Jun-06 Issue - The Heraldry Society

THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER
OF THE HERALDRY SOCIETY REGISTERED AT STATIONERS HALL
ISSN 0437 2980
THE HERALDRY
GAZETTE
NEW SERIES 100
June 2006
The small-scale hatchment prepared by Andrew Gray and illustrated above was displayed at the Anniversary
Luncheon and hung behind High Table. It is now in the Society's possession. It bears a copy of the arms of the
late John Brooke-Little as painted by the eminent heraldic artist, Anthony Wood.
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JOHN PHILIP BROOKE BROOKE-LITTLE Esquire CVO MA FSA
In 1947, an advertisement appeared in Boys' Own
Paper and elsewhere.
A memorable meeting was held at The Interval Club,
up stairs of a terrace house in Greek Street, Soho. I was
in the regulation Sunday suit that we wore at school,
stiff collar and heraldic tie of the school where the
great armorists, W.H.St John Hope had been a boy and
Sabine Baring Gould had been headmaster. A welldressed
young gentleman with round steel rimmed
glasses and bow tie, already showing signs of the
baroque figure he was to become, and the beginnings
of a balding pate, introduced himself as John Brooke-
Little. Two ladies, and some learned looking elders
were there to support him. They had great ideas for the
future of the hobby that I had begun more than a
dozen years before. These led to the creation of The
Society of Heraldic Antiquaries to which I paid my first
year's subscription. Copies of a cyclostyled newsletter,
The Escutcheon, appeared spasmodically and in a
variety of sizes, edited by Mr Brooke-Little.
The Escutcheon graduated from Gestetner to print
and disappeared for a while to be replaced by The
Heraldry Gazette. In 1950, John also launched the
society's journal, The Coat of Arms and was its Editor
in Chief for more than 40 years. In the early years his
mother, Constance Egan, was both secretary of the
society and editor of the journal. On visits to our home
she would read her own Epaminondas stories to our
children. One could discern the source of John's quick
wit and sense of merriment, his deep faith and literary
abilities. Indeed, one was soon to recognise what an
amusing turn of mind he had. A humorous and
captivating personality, John was an entertaining and
erudite lecturer and evidently did much through his
talks and tours and his skills as a raconteur to promote
the expanding interest in heraldry throughout the
world. He was responsible for launching several
heraldic congresses that were signal successes due in
large measure to his management of his team of
collaborators. Like our mutual friend, Wilfrid Scott-
Giles, John popularised a subject otherwise regarded
as the study of fools with long memories. Wilfrid and
John became the “Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee” of
the world of heraldry, John also succeeding Wilfrid
with editing several editions of Boutell's Heraldry, that
became a standard work of reference on heraldic
practice among armorists and the heralds themselves.
He also edited Fox Davies's Complete Guide to
Heraldry written in 1909, along with many other
books and articles on genealogy and heraldry.
When the idea of a school for family history studies
was born in 1957, John's signature joined those of the
founders who signed the concord on a large piece of
heraldically decorated wallpaper as suggested by our
great personal friend the late Sir Colin Cole, quondam
Garter King of Arms. As one of the first and a muchappreciated
member of the Court of Trustees of the
Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies in 1961,
the contributions of John Brooke-Little will be sorely
missed. He accepted the role of a Vice-President when
poor health compelled him to resign in 2004. He
proved to be a counsellor of the most remarkable
loyalty, a diplomatic advisor, and, inevitably an
innovator of good ideas for the progress of education
in our field of study.
Though once he had enjoyed riding a motor scooter,
John was not enthusiastic about driving but enjoyed
travelling by train. Apologising sometimes for lateness
in arriving at meetings after we reached Canterbury in
1961, he did not complain that the train had been
diverted via Ashford or Sheppey. He told us that he
enjoyed the sound of the wheels and if in his
alternative life he had not become a priest, he might
well have chosen to become an engine driver,
preferably with steam.
Apart from being known as JBL, it was at El Vino's
in the Strand over glasses of Burgundy, Claret or postprandial
Port, with the aid of Gerald Henderson
sometime Librarian at St Paul's Cathedral, helped by
Colin Cole and the journalist, James Moran, that on his
appointment to the office of Bluemantle Pursuivant,
we christened him “Bluebottle”. That was a name that
persisted beyond his promotion to Richmond Herald in
1967. Much of the progress of the Heraldry Society
was planned in advance of formal meetings of Council
in that hostelry under the watchful eye of the jovial
Frank Bower. A chair emblazoned with the arms of the
Society, now sadly worn away, was donated to the back
room of El Vino's. Apart from El Vino's, cognoscenti
among the heralds and armorists were also lured into
“Winnie's" at No. 10, Fetter Lane, off the Fleet, and of
course, to “The Horn" behind The College of Arms, the
one since demolished and the latter since suffering
from a face lift and a change of name; but in both,
business of The Heraldry Society spun apace.
