[MR] On titles

[Syr Justus de Tyre]

 You are correct that the order the grant recipient is a member of is
important and more telling of the individual’s achievements than THL.
But in practice an individual’s membership in an order is seldom
mentioned, at least in the way the honorific is being referred to here.


 When someone is called into court for example, listing the orders and
awards they are belonging to is done only in times of high ceremony. 

"Their majesties call into court, Lord Joe Blow, order of the pearl,
order of the kraken, recipient of the coral branch..." 

While this is cool, and can be done very nicely, what happens most
often is:

 "Their majesties call into court, Lord Joe Blow" 

However when I and Master Herveus are called into court, our titles are
announced accordingly. (Our highest title that is) 

 The Grant of Arms recipients should receive the same consideration,
and if “honorable” is completely unacceptable then we should come up
with something that is acceptable as soon as possible. 

  Precedence wise, GoA has always been the second tier award, but you
are correct that kingdom customs vary widely on how GoA’s are awarded
and recognized. No one will be surprised to learn that I come from
lands where GoA’s are held in high esteem indeed. : ) 

  I think that court baronages here are much more rare than you will
have found in your experience, often being reserved for persons who
perform exceptional, and continued service to the crown. 

 I’d like to use this space to address another point that was brought
up, the perceived overloading of titles, or “alphabet soup” that can
follow someone’s name in print, or in signature.
  For everything there is a season, and in your official signature
there is nothing wrong with giving a full account of your titles and
awards, you earned them after all. There is also nothing wrong with
choosing to use only your highest award. Or to list none at all, again
you earned these distinctions. 

 There are some situations where giving your full title or listing all
your awards is not necessarily appropriate.  Rattling off your full
title to a sitting monarch while on a diplomatic mission is expected.
Giving every person you meet the same honor could become tiresome. 
Your official signature is one thing, but there is only so much space
on the event sign in form or car tag. 

 As with many things, discretion is the mark of nobility. 

-Justus 

Syr Justus de Tyre 

http://justus1199.diaryland.com/

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