What is the Order of the Black Ermine?

[CDNSushi]

I was doing some research on Arisaig in Lochaber because of its ties to the 1st Independent Czechoslovak Brigade that was made up of about 300 heroes who volunteered to be a part of Churchill's SOE (Special Operations Executive).

The town of Arisaig has been trying to organize donations for a memorial to those little-known Czech patriots and heroes of this fighting unit, of which 90% died in their fight against Nazi aggression during WWII.

As I was trying to get more information on on Arisaig, I somehow stumbled on information about (apparently) fake nobility titles being sold to people by selling them worthless plots of land in Lochaber. Well, somewhere in my stumbling, I came across the "Order of the Black Ermine" -- which I duly searched in Google, but came up with a virtual goose egg. Any search for this "order" comes up with bizarre webpages and information of dubious quality and reputation.

I figured that I would pose the question here as I know we have many amateur and professional historians who could shed a bit more light on my query.

Gentlemen?

[Chas]

It is one of hundreds if not thousands of bogus or fake 'Orders of Chivalry'. Most emulate from Australia or the United States, but many are now emerging from Middle/Eastern Europe due to turbulent hard to trace history.

True Orders of Chivalry have the Head of State of the country as the font of the honour. So, the Pope, a King or Queen, Emperor or Empress, Duke or Duchess or in modern times a President.

Many of these bogus orders have a supposed 'Baron' or similar as their font and are named after the most outlandish things: The Golden Crown; the Holy Crown; the Imperial Robe; the Blood of the Martyrs; the ****** Sword of ******* (fill in the blanks yourself); the Holy Foreskin (I'm not making this up); the bones of the Saints; St This, St That and St the Other. Many have a religious (Roman Catholic) feel to them.

By the way ermine is white with black spots or 'tails' so black ermine would be black on black. The traditional name for white spots on black fur is 'ermines'. So are they stupid and don't know themselves or are they just taking the mickey out of their 'members'. (In other professions, these 'members' are called 'tricks' or 'johns'.)

But all have the same the same end - to take your money. There is not one that is legal or bears any kind of scrutiny. There is an International Register of Orders which is on-line http://www.icocregister.org/emain.htm.

But men are vain and rather than being content with what we have, we strive to obtain what we have not and and more to the point that to which we are not entitled. So these bogus orders will flourish till the end of time to pander to men's egos.

Regards

Chas

Fellow of the International Association of Amateur Heralds
Former Committee member of both Norfolk and Suffolk Heraldry Societies
Associate of the International Association for the Promotion of the Heraldic and Genealogical Sciences
Trustee and Founder Member of the International Heraldry Society
Member of the Heraldry Society

[Jock Scot]

I was doing some research on Arisaig in Lochaber because of its ties to the 1st Independent Czechoslovak Brigade that was made up of about 300 heroes who volunteered to be a part of Churchill's SOE (Special Operations Executive).

The town of Arisaig has been trying to organize donations for a memorial to those little-known Czech patriots and heroes of this fighting unit, of which 90% died in their fight against Nazi aggression during WWII.

As I was trying to get more information on on Arisaig, I somehow stumbled on information about (apparently) fake nobility titles being sold to people by selling them worthless plots of land in Lochaber. Well, somewhere in my stumbling, I came across the "Order of the Black Ermine" -- which I duly searched in Google, but came up with a virtual goose egg. Any search for this "order" comes up with bizarre webpages and information of dubious quality and reputation.

I figured that I would pose the question here as I know we have many amateur and professional historians who could shed a bit more light on my query.

Gentlemen?

I think Chas has covered most of the points well. There is, however, a person in Lochaber selling the "Laird of Lochaber" title and is really just a bit of fun. This tract of land is in a plot of ground many miles from Arisaig,so I am not sure if there are two people selling these plots or just the one.

If you go back to the "pictures threads" and to just before last(08) Christmas you will find some wonderful pictures ,by "P1Malt" of Arisaig and surrounding areas. The Commandos, from many nations, trained in the rugged terrain in Lochaber and the SOE were very much involved. There is a wonderful monument at Spean Bridge to commemorate these tough and brave men, mostly, but women too.

