Scottish Feudal Barony
A Scottish feudal barony (also known as prescriptive barony) used to be attached to a particular piece of land on which is the "caput" (Latin meaning 'head'), or the essence of the barony, normally a building, such as a castle or manor house. Accordingly, the owner of the piece of land containing the "caput" was the Baron or Baroness. As of December 2009, the Court of the Lord Lyon now recognises a person possessing the dignity of baron under certain conditions, this being the status of a minor baron, a title of non-peerage rank.
Unlike England's system of hereditary peerages - which are, in the main, passed down the male line - Scottish feudal baronies may be passed to any person, of either sex, by inheritance or conveyance.
The Scots have a quite distinct legal system within the United Kingdom. Historically, in the Kingdom of Scotland, the Lord Lyon King of Arms, as the Sovereign’s Minister in matters armorial, is at once Herald and Judge.
The Scottish equivalent of an English baron is a Lord of Parliament. Scottish baronies should not be compared to English lordships of manors.
Read more about Scottish Feudal Barony: History, Abolition of Feudal Tenure, Usage, Scottish Heraldry, List of Feudal Baronies (created Before 1707)
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