the Land OF
Cakes. many OF them leasing shooting
lodges and castles In the Highlands
for the season. G
OF course. Lyon King OF Arms does
not ma intain. rs in clden times, very
large staff of pursuivants for the pur-
pose of running to earth offenders
against the heraldic laws OF Scotland.
But it only needs the spite work OF
some envious neghbor, discontented
employe. or discharged servant, to
make trouble. For il he or she choose
to lodge information with Lyon King
OF Arms. at Edinburgh, that .dignitary
| has no alternative but to investigate
the case, and II the charge proves TO
/ be we'll founded to proceed against tho
| offender.
! 1t must be thoroughly understood
that these laws apply also to for
cigners in Scotland, as we'll as TO ma
tives. especially If the arms usurped
without arrant are those of Scotch,
| English Irish families.
South of tho Tweed the laws against
the assumption of arms without the
warrant OF the Royal College of Her
aids in London are very severe But
there are no longer the former penal
ties. They have become obsolete; and
the result Is that there is good deal
of dishonesty in this respect. The
only check which the government is
able TO maintain is by the enforcement
OF the statute providing for the taxa
tion OF all armorial bearings, and per-
sons are constantly being heavily fined
for neglecting to pay this impost
III Germany and Austria the illegal
assumption of armorial bearings is
puniSh BILE not only by heavy fines,
but even by Imprisonment. In France
there are no longer any laws dealing
with this matter, and the consequence
is that some OF the great mobiles, TO
prevent the theft of their hera1dic de-
vices by strangers OF wealth. but of
more or less doubtful antecedents, have
been taking the precaution of register
ing their family escutcheons as trade
marks. This is the only protection
which the members of the old aristoc-
racy can invoke against the piracy of
tie historic quarterings of their house
by parvenus. and even by queens of
the demi monde.
The Office OF Lyon King of Arms is
one of the Oldest of the state in Scot
land, having been in existence as far
back as in the twelfth century. In
1883 it's holder. bearing the title OF
Leo Rex Heraldorum. that is to say.
Lyon King OF the Hcralds, is recorded
as having fallen at the battle OF otter
burn. AT later date, Lord Drummond
not only forfeited his vast estates. but
was likewise imprisoned for years in
Blackness Castle, in punishment for
the outrage which he had perpetrated
in boxing The ears of the Lyon King
of Arms OF his day, whose person was
considered sacred.
The office is to-day housed in what
is known as the Old Register House.
at Edinburgh, and it has a wonderful
collection of archives. extending over
q period of six centuries. Sir Jamess
heralds bear the titles of Albany,
Rothesay and Ross. respectively. while
his four pursulvants are styled as
follows: Unicorn, March, Carrick and
Scot. Sir James Paul has been Lyon
King OF Arms for the past twenty
three years. is a member of the Scot
fish bar. and the author of series OF
remarkable contributions to the his
tory OF the Northern kingdom.
Sir Courtenay Ilbert, who is now
engaged in delivering series OF lee
lures on constitutional history in
New York, at the Columbia University,
and who will visit several other cities
in the United States and Canada be-
fore returning home, has been for
many years chief clerk Of the House
of Commons at Westminster. AS such,
he takes a conspicuous though a silent
part In the election of the Speaker
of the House of Commons, at the COM
mencemcnt OF Its parliamentary eXis-
tence, after each general election
Sir Courtenay, as chief clerk, when
the House has assembled. after bow
ing towards the empty Speakers chair.
from his place at the table just below,
turns towards the Premier, and with
out uttcrirG word. impressivcly
points three fingers at him. The Prime
Minister, in response, rises and pro-
poses tho election 10 the snca kershin