Updated on August 1, 2001
The Head and Chief of Arms of the Noble House of Maxalla receives hundreds of eMail letters every month. Many of these letters are from persons who are sincerely seeking information about such topics as Noble and Royal Titles, Genealogy, Heraldry, and Knighthood. The Duke always responds to inquiries sincerely asked. Below are some of the best of...
Letters to the Duke
Sir,
You make some interesting and often overlooked points in your article concerning "order assassins" and "order grumps". However, I would caution you not to fall into the same trap as those whom you have described. I refer to your comment concerning the "now discredited" Niadh Nask. While it is true that the (former) head of that Confraternity, Terrence MacCarthy, has been the subject of many accusations, and ultimately abdicated as The MacCarthy Mor, both he, and the Niadh Nask, have been recognized by numerous governments (including explicit legal decisions). It is true that ONE of those governmental bodies withdrew support and recognition of Terrence MacCarthy prior to his abdication. However, to the best of my understanding, none of the other recognitions of his person have been overturned, nor has any official recognition of the Niadh Nask been withdrawn by any organization or government to date. The Niadh Nask represents an organization of respected individuals concerned with the preservation and distribution of Gaelic cultural heritage. It is a difficult task in the wake of the suppression of same by Ireland's conquerors. In effect, these individuals represent the guardians of this heritage. I consider it irresponsible to attack such a body in print without just cause. I doubt that your comment was aimed at such a goal, but those who read your article will necessarily view this organization in a negative light. It can serve no chivalric purpose to cast dispersion upon a worthy organization for the sake of making a point. I would urge you, therefore, to consider amending your article with respect to this body. The Niadh Nask has not YET been discredited by any authority, though admittedly, its head has been denounced by at least one government and many private individuals. I would respectfully submit, then, that your article is in error on that point. I trust that you will take the right course of action.
Respectfully,
X
I regret that a comment in the article on order assassins and order grumps about the Niadh Nask being "discredited" has caused you distress. What is discredited is the Niadh Nask's claim to nobiliary and knightly and historical recognition, based as the claim was upon the unfounded assertions to royal status made by a person who, in fact, had no right and no authority to make such a claim. The very essence of the Niadh Nask was its noble, knightly, and historical status. If the Niadh Nask has transformed itself, as you suggest, from a noble and knightly association holding historical claims, to a Gaelic cultural heritage organization, then there can be no objection to that transformation or to the cultural programs which the new Niadh Nask may adopt. Presumably, then, the newly transformed Niadh Nask no longer uses postnominals and decorations in the noble and knightly manner, or, if it does so, it uses them in the same manner as any other fraternal group which patterns itself after Chivalric Orders (such as the Masonic Knights Templar, the Roman Catholic Knights of Columbus, or even the Hibernian Society).
If, as you suggest, the Niadh Nask has truly transformed itself into a cultural association with no other claims based upon its former associations, then no one should view it negatively, for the dispersion of true and authentic Gaelic heritage is a valuable and important activity. However, your defense of the Niadh Nask is not clear: is it now a cultural and heritage organization, or does it continue to seek and claim governmental (and other) recognitions in order to attempt to maintain its former status? I have noticed that sometimes those who continue to support the Niadh Nask as noble and chivalric and historical also want to apply the term order assassin and order grump to anyone who no longer believes that the organization is a noble and knightly company whose history predates all other Chivalric Orders. Indeed, your letter to me suggests that I, myself, might be an order assassin for saying that the Niadh Nask is now "discredited." The article on the order assassin defines the term very clearly: An order assassin is a chivalry bigot whose prejudice, arrogance, and self-importance override facts and cancel any value he or she might have as a competant authority in the field of chivalry; further, the order assassin attacks without foundation and in the most unpleasant manner those Chivalric Orders and titled persons which the chivalry bigot doesn't like (for whatever reason). On the other hand, one who fairly and accurately reports the actions of such competent authority as is found in official government action is not an order assassin. In my own case, I had no opinion on the matter of the McCarthy Mor and the Niadh Nask, other than to observe and accept the official actions taken by the Irish government in the matter. While I did not wish to publicly discuss the matter of the McCarthy Mor claimant, yet your letter and use of the term order assassin require some comment.
