Celtic Crest

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Hi Frank, I know Mark Harden of Cowdeknowes very well, yes he seems to say that he is armigerous but he is not, as he is the heir to his fathers arms Barry Harden of Cowdenknowes (hence the three point label on his arms). However he is the Feudal Baron of Cowdenknowes and may well be able to wear feathers in his bunnet.

Since the Abolition of Feudalism Act (Scotland) 2000 about the only perks left to the Baronage are their two eagle feathers, their two pipers, and a plethora of flags, banners, and standards. It seems that it is very much the custom among the peerage and baronage to regard all younger sons (and presumably) daughters as de facto armigers, and to further accord them a single eagle's feather. I've no idea where this came from, but the words "The Ilk" were muttered within earshot...

That said, it is entirely inappropriate for anyone other than a chieftain or feudal baron to display two eagle feathers as those are the distinctive and sole right of the baron or chieftain. The reasoning behind this is that there can only be one baron or chieftain at any given moment. Heirs, both apparent and presumptive, must wait until they accede to the barony or chieftainship before displaying both feathers.