The Commando Monument, at Spean Bridge,Lochaber.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

...are the three little words that come to mind when reviewing the Order of the Ermine. Chas has generally covered the point, although there are a variety of "orders" that are fully valid that do not fit his broadly drawn definition.

Insofar as the "International Commission on Orders of Chivalry" is concerned, it is a self appointed (some might say "self annointed") group who set themselves up as the arbiters of what is, and is not, a valid order of chivalry. It appears to be on its third incarnation-- originally established by the late Col. Gayre of Gayre and Nigg (to validate and enhance the status of the then rather suspect Military and Hospitaller Order of St. Lazarus of Jerusalem) it was moribund by the time of Gayre's death. Terrance McCarthy (the shady character masquerading as the McCarthy Mor) then revived the ICOC, with himself at its head, and filled it with "placemen" to validate the selling of his worthless titles and to promote his fake "chivalric" order of the (sic) "Niad Nask". After McCarthy and his pal Davidson were publicly stripped of their arms, and titles (causing them to flee to Tangier to avoid legal prosecution), the ICOC was AGAIN revived-- this time by several members of McCarthy's ICOC group--- and it is in this present form that it publishes its list of "valid" orders.

The bottom line is this: Both real and bogus orders do maintain a web presence. Both real and bogus orders provide on-line contact points for those who want to know more about their activities. Bogus orders inevitably provide a "click-pay-join" service to those who want to to be styled as a knight or dame.

Real orders do not accept "on-line" applications, nor do they "recruit" via the internet.

[Santa Kona]

Every so offen I see online and even in catalogs a someone in Lochaber selling the "Laird of Lochaber" Title. What they are trying to sell you is a 1 yard square plot of land by a hotel. They then try to tell you that you are now authorized to call yourself Laird of Lochaber because you now own the land (1 square foot of land mind you). The sad part of it is the people buy it. Here is one of the many web site links;
http://www.lochaberhighlandestates.com/order.php

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Every so offen I see online and even in catalogs a someone in Lochaber selling the "Laird of Lochaber" Title. What they are trying to sell you is a 1 yard square plot of land by a hotel. They then try to tell you that you are now authorized to call yourself Laird of Lochaber because you now own the land (1 square foot of land mind you). The sad part of it is the people buy it.

In my experience most folks buying the "one square foot" are not delusional-- they buy it almost as a gag, and a pretty harmless gag at that. Sure, they may style themselves as the Laird of X, but only with a nod and a wink to the rest of us.

The delusional people are those who fail to do any basic research, and who misguidedly believe that by handing over a cheque for a couple of hundred dollars they will be received into a valid order of chivalry. I actually feel sorry for most of these people because, for the most part, they really do believe they are doing something good; that they are part of some organization that not only espouses lofty ideals, but puts them into practice.

Sadly, for them, the reality is usually a far different matter.

[ghostlight]

In my experience most folks buying the "one square foot" are not delusional-- they buy it almost as a gag, and a pretty harmless gag at that. Sure, they may style themselves as the Laird of X, but only with a nod and a wink to the rest of us.

These particular sellers say the money raised by their Lochaber project is helping to fund a woodland nature preserve. I don't know how extensive the project is, but I think it's a humorous and fun way to encourage people to donate. No harm done, in my opinion.

[Santa Kona]

If in fact the money is going to help with planting tree and preserving nature trails I would give the cash up. I just have to wonder how much cash is actualy going to that, and how mush is going into someones pocket?

[Chas]

If in fact the money is going to help with planting tree and preserving nature trails I would give the cash up. I just have to wonder how much cash is actualy going to that, and how mush is going into someones pocket?

So often with deals like this the 'Admin' costs are about 98% of total donations. In the UK unless it is a properly registered charity it is possibly breaking the law by making claims as to its charitable giving.

I have six charities that I support. I don't need someone else giving my money to the Red Cross - I do it myself. A one-off joke donation is one thing; regular payments sound like fraud.

Regards

Chas