Albany Herald Explained

Tradition:Gallo-British
Jurisdiction:Scotland
Authority:Court of the Lord Lyon

Albany Herald of Arms is a Scottish herald of arms of the Court of the Lord Lyon.

The office was first mentioned in a diplomatic mission from Scotland to England in 1401. The office was probably instituted on the creation of Robert Stewart, son of King Robert II, as Duke of Albany, on 28 April 1398. Albany is an old name for the part of Scotland north of the River Forth, and is cognate with "Alba", the Scottish Gaelic for Scotland.

The badge of office is A saltire Argent enfiled of a coronet of four fleurs-de-lys (one and two halves visible) Or ensigned of the Crown of Scotland Proper.[1]

The office is currently held by Sir Crispin Agnew of Lochnaw.

Holders of the office

ArmsName Date of appointmentRef[2]
William Bailly1452
William Brown of Balmangan1516
William Brown1546
John Balfour1558
Alexander Oliphant1565
Thomas Oliphant1604
George Kirkwood1610
Robert Winram1613
Gideon Weir1637
James Lockhart1661
George Ogilvie1677
James Barr1694
Robert Leslie1723
Sir John Erskine of Cambo, Baronet1726
Humphrey Harrison1754
John Man1766
John Douglas1768
James Mitchell1795
John Young1827
David Littlejohn1837
James Sinclair1859
Vacant1878–83
John Spence1883
Robert Spence Livingstone1885
William Rae Macdonald1909
Sir George Sitwell Campbell-Swinton1923–1926
Sir Thomas Wolseley Haig1927–1935
Thomas Innes of Learney1935–1945
Sir Francis James Grant1945–1953
Major Charles Ian Fraser of Reelig1953–1961
Sir Iain Moncreiffe of that Ilk, Baronet1961–1985
John Alexander Spens1985–2011
Vacant2011–2021
Sir Crispin Agnew of Lochnaw, Bt., LVO2021–Present (in Extraordinary)[3] [4]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Roads . Elizabeth Ann . Badges of the Scottish Officers of Arms . The Double Tressure . 20 1998 . 77–86.
  2. Book: Grant, Sir Francis James . Court of the Lord Lyon: List of His Majesty's Officers of Arms and Other Officials with Genealogical Notes, 1318-1945 . 1945 . Society . en.
  3. Web site: New Appointments at the Lyon Court. 2021-09-01. New Appointments at the Lyon Court.
  4. Web site: albany. 2021-09-01. www.courtofthelordlyon.scot.