John Philip Brooke Brooke-Little, was born 6th April
1927, son of the late Raymond Brooke-Little and the
children's author, Constance Egan. He married in
Items for inclusion in the Gazette post to: The Editor, The Heraldry Gazette, at the address given on
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1960, Mary Lee, only child of the late John Raymond
Pierce, and had three sons and a daughter. Educated
at Beaumont House in the Oratory School, Clayesmore
School and New College, Oxford, after a short term on
National Service in Yorkshire, and while teaching for a
short time at a preparatory school, he joined the Earl
Marshal's staff in 1952/3. He was a Gold Staff Officer
for the Coronation in 1953, being appointed
Bluemantle Pursuivant of Arms in 1956. In the
previous year he attended the International Congress
of Heraldry and Genealogy in Madrid where he
received accolades for his foundation in England. This
inspired him to promote congresses of The Heraldry
Society. He attended the 5th International Congress in
Brussels in 1958 on which occasion he drew heraldic
and other designs in cartoon fashion on Alice's napkin
as well as caricatures on the table-cloth, while merrily
humming. When, as he was wont, he nodded off at the
table over an unfinished meal, I confess that we left
him to his slumbers and found our way back to the
residence, being greeted cheerfully with some apt
remark about the power of Belgian fare before the first
lecture on the following morning. From his own wide
experience, he was particularly helpful to me when
organising the International Congress in England in
1976. Unfortunately there was no answer to the
rampaging inflation of those years.
Although he did have some financial support from
an ancient aunt, John was quick to make a success of
his practice as Bluemantle, and, in 1967, he was
advanced to the office of Richmond Herald that had
lain vacant for nearly six years. He was specially
involved with the late Rodney Dennis, Somerset
A TRIBUTE TO JOHN BROOKE-LITTLE
Herald, in arrangements for the state funeral of Sir
Winston Churchill, and with Sir Anthony Wagner and
the Heralds' Museum. He became Registrar of The
College of Arms in 1974, and was appointed Norroy
and Ulster King of Arms. He was particularly pleased
because this led, as he often pointed out, to his
appointment as, successively King of Arms, Registrar
and Knight Attendant on the most Illustrious Order of
St Patrick from 1980-1995. He served as Librarian of
the College from 1974-1994, Treasurer from 1978-
1995 and as Clarenceux King of Arms 1995-1997. He
was saddened that his predecessor had insisted on
retaining his office for life while John's was one of the
first appointments to be limited to retirement at the
age of 70. Many a herald survived into his 80's and
beyond.
As prospective bride and groom, John and Mary had
arrived at home to announce their intentions just as
Alice excused herself to give birth to a son, who joined
The Heraldry Society before he was aware of it. John
entertained us with some of his extraordinary and
sometimes hilarious anecdotes as we awaited the
announcement of gender. Aubrey Toppin, John's
predecessor both as Bluemantle and as Norroy was not
far short of 80 when he danced in the courtyard of the
College of Arms with our eldest daughter, Susan, who
was one of Mary's bride's maids when John married
Mary Lee in 1960. To Mary, Clare, Philip, Leo, Merlin
and the family, we offer the heartfelt condolences of
the membership of the Society that may probably be
regarded as John's second love.
Cecil R.J.Humphery-Smith
Many contributions by Brooke-Little Norroy and Ulster to the College of Arms, to heraldry and heraldic
education were featured in Daily Telegraph Obituaries 16 February, Times Register 17 February 2006 and
Heraldry Society website. Little known but here gratefully acknowledged is the important part he played while
Richmond Herald to save Missenden Abbey (1134 AD) from threat of closure by Buckinghamshire County
Council. Brooke-Little had the ancient arms of the Abbey executed on vellum to increase political awareness of
the importance of the Abbey during the long ‘Battle for the Abbey’, won prior to the 850th anniversary in 1984.
Although the Abbey’s priceless, late medieval roof, 18C roundels and gothic interior were almost wholly
destroyed by arson in 1985, the Abbey’s coat of arms survived and is permanently displayed in the foyer by way
of a lasting tribute to John Brooke-Little, CVO: a lecturer sans égal, a herald sans pareil and, above all else, a
foul weather friend.
Reverend Peter Hebden BA BD PQC(ED)
Warden Emeritus of Missenden Abbey
ON THE NEXT PAGE . . . INFORMATION ABOUT NEW JBL MEMORIAL LECTURES
Items for inclusion in the Gazette: post to the Editor, The Heraldry Gazette, at the address given on
page 11 or by e-mail to heraldry.gazette@mac.com
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JBL MEMORIAL LECTURES
Council has decided to create a permanent and
ongoing memorial to John Brooke-Little. The annual
JBL Lecture will be transformed into a series of lectures
dedicated to promoting heraldry amongst the young.
Ways will be found to have the lectures repeated
before youthful audiences. Council believes that JBL
would have welcomed this.
The new JBL Memorial Lecture series will need to be
funded. Some generous donations have already been
made. More would be most welcome. With the
September mailing there will be a flyer inviting
donations to the fund in memory of JBL, with a slip to
submit with your cheque.
CORRESPONDENCE
HERALDRY GAZETTE
The High Sheriffs of Oxfordshire
The Stadtbrunnen (the town's
fountain) of Bülach
Hugo Brunner’s Shield as High
Sheriff of Oxfordshire
Geoffrey Sampson’s letter in your March issue has
been brought to my attention.
I don’t know whether the fountain in the arms of my
family is derived from our name or from the very fine
fountain in the small town in Switzerland, Bülach,
from which my great-great-grandfather, Johannes,
migrated to Liverpool in 1832.
The fountain reminds our family of its professional
roots in water supply. It has helped to keep the
English Brunners in touch with our Swiss cousins,
many of whom visited us when we celebrated the
200th anniversary of the birth of Johannes in 2000.
