Fake Scots Titles

[macwilkin]

And to my mind--utterly ridiculous. Sure professional titles and military titles (when approriate and for active service) make sense. But Grand PooBah Sir Knight of the_______ ? Doesn't make sense to me.

Perhaps it is my American--and Yankee experience that makes this hard for me to understand. If one is a member of some organization which uses odd titles in it's membership--then fine and dandy. But these 'titles' are for use only within that organization, are they not?

Again, this is all ONLY my opinion--but I think there's enough self engrandisement in US society. Adding to it with fake titles is superfluent.

But then again, my main interest in Heraldry--the heading of this forum--is the procedure for manipulation of symbols and the symbology reflected in the art under a specific vocabulary.

Yes -- fraternal titles should only be used in in conjunction with that particular organization. To the "profane", some fraternal titles may seem silly, but rest assured, there are reasons and symbolism behind him.

Although this American has no issue with genuine titles that are rightly bestowed. We could do with a lot more tradition, INMHO. George Washington, for example, saw nothing wrong with heraldry and the American Republic, and frequently displayed his personal arms on everything from his table service to his coach.

T.