LYON King of Arms. See King; and Law, No civili. 16.

This office is of great antiquity and respect in Scotland; but although the precise time of its institution is unknown, yet it must have been as early as the introduction of armorial figures as hereditary marks of gentility and distinction into this country, which was in the 12th century. His regalia are, a crown of gold, with a crimson velvet-cap, a gold tassel, and an ermine lining; a velvet-robe reaching to his feet, with the arms of the kingdom embroidered thereon before and behind in the proper tinctures; a triple row of gold chain round his neck, with an oval gold medal pendent thereunto, on one side of which is the royal bearing, and on the other St Andrew with his cross enamelled in proper colours, and a baton of gold enamelled green, powdered with the badges of the kingdom. The Lord Lyon's rank is superior to that of any other king of arms, as he holds his office immediately from the sovereign by commission under the great seal; whereas the kings of arms in England are deputies to the Earl Marshal, and act under his authority. Formerly Scotland was divided into two provinces, the one on the north and the other on the south side of Forth; and these provinces were under the management of two deputies appointed by the Lord Lyon to superintend the execution of all the business of his office. Before the revolution, the Lord Lyon at his admission into office was most solemnly crowned by the sovereign, or his commissioner, in presence of the nobility, the officers of state, and other great men, after a suitable sermon preached in the royal-chapel; and his crown was of the same form with the imperial crown of the kingdom. On solemn occasions, he wears the regalia above described; at all other times, he wears the oval gold-medal or badge on his breast suspended by a broad green ribbon. He has the absolute disposal of all the offices in his own court, and of the heralds and pursuivants places. The messengers at arms throughout Scotland are also created by him, and are amenable to his jurisdiction. And the powers vested in him by his commission are the same with those of the sovereign in all matters relative to the marks of gentility.

To give the reader a more complete idea of the dignity and nature of this office, we shall subjoin,

The order observed at the coronation of Sir Alexander Araskine of Cambo, Baronet, Lord-Lyon King of Arms, at the royal palace of Holyrood-house, on the 27th day of July 1681; his royal highness James duke of Albany and York being his majesty's high commissioner.

I. The chair of state being placed upon a throne of two steps in height, under the royal canopy, in the chamber of presence; and the imperial crown, sceptre, and sword of state, being placed on a table before the throne, the said table covered with purple velvet fringed with gold; his majesty's high-commissioner was conveyed by the officers of state and the nobility to the throne, when he sat down in the chair of state, the nobility standing on each side.

II. Then Sir Alexander Araskine was introduced in this manner:

1. The king's six trumpets in their coats, two and two, founding. 2. The six pursuivants at arms in their coats, two and two.

III. Mr Robert Innes, Lyon-depute, bearing his patent under the great seal.

IV. The master of the ceremonies.

V. The Lord Lyon supported by two baronets, viz. Sir William Sharp of Scotscraig, and Sir John Maitland; and attended with the six maces on either side, with their silver maces.

VI. Then having three several times done their homage to his majesty's high commissioner, viz. at the door, in the middle of the chamber, and before the throne, those who carried the patent and regalia drew near to the chair of state; the rest of the heralds and pursuivants retiring to the windows, and the trumpets to a place allotted for them.

VII. The master of the ceremonies brought the Lord Lyon to his majesty's high commissioner, and he kneeled down before him on a velvet-cushion, and was dubbed knight with the sword of state.

VIII. The master of the ceremonies called for the patent under the great seal, and gave it to one of the clerks of the privy council, who read it aloud. He then delivered it to his royal highness, and from him to the Lord Lyon, shewing him the king's pleasure, his duty, and the importance of the honour conferred upon him by so gracious a master.

IX. His royal highness caused the Lord Lyon to swear the oath of allegiance, and take the declaration, the same being read by one of the clerks of the privy council.

X. The master of the ceremonies took the surcoat of arms, and gave it to his royal highness, who, with his assistance, put it on the Lord Lyon; his highness saying, "I do vest you with this coat and robe of your office during all the days of your lifetime, which you shall wear on all honourable occasions, keeping the same free from all spot of treason, villainy, and disgrace."

XI. The master of the ceremonies took the crown, and delivered the same to his royal highness; who put it on the Lord Lyon's head, saying, "In the name of his most sacred majesty the king, I crown you, Sir Alexander Araskine of Cambo, baronet, Lyon King of Arms throughout all the kingdom of Scotland, and the isles, colonies, and dependencies thereunto belonging, with all the powers, privileges, liberties, honours, and dignities, belonging to that office."

XII. The master of the ceremonies gave the baton to his royal highness; who, delivering it to the Lord Lyon, said, "I deliver to you this baton of your office, in token of that command and regal authority which his majesty gives you over all who bear his majesty's arms under you in this kingdom of Scotland."

XIII. The master of the ceremonies gave the collar to his royal highness; who put it about the Lord Lyon's neck, saying, "This royal token and badge of your master's favour, I give you to be worn by you all the days of your life, in token of your precedence before all others of under degree and quality, in consequence..." sequence of your good and faithful services done and to be done."

XIV. Then his royal highness blessed the Lord Lyon, and took his oath in the terms following: "I shall defend the Catholic faith to the uttermost of my power. I shall be leal and true, secret and serviceable, to our sovereign lord the king, and to all estates, that is to say, to emperors, kings, princes, archdukes, dukes, marquises, earls, viceroys, lords, or barons, knights, esquires, gentlemen, ladies, widows, and maidens of good fame, and shall forward their lawful business upon their expense: and what ambassage or message I take in hand to do, I shall do the same truly, without adding or taking from. I shall forbear all open vices, common bordells, common hazard, and common drinking in taverns. I shall fortify and defend the privileges of the noble office of arms with all my power; and shall never reveal any man's secrets, treason excepted. I shall observe and keep all the forenamed points: So help me, God; and by my part of paradise."

XV. Then one of the heralds, with sound of trumpet, proclaimed out of one of the windows Sir Alexander Araskine of Cambo, baronet, Lyon King of Arms throughout all the kingdom of Scotland, and the isles and dependencies thereunto belonging, with all the honours and privileges that to this office appertain.

XVI. His royal highness, taking the Lord Lyon by both hands, raised him; who, taking off his crown, gave his highness his humble thanks, and then cried aloud, "A largess of the most high and mighty monarch Charles, by the grace of God, king of Scotland, England, France, and Ireland, defender of the faith, &c."

XVII. Then by sound of trumpets all the heralds and pursuivants proclaimed the same words out of the windows.

XVIII. The Lord Lyon, in his robes, collar, and crown, with the baton of command in his hand, was attended back to the chamber from whence he came, in the same order as before, the heralds and pursuivants proclaiming round the court in their return, "A Largess," &c. supra.