The family motto is nicely ambiguous “Bibe si Sapis”.
We have always taken it to mean “Drink from the
waters of Wisdom”.
As Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire I am particularly
looking forward to associating Her Majesty the Queen
in May with the efforts of Churches Together in
Charlbury to raise funds for the provision of 10 wells
in Mali.
Hugo Brunner
William Maving Gardner
Since childhood I have been fascinated with all
things heraldic and have held a fanatical devotion to
true medieval heraldry. Never once in my sixty years
of heraldic art have I been tempted to turn my work
into images akin to photographic realism.
On receiving my latest “Heraldry Gazette” for Dec
05, I read with great interest the article “William
Maving Gardner”. In this article were the words that
must curdle the blood of today's experts and heraldic
art gurus.
Speaking of the “medieval heraldic lion”, the article
goes on to say, “full of life, movement and spontaneity,
exuding the lion-like qualities medieval man
attributed to the king of beasts, pure joyful decoration,
one of the most important qualities which heraldry
possesses, and one, it must be said, to which too many
heraldic scholars and antiquarians appear totally
blind”.
Well, well! I am gob-smacked and totally delighted.
Medieval heraldry, pure inspiration, like fresh air!
Ron Douglas Lovell
‘Noble Hearts. The Order of St Joachim’ - A
review by Clive Cheesman. Coat of Arms No.
211. Spring 2006
Mr Cheesman notes that the foreword is by the
Grand Master of the Order, “His Excellency the
Chevalier Col. Prof. V Helmut von Bräundle-Falkensee
. . .” who lives in his native Austria.
Having regard to this impressive description of the
Grand Master, I was disappointed to find no entry in
Rietstap for “von Bräundle-Falkensee”. Likewise there
was no entry (under either name) in the 16 volume
ADELS LEXICON (1972-2005) published by C A Starke
Verlag!
D O FitzHugh
Visit the website at www.theheraldrysociety.com
THE COAT OF ARMS
‘The English in the Golden Fleece Group of
Armorials’ by Steen Clemmensen. Coat of Arms
No 211. Spring 2006
As a non-statistician, I found some of the argument
in this article hard to follow, and I wonder if the
author or someone more statistically literate than I
could answer the following queries:

1) On p.12 it says “one can spot a conjunction of
rhythm and periodicity between ETO and APA , which
is less distinct than any between ETO and BHM”. This
surprised me given that the author states that BHM is
a copy of ETO. Comparing the lists in Table 1, which is
admittedly only a small part of the full list, there are
13 instances where the sequence in ETO matches that
in APA, but 17 where ETO matches BHM. In each
sequence I have ignored the first item, so that, for
example, the ETO sequence 128,129,130 counts as 2
instances and the following sequence, 106,107 counts
as 1. Further, in the Appendix, the match between ETO
and BHM is overwhelming. Most of the matching
sequences come in 5's or multiples of 5 and the last
22 coats in ETO, 146 to 167, are matched exactly by
the coats in BHM, 2049 to 2070. How does the
author's statement follow from these figures?
2) On p.15 it says “thus APA 33 and ETO 30 have
identical blazons and represent the Earl of Pembroke”.
In the Appendix the Earl of Pembroke's arms are
recorded as ETO 29 not 30, although later in the
article the text gives the correct reference. Does this
give rise to other discrepancies?
3) On p.15 the author explains the reading frame
analysis and in Table 2 demonstrates how this applies
when APA is used as the base and ETO as the object.
If I have understood this right the table shows 13 out
of a possible 26 instances (i.e. 1 / 2 ) where the author
of ETO has copied the sequence of APA as it runs
across the opening between a verso page and the
following recto page, and then back to the beginning
of the next line on the verso page. The author goes on
to say “A reversal of the reading frame will
demonstrate that APA cannot have derived from ETO”.
With the limited information in Table 1 and the
Appendix it is only possible to test this for one similar
pair of pages, but to me it appears to fall out as
follows:
Allowing for the missing 109 and 110 and applying
the same formula, this would give a result in which in
4 out of a possible 6 instances (i.e. 2 / 3 ) the author of
APA had used the same sequence as if he had had
ETO in front of him. Admittedly this is an incomplete
table but, as it stands, this would surely mean that the
evidence for ETO being the earlier document is
stronger than for APA. Alternatively, the authors of
both documents were following an earlier unidentified
archetype, which is not very different from the
conclusion by Mr. Clemmensen on page 16. I also
appreciate that the numbering of APA and ETO in
Table 1 is different from that in the Appendix and this
complicates matters.
I look forward to being enlightened.
Raymond Crawfurd
INTERNATIONAL ARMORIAL
Member Paul Langan who has recently taken up
permanent residence in Canada's eastern seaboard
province of Newfoundland and Labrador is having
some success with his new venture, the International
Armorial, which is advertised elsewhere in the
Gazette. It is Paul's intention that the
Armorial should become an all-embracing collection
of armorial bearings, both of individuals and
corporations who have received their arms from those
extant granting authorities around the world. The
arms registered can be either be in colour or black and
white according to the choice of the grantee,
together with a blazon and rationale, as well as any
other background information an individual or
corporation cares to submit. For those interested in
placing their arms upon the armorial, registration is
Please send your letters or articles to the Editor
of the Gazette at the following address:
The Head’s House, Fred Nicholson School,
Westfield Road, Dereham, Norfolk NR19 1JB or
by e-mail to heraldry.gazette@mac.com
PLEASE NOTE THE CHANGE OF EMAIL
ADDRESS.
