Heraldic Funerals part 3
DUKE OF ROTHES The funeral of John, 1st and only Duke of Rothes, reveals just how elaborate an heraldic funeral on a grand scale was. The Duke passed away on July 27th 1681 and it was almost a month later on August 21st before his funeral took place. Having held the office of Lord High Chancellor of Scotland, he was afforded a full state funeral. It included every possible type of heraldic funeral trapping, as well as two complete regiments of artillery. Following the troops were two conductors with black staffs over their shoulders, then two gumpheons ( square flags), one bearing a death’s head with the words memento mori ( remember, you must die) the other bearing an hourglass...