Somewhere along the line I heard that the expression "Pretender" in relation to Bonnie Prince Charlie actually derives from the French word "prendre," which means "to take." So that it was really BP Charlie, The Taker, and not BP Charlie, The Illusionist. Did you hear about the four Stewarts ... (oops, wrong list). Charlie Fraser Larimer clarimer@prodigy.net ----- Original Message ----- From: <ScotHeritage@aol.com> To: <SCT-INVERNESS-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Thursday, September 07, 2000 12:58 PM Subject: Re: [SCT-INV-L] Re: The Term pretender: > I continually see on list the term "PRETENDER" when used in connection with > many of our Scottish Kings and in the case of Bonnie Prince Charlie, who was > infact crowned as a King of Scotland being as his father had stated he would > abdicate when the Jacobite cause was won. > > The books and many educators would have us, at worst, think the term > pretender means an illegitimate claim to the throne, and at best have not > taken an opportunity to correct implications. > > Here is the legal definition of what The Pretender To The throne means. > > Under the terms of the 'Jus Honorum', he (THE PRINCE/KING) retains the > additional right to > create Jacobite titular distinctions in the tradition of his kingly > ancestors. > Although the Stewarts' monarchical position is suspended in practical terms > by > virtue of a prevailing alternative reigning House, Prince Michael's > entitlements still exist under by right of sovereign heritage. Hence, the > 'Jus > Gladii In Pectore and In Potentia' exists 'of right' (de jure) but not in > practice: 'of fact' (de facto). What remains, however, is the legitimate, > legal and justifiable 'pretension' - from which derives the definition > Pretender. >