It is appreciated that not everyone has access to
the necessary computer technology but wherever
possible, it would be helpful if contributions
could be sent digitally, e.g. on a CD.
All opinions expressed in the Heraldry Gazette are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the Editor
or of the Heraldry Society.
E-mail the editor at heraldry.gazette@mac.com 5

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HERALDRY OF NEW LIFE PEERS
Peter Ll. Gwynn-Jones, CVO, Garter Principal King of Arms, follows articles which appeared in
earlier issues of the Coat of Arms with a further selection of the arms of new Life Peers
Baron Bingham of Cornhill (Thomas Henry Bingham) cr 1996, KG 2005,
Kt 1980, PC 1986.
(Baron Bingham of Cornhill, of Boughrood in the County of Powys)
Arms: Per pale Or and Vert per chevron three Ears of Corn slipped and leaved all
counterchanged
Crest: A Griffin sejant erect Vert beaked and holding with both forefeet a Key wards
upwards and outwards Or
Supporters: On either side a Running Duck that on the dexter Vert beaked and legged Or
and that on the sinister Or beaked and legged Vert
Badge: A Running Duck Vert beaked and legged and grasping in the dexter foot a Key
wards upwards and outwards Or
Baroness Buscombe (Peta Jane Buscombe) cr 1998. (Baroness
Buscombe, of Goring in the County of Oxfordshire)
Arms: Azure on a Roundel per saltire Argent and Or a Roundel per saltire Or and
Argent the whole voided and interlaced with a Bendlet per saltire Or and Argent
and a Bendlet sinister per saltire Argent and Or
Supporters: On either side an Otter reguardant sejant erect Argent gorged with a
plain Collar attached thereto a Chain reflexed over the back Or
The Arms were inspired by a device in a local church and the otters were a personal
preference. The blazon of the bendlets as “per saltire” is arguable as it is always
accepted that charges on a bend are set bendwise unless otherwise stated.
However, this does not apply to lines of division. For example, a bend “per bend”
suggests a bend divided in half lengthwise. It is not blazoned as “per fess” which it
should be if lines of division follow the bendwise rule. If lines of division are thus
exempted from this rule, then Lady Buscombe's bendlets are per saltire and not
quarterly or per cross. Where a bendlet or bend is divided by two diagonals in what might be considered by many as “per saltire” the
problem is resolved by blazoning such as “per saltire bendwise”.
The Arms are a pun on Cornhill, the per chevron formation suggesting a hill.
The griffin is taken from the Arms used by Gray's Inn and is depicted
holding a key as a punning allusion to his wife's surname of Loxley. Lord
Bingham of Cornhill and his family breed running ducks.
Baroness Finlay of Llandaff
(Ilora Gillian Finlay) cr 2001. (Baroness Finlay of Llandaff, of Llandaff
in the County of South Glamorgan)
Arms: Gyronny Azure and Sable upon a Roundel Argent a Roundel invected of
eight points Gules charged with a Mullet ribbed of eight points throughout Argent
Supporters: On either side a Unicorn Argent armed and unguled Or gorged with a
plain Collar attached thereto a Line reflexed over the back and terminating in a
Ring Gules
Badge: A Roundel invected of eight points Gules charged with a
Mullet of eight points throughout gyronny Argent and Or
The roundel and mullet arrangement suggests a poppy seed case
viewed head on. This represents morphine and its treatment of pain, the latter
being the speciality of Baroness Finlay of Llandaff. The poppy seed case is placed upon a background of black and blue which is a
further allusion to pain as are the unicorns. The unicorn's horn was anciently considered to be an all heal.
Visit the website at www.theheraldrysociety.com

Baron Jones of Cheltenham (Nigel David Jones) cr 2005. (Baron Jones
of Cheltenham, of Cheltenham in the County of Gloucestershire)
Arms: Per pale Gules and Vert three Mice sejant Argent supporting with the forefeet an
Abacus Or
Crest: A demi Black Rhinoceros Vert armed and supporting with the feet a Welsh Triple
Harp Or
Supporters: On either side a Hippopotamus statant erect and with mouth agape that on
the dexter Vert and that on the sinister Gules both tusked and gorged with an Ancient
Crown attached thereto a Chain reflexed over the back Or
Badge: The Head of a Hippopotamus caboshed per pale Vert and Gules crowned with an
Ancient Coronet Or
The mouse and abacus represent a computer. Hippos and rhino were a
personal preference and the Welsh harp represents both Wales and the
grantee's love of music.
Baron Griffiths of Burry Port (Leslie John Griffiths) cr 2004. (Baron
Griffiths of Burry Port, of Pembrey and Burry Port in the County of
Dyfed)
Arms: Gyronny Argent and Vert on a Celtic Cross Gules between four Escallops flukes
inwards five roundels Or
Crest: Entwined about a Bottle Kiln Or a Dragon wings displayed the body reflexed
over the sinister side with the tail to the dexter Gules langued Or
Supporters: On either side a male Griffin Gules armed langued rayed and holding in
the interior forefoot a Conch shell Or
The griffins are a pun on the surname. The rest of the Achievement contains elements
from Wales, including the green and white field, and Christianity.