First, as an Irish-American, I actively support Irish culture and heritage, and, therefore, I was pleased with the Niadh Nask, even though I, myself, was not a member. The Niadh Nask asserted that it was a noble, knightly, and ancient society, rooted in Irish history. The source of legitimacy for the Niadh Nask was a man who contended that he was the McCarthy Mor, the Prince of Desmond (an ancient Irish throne), elected to the position through the practice of tanistry (essentially, a family election of the clan chief). The ancient Irish system of tanistry was an elective one whose purpose was to assure that leadership passed to the worthy, rather than merely to a direct successor. Thus, while the chieftainship of an Irish clan did not necessarily depend upon genealogical descent, yet genealogy did demand that ...
The man who claimed the title McCarthy Mor, Prince of Desmond, sought to have his title validated by the Irish Government through the Irish government's Genealogical Office. The claimant submitted a genealogy to that office, and the office approved the claim, thus providing the weightiest possible validation to his claim, that of the Irish government itself. After receiving official recognition from the Irish government, the claimant then asked the Irish government to affirm his right to confer titles which belonged to the office of McCarthy Mor. This right, too, was confirmed because of the (proper and correct) legal position that titles which belong to a prince are property that can be used as the owner sees fit. If the claimant was actually the McCarthy Mor, and if the claimant held titles, then the claimant could give titles or otherwise dispense them at will without objection from the Irish government which would be bound by property rights law. The claimant established the Niadh Nask, not as a "new" organization, but as a continuation of an ancient and noble Order which predated all European Orders of Chivalry and whose historicity was rooted in the past through the throne of the McCarthy Mor. That is, the Niadh Nask had as its fons the McCarthy Mor, and the validity and legitimacy of the McCarthy Mor claims were backed by the Irish government.
After a decade of activity, in which the McCarthy Mor claimant exerted considerable influence in the Council of Chiefs of Ireland and after he used his position to gain complete control of the private, non-governmental group known as the International Commission on Orders of Chivalry, a private (Irish) professional genealogist, who for years had been denied access to the genealogies in the Irish government's files, finally was able to examine the genealogical materials upon which the McCarthy Mor claimant's actions were based. That genealogist discovered that the claimant's official genealogy, upon which the Irish government's recognition was based, was defective, i.e., that the claims made by the holder of the McCarthy Mor office were invalid. The
private, professional genealogist showed conclusively that there was no genealogical evidence that (a) the claimant was actually a member of the relevant McCarthy family, and (b) that his electors were actually members of the McCarthy Mor family who would or could elect to the office (many genealogists now even doubt the report that a tanistry election was held).
With the new information in hand plainly showing that the claimant to the McCarthy Mor title was not and never was a proper tanist and was not and never was a member of the correct McCarthy family, the Irish government completely and unequivocably withdrew its recognition of the claimant as the true McCarthy Mor; that withdrawal also nullified the Irish government's recognition of his right to grant titles and to act as a fons. Ireland is, I believe, the "one government" to which you refer -- however, it should be clear that this is the most important government, since Ireland was the original validating authority. Having erroneously granted recognition, the Irish government was well within its rights to withdraw recognition once the error was discovered. The Irish government is currently examining the materials of two other claimants to the McCarthy Mor title, but as of March 2000, I am not aware of any action taken by Ireland regarding the matter of a new McCarthy Mor.
The former claimant to the office of the McCarthy Mor did not "abdicate," for one can only abdicate from an office which one rightfully holds -- and the claimant never rightfully held the office of McCarthy Mor.Therefore, any chivalric or royal actions taken by the former claimant to the title of McCarthy Mor during the decade or so that he claimed the title were null, for he was mistakenly the McCarthy Mor. Thus, despite the recognition the claimant held, he was not a fons for the titles he granted, nor could he have been a fons for the Niadh Nask as a noble or knightly or ancient society because the recognition of his claim was based on defective materials and was a mistake that was eventually acknowledged and corrected by the Irish government. Scholars of chivalry will recognize that the legitimacy and validity of the McCarthy Mor claimant's actions rest, not on Irish (or any other) governmental recognition, but upon genealogical evidence -- and that evidence was proved defective. The recognition originally granted by Ireland, however, gave overwhelming power to the claimant's actions; when the error was discovered and the recognition withdrawn, the deflation of the claimant's power was immediate.
