The Convention of
The Baronage of Scotland
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The Convention ofThe Baronage of Scotland
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CoronetCoronets are all based on the Chapeau or Cap of Maintenance and are therefore of a feudal land holding nature. Until the seventeenth century no distinction was made between Lords of Parliament and Barons who both wore the chapeau alone. In latter years a convention has arrived where the coronet denotes rank.
This achievement of the Duke of Hamilton taken from Sir Thomas Innes of Learney's book "Scots Heraldry" p33 shows a coronet of a duke immediately above the shield. Thereon two helmets befitting his degree, and for crests dexter, on a ducal coronet an oak tree fructed etc sinister, on a chapeau gules, lined ermine, a salamander in flames proper etc. This wonderful achievement shows a proper regard for the ancient baronial status. |
Eight strawberry leaves 
Four strawberry leaves
interspersed with four silver balls on short spikes
Eight strawberry leaves
interspersed with eight silver balls on long spikes
Sixteen silver balls on short
spikes sitting on the circlet
Six silver balls on short spikes sitting on the circlet
A
chapeau.
The chief of a family may use a
'ducal coronet' of four strawberry leaves (one plus two half leaves visible in a typical drawing) tinctured to indicate whether or not the chief is still in possession of the former estates.