Nova Scotia Baronet

Baronets of Scotland, commonly called Nova Scotia Baronets, is also a degree of hereditary dignity, and was projected by King James I to encourage the plantation and cultivation of the province of Nova Scotia in Canada, the first settlement made by the Scots beyond the Atlantic, but that monarch dying before the accomplishment of his intentions, his son and successor, Charles I upon his accession to the throne, instituted this order in 1625. The patent to each baronet contained a grant of eighteen square miles of land in that province, three miles in extent along the sea shore, or navigable rivers, and six miles inland. These lands were erected into baronies, with the most ample privileges, and granted to the patentees, their heirs and assigns, etc. enfeoffment taken on the Castle Hill of Edinburgh was declared sufficient to complete the conveyance. Like the baronets of England, the eldest sons, or heirs male apparent to these baronies, were entitled to the honour of knighthood upon attaining the age of twenty-one years. Four years after the institution of the order, Charles I by royal warrant, dated l7th Nov. 1639, granted these baronets the privilege of wearing a ribbon and badge, which was presented to each of them by the King himself. All the privileges, particularly that of wearing the badge and ribbon, were confirmed at the request of the King dated at Nonsuch, l4th July, 1630.

See Baronet