I don't know what other governments recognized the former claimant, but it is clear to all that such recognitions (in whatever form) were based on the original recognition by the Irish government. When the Irish government withdrew its recognition and took under advisement two other claims, that ended the McCarthy Mor rights for the former claimant. All titles granted by him are null, and all privileges granted by him are also null. The status of the Niadh Nask as a noble or knightly or historical body is null, based as it was in and on the former claimant's pretense to be the McCarthy Mor. But he wasn't. If the matter were pressed, perhaps other governmental recognition of the Niadh Nask as a noble or knightly body would be withdrawn. Certainly, even the most ardent supporters of the former claimant have long since withdrawn. The former claimant, I understand, now lives quietly in Morocco.
The "McCarthy Mor Affair," as it has come to be called, resulted in sadness and heartbreak for so many good-hearted and hard-working people, and, even though I was never a part of the movement, yet the resulting crash affected me deeply because I saw the anguish and grief it caused and is causing. Regretfully, the reports and conclusions regarding the former McCarthy Mor claimant and his organizations cannot be avoided or misinterpreted and are not based on my (or anyone else's) ignorance, bigotry, prejudice, or lack of facts. The facts were widely reported in the Irish Times and can be easily verified. I have presented the facts fairly and accurately, but reluctantly and regretfully.
Sincerely,
Duke Maxalla
To return to the article on "Order Assassins and Order Grumps," click HERE. Or, you may continue reading the letters and use the return link at the bottom of this page.
Dear Mr. X,
Thus, despite the efforts of some supporters of the McCarthy Mor claimant and some members on the Niadh Nask to disregard or downplay genealogy in this matter, nevertheless, genealogical connection was essential in tanistry.
Dear Duke Maxalla,
I was very interested in the wedding of Prince Edward to Sophie Rhys-Jones and even watched as much as I could on television. Queen Elizabeth granted the title of Earl of Wessex on Prince Edward. Since he was already a Prince, why did she do that? Also, I can't find Wessex on a map of England. Where is it?
Prince Edward Windsor married Sophie Rhys-Jones on Saturday, June 19, 1999 in St.
George's Chapel at Windsor Castle. The Queen of England granted another title to her
son, Prince Edward, primarily so that his wife could bear a suitable title. Sophie
Rhys-Jones was a commoner and would not bear the title Princess very well
(indeed, some say she preferred not to have such a title). With the new title,
Sophie will be known as Her Royal Highness, Countess of Wessex (but she plans to use
the name "Sophie Wessex" in her business career). The reason that you can't find
Wessex is that it doesn't exist--or, at least, no longer exists. A correspondent has
written to me to say that it was first a kingdom under the Saxons (Wessex = West
Saxons) and then was reduced to an earldom under the Normans. The capital of
Wessex (its seat of feudal government) was at Winchester. In the 9th Century, the
kingdom occupied southern England roughly from the Severn Estuary in the west to the
mouth of the Thames in the east. (Source: Page 60, Shepherd's Historical Atlas, 9th
Edition, 1964).
Thus, Wessex was originally a kingdom in geographical Britain, then an earldom, and
then the Wessex title vanished (or, perhaps, fell dormant) in the 10th
century. Thus, the Prince is an Earl (a Duke) of a place that ceased to exist
geographically some 900 years ago and today doesn't even exist "de jure" (i.e., with
boundaries established by charter law). In fact, it would be accurate to say that
"Wessex" is really a fictional county--it appears only in the novels by Henry
James and in a current hit movie.
Even more remarkable is the report by journalist Christopher Morgan that Prince
Edward got the idea for the new title after seeing the 1999 motion picture, "Shakespeare
in Love." In that film appears the fictional "Earl of Wessex" (remember, there was no "Earl
of Wessex" during Shakespeare's time, the title having been "dormant" since the
death of King Harold in 1066). Despite the insufferability of the fictional "Earl"
in the film, the Prince seemed charmed with the title itself and proposed it to his mother, the Queen. Perhaps this choice was a bit of sly perversity on the Prince's part, since the title he originally proposed--the Duke of Cambridge--was rejected by the Court as too "senior" for someone who is merely seventh in line to the throne. Furthermore, according to the Morgan report, to create a new dukedom would not be in keeping with modern efforts to destroy the British House of Lords (or, at least, to destroy its influence); that is, to create a new dukedom might give the appearance that the Crown did not support modernist efforts. (A bit of disingenuity, certainly--why would the Crown want to destroy one of the pillars of its power?)
