(Vol. v., p. 297.)
I am somewhat of opinion that your correspondent PETROPROMONTORIENSIS is
correct, about this nobleman being by _birth_ the first subject in
Scotland, only he has apparently omitted the word "hereditary" before
those of Great Constable of Scotland, or Lord High Constable of
Scotland. Indeed, some writers make him _by birth_, not only the first
subject in Scotland, but also in England. Dr. Anderson, the learned and
laborious editor of _The Bee_, at p. 306. of vol. v. of that
publication, in the article on James, Earl of Erroll, who died 3rd June,
1778, says:
"As to rank, in his lordship's person were united the honours of
Livingston, Kilmarnock, and Erroll. As hereditary High Constable
of Scotland, Lord Erroll is _by birth_ the first subject in Great
Britain, after the blood royal, and, as such, had a right to take
place of every hereditary honour. The Lord Chancellor, and the
Lord High Constable of England, do indeed take precedence of him,
but these are only temporary honours which no man can lay claim to
_by birth_; so that, _by birth_, Lord Erroll ranks, without a
doubt, as the first subject of Great Britain, next after the
Princes of the blood royal."
It would appear that the personal appearance of Earl James was in good
keeping with his high rank. He was accounted the handsomest man in
Britain, and at the coronation of George III. he attended in his robes,
and by accident neglected to take off his cap when the king entered. He
apologised for his negligence in the most respectful manner; but his
majesty, with great complacency, entreated him to be covered, as he
looked upon his presence at the solemnity as a very particular honour.
The Earl of Erroll's charter of appointment to this high office, is
dated at Cambuskenneth, 12th November, anno 1316; and is still preserved
in the charter room of the family seat, Slains Castle, Cruden,
Aberdeenshire. The youthful inheritor of this high office is the Right
Honourable William Harry, Earl of Erroll, Baron Hay of Slains, Baron
Kilmarnock of Kilmarnock, in the county of Ayr, Captain in the Rifle
Brigade, born in 1823, succeeded his father, seventeenth Earl, in 1846.