If The Mitre Fits

The arms of The Rt. Rev. Peter Eaton, Bishop of Southeast Florida
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

I'm rolling out a new mitre as an external ornament for arms of dioceses and bishops.  With a distinctive Anglican aroma, I figured it was time to try and customize my own version to use.  Above are the personal coat of arms of The Rt. Rev. Peter Eaton, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Southeast Florida, featuring the new episcopal hardware.  Earlier this past winter, I was blessed to attend mass at Sewanee celebrated by Bishop Eaton who is simply an outstanding liturgist and pastor.  So, the good bishop was on my mind.

The arms of the Episcopal Diocese of Southeast Florida
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

The mitre traditionally used to ensign such ecclesiastical arms is the mitra preciosa, adorned with jewels and other intricate details.  Pierre de Chaignon la Rose (1872-1941) made prolific use of the mitra preciosa, which he modeled on those found in the 1515 roll of peers at the College of Arms in London.  His version can be seen below.

Arms of the Episcopal Diocese of Albany
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

Often incorrectly attributed, the arms of the Episcopal Diocese of Albany were designed by la Rose and adopted by the diocese in 1931 (The Living Church, 29 August 1931, 603).  Even today, the diocese still illustrates its coat of arms capped with la Rose's version of the mitra preciosa.  He designed the arms for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany as well--the city was home to the la Rose Family. 

I wanted the new mitre to have a 3D effect whereby the hat is turned slightly towards one side, giving the viewer a fuller glimpse of the front and back.  Additionally, I wanted the infulae, or lappets, to appear as unfolding with their creases in tacked and flanking both sides of the escutcheon.  I opted to add a dark red trim to help provide visual contrast.  I will admit that the colors clash depending on the arms they ensign.  The clashing problem will need to wait for now.

  

The arms of the Episcopal Diocese of West Virginia
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

Since I was recently working on a project and needed to render the arms of the Diocese of West Virginia, I show them here topped with the new mitre.  I am conflicted about West Virginia's arms and truly wish something more unique could be created.  It is my home after all. 

Below are a few select examples.

The arms of the Episcopal Diocese of Connecticut
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

The arms of the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

I think the mitre looks perfect on the arms of the Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast.  The diocese's coat of arms were designed by Dr. J. Waring McCrady (b. 1938) and adopted in 1971.

The arms of The Rt. Rev. William K. Crittenden
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

The personal coat of arms of The Rt. Rev. William K. Crittenden (1908-2003), Fifth Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Erie, were designed by The Very Rev. Frederic R. Murray (1910-1996) who served as Dean of St. Paul's Cathedral during Crittenden's episcopate in Erie.  Always good to design arms for your boss.

The arms of the Province of Canterbury, Church of England
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

The arms of the Episcopal Church
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

Playing with the trim color to solve my color clash issue, and perhaps this scheme of going darker with gold will work.  Knowing myself, I'll likely continue to tweak and refine things over time.

Works Cited

The Living Church (29 August 1931).  Heraldic arms for the Diocese of Albany.  The Living Church, 85(18), 603.