The film stars Joseph Fiennes as Shakespeare, Gwyneth Paltrow as the (utterly fictional) love object Viola, and Colin Firth as the (utterly fictional) Earl of Wessex. Prince Edward (the utterly non-fictional, modern Earl of Wessex) is the head of a television production company, Ardent, and has produced many historical documentaries. Thus, the Prince, aware of the power of cinema, by taking the title of Earl of Wessex, perhaps wished to establish a link between the House of Windsor and England's first Anglo-Saxon king...at least, that is what the Morgan report suggests. Historically, Godwine, chief advisor to King Canute was created the first Earl of Wessex in 1018. After Godwin's death, the title passed to his son, Harold, who was killed at the Battle of Hastings in 1066, and that was the end of it...until now. Whatever the purpose, the new title brings together British history, British theatre, and the British throne...a masterful stroke, if ever there was one, and Edward deserves congratulations for achieving it.
To add a bit more, Prince Edward and his wife also have been given the titles of Viscount and Viscountess Severn (to honor her Welsh roots). Finally, upon the death of his Father, Edward will inherit the title of Duke of Edinburgh...and, of course, Sophie becomes the duchess (by that time, Scotland may be a republic, for all we know...then what?)
The question of whether the title was "dormant" or was recreated is an interesting one. While Wessex was both a kingdom and then a county, there is no Wessex today, not even a "de jure" Wessex (that is, preserved by warrant or charter or by sustained refusal of the inheriting lords to cede). A "dormant" title is one that is attached to a place and that has reverted back to the fons which created it because the line of ownership has died out or (much less likely) because the original owner of the title was degraded from the feud. No one has claimed the title since 1066, and the kingdom/county of Wessex has vanished. Strictly speaking, then, an argument could be made that the title wasn't dormant, but nonexistent and that Queen Elizabeth has recreated a title for a county that no longer exists (except in novels and cinema). But there is precedent for the creation of a title without a feud, as in, for example, the Duke of Cambridge (the original title which the Prince wanted) or Duke of Buckingham or in a life peerage (whose title is not usually attached to a place, as, for recent example, Baroness Margaret Thatcher who owns a title, but no feud to go with it).
It seems to me (since no Wessex county has been reestablished) that Queen Elizabeth has recreated for her son an historical title, not revived a dormant one. That the Queen was well within her rights to do so cannot be argued, nor is it likely that anyone will suggest that HRH the Earl of Wessex owns a defective title.
Respectfully,
Duke Lloyd Douglas
Dear Mrs. X,
Duke of Maxalla
Dear Sir,
I was just reading some of the letters on your web page, and one statement that you made struck me a little oddly, so I went off and did a little research. The statement you made that "San Marino as a republic cannot grant titles..." is not true. San Marino has been granting titles for at least three hundred years and no one has yet to challenge their authority to do so (not even the Italian government). There is actually no historical or legal precedent in any jurisdiction (that I have been able to discover) which prohibits any republic or any other type of nation from creating and awarding any type of perfectly valid titles it wishes.
Also, as to the woman whose grandmother was an Italian Countess, the ONLY way to determine if the woman in question could have inherited (which is not possible being the descendant of an illegitimate child) the title is to obtain a copy of the ORIGINAL letters patent and to find out what the limitations were. You also stated that it was very unlikely that a title could pass through the female line to an illegitimate child; actually, under the Italian system, just as under the English, Scottish, and Spanish systems, it is impossible to inherit titles through illegitimate descent. Only the French have a documented history of granting titles to illegitimate offspring.
Also, as to Albania, the Albanian government is indeed awarding "rehabilitated" titles through the Albanian College of Arms. As these are awarded (actually sold) by a legitimate Ministry of a Legitimate, legally constituted ruling government, they are technically as valid as those awarded by the Queen of England. However, there is the fact that no version of the Albania constitution allows anyone, including the King to create Nobles, so the whole issue becomes one of technicalities.
Overall, I find that your web page gets better all the time, there are still a few statements floating around in some of the articles which are only partially correct, but overall the material presented is very accurate.
Sincerely,
Mr. X
Thank you for an interesting and informative letter. To your information, I add the
following... ...About San Marino.... Dear Sir, In reply to your letter
regarding noble titles, I'm pleased to inform you that the Republic of San Marino
doesn't provide or register any more noble titles since 1976. San Marino Foreign Affairs Office
That should settle the matter, at least post 1976, and you can see that I'm correct
in saying that, as a Republic, San Marino cannot today grant titles--and could not
for at least the past twenty years. Notice, however, that the phrase "provide or
register any more" implies that San Marino, at one time, both registered and
provided noble titles. I would agree with you that a Sovereign Republic, if it
wished to, could grant titles of Nobility, although such granting would be
irregular--to say the least. Generally speaking, monarchs grant titles of nobility,
not republics. For example, when the British Parliament reestablished the monarchy
after the (Cromwellian) Interregnum, that august body did not simply "create" a king
from among British Nobles, but went to a German royal family to find a royal who
would agree to be king (further, the whole story involves the Jacobite claims).
