The Much Honoured
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The Much Honoured (abbreviated to The Much Hon.) is an honorific bestowed on that section of the Scottish nobility known as the "baronage".
Overview[]
The baronage comprises around 350 feudal barons, who in most cases bear titles within the ancient nobility of Scotland granted prior to the 1707 Act of Union. In addition, there are seven feudal earldoms (Arran, Breadalbane, Crawfurd-Lindsay, Errol, Nithsdale, Rothes, Wigtown), one feudal marquessate (Huntly) and one feudal dukedom (Hamilton), all held in baroneum, where there is entitlement. Of these, four of the earldoms are extant, two are unclaimed, one is in dispute and the dukedom and marquessate are held by senior members of the Scottish peerage.
There is a convention that title holders resident outside Scotland may style themselves "The Much Honoured" when "outwith the Realm of Scotland". However, north of the border, the honorific is normally dropped in favour of the traditional territorial designation. It is thought this convention may have its origins in the regularisation of titles of nobility that took place after the publication of The New Peerage by John Debrett in 1769.
The highest-ranking feudal baron in Scotland is The Much Hon. The Baron of Renfrew, HRH The Duke of Rothesay; by tradition both titles being held concurrently by the heir apparent to the British throne. The Marquess of Huntly and The Earl of Eglinton and Winton are other notable title holders.
Historically, certain territorial lairds were permitted to style themselves "The Much Honoured". This practice is now considered obsolete.
Entitlement[]
There are three traditional classes of entitlement:
- Scots feudal barons. For example, The Much Hon. David Leslie, Baron of Leslie, or The Much Hon. The Baron of Leslie
- Scots feudal earls. For example, The Much Hon. James Leslie, Earl of Rothes or The Much Hon. The Earl of Rothes
- Lairds. Now considered obsolete.
The eldest son of a Scots baron is entitled to be addressed by courtesy as the Younger (abbreviated to the Yr); the eldest daughter of a Scots baron, if heir apparent, is entitled to use the courtesy title The Maid of [name of barony] (e.g. David Leslie the Younger and The Maid of Leslie).
The honorific "The Much Honoured" is distinct from honorifics attaching to Peers of the Realm:
- Barons, viscounts and earls are The Right Honourable
- Marquesses are The Most Honourable
- Dukes are The Most Noble (formerly "The Most Noble and Puissant") or His Grace
Governance[]
The baronage comes under the jurisdiction of the Court of the Lord Lyon in Edinburgh.[1] In collaboration with the Scottish Barony Register, the Convention of the Baronage of Scotland formally represents the country's baronage and admittance to its ranks is closely guarded. Generally, residency in Scotland is a requirement for admittance. The convention maintains its own official tartan worn by barons on state occasions such as the annual St Andrewstide parade at the High Kirk of Edinburgh. Ermine and scarlet are also worn.[2]
See also[]
- Forms of address in the United Kingdom
- Style (manner of address)
- The Honourable
References[]
- ^ "Territorial Designationse, Scottish History Online, Scotland - UK". www.scotshistoryonline.co.uk. Retrieved 2021-04-16.
- ^ Tartan of the Baronage of Scotland: https://www.tartanregister.gov.uk/tartanDetails?ref=223
- Styles (forms of address)
- Scottish titles