Baroness Shephard of Northwold (Gillian Patricia Shephard) cr
2005. (Baroness Shephard of Northwold, of Northwold in the County of
Norfolk)
Arms: Quarterly Azure and Or three pairs of Ears of Barley in pale Or each pair fesswise
leaved and with slips inwards and conjoined all counterchanged
Supporters: On either side a Hare Azure gorged with a Coronet attached thereto a
Chain reflexed over the back Or
Badge: A Hare's Face Azure in the mouth a pair of Ears of Wheat fesswise leaved and
with slips inwards and conjoined Or
These Armorial Bearings reflect rural Norfolk with blue for the
Conservative party.
Visit the website at www.theheraldrysociety.com 7

8
THE MOST NOBLE ORDER OF THE
GARTER
The Queen has been graciously pleased to appoint the
following to the Most Noble Order of the Garter:
His Royal Highness the Duke of York
His Royal Highness the Earl of Wessex
The arms of the Duke of
York (left) are:
Arms: The Royal Arms
differenced by a Label of
three points Argent,
charged on the centre point
with an Anchor Azure.
Crest: On a coronet of
crosses and fleurs-de-lys a
lion statant guardant or, crowned with a like coronet
and differenced by a label as in the Arms. Supporters:
As with the Royal Arms differenced by a like coronet
and label.
The arms of the Earl of Wessex are similar but
differenced by a label of three points argent charged
on the centre point with a Rose barbed and seeded
proper.
Classified:
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VICE PRESIDENTS
The publication in the last issue of the list of the
Society's Vice Presidents has revealed that there were
two appointments, in 1996 and 1998, which did not
make it to the “office copy” list. The corrected full list
is now reproduced below, with profound apologies to
the Archbishop and Mr Turner.
The Lord High Constable of Scotland
The Lord Lyon King of Arms
The Chief Herald of Canada
Garter King of Arms
Clarenceux King of Arms
Norroy and Ulster King of Arms
The Master of the Worshipful Company of Scriveners
The Master of the Worshipful Company of Painter-
Stainers
The Master of the Worshipful Company of Glaziers
The Duke of Westminster
Simon Scrope
The Rt Rev Michael Mann, former Dean of Windsor
Cecil Humphery-Smith
E. N. (Pete) Taylor
Adrian Turner
David Hubber
The Most Rev Archbishop Maurice Couve de Murville
Fergus Gillespie, Chief Herald of Ireland

PHOTOGRAPHIC COMPETITION
The Photographic Competition got off to a good start last year with some very enthusiastic entries from our
members. Those who took part and were involved enjoyed the competition. If you were hesitant in submitting
an entry last year Council encourages you to do so this year.
The arrangements for the Competition will be the same this year. It is open to members, their families and
their friends (who will need to be sponsored by a member). Entries may make use of traditional roll film or digital
images, but any computer enhancement must be limited to standard recognised darkroom practices. Each
competitor may submit two entries, in which case they must be of different subjects, An entry should exemplify
heraldry in its broadest interpretation coupled with photographic excellence displaying artistic merit and
originality.
The judging panel will be chaired by the Society's Chairman, Somerset Herald David White. The other
members are Corinna Pike, a member of Council, Shaun Curry, a professional press photographer, and Clive
Alexander, who will provide administrative support.
The panel will base its assessment of entries upon photographic quality, technical composition, ingenuity.
strength of heraldic emphasis, aesthetic composition and presentation. It will have discretion not to accept
entries which are regarded as unsuitable.
The closing date for the submission of entries this year is 30th October 2006. An entry form will be enclosed
with the September issue of the Gazette. The winner will be notified by post and the results will be published
in the March 2007 edition of the Gazette. The Society reserves the right to print and publish such of the entries
as it thinks fit.
As reported in the March issue of the Gazette, the
Norfolk County Council was awarded a certificate of
commendation for the use of its arms on new road
signs at county boundaries. The certificate was
presented on May 2nd at the Annual General Meeting
of the Council. The photograph (right) shows Mr
Patrick Hacon, the newly elected Chairman of the
Council, receiving the certificate from Andy Anderson,
Chairman of the Norfolk Heraldry Society.
Photo: Alan Howard, Norwich
CORPORATE AWARD PRESENTATION
PERCY VANT Herald with a Difference by Peter Field
The deadline for contributions to the next Gazette is 1st August 9

10
THE SOCIETY’S IMAGE COLLECTION
Heraldry is a visual art. To appreciate it, to talk about
it, you really need to see it. Which is why the Heraldry
Society's slide collection ought to be its most valued
resource. But in practice it is underused, and I am only
just beginning to find out why, and what we are all
missing.
A part of the problem is that no-one actually knows
what we have. The published catalogue of some 2,500
slides actually represents only half those that have been
systematically numbered, and this 5000 or so is matched
by at least as many uncatalogued and unprovenanced
(and in too many cases unidentified) slides which have
accumulated over the years through gift or legacy.
I am in the process of absorbing these collections into
the catalogue, while revising the detail of its
classification. Already I can deliver the lists in an
electronic form which can be browsed, searched or
sorted, and this catalogue will keep growing. The latest
version of the lists can be found on our website at:
www.theheraldrysociety.com/resources/artwork.htm.
