Clan MacAlpine Society Clan Without A Chief Seeks Members' Support Contributed by the Clan MacAlpine Society Meet Our Clan Society President Kenneth McAlpine In the earliest of times, the Chief of the Clan picked his successor under the Gaelic practice of tanistry. This meant that the title was passed to the most able candidate within the derbfhine, an extended kinship group which normally consisted of the male descendants of a common great-grandfather, but, usually, to a close relative such as a brother, son, cousin, nephew, etc. This selection was then announced to the Clansmen who could object but who usually, with few exceptions, indicated their approval. Thus, the concept of an overriding democracy was firmly planted in the society of the clan. Gradually, however, the practice of tanistry gave way to the British concept of passing the title from father to son. And so, it is presumed that the right to be Chief flows to direct first-born male descendants. But, The Court of The Lord Lyon in Scotland has held that no Chief can be forced upon a Clan and, therefore, democracy continues, to some extent, to rule the day. More than five hundred years ago, Clan MacAlpine became landless with no recognized Chief. Those that could have protected and preserved the Clan, or at least its history, failed to do so. Our Clan has not had a hereditary Chief for more than five hundred years and it does not have one at the time of this writing (July 2000). Through all those years, as other clans have received formal recognition, chiefly armorial bearings, and other privileges, no one has represented our claims or emerged to lead us. Given our Clan's ancient and unrecorded history, it is extremely doubtful that any individual will ever be able to prove to the authorities in Scotland, without question, direct male descent from our former Chiefs. Therefore, although there is no hereditary Chief of Clan MacAlpine to whom we can offer allegiance, because of his efforts in re-establishing the Clan as an effective body, we give our support to the Society's President, Kenneth James McAlpine. He has provided the leadership and tenacity necessary to give us back our Clan. If you agree that the re-establishment of the Clan as an effective body is the single most important achievement to take place in our Clan history in the last five hundred years, or more, then register your approval. Exercise your right as part of the Clan to support the efforts of Kenneth James McAlpine, our Society President, by joining the Society and adding your name to The Clan Roll Call. Remember that it is the Clan's collective voice that rules the day and it is your support that makes possible our President's progress toward the official recognition of our Clan by the Lyon Court in Scotland. Your support cannot select a Chief; only the Lord Lyon, King of Arms, in Scotland can give such recognition. However, your support can impact the final outcome. This article was contributed by the Clan MacAlpine Society, July 2000. Next Links: http://www.macalpineclan.com Clan MacAlpine in the Great Hall of the Clans on GOTC Famous Scot King Kenneth MacAlpin on GOTC