Iain Moncreiffe of that Ilk
Encyclopedia
Sir Rupert Iain Kay Moncreiffe of that Ilk, 11th Baronet, CVO
, QC
(9 April 1919 – 27 February 1985) was a British
officer of arms
and genealogist
. He used various forms of his name: His columns for Books and Bookmen wete signed Iain Moncreiffe; Royal Highness is by Sir Iain Moncreiffe of that Ilk, Bt.; Simple Heraldry is by Sir Iain Moncrieffe of Easter Moncreiffe. Like other Scottish landowners, and other baronets, he distinguished himself from other Moncreiffes by referring to his estate: of that Ilk is Scots for "of the same [place]", since his estate was Moncreiffe Island
itself. (Easter Moncreiffe was the name of his house; Moncreiffe House burnt down in 1957, and its ruins were inherited by his cousin's daughter.)
The son of Lieutenant-Commander Gerald Moncreiffe, RN
, and Hilda, daughter of the Comte de Miremont, he succeeded his cousin as 11th Baronet and Chief of Clan Moncreiffe
in 1957.
Educated at Stowe School
, Heidelberg, and Christ Church, Oxford
, as a cadet officer he trained with Derek Bond
(actor) and Patrick Leigh Fermor
, he later served in the Scots Guards
during the Second World War
, then as attaché at the British embassy in Moscow
, before studying Scots Law
at the University of Edinburgh
, where he graduated Ph.D.
with a thesis on the Scots law of succession to peerages.
A prominent member of the Lyon Court, he held the offices of Falkland Pursuivant
(1952), Kintyre Pursuivant
(1953), Unicorn Pursuivant
(1955), and (from 1961) Albany Herald
. He wrote a popular work about the Scottish clans, The Highland Clans (1967), Simple Heraldry, Cheerfully Illustrated (1953), Simple Custom (1954), and Blood Royal (1956) with Don Pottinger
, but his interests also extended to Georgian and Byzantine noble genealogies. Lord of the Dance, A Moncreiffe Miscellany, edited by Hugh Montgomery-Massingberd encompassed his genealogical world-view.
He was an incorrigible snob; he even called himself Master Snob. He took silk
(relatively late in his career), because very few barristers specialised in heraldic matters and he wished to highlight the importance of this field of speciality. He was a frequent writer of amusing and often illuminating letters to newspapers, particularly The Daily Telegraph
, and provided the introduction to Douglas Sutherland
's satirical book The English Gentleman
(1978). He held membership in many London clubs and founded his own club in Edinburgh
, called Puffin's, after his first wife, Diana Hay, 23rd Countess of Erroll
, whom he married on 19 December 1946 at St Margaret's, Westminster. He and his wife were one of the few couples who both held titles in their own right. They had three children:
Moncreiffe's first marriage was dissolved in 1964 and in 1966 he took as his second wife Hermione Patricia Faulkner, daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel Walter Douglas Faulkner by his marriage to Patricia Katherine Montagu Douglas Scott, the present Dowager Countess of Dundee.
Royal Victorian Order
The Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...
, QC
Queen's Counsel
Queen's Counsel , known as King's Counsel during the reign of a male sovereign, are lawyers appointed by letters patent to be one of Her [or His] Majesty's Counsel learned in the law...
(9 April 1919 – 27 February 1985) was a British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
officer of arms
Officer of arms
An officer of arms is a person appointed by a sovereign or state with authority to perform one or more of the following functions:*to control and initiate armorial matters*to arrange and participate in ceremonies of state...
and genealogist
Genealogy
Genealogy is the study of families and the tracing of their lineages and history. Genealogists use oral traditions, historical records, genetic analysis, and other records to obtain information about a family and to demonstrate kinship and pedigrees of its members...
. He used various forms of his name: His columns for Books and Bookmen wete signed Iain Moncreiffe; Royal Highness is by Sir Iain Moncreiffe of that Ilk, Bt.; Simple Heraldry is by Sir Iain Moncrieffe of Easter Moncreiffe. Like other Scottish landowners, and other baronets, he distinguished himself from other Moncreiffes by referring to his estate: of that Ilk is Scots for "of the same [place]", since his estate was Moncreiffe Island
Moncreiffe Island
Moncreiffe Island, also known as Friarton Island divides the River Tay into two channels as it flows through Perth in Scotland. It is crossed by the railway line to Dundee.Moncrieffe House was built in 1679, by the architect Sir William Bruce...
itself. (Easter Moncreiffe was the name of his house; Moncreiffe House burnt down in 1957, and its ruins were inherited by his cousin's daughter.)