Likewise, today the Republic of France still grants the title of Chevalier in the
French Legion of Honor, but note that that esteemed Chivalric Order was founded by
an emperor, not a republican body. Nevertheless, France has also established upon
its own republican authority a number of other Chivalric Orders, and, as far as I
know, no one has doubted the country's right to do so.
Additionally, It is unclear to me what it means to "register" a noble title, unless
by the registration it is to be understood that San Marino was confirming the title
as legitimate, i.e., was making the title legitimate by recognizing it.
My conclusion is that titles actually registered or issued by San Marino prior to
1976 are irregular (that is, not usually done), but would be considered legitimate
by objective persons. The registration of or issuance of of a title by San Marino is
not likely to deter Order Assassins or Order Grumps.
The San Marino Foreign Affairs Office can be reached by clicking HERE ...the Italian Countess....
...About Albania....
The suggestion of an Albanian Constitution that was binding on King Zogu or that is
binding on King Leka is interesting, but, alas, I know of no such Constitution
insofar as the Monarchy of Albania is concerned. The history of the Albanian
Monarchy is interesting: King Ahmed Zogu, King Leka's father, was a northern tribal
chieftain who fought his way up the political ladder. In 1928, he declared himself
King Zog the first. In 1939, Mussolini's troops invaded. King Zog, who was married
to an Hungarian aristocrat, had the strength and courage and dynastic foresight to
stay in Albania so that his son and heir could be born on Albanian soil. No sooner
had Queen Geraldine delivered than the royal couple fled with the day-old Leka.
Given this history, it seems unlikely that the Zogu dynasty was then (or is now)
interested in a Constitutional monarchy with the limitation of royal powers such an
arrangement requires. Therefore, it seems to me that if King Leka wished to grant
titles of Chivalry and Nobility, he could do so without concern of contradiction
from any quarter. However, all this remains to be seen, inasmuch as the King is
currently very involved with the restoration of the Monarchy (via popular election)
in Albania. But it does seem odd that one would say that a Republic could grant
noble titles, but a King could not!
In conclusion, I would like to thank you for the kind words about my web site, and I
especially thank you for investigating and bringing forth such interesting facts.
Sincerely, Dear Mr. X,
The case of San Marino offering
noble titles (which was apparently limited to Conte and Marchese) has
come up so often and is so interesting that I have contacted the San Marino Foreign
Affairs Office for official information. Here is the (unedited) response, which is,
as far as I can determine, official:
Yours faithfully
The web site of San Marino can
be reached by clicking HERE.
Of course, you're
correct about the woman of illegitimate lineage inheriting an Italian Countess
title, and if you read my response (below), you'll see that we do not disagree. My
term "highly unlikely" is a polite turn of phrase that most recognize as a negative.
Nevertheless, history does record British Kings granting titles to their
illegitimate offspring, both female and male, and the descendents have kept the
titles. I presume the Italian King could have done so as well.
The matter of the "Albanian" offer of titles has
been investigated, not only by me, but also by others in the Chivalric community,
and the conclusion is this: Albania does not have a College of Arms, and the offer
to sell Albanian titles was made by private persons not connected with any official
Albanian branch of government. Thus, the offer does not make available titles that
are issued by the Albanian government, and I cannot recommend to anyone that
the offer be taken up.
Duke Lloyd Douglas
Duke of Maxalla
SGM, RMOKHSJ.
