BARONY

History

The Barony and Lordship of Halydean was established as a feudal Crown Lordship in the year 1128 by HRH King David I of Scotland. The Abbot of the Kelso Abbey ruled one of the most powerful ecclesiastical burghs in all of Scotland, rivaled only by St. Andrews. In 1602 the Barony was assigned to Sir Robert Ker of Cessford, who was made 1st Earl of Roxburghe, whose heirs became the Dukes of Roxburghe. Eventually the Barony and Lordship was assigned in the traditional Scottish manner to Taylor Forrester Moffitt, who is now The Honorable Taylor Forrester Moffitt of Halydean, 15th Baron and Lord of Halydean (since 1602). However, to those who know him, he prefers to be just be called Halydean or "plain old Taylor." Today the Barony is one of the very last operating vestiges of feudalism still in existence.

 

 

About the baron

Taylor Forrester Moffitt of Halydean was American-born and attended a public school in Iowa. He earned his bachelors degree of liberal arts with a major in Youth Ministry, and a minor in biblical studies from Trinity College. He later received his Masters of Business Administration with an emphasis in Finance. He also completed 3 years towards a PhD in Business Administration with an emphasis in Financial Management, and a six-year apprenticeship at an American financial firm. He has worked as a stock broker, financial advisor, company president and CEO, and CFO. He is presently working in the dental industry. Throughout his career, he has served as a volunteer for various organizations. To this day, he volunteers to serve on the board of the Salvation Army and leads a Sunday church service in the local jail for his "captive audience." He has six children and enjoys spending time out in the country with Lady Halydean, Geslaine whom is from Brazil. His successor is Ewan Forrester Moffitt of Halydean. 

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The design for Taylor's coat of arms was based on the undifferenced arms of the chief of the name of Moffat, with differences as suggested by the late Romilly Squire, who was noted for his contributions to the world of heraldry for US Presidents and many other significant individuals. 

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