The son of Lieutenant-Commander Gerald Moncreiffe, RN
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
, and Hilda, daughter of the Comte de Miremont, he succeeded his cousin as 11th Baronet and Chief of Clan Moncreiffe
Clan Moncreiffe
-Origins of the Clan:The Moncreiffes are of great antiquity, and possibly descend through a female stem of the Celtic Royal Dynasty. The name Moncreiffe is derived from the Barony of Moncreiffe in Perthshire. Their lands take their name from the Gaelic name Monadh Croibhe meaning hill of the sacred...
in 1957.
Educated at Stowe School
Stowe School
Stowe School is an independent school in Stowe, Buckinghamshire. It was founded on 11 May 1923 by J. F. Roxburgh, initially with 99 male pupils. It is a member of the Rugby Group and Headmasters' and Headmistresses' Conference. The school is also a member of the G20 Schools Group...
, Heidelberg, and Christ Church, Oxford
Christ Church, Oxford
Christ Church or house of Christ, and thus sometimes known as The House), is one of the largest constituent colleges of the University of Oxford in England...
, as a cadet officer he trained with Derek Bond
Derek Bond
Derek William Douglas Bond MC was a British actor.-Life and career:Derek Bond was born 26 January 1920 in Glasgow, Scotland. He attended Haberdashers' Aske's Boys' School in Hampstead, London. He saw active service with the Grenadier Guards in North Africa during the Second World War, for which he...
(actor) and Patrick Leigh Fermor
Patrick Leigh Fermor
Sir Patrick "Paddy" Michael Leigh Fermor, DSO, OBE was a British author, scholar and soldier, who played a prominent role behind the lines in the Cretan resistance during World War II. He was widely regarded as "Britain's greatest living travel writer", with books including his classic A Time of...
, he later served in the Scots Guards
Scots Guards
The Scots Guards is a regiment of the Guards Division of the British Army, whose origins lie in the personal bodyguard of King Charles I of England and Scotland...
during the Second World War
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, then as attaché at the British embassy in Moscow
Moscow
Moscow is the capital, the most populous city, and the most populous federal subject of Russia. The city is a major political, economic, cultural, scientific, religious, financial, educational, and transportation centre of Russia and the continent...
, before studying Scots Law
Scots law
Scots law is the legal system of Scotland. It is considered a hybrid or mixed legal system as it traces its roots to a number of different historical sources. With English law and Northern Irish law it forms the legal system of the United Kingdom; it shares with the two other systems some...
at the University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
The University of Edinburgh, founded in 1583, is a public research university located in Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The university is deeply embedded in the fabric of the city, with many of the buildings in the historic Old Town belonging to the university...
, where he graduated Ph.D.
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
with a thesis on the Scots law of succession to peerages.
A prominent member of the Lyon Court, he held the offices of Falkland Pursuivant
Falkland Pursuivant Extraordinary
Falkland Pursuivant of Arms was a Scottish pursuivant of arms of the Court of the Lord Lyon.The title was first mentioned in 1493 and it is derived from the Royal Palace of the same name located in Fife...
(1952), Kintyre Pursuivant
Kintyre Pursuivant
Kintyre Pursuivant of Arms was a Scottish pursuivant of arms of the Court of the Lord Lyon.The Kintyre Pursuivant was formerly a private officer of arms in the service of the Lord of the Isles, but along with Dingwall Pursuivant, Ross Herald, and Islay Herald became an officer of arms to the...
(1953), Unicorn Pursuivant
Unicorn Pursuivant
Unicorn Pursuivant of Arms in Ordinary is a current Scottish pursuivant of arms in Ordinary of the Court of the Lord Lyon.The title was created after 1381, and derived from the unicorn...
(1955), and (from 1961) Albany Herald
Albany Herald
Albany Herald of Arms was a Scottish herald of arms of the Court of the Lord Lyon.The office was first mentioned in a diplomatic mission from Scotland to England in 1401. The office was probably instituted on the creation of Robert Stewart, son of King Robert II, as Duke of Albany, on 28 April 1398...
