Heraldic symbolism on Colquhoun standard

[saharris]

Bear in mind also that the rank of baronet is unique to the British Isles. It has no Continental equivalent, although it did have its roots in a misunderstanding by King James VI and I of the mediæval term knight banneret.

Although the title of “Baronet” (and “Baronetess”) are uniquely British, the idea of a hereditary knighthood is not. Continental Europe had several examples, as are the three FitzGerald hereditary knighthoods in Ireland, and I believe that Malta has one form or another of hereditary knighthood.

I just recently became aware of the supposed connection between the “knight banneret” (who ranked above a “knight bachelor” but below a Lord) and James’s Baronets – the first one being the Baronet Bacon of Redgrave, in 1611 (arms below).


Were the 14th-century knight bannerets also hereditary?

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Were the 14th-century knight bannerets also hereditary?

No, is the short answer. During the medieval period the highest degree of knighthood was that of "Knight Banneret". A Knight Banneret was permitted to lead troops in battle under his own banner, a right normally reserved to the king and the highest titled nobility. Lesser knights (Knights Bachelor, from the French Bas Chevalier) were only permitted to fly a pennon on the battlefield. If they sufficiently distinguished themselves, then they could be advanced in rank from knight bachelor to knight banneret. When this happened it was the custom of the military commander to take the knight's bachelor pennon and remove the tails, leaving only the arms on the lance. Froissart recorded such an incident which took place at the battle of Najera in 1367. Sir John Chandos, a knight under the command of Edward, Prince of Wales (the Black Prince) was raised to the status of knight banneret on the eve of the battle. The actual cutting of the tails was performed by Perdo of Castile, with whom the Black Prince was allied. Sir John Chandos, after being handed his new "banner" paraded it in front of his troops so they would recognize it in the coming battle. The phrase "banneret" (a small banner) came into being because the banner of a knight was significantly smaller than the banner of a titled nobleman.

Hope that answers the question.
MoR

[MacLowlife]

slightly OT, but I was researching the arms of the chief of Clan Colquhoun ( whom I discovered to be the uncle of the Duke of Argyle, I believe) and came across this lovely depiction: http://www.flickr.com/photos/43567820@N04/4522482761/ I also believe I read that the scalloping and the black color refer to an incident of burning, though I can't remember now what was burned.

THIS comes from the ROSSDHU HOUSE site:

The Colquhoun of Luss coat-of-arms is obviously connected with the Cross saltire of the Earls of Lennox. But the Chiefs' heraldic supporters of two greyhounds, together with their crest of a red stag's head and motto Si Je Puis ( " if I can" ), are linked with an old tale. The story runs that the king asked the Colquhoun chief to recover Dumbarton Castle from his enemies, that Scots and Gaelic-speaking Luss replied in the Norman-French fashionable at Court at that date, "si je puis", and then pursued a stag with his hounds past the castle gates. The garrison opened them to join in the chase, whereupon his clansmen rushed the castle and captured it for the king. This clan legend may well be true. For in 1424, at the height of heraldry, King James I decided to overthrow the too powerful Lennox family, and chose John Colquhoun 10th of Luss to be his Governor of Dumbarton Castle and to wrest it from them. Interested heraldists will find the original armorial mourning "hatchments" of several chiefs in the "laird's loft" or raised family pew in the kirk at Luss: one of the two best sets surviving in all Scotland.

When the Colquhouns went to war, their Chief dipped a charred wooden cross in goat's blood, and sent this Fiery Cross by relays throughout the entire district of Luss: the bearer, usually mounted on a garron pony, shouting out the name of the gathering-place as he passed. The Colquhoun muster-place was usually at Cnoc Elachan, still the clan "slogan", the "armoury hillock" near Rossdhu. Here the armed clansmen assembled, many coming by boat as the quickest transport in those roadless days, others by hill tracks, and were issued with arms if they had none andwith badges of hazel, the lucky plant of their clan, to wear in their bonnets.

[Tobus]

Good info, MacLowlife! Thanks.

I also believe I read that the scalloping and the black color refer to an incident of burning, though I can't remember now what was burned.

Hmm, the only incident I can think of that would involve burning (or be important enough to warrant reminder on heraldic symbols) would be the aftermath of the Battle of Glen Fruin in 1603, as described thusly:

The MacGregors followed up the defeat of the Colquhouns by plundering and destroying the whole estate. They drove off 600 cattle, 800 sheep and goats, and 14 score horses, and burned every house and barnyard and destroyed the "Haill plenishing, guids, and gear of the four-score pound land of Luss," while the unfortunate chief, Sir Alexander Colquhoun, looked on helpless from within the walls of the old castle of Rossdhu, the ruin of which still stands on its rising ground behind the modern mansion.

[creagdhubh]

Good info, MacLowlife! Thanks.


Hmm, the only incident I can think of that would involve burning (or be important enough to warrant reminder on heraldic symbols) would be the aftermath of the Battle of Glen Fruin in 1603, as described thusly:

Major Sir Malcolm MacGregor of MacGregor, Bt. discusses this battle (more like a slaughter) in the Clan Gregor episode of the series, "Highland Clans," with Paul Murton.