Your Grace,
I find your web site to be very informative. I would love to have a title such as Duke or Baron, and so I am sending this email in the hope of receiving practical advice. I am considering purchasing a feudal barony by auction from the Manorial Society in England, but I would prefer to have one from somewhere more exotic; where I could do voluntary work on behalf of the people of the area. Mainland Europe, the former U.S.S.R. or Russia would be ideal. Do you have any suggestions about how I could achieve this lifelong ambition? I am, Sir, Your obedient servant, Mr. X
Thank you for writing the Noble House. First, let me recommend that you download
and read PRECAUTIONS which
addresses your interest in obtaining a title. I believe that the best way to begin
to work for a title is to enter and begin work in an Order of Chivalry. The Order of
Chivalry not only serves as an excellent outlet for charitable and public service
(which is the continuation of the ancient Service of Knighthood), but the
opportunities for recognition and reward in an Order may lead to that which you
seek. The Manor Lordships don't exactly grant a title in the sense that you are
speaking. You could, if you owned one, refer to yourself as "X, Manor Lord of X,"
but I really know of no Manor Lordships that include a baronial title. The Manor
Lordship purchase should, perhaps, be considered more in the line of an antique
purchase, rather than a title purchase. Be absolutely certain, if you wish to
purchase a Manor Lordship, that you are dealing with persons who are honest. The
best web site on the Manor Lordship is that of Col. Ronald Jenkins which you can
reach by clicking HERE. The web site gives excellent advice.
Sincerely,
Duke Lloyd Douglas Dear Mr. X,
Duke of Maxalla
SGM, RMOKHSJ.
Dear Duke Maxalla,
I and my husband are very interested in chivalry, and I would like to know how my husband can obtain a title of nobility. I have seen ads on the internet and elsewhere about such titles being offered. One man says he is the official representative of San Marino and can get us a title. Another man says he has connections with Albania and can get us a title. I'm dubious about these offers. What should we do? I don't think my husband is likely to receive an honor from the Queen of England.
I am pleased to answer your excellent letter. First of all, I hope that you will
visit my home page and download the article entitled PRECAUTIONS. It has been updated and contains much
useful information. I commend both you and your husband for your continued interest
in chivalry, and I pray that this interest will continue.
A judicious examination of many of the chivalry sites on the web will show that the
sites are by persons selling very dubious "honors," or by persons who hold grudges,
or who are snobs, or who are cranks. Caution is always required. Your judgment of
the offer made by certain persons claiming an Albanian government connection is
correct. The King of Albania is very much alive and healthy, and very much a King.
He is acknowledged as King by Albanians outside the country...and an interesting
fact is that there are more Albanian exiles and expatriots than there are Albanians
living in Albania. At any rate, King Leka of Albania has nothing to do with the
offer which you mentioned. No government can offer titles as the term is understand
in royal and noble circles.
I would not bother with anyone claiming to represent San Marino, which is not only a
dependency of Italy and the Vatican, but is also a Republic. Republics (generally)
do not grant titles. By the Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch, I presume you refer to a
Patriarch who lives in London. In fact, there are two Patriarchs of Antioch, one
Roman Catholic, one Eastern Orthodox--and neither live in London. Indeed, according
to one of my correspondents, the Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch actually resides in
Damascus, Syria. The title "Patriarch" is an important, historical, and significant
title and office in Orthodoxy. Hence, any Patriarch must establish his lineage and
claim to the title before all else, especially if the Patriarch is making claims
about offering titles.
The Manor Lordships offered by the Society in England are quite legitimate "titles"
as such, but one is entitled only to call oneself "Manor Lord of such-and-such."
It's rather like owning a house, renting it, and being recognized as a "Landlord."
If one has the funds, I see no reason why a Manor Lordship shouldn't be purchased.
Most of them seem to be going to wealthy Americans, anyway.
Yes, I imagine it is unlikely that your husband would receive a title from Queen
Elizabeth II or from Pope John Paul II, but then these are not the only sources of
titles of worth and validity. Before I suggest a method, let me first state clearly
what I think to be the prime objective: NEVER PAY MONEY UP FRONT FOR A TITLE
OF ANY KIND. Never. Never, never, never. There are titles for sale like
wheels of cheese...and, like cheese, such titles shrink and wither with age and
begin to smell. Often the value of the title is in exact inverse to the price being
charged. I did not pay for any of my titles, nor should you or your husband.
Having warned you about cash payments, here is a method which you should pursue.
First, you should find an Order of Chivalry for which your husband can qualify. I do
not mean one of the "cheese-wheel" Orders, but an Order that is actually conducting
itself honorably and is actually doing something. If your husband qualifies for an
Order of Chivalry, then he obtains his first title--that of Chevalier, which is a
title of nobility, even if a "minor" nobility. (Also, you obtain the chivalric title
of Lady automatically.) Then, the new Chevalier should begin to work in that Order,
following through on its projects and--most important--attending its annual (and
other) gatherings. He will rise in rank and should strive to take an Office. If the
Order is sound and his work good, then eventually he will attract the attention of a
Prince who can grant titles. Working with that Prince in his projects may eventually
lead to ennoblement. There is never a guarantee, but steady work in a good cause
never goes unrewarded.