. He wrote a popular work about the Scottish clans, The Highland Clans (1967), Simple Heraldry, Cheerfully Illustrated (1953), Simple Custom (1954), and Blood Royal (1956) with Don Pottinger
Don Pottinger
John Inglis Drever Pottinger was a Scottish officer of arms and heraldic author. He is best remembered for the publication, with Sir Iain Moncreiffe, of Simple Heraldry, Cheerfully Illustrated.-Early life:...
, but his interests also extended to Georgian and Byzantine noble genealogies. Lord of the Dance, A Moncreiffe Miscellany, edited by Hugh Montgomery-Massingberd encompassed his genealogical world-view.
He was an incorrigible snob; he even called himself Master Snob. He took silk
Queen's Counsel
Queen's Counsel , known as King's Counsel during the reign of a male sovereign, are lawyers appointed by letters patent to be one of Her [or His] Majesty's Counsel learned in the law...
(relatively late in his career), because very few barristers specialised in heraldic matters and he wished to highlight the importance of this field of speciality. He was a frequent writer of amusing and often illuminating letters to newspapers, particularly The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph
The Daily Telegraph is a daily morning broadsheet newspaper distributed throughout the United Kingdom and internationally. The newspaper was founded by Arthur B...
, and provided the introduction to Douglas Sutherland
Douglas Sutherland
Douglas Chalmers Hutchinson Sutherland was a British author and journalist, who was born at Bongate Hall, Appleby-in-Westmorland, in 1919...
's satirical book The English Gentleman
The English Gentleman
The English Gentleman is a humorous book written by Douglas Sutherland and illustrated by Timothy Jacques, with an introduction by Sir Iain Moncreiffe of that Ilk...
(1978). He held membership in many London clubs and founded his own club in Edinburgh
Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, called Puffin's, after his first wife, Diana Hay, 23rd Countess of Erroll
Diana Hay, 23rd Countess of Erroll
Diana Denyse Hay, 23rd Countess of Erroll was a British peeress suo jure.Diana was only child of Josslyn Hay, 22nd Earl of Erroll and his first wife, Idina Sackville...
, whom he married on 19 December 1946 at St Margaret's, Westminster. He and his wife were one of the few couples who both held titles in their own right. They had three children:
- Merlin Sereld Victor Gilbert, styled Lord Hay, later 24th Earl of Erroll (b. 20 April 1948).
- Hon. Peregrine David Euan Malcolm Moncreiffe of that IlkPeregrine Moncreiffe of that IlkThe Hon. Peregrine David Euan Malcolm Hay, later Moncreiffe of that Ilk, baron of Easter Moncreiffe and Chief of Clan Moncreiffe is the second son of Sir Iain Moncreiffe of that Ilk, 11th Baronet Moncreiffe and Diana Denyse Hay, 23rd Countess of Errol...
, Chief of Clan MoncreiffeClan Moncreiffe-Origins of the Clan:The Moncreiffes are of great antiquity, and possibly descend through a female stem of the Celtic Royal Dynasty. The name Moncreiffe is derived from the Barony of Moncreiffe in Perthshire. Their lands take their name from the Gaelic name Monadh Croibhe meaning hill of the sacred...
(b. 16 February 1951), married in 1988 Miranda Mary Fox-Pitt (b. 29 December 1968). - Lady Alexandra Victoria Caroline Anne Moncreiffe Hay (b. EdinburghEdinburghEdinburgh is the capital city of Scotland, the second largest city in Scotland, and the eighth most populous in the United Kingdom. The City of Edinburgh Council governs one of Scotland's 32 local government council areas. The council area includes urban Edinburgh and a rural area...
, 30 July 1955), married Jolyon Connell (b. Edinburgh, 16 May 1952); they have two daughters, Flora Diana Catharine Cecelia Connell (b. LondonLondonLondon is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, 24 February 1990) and Ciara Edith Elisabeth Connell (b. LondonLondonLondon is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, 28 March 1994). Lady Alexandra also has a son, Ivar Francis Grey de Miremont Wigan.
Moncreiffe's first marriage was dissolved in 1964 and in 1966 he took as his second wife Hermione Patricia Faulkner, daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel Walter Douglas Faulkner by his marriage to Patricia Katherine Montagu Douglas Scott, the present Dowager Countess of Dundee.
Sources
- Sir Iain Moncreiffe, baronet Moncreiffe at geneall.net