Members may borrow slides from this list by e-mailing
me via andrew.gray4@virgin.net.
In the meantime, though, the art of presentation is
moving on. Those attending our London meetings will
have noted that some lecturers are not using slides, but
projecting digital images straight from a computer.
Digital photography is now as cheap as film
photography, and increasingly amateurs and
professionals alike are taking pictures that they will never
need to print. So as a start I have decided never to lend
a slide out without making a scanned copy. This gives us
both a backup and an expanding digital collection, in
fact an Image Library, not just a Slide Library. The
catalogue will show whether an image is available as
slide, or as an image file, or as both. At a later date it
should even be possible to show "thumbnails" of the
collection - small images which give an impression of the
slide or stored image, so that a lecturer can make a better
informed choice.
But if this exercise has taught me one thing, it is how
little I know. In this and future issues of Heraldry Gazette
I should like to share with you some of the “unidentified"
material, confident that a member somewhere will know
exactly what it is.
On this occasion, the slides are from a collection of
Rolls of Arms. Can anyone name the sources? If you can,
contact me via andrew.gray4@virgin.net, or through the
correspondence page.
Andrew Gray, Image Librarian
Visit the website at www.theheraldrysociety.com
Item 1
Item 2
Item 3

Item 4
Item 7
Item 10
Item 5
Item 8
Item 6
Item 9
E-mail the editor at heraldry.gazette@mac.com 11

12
HERALDRY FROM THE COMMONWEALTH - PART ONE - ST JOHN’S
Through my travels around the
British Commonwealth I have
had the joy and privilege to be
able to become immersed in the
heraldry that comes part and
parcel of historic regions. From
the modern high rise buildings
in cities such as Victoria in
British Colombia to the five
hundred year old city of St.
John's Newfoundland, they all
have heraldry embedded into
their culture.
Recently I was able to tour
parts of Canada for 6 months
while on business. During my
trip it occurred to me that I am
seeing, first hand, the use and
type of heraldry that many
people might not be able to see. So I decided to keep
notes of the wonderful examples that I saw and then
when I returned to the United Kingdom to write a
series of articles on the things that have caused me to
gain an even greater interest in heraldry.
In this article I am going to try and share my interest
in the armorial achievements of the oldest city in
North America and the place that John Cabot
discovered for England more than five hundred years
ago, St. John's, Newfoundland.
The coat of arms that the city currently uses was
granted on March 1st 1965 by the College of Arms, as
it was not until June 4th 1988 that the Canadian
Heraldic Authority (CHA) was formed. The Queen, on
advice from the Canadian Privy Council, awarded
letters patient to the then Governor General Jeanne
Sauvé. The letters patent stated that "the Governor
General of Canada is to exercise, or provide for the
exercise of all powers and authorities lawfully
belonging to us as Queen of Canada in respect of the
granting of armorial bearings in Canada". With this
power now transferred to the Governor General,
Canada became the first Commonwealth country to
grant arms without the involvement of London.
The blazon of St. John's achievement is “Gules a
Paschal Lamb proper between two chief Escallops
Argent a Chief of the last charged with an ancient ship
sail set pennon and flag flying upon Water Barry wavy
proper And for the crest Issuant from a mural Crown
Or a rocky mountain Sable thereon a Lion passant Or
between two roses Gules each
charged with another Argent
barbed seeded slipped and
leaved proper, Mantling Gules,
doubled Argent. On either side a
male figure”. The achievement is
clearly seen in the illustration.
The reasoning behind the
blazon is truly interesting and
highlights strongly the history
of St. John's and the effect that
Great Britain had on the city
through the years. The shield,
which is of the type of the late
13th and early 14th century
style, has two supporters; on the
dexter a mariner of the fifteenth
century holding an Escroll
Argent inscribed with the date
1497 Stable while the sinister is another mariner this
time of the late sixteenth century holding a Escroll
with the date 1583. The dexter figure represents a
mariner sailing with John Cabot, with the date
indicating the year he discovered the island of
Newfoundland. The sinister is a mariner with Sir
Humphrey Gilbert with the date that he claimed the
island for England.
The background to the shield elements follows: the
lower region of the chief represents the city’s
namesake, St. John, by the use of the lamb, carrying
with it a banner of St. George illustrating the strong
connection with England. The upper region refers to
the province of Newfoundland's early discoverers and
explorers; again we see that the ship is flying the St.
George cross, another illustration of the connections
with England. Looking closely we see that the crest is
a stone wall representing the civic authority over the
city while the passant lion and roses act as the third
illustration of English involvement. The motto of the
city is shown below the compartment and reads
“Avancez” which means “advance”, the meaning of
which has yet to be understood by me.
St. John's, even though it is the oldest city in North
America has had in its 500 plus years of existence only
one grant of arms, the above. As previously mentioned
this was from the English Kings of Arms, with the grant
only entered into the Canadian registry last year on
the 15th March. Finding this surprising I contacted
Bruce Patterson - Saguenay Herald at the Canadian
Visit the website at www.theheraldrysociety.com

Heraldic Authority and was informed that the granting
of arms to Canadian and Newfoundland municipalities
did not start until the 1940s; prior to that date
armorial designs tended to be freely assumed by
municipalities and it is possible that St John's had a
similar coat of arms assumed.