Respectfully,
Duke Lloyd Douglas Dear Mrs. X,
Duke of Maxalla
SGM, RMOKHSJ.
How do I know if I'm qualified for knighthood? How do I enter an Order?
Dear Mr. X,
One is qualified for knighthood based upon one's accomplishments and personal goals and aims. These qualities can vary from person to person: primarily, a man or a woman is qualified if he or she has a deep and abiding interest in chivalry and its rule of living and a desire to serve others (through church or charities). A reliable Order of Chivalry does not just take in anyone who applies, but, rather, ascertains an applicant's qualifications, usually through a lengthy petitioning process, and, sometimes, through recommendations. If you wish, you can request by postal mail qualification forms from the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre; these are not application forms, but are guidelines that help one to determine one's qualifications for Chivalric work.Respectfully,
Duke Lloyd Douglas
Duke of Maxalla
SGM, RMOKHSJ.
Dear Duke of Maxalla,
I have recently read that there are a number of noble titles available for reasonable prices from various countries throughout the world. Most notably the nations of Albania, Spain and the republic of Ireland. I am unsure of the validity of these claims but I would like to know any information you have on these noble titles for sale in the afore mentioned nations or any other countries. Your help is most appreciated in this matter.
Dear Mr. X, Please download and read PRECAUTIONS, available in the article section of my web site. Generally, I advise anyone who inquires...NEVER pay money for a title. Never. Never. Albania, Spain, and the Republic of Ireland do not sell titles, nor can anyone "broker" titles from them. No country that is capable of granting titles sells them. You will find, from time to time, certain offers to sell titles for a set amount, rather like buying a cheese wheel in a deli...so much for this title, so much for that title, so much for this knighthood, so much for that knighthood. In fact, no authentic royal or noble house recognizes these goods, and a person would be most unwise in paying out hard-earned cash for them. The best way to obtain a title is to apply to an Order of Chivalry to see if one has the qualifications for entry, and, if so, then become active in that Order. The title of "Chevalier" is an honorable one, can be used in daily life, and sometimes chivalric work and effort lead to greater things. Hoping that this response is helpful...Respectfully,
Duke Lloyd Douglas
The Duke of Maxalla
Dear Duke,
Can you answer these questions for me?
1.
I realize that Italy is no longer ruled by a monarchy, but if it were, would my
great-great-grandmother's title have been "inheritable"?
I do not
believe that the Contessa's title was "heritable," unless she were a Contessa in her
own right. This would be highly unlikely, given the Italian system.
2. How much would the fact that I am a descendant of an illegitimate child
complicate matters, from the standpoint of the peerage? (If, for instance, the
Contessa didn't have any other children, would Maria indeed have been heir to her
title?
It is very unlikely that a title would pass through the
female line to an illegitimate child, esp. a female child.
3. Will the fact that a noble was my ancestor make my genealogical research any
easier (i.e., will there be more information available on her forbears, etc.?
Yes, this is possible.
4.) Any chance I might be able to stake claim to a portrait of the Contessa, or some
similar antiquity that would not have been amongst the estate of a "commoner"? Where
would I find such items?
Sincerely, Duke Lloyd Douglas
It is very unlikely that any claim to
any property can be made based upon this lineage. In conclusion, while this is an
interesting history, we do not believe that any claim based on this lineage can be
made to the noble title or to any property which may have belonged to the Contessa.
We regret that we could not provide better news.
Duke of
Maxalla
.
Dear Duke,
Can you answer these questions for me?
What requirements, if any, exist to be knighted?
To determine
your qualifications for entry into a particular Order, you should ask that Order to
send you information and any material that will allow you to list your
qualifications.
How would one go about getting a Family coat of arms, and crest?
You must be careful when trying to obtain Arms. There are business
enterprises that will be happy to sell you "your family's" Coat of Arms. In fact,
Arms are granted to individuals, not families--which means that there is no such
thing as a "family" Coat of Arms. All Arms are personal (except, of course, for
corporate Arms such as those held by a University), and no family has a Coat of
Arms. Arms are held by the Chief of Arms of a family (usually the family's patriarch
or matriarch). However, you can properly obtain a Coat of Arms for yourself. Visit
our web page and go to the section which provides information about the College of
Heraldry of Alabona. Links there will bring you to information about getting
legitimate Arms. Arms are also available from England, Ireland, and Spain, depending
upon one's heritage and one's ability to pay for them.
