The Armorial of the US Priory of the Order of St. John

The front cover image of the US Priory's new armorial

A couple of days ago, I received a copy of The Armorial of the Priory in the USA, published by the US Priory of the Order of St. John in 2024.  The softcover tome is massive in weight, its number of pages rich with data, and first-rate heraldic illustrations rendered by Quentin Peacock in the UK who is one of the best in the world.  Even more, there are A LOT of renderings found within the Order's US Priory, providing tons of eye candy for the reader.

A small committee of confreres voluntarily labored for some time gathering data, coordinating renderings for publication, and so much more.  The team of our heraldic experts simply made this all happen and thank God for their work.  The armorial advances our knowledge on the subject of heraldry within the Order of St. John while providing a legacy for its patrons and members.  The attractive armorial is worth every penny.    

Since my investiture was held long after the submission cut-off, my arms are not included.  Even if I had submitted my arms, I would not be able to display the Member medal below my shield owing to their provenance.  The Order's heraldry in the US is under the authority of the College of Arms in London and thus why my assumed arms could not display the medal.

My small contribution to the project
Source: US Priory of the Order of St John (2024), page 91 
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

A few months ago I was honored to help with this project in a small way by contributing my rending of the arms of the Episcopal Church in the fashion of Pierre de Chaignon la Rose (1872-1941) who designed them.  

La Rose prominently placed his version of the bishop's mitre--from the 1515 Heralds' Roll in the UK--as the sole external ornament for diocesan coats of arms in both Episcopal and Roman Catholic churches.  I wanted to bring la Rose's mitre back to these arms, believing there was a good chance it was on the proposal for adoption during the 1940 General Convention.  I suppose my thinking of ways to preserve la Rose's work influenced that design move.  

This year continues to defy any belief I've held of making contributions in this rather niche field of heraldry.  I am inspired to work harder and do my part in service to the cause.