Virescit Vulnere Virtus (Courage Flourishes at a Wound)
The House of Burnett is the worldwide Burnett Society
Heraldry
Information on the Heraldry of the Burnetts
can be found in the book ‘Crannog to Castle’, P176 – 203 inclusive.
by Charles Burnett, Ross Herald
'Crannog to Castle'
Leys Publishing July 1, 2000
Charles Burnett is a Knight of St. John, Ross Herald of Arms at the Court of Lord Lyon,
and sometimes President of the Heraldry Society of Scotland.
Crathes Castle - Scottish Heraldry Documentary (Heraldry Explained)
The Arms of the Burnetts
– compiled by John Burnett.
The latest Coat of Arms to be registered
– Victor Burnett
Special Heraldric Flags
The Burnett Crest
The Achievement of James C. A. Burnett of Leys, Chief of the name of Burnett.
In heraldic law, there is no such thing as a “family” crest.
The crest belongs only to the person to whom it was issued, i.e. the Chief.
However, that stated, when one wears the Chief’s crest encircled by a belt and buckle inscribed with the Chief’s motto, it indicates allegiance to that Chief.
BLAZON – A cubit arm, the hand naked, vested vert, doubled argent,
pruning a vine tree with a pruning knife, proper.
MOTTO – Virescit Vulnere Virtus (Courage Flourishes at a Wound)
The motto is the same as for the Stewarts and probably owes its origin to Mary, Queen of Scots, who is said to have embroidered it on some material during her imprisonment by Elizabeth I of England.
Burnett Chief Heraldry
Pictured here is the coat of arms of the Chief, James C. A. Burnett of Leys. As with a crest, there is no such thing as a “family” coat of arms. Only one person may use a coat of arms at a time, so not even the Chief’s son may use the exact same coat of arms while his father is alive.
That said, it is important to add that anyone may display a coat of arms so long as it is clear that there is no improper claim to ownership.
The coat of arms of the Chief, James C. A. Burnett of Leys
The Horn of Leys and Holly Leaves
The Coat of Arms of the Burnetts of Leys contains a Hunting Horn and three Holly Leaves.
The earliest known seals of the Burnett family show a leaf and later three leaves on a shield. Their 12th-century use probably indicated the agricultural lifestyle of the family.
Alexander Burnard was a supporter of King Robert the Bruce and in 1323 was granted the Royal Forest of Drum. Part of this part of the land was later given to another supporter, William De Irwin, and both became keepers of the Royal Forest. Thereafter their arms consisted of a shield emblazoned with three holly leaves and, in the case of Burnett, a horn of office. These shields represented the official Arms of the King’s Steward who would have displayed on his shield and upon his banner, the holly leaves as an official cognisance under which the King’s tenants would have when required, join the feudal array of Scotland.
There is positive evidence that the family coat of arms contained the Horn and Holly Leaves as early as the 16th century and it is assumed that the Horn itself was given to Alexander Burnard as a symbol of the Office of Royal Forester. The modern variant of the coat of arms has been used to identify the Leys Estate activities which include the companies within the Bancon Group.
The Horn of Leys remains in the ownership of the Burnett family and is on display at Crathes Castle.
Horn of Leys and 10 Holly Leaves