I ask the same question about the status of such titles as Lord, Baron, Duke.... Sincerely, Duke Lloyd Douglas The Duke of
Maxalla
These titles are usually inherited, but they can also be issued from
a sovereign royal authority. CAUTION: not all those who claim to be able to do
actually hold authority to create one a nobleman. Also: never, never, never pay
money for a "title."
Thank you for your response by mail concerning the registration of our Armourial Bearings. It is our intention to send in the Petition immediately. I am interested in acquiring the title of Baron, along with this registration, and would ask that you advise me, as it may well have some change in the Arms. I will await your response. Please let me know your advice, and the cost of your services. Thank you very much.
With so much confusing
misinformation on the InterNet regarding Chivalry, I'm not surprised that you have
made a number of factual errors in this communication.
First of all, the Noble House of Maxalla does not send information regarding
registration of Arms, nor does the Noble House grant or register armorial
bearings--that is done by an heraldic source such as the College of Heraldry of the
Royal House of Alabona, a reliable and respected heraldic college which this Noble
House recommends.
Second of all, and most important, neither I nor any one I know sells titles, nor do
I think that anyone selling noble or royal titles (especially on the internet) could
do so legitimately. If you will read my article PRECAUTIONS, you will see that I DO NOT recommend that anyone pay for a
title. Never.
Third, the Noble House of Maxalla web site offers free, scholarly, reliable, and
unbiased information regarding heraldry, knighthood, chivalry, nobility, and
royalty; if you will read again the information on the Noble House web site, you
will see that you have made a mistake in thinking that The Noble House of Maxalla
offers a title-granting "service" of any kind whatever or that there is a "cost"
involved with obtaining information from the Noble House. The Noble House does NOT
traffic in titles and warns inquirers away from anyone that does. On the contrary,
all the information offered at the Noble House web site is free. I strongly urge
you to read PRECAUTIONS before
proceeding to send money to anyone in exchange for a title...such a source
invariably will not have the authority to grant titles and such a title will only be
a source of sorrow and trouble. Sincerely, Duke Lloyd Douglas Duke
Palatine of MaxallaDear Mr. X,
Dear Duke,
I have looked at the discussion groups on heraldry and chivalry, but all they do is complain and gripe, and they often get very nasty. Can you recommend a discussion group that will answer my questions and where I can just talk about my interests in knighthood without all the flaming?
The unmoderated
groups are sometimes interesting, but, as you have seen, they often run amok, and
some of them have been taken over by Order Assassins and Order Grumps (see my
article PRECAUTIONS where you can
read about Assassins and Grumps, the people you are describing). You may wish to
visit my own twice monthly discussion group where such topics are discussed. The
Room is visited by experts in many related fields and flaming is not permitted.
Everyone is quite friendly and newcomers to the field are made welcome and their
questions answered. All visitors to The Duke's Discussion Room must have a
biographical profile on Tripod. All this is explained on the Discussion Room information page where you can read
about The Duke's Discussion Room and its requirements. We hope you can join us.
Sincerely, Duke Lloyd Douglas Duke of Maxalla Dear Mr. X,
Regarding your essay on the Order Assasin and Order Grump. The disaffected personalities described bring to my mind (as a psychiatric nurse) the condition called narcissistic personality disorder. The following description is from Psychiatric and Mental Health Care by Linda Carman Copel, RN, PhD, CS (Springhouse Corporation, 1111 Bethlehem Pike, PO Box 908, Springhouse, PA 19477-0908.
The key characteristic of the narcissistic personality disorder is an exaggerated sense of self-importance. There is a powerful feeling of entitlement, and a desire for special attention and constant admiration. People with this disorder overrate their own talents and accomplishments, are arrogant [emphasis added], and they exploit others for the purpose of meeting their personal goals. There is preoccupation with dreams of success, power, wealth, brilliance, physical appeal, and ideal love. Because these clients believe that they are special, they feel that they can only be understood or appreciated by other unique individuals . Typically, they believe that others are envious of them, and they can easily become envious of others. Interpersonal relationships are fraught with difficulty, since friendships are often formed with the goal of exploitation ot the other person. There is also a limited ability to be warm, genuine, or empathetic.
This disorder occurs in both males and females, with half to three-quarters of those diagnosed being male.
Two key strategies for dealing with patients with this disorder are:
Yours in Christ,
Rev. X
Psyciatric Nurse Health Professional
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