After contacting Helen Miller of the City of St. John's
Archives I was allowed to view the records of the city
regarding their symbols. I found that previous to 1965
the city did in fact have a seal - I was able to read
letters dating back to the early 1900s that clearly
showed that there were in fact two seals designed, one
of which was used.
The description of the adopted seal is as follows -
taken from the city records: The tincture of the field of
the escutcheon is gules charged with the emblems of
St. John the Baptist, the patron of the city (and of its
two Cathedrals), a paschal lamb with a banner bearing
St. George's Cross - it was under the aegis of Henry
VII, King of England, that Cabot began his voyage of
discovery in the western hemisphere. The Paschal
lamb has been used as a Church symbol of the Baptist
from time immemorial. The shells or escallops are
emblematic of the Baptist and Christ's baptism in the
Jordan. They are called baptismal shells and are
arranged upon the shield according to the strictest
rules of heraldic propriety. Above the shield is shown
“the narrows” or entrance to the harbour of St. John's
viewed from the city and looking towards the Atlantic.
Important historical landmarks are shown: Fort
Amherst on one side, Chain Rock, the Battery, and
Cabot tower on the other. Cabot's ship the “Matthew”
is shown in the harbour entrance - distinctive of the
tradition held in St. John's that Cabot visited and
named the place.
From time spent in the city I have seen that the coat
of arms is used widely by the city council, being on
display on everything from road signs to the city’s
website with the latter at www.stjohns.ca. We all have
seen dress uniforms with arms on them, but never have
I seen before every local council employee having the
arms on their uniforms; be it police or city council
workers, basically every person to do with the city in
any way, shape, and form wears them. They proudly
adorn the sides of all city council cars and their service
vehicles. As you walk through the city all you have to
do is look up to see the arms flying on the city’s flag.
This was my first stop and I was impressed by what I
found. I think you will agree. What will I find as I
continue my journey around Canada?
Paul J. Langan, M.Phys (Hon), FRAS
Visit the website at www.theheraldrysociety.com 13

14
ALMANAC OF EVENTS JULY TO SEPTEMBER 2006
Jul 3 Lancashire Members’ Interests
5 Norfolk The Hanseatic League Jim & June Marriage
Aug 7 Lancashire Heraldic Monsters John Mackie
Sep 4 Lancashire 3 x 10 minute Talks
6 Birmingham The Development of Scottish Heraldry over the
last 100 years Elizabeth Roads
7 Middlesex AGM
6 Norfolk A Salute to St George Elizabeth Armstrong
13 Yorkshire Annual General Meeting
26 Birmingham Heraldry on Wine Bottles - please bring samples
27 Yorkshire Duxbury Lecture: Castle Life in the 21st Century Sir Thomas Ingilby Bt.
?? Somerset Visit to Shrivenham Church, near Swindon Arlene Fisher
Please check details of meetings with the appropriate contact person shown on page 16
Please note that other heraldic events take place. This is not an exhaustive list. If you would like your events to
appear please send details to: heraldry.gazette@mac.com, including in the subject line - almanac entry.
We welcome the following new members:
Dr. M. Kersley Surrey
Dr. R Coultman London
N. Haywood Tallin
J. K. Norton Peterborough
I. Day Milton Keynes
J. F. Miller Suffolk
E. Herbert Northampton
Catherine Turner was a long standing member of the
Heraldry Society and regularly attended lectures in
London.
She taught History and Heraldry for the University of
the Third Age in Bournemouth.
Born in Stapleton, Bristol, her father was a teacher.
She in turn, taught at the Licensed Victuallers School
where she was a housemistress.
Catherine studied Roman dress in detail to ensure
accuracy in school plays.
Later she became a housemistress at St Edmunds
College, Ware, Hertfordshire where she wrote and had
published an illustrated book on the heraldry at the
College. She took a further qualification in heraldry
whilst at St James under the supervision of the vicar.
Catherine was a member of the St James Parish
Church Council and joined in Fellowship and all
church activities; she was an intercessor and lay
reader.
She had a wide range of interests including lace-
MEMBERSHIP NEWS
CATHERINE TURNER 1924 - 2006
M. Burtscher Oxford
A. Lingen-Stallard London
D. Gelber London
J. Calver Maidstone
A. Leino Finland
L. Fridriksson Iceland
E. Penn USA
T. Powys-Libbe Berks.
making, and she attended Hampshire Agricultural
Show each year. She had a great interest in film and
television ranging from Buffy the Vampire Slayer to
Harry Potter but she was an informed critic of recent
historical films and TV drama.
A valued member of the St James family, she will be
missed by us all.
Ron Broome
PLEASE NOTE:
The next deadline for contributions to the Gazette is
1st August.
