MS. BOOKS OF BLAZONS.

281

In addition to seals, Nisbet regards, as of considerable authority, ancient manuscripts and illuminated books of blazons, several of which he enumerates as the sources of much heraldie information relative to Scotland, including the collections of Workman, Pont, Esplin, and Sir James Balfour, to which he repeatedly refers. Besides these valuable manuscripts, many others are fortunately still in existence. Some of the most important are preserved in the Advocates' Library, the Lyon Office, and the British Museum; while others are to be found in various private collections, including those of Dr. Wellesley of New Inn Hall, Oxford, Mr. Scott Plummer of Middlestead, and Mr. Laing of the Signet Library. Several curious Scotch heraldic manuscripts were dispersed, a few years ago, at the sales of the collections belonging to Mr. Deuchar, Seal Engraver, Edinburgh, and Mr. W. B. Turnbull, Advocate, now of the English Bar; and it is very much to be regretted that such documents should find their way to any other destination than the Lyon Office.1

1 When the sixth Duke of Norfolk, at the request of Evelyn (Diary, 29th August 1678), bestowed the Arundelian Library on the Royal Society, he stipulated that the books and documents relating to heraldry and genealogy should be deposited in the College of Arms.

Some very interesting light is thrown upon English heraldry by ancient Rolls of Arms. The earliest of these appears to be a copy made, in 1586, by Robert Glover, Somerset Herald, of a Roll of the bearings of

the principal Barons and Knights of England, supposed to have been compiled about the year 1240-the original having unfortunately disappeared. The well-known Roll of Caerlaverock, published by Sir Harris Nicolas, is another very curious example. It consists of a heraldic poem, in Norman-French, recording the names and arms of the Knights who accompanied Edward 1. to the memorable siege of Caerlaverock castle, in the year 1300. Copies of other Rolls of Arms of the time of

282

LAPIDARIAN HERALDRY.

Besides plate, pictures, and other "moveables," churches. castles, and monuments frequently afford very interesting illustrations of ancient armorial ensigns. The most cursory examination of the admirable engravings in Mr. Billings' Baronial and Ecclesiastical Antiquities of Scotland will show that the mouldering edifices of our northern kingdom are by no means destitute of heraldic decoration. As examples, we may mention the cathedral of Glasgow; the abbeys of Paisley and Lincluden; the churches of Corstorphine, Midcalder, Douglas, and St. Monance; and more especially, the castles of Huntly, Fraser, Craigievar, Fyvie, Crathes, Glammis, Kellie, Winton, and Caerlaverock. These lapidarian records constitute a most important addition to the comparatively meagre array of early heraldic illustrations, and are well worthy of being preserved by means of accurate drawings or photographs. Had some such preservation been attempted, during the last 200 years, in the case of those churches and castles of which hardly a vestige now remains, and also in the case of the countless sepulchral monuments, which have been either entirely destroyed by (in)human hands or effaced by the gradual influences of time, how much valuable heraldic information might have been available which is now irrevocably lost! Even at the eleventh hour, however, much may yet be done; and a skilful artist, with a limited knowledge of blazonry, would find ample scope for his talents in the field which we have indicated.

Edward III. and Richard II. have been edited by Mr. R. Mores and Mr.

Willement. (See Montagu's Guide to the Study of Heraldry, pp. 26, et seq.)

CHAPTER VI.

THE RIGHT TO BEAR SUPPORTERS.

PROBABLY one of the most delicate and touchy points in Scottish heraldry is involved in the question relative to the right to bear supporters. The practice of granting these armorial appendages appears to have commenced about the middle of last century, and to have become very frequent during the time of Mr. James Home, who held the office of Lyon Depute from 1796 to 1819.1 Great irregularities unquestionably occurred in consequence of the discretionary exercise of this power, which is certainly not conferred on the authorities of the Lyon Office either by the Act of 1592, or by the later Statute of 1672. By the Act 1662, c. 53, it is provided "that all such who, according to the addition of their honours, are to receive additions to their coats of arms, that they receive the same from the Lyon; and whoever shall offer to assume any addition without his approbation, they are to be punished according to the Acts of Parliament made against the bearers of false arms." It is quite evident that the term "addition" is not here intended to be used as synonymous with mark of difference, and in all probability it 1 Report on the Lyon Court, 1822, p. 9.

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GRANTS OF SUPPORTERS

refers to supporters and other exterior decorations; but it is unnecessary to speculate on the meaning of the clause, as the Statute in question was repealed the year after its enactment.

We have already seen that the position of the Lord Lyon is altogether different from that of the English Kings of Arms, inasmuch as he has no superior, like the Earl Marshal, to control or to interfere with his official proceedings; and perhaps this circumstance may have induced some authors to conclude that, in all armorial matters, his power is absolute and unlimited. With reference to supporters, there can be no doubt that, of his own authority, the Lord Lyon may grant these exterior ornaments to all who are entitled to obtain them by the heraldic practice of Scotland; and, moreover, that in certain special cases, as that of the family of Abbotsford, he may even transgress the established rules of the noble science. But these cases must indeed be very special; and the attendant circumstances ought to be of so peculiar a character, as to place the propriety of conferring the privilege in question beyond the challenge of the most critical herald. Had this principle always been acted on, the reputation of the Lyon Office would not have been so repeatedly assailed; and the bearing of the coveted distinctions would have been esteemed more honourable than it has been. No express mention of supporters is made in any of the Statutes relative to the jurisdiction of the Lord Lyon, but there can be no doubt that they are embraced within the general term "armorial bearings," or at least

NOT DISCRETIONARY.

285

of

that they form a part of what is usually called a heraldic achievement. The Act of 1672 recognises the power the Lyon "to give arms to virtuous and well-deserving persons;" and, by the commission of the present Lord Lyon, he is invested with "nostram plenariam potestatem libertatem licentiam et auctoritatem insignia armoria personis virtute præditis et de nobis bene merentibus juxta ordines et constitutiones eatenus præscriptas dandi et concedendi," etc. It by no means follows, however, that in virtue of these provisions the Lord Lyon can, of his own authority, grant supporters—an armorial distinc tion of the highest order to any "virtuous or welldeserving person," as a mere matter of favour. Such a prerogative can only be exercised by the Sovereign, as the Fountain of Honour, from whom the Lord Lyon himself receives his appointment.

There can be no doubt, however, that, although the authorities of the Lyon Office do not enjoy the privilege of making discretionary grants of supporters, they are fully entitled to decide whether or not a claimant of these honourable distinctions has a right to bear them according to the heraldic usage of Scotland. From the deposition of Mr. Tait, which has been already quoted, we learn that, since his appointment to the office of Lyon Depute, "several applications have been made for authority to bear supporters, but such authority has not hitherto been granted by him in any case, none of the parties applying having, in his opinion, established their right to obtain such authority;" and again, "with respect to the right of bearing supporters, this, the