The Earl of Errol and the Right Honourable Lord Haddo

Category

Library Item

Item no

13527

Title

Two noble friends (The Earl of Errol and the Right Honourable Lord Haddo)

Description

The Earl of Errol and the Right Honourable Lord Haddo standing and facing each other while holding hands in what appears to be a formal greeting or farewell pose.
Both figures are dressed similarly in wide-brimmed hats, long coats, knee breeches, tall boots and canes.

Artist / maker

Kay, John

Date

1787

Size

10.5 x 6 cm

Type

Etching

Location

Edinburgh and Scottish Collection

The accompanying text in the volume states as follows:
"The first of these "Noble Friends," (to the left,) is GEORGE, fourteenth EARL of ERROL. He was born at Slanes Castle-the principal seat of the family-in Aberdeenshire, in 1767. His father, James Lord Boyd, was the eldest son of Lord Kilmarnock, who suffered, in 1746, on account of the Rebellion. Lord Boyd held a commission in the 21st regiment of foot at the time, and fought against the young Chevalier, whose cause his father had espoused. In 1758, on the death of his grand-aunt, he succeeded to the title as thirteenth Earl of Errol. The hereditary honour of Lord High Constable of Scotland was conferred by King Robert Bruce upon his lordship's ancestor in 1315.

GEORGE, the subject of this sketch, succeeded to the title, while yet at Harrow School, by the death of his father in 1778. He purchased a cornetcy in the Ist dragoons in 1780, being then only thirteen years of age. He afterwards held commissions in various regiments-was Major of the 78th foot in 1793, and latterly Captain of a company in the Ist regiment of foot guards.

The other noble friend represented in the Print, is the Right Honourable LORD HADDO, eldest son of the third Earl of Aberdeen, and brother to Lord Rockville, noticed in an early part of this work. He married, in 1782, Charles, youngest daughter of William Baird, Esq. of Newbyth, Haddington-shire, and sister of the late gallant Sir David Baird, Bart. and K.B.
Lord Haddo was a young nobleman of considerable public spirit, and much esteemed by the citizens of Edinburgh. He was Grand Master Mason of Scotland in 1783, and the two following years, and presided at the meeting of the Grand Lodge in 1785, when the charter was granted for the institution of the "Lodge of the Roman Eagle," formerly alluded to in our sketch of Dr Brown."

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Related subjects

Clothing and dress > Accessories > Boots

Clothing and dress > Accessories > Cane

Clothing and dress > Accessories > Hats

Clothing and dress > Garments > Breeches

Clothing and dress > Garments > Coats

People > Politics and government > Earls

People > Politics and government > Lords

Sport and leisure > Activities > Talking

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