Visit the website at www.theheraldrysociety.com
FOR SALE
Queens Beasts colourful models, approx 7”, Franklin
Mint set of ten, plus book, Offers - 01527 876485
Schools Arms 3 volumes loose coloured prints by
David Christie-Murray and Dan Escott, Offers - 01527
876485

Visit the website at www.theheraldrysociety.com 15

16
National
RRooyyaall HHeerraallddrryy SSoocciieettyy ooff CCaannaaddaa
www.heraldry.ca
Contact:: John Wilkes,
RHSC,
P.O. Box 8128
Terminal T, Ottawa, ON K1G
3H9, Canada
secretary@heraldry.ca
FFllaagg IInnssttiittuuttee
www.flaginstitute.org
Contact: Michael A Faul,
44 Middleton Road, Acomb,
York YO24 3AS Phone 01904
33 9985 info@flaginstitute.org
HHeerraallddrryy AAuussttrraalliiaa
Regular meetings in Sydney and
Canberra. Occasional meetings in
Melbourne. Contact: Stephen Michael
Szabo, Hon. Secretary,
PO Box 107 LAWSON
NSW 2783 Australia
heraldry_aust@optusnet.com.au
HHeerraallddrryy SSoocciieettyy ooff SSccoottllaanndd
www.heraldry-scotland.co.uk
Meetings held at various
locations. Contact: Charles
Napier, 40 Morningside Drive,
Edinburgh, EH10 5LZ.
SSoocciieettyy ooff GGeenneeaallooggiissttss
www.sog.org.uk
14 Charterhouse Buildings,
Goswell Road, London EC1M
7BA Phone 0207 553 3290
SSoocciieettyy ooff HHeerraallddiicc AArrttss
www.heraldic-arts.com
Contact: John Ferguson, Phone
01737 242 945
WWhhiittee LLiioonn SSoocciieettyy
www.whitelionsociety.org.uk
Society of Friends of the
College of Arms
Contact: Roland Symons, 5
Weatherley Avenue, Odd Down,
BATH BA2 2PF
Local
CONTACTS
CCiittyy ooff BBaatthh
Meetings are held at Manvers Street
Baptist Church Halls, Bath. 2.30 pm.
Secretary: Michael Messer, Flat 1, 2
Lower Church St, Bath BA1 1NL. Phone:
01225 420654
BBiirrmmiinngghhaamm aanndd MMiiddllaanndd
Contact: Adrian de Redman,
Phone 0121-608 5496. The
Group meets 4th Tuesday
(except Aug & Dec) in the
Kingsley-Norris Room, Birmingham &
Midland Institute, 7.15 pm.
CCaammbbrriiddggee UUnniivveerrssiittyy
www.cam.ac.uk/societies/cuhags/
Contact: Derek Palgrave,
Crossfield House, Stanton,
IP31 2DY
DerekPalgrave@btinternet.com
CChheesshhiirree The group meets at Townley
Street Sunday School,
Macclesfield at
2.30 pm. Contact: Mr Harold
Storey 2 Orchard Close, Cheadle Hulme
SK8 7ET
Phone 0161 4853786
CChhiilltteerrnnss The group meets at various
locations. Contact: John Allen,
Phone 0118 947 8712
EEaasstt MMiiddllaannddss
Meetings are held at The Museum, New
Walk, Leicester.
Contact: Miss I M Norman,
Phone 0116 270 6136
GGrreeaatteerr MMaanncchheesstteerr
Contact: Alan Fennely, 16 Paderborn
Court, Bolton, BL1 4TX
Phone 01204 532915
IIssllee ooff WWiigghhtt
Meetings are held at The Riverside
Centre, Newport, IOW.
Contact: Roy Middlebrook,
Phone 01983 522079
barbara@bmiddlebrook.freeserve.co.uk
LLaannccaasshhiirree
http://members.aol.com/lancsheraldry
The group meets on the first
Monday of each month at St
Stephen’s Parish Centre,
Broadgate, Preston at 7.30
pm. Contact: Chris Ward, 87 Palmer
Road, Blackburn BB1 8BS Phone 01254
53866
chrisward1@btinternet.com
MMeerrsseeyyssiiddee
Philip Jackson, 38 Heygarth Road,
Eastham, Cheshire, CH62 8AE.
Phone 0151 327 3491
MMiiddddlleesseexx Meetings held at the Guide
Hut, Bury Street, Ruislip.
Contact: Mrs Margaret Young,
34 Farthings Close, Eastcote,
Pinner, Middx, HA5 2QR,
Phone 0208 868 8750.
NNoorrffoollkk
www.norfolkheraldry.co.uk
Meetings are held at United
Reformed Church, Princes
Street, Norwich, 7.45 pm on
the first Wednesday of the
month.
Contact: Philippa Sims, 26c Shotesham
Road, Poringland, Norfolk NR14 7LG.
SSoommeerrsseett Contact: Alex Findlater: The
Grammar House, The Hill,
Langport, Somerset TA10
9UP; 01458 250868; email
alex@findlater.org.uk.
SSttaaffffoorrddsshhiirree
Contact: Graham Phillips, 1
Foxleigh Meadows,
Handsacre
Staffs WS15 4TG
Phone 01543 492794
graham@phillips8106.fsworld.co.uk
SSuuffffoollkk
Contact: Donald Hunt, 81a
Southgate St, Bury St
Edmunds, IP33 2BJ
Phone 01284 763462
YYoorrkksshhiirree
www28.brinkster.com/yksheraldrysoc
Meetings are held at
Headingley Parish Centre, St
Michael’s Road, Headingley,
Leeds at 7.15pm. Contact:
David Krause, 6 Corrance Road, Wyke,
Bradford BD12 9LH Phone 01274
679272.
Please send items for inclusion to the
Editor.
Published by the Heraldry Society, Charity Reg No 24156, Reg Office, 53 High Street, Burnham, Slough, SL1 7JX.
Printed by Masterprint Ltd, London, SE18 5NQ