Collection of pamphlets on the Earldom of Mar
Scope and Contents
Scrapbook entitled 'A Collection of pamphlets etc. on the Earldom of Mar' containing pamphlets, letters, reports, transcripts, and newspaper cuttings related to the controversy regarding the Earl of Mar title that took place during the years 1875-1885, opposing Walter Henry Erskine, Earl of Kellie, and John Francis Goodeve-Erskine, Earl of Mar. The texts collected in this scrapbook clearly defend the latter.
The dispute spanned over 10 years, and was between Walter Henry Erskine, Earl of Kellie, and John Francis Goodeve-Erskine, Earl of Mar, who both claimed to be the rightful heirs to the earldom. It had deep historical roots: it started because the Earldom of Mar had been seized by the crown in the 15th century, and restituted by Mary, Queen of Scots in 1565. The crux of the matter was to know if this new Earldom of Mar was a restitution, or a new creation. If it was a newly created peerage, it would mean that the rules of succession for titles of peerage would apply: the title could not be passed through the female line, and could only be inherited by heirs-male. However, if it was a restitution of an ancient earldom and not a recreation, then it would mean the old laws of succession for territorial earldoms would apply, and the earldom could be inherited by the heirs-general through the female line. Walter Henry Erskine was the heir-male, whereas John F. Goodeve-Erskine was the heir-general. In 1875, against all expectations, the House of Lords Committee on Privileges ruled in favour of the Earl of Kellie. Many saw this as an outrage and gave their support to John F. Goodeve-Erskine, and in 1885 he was allowed to assume the title of Earl of Mar thanks to the The Earldom of Mar Restitution Act 1885 (48 & 49 Vict.). However, the Earl of Kellie kept his title too, which means so there are now two Earls of Mar.
Dates
- Creation: 1875-1885
Language of Materials
English
Conditions Governing Access
Open. Please contact the repositopry in advance.
Extent
1 scrapbook
Physical Location
Df.3.94 (522)
Alternative reference
Df.3.94/1-14.
The pages also bear the reference 'R.8.32' and '53525'.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Found in the old Df sequence amid printed books. No information on provenance, except for a manuscript note at then end reading 'Quaritch. 23 June 1948', which means it was possibly bought from the bookseller Bernard Quaritch Ltd in 1948.
Processing Information
Catalogued by Aline Brodin in November 2019.
- Title
- Collection of pamphlets on the Earldom of Mar, 1875-1885
- Description rules
- Isad(G)2
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- English
Repository Details
Part of the University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections Repository
Centre for Research Collections
University of Edinburgh Main Library
George Square
Edinburgh EH8 9LJ Scotland
+44(0)131 650 8379
heritagecollections@ed.ac.uk