Court of Honor

Court of Honor

A court of honor (or court of honour) is a semi-official or unofficial tribunal constituted to determine various questions of social protocol, breaches of etiquette, and other allegations of breaches of honor, or entitlement to various honors. In English the term is also an architectural term (see Cour d'Honneur).

Contents

The courts of chivalry

The Court of Chivalry was at one time also known as a "court of honour". In British law, the court of chivalry was a court held before the Earl Marshal and the Lord High Constable; since the abolition of the office of the Lord High Constable, it has been conducted by the Earl Marshal alone. It was established by a statute 13 Ric. II c.2. This court had jurisdiction to try cases concerning contracts and other matters concerning deeds and acts of war. The court of chivalry also has jurisdiction over disputes regarding heraldry and rights to use coats of arms. The court of chivalry is not a court of record, and as such has no power to enforce its decisions by fine or imprisonment; as such it became relatively disused. It is not obsolete, however, and cases have been brought before the court of chivalry as recently as 1954.

Dueling

A court of honor can also be a military court to investigate and issue judgments concerning acts or omissions which are considered to be unbecoming to an "officer and a gentleman", but which do not rise to the level where they are considered crimes triable under military law. A court of honor is also the name given to a tribunal of noblemen who would decide whether a grievance over a point of honor rose to the level warranting a duel, and if so set rules for its fair conduct.

In Scouting

In Boy Scouts of America, a court of honor is a ceremony in which ranks and other awards are presented to the Scouts who earned them. In the South African Scout Association and Scouting Ireland, a Court of Honour consists of all the Patrol Leaders and it assists in the running of the troop. This is known as a Patrol Leader's Conference (PLC) in the US.

References


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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Court of honor — Honor Hon or ([o^]n [ e]r), n. [OE. honor, honour, onour, onur, OF. honor, onor, honur, onur, honour, onour, F. honneur, fr. L. honor, honos.] [Written also {honour}.] 1. Esteem due or paid to worth; high estimation; respect; consideration;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • court of honor — 1. a. : a tribunal to investigate questions of personal honor (as a military court investigating questionable acts) b. : a court of chivalry (sense 1) in the exercise of its function especially in the 17th century as a tribunal for trial of… …   Useful english dictionary

  • Court of Honor — In old English law, a court having jurisdiction to hear and redress injuries or affronts to a man s honor or personal dignity, of a nature not cognizable by the ordinary courts of law, or encroachments upon his rights in respect to heraldry, coat …   Black's law dictionary

  • Court of Honor — In old English law, a court having jurisdiction to hear and redress injuries or affronts to a man s honor or personal dignity, of a nature not cognizable by the ordinary courts of law, or encroachments upon his rights in respect to heraldry, coat …   Black's law dictionary

  • court of honor — Date: 1593 a tribunal (as a military court) for investigating questions of personal honor …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • court of honor — 1. a body, esp. a military one, convened to hear complaints relating to personal honor. 2. Philately. a noncompetitive exhibit of outstanding stamps forming part of a large exhibition. [1680 90] * * * …   Universalium

  • Court of Honor — 1. the planning body of a girl scout troop, composed of patrol leaders, the troop scribe, the troop treasurer, and the adult troop leader. 2. a body of officials of a boy scout organization that awards honor medals and certificates of promotion… …   Universalium

  • Honor court — Honor Hon or ([o^]n [ e]r), n. [OE. honor, honour, onour, onur, OF. honor, onor, honur, onur, honour, onour, F. honneur, fr. L. honor, honos.] [Written also {honour}.] 1. Esteem due or paid to worth; high estimation; respect; consideration;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Honor — Hon or ([o^]n [ e]r), n. [OE. honor, honour, onour, onur, OF. honor, onor, honur, onur, honour, onour, F. honneur, fr. L. honor, honos.] [Written also {honour}.] 1. Esteem due or paid to worth; high estimation; respect; consideration; reverence;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Honor bright — Honor Hon or ([o^]n [ e]r), n. [OE. honor, honour, onour, onur, OF. honor, onor, honur, onur, honour, onour, F. honneur, fr. L. honor, honos.] [Written also {honour}.] 1. Esteem due or paid to worth; high estimation; respect; consideration;… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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