Blue Dove

Concept piece for the College of Arms Foundation
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

Its quite an honor to serve on the Board of Directors for the College of Arms Foundation whose purpose is to promote English heraldry and genealogy in the US while providing financial support to the College in London.  Recently I was renewing my membership with the UK-based counterpart, The White Lion Society, whose badge consists of one of the lions from the College's achievement supporting a flag of the College's arms.  I thought it would be a fun challenge to see if I could create something similar using our blue dove.  Voila.

I think it turned out nicely.  Disclaimer:  my humble illustration above is merely a fun project and is not an official image for the Foundation.  Who knows, perhaps one day this blue bird might get used in some sort of official capacity.    

MAA Centennial Conference Presentation

Indulging in some fun: impaling the arms of Harvard with
the Medieval Academy of America
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

Next week, some 500 scholars from across the globe will be converging on Harvard's campus for the Centennial conference of The Medieval Academy of America.  The Academy was established in Boston in 1925, and of course Ralph Adams Cram (1863-1942) was among the founders.  I've covered the arms of the Academy previously so please click here for background information regarding Pierre de Chaignon la Rose's (1872-1941) design produced in 1927.

If you're counting, the Academy took 2 years to study and consider what emblem(s) best represented the new scholarly enterprise.  Cram chaired the committee that commissioned la Rose for the design.  Thus, the Academy turns 100 this year, but its coat of arms must wait two more years.  Given the youthful history of heraldry in the United States when compared to those European countries of origin, celebrating a centennial milestone for the Academy's coat of arms becomes rather significant.

The carrying power, as la Rose stated, best describes those simple and clear designs which endure.  In other words, these cherished symbols somehow cement the human experience for those communities whose identities are branded in sound heraldry. 

Another artifact proving this theory can simply be found in the arms of Harvard, adopted through armorial assumption by the Corporation in 1643.  To have the brand, the essence, and the whole corporate identity wrapped in abstract symbols--onto a 13th century implement of war, no less--surviving and widely known throughout the world for 382 years reveals the true carrying power of heraldry in the modern era. 

Flyer for shameless promotion - click image to enlarge
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

Frankly, it was one of my heraldic projects from February 2024 that began my interest in the Academy which led to a research proposal, "From Battlefields to Beer Steins: Devising Heraldic Identity for Select US Academic Institutions."  The paper will explore how 13th century designs painted onto shields for identification in the chaos of battle, evolved to serve as modern day branding for those US academic institutions receiving coats of arms from the College of Arms in London.

To date, there are 2 institutions holding actual grants of arms while 9 others received devisals of arms.  While this distinction between grants and devisals appear innocuous, in the subject area concerning the law of arms these terms matter.  So, we'll definitely dig into that area as well.

Hampden-Sydney College's iconic coat of arms will be front and center as an eminent example of how an institution successfully embraced arms creating its brand identity.  Of those 11 academic institutions in the US, I argue that HSC was one of the few that got it right.  

The creative genius of Richard McClintock played a significant role in figuring out ways to incorporate Hampden-Sydney's arms in publications, admissions materials, etc. ultimately leading creating the College brand which persists to this day.  His work provides the College community with an enduring symbol that has now cemented the Hampden-Sydney experience for several generations of students and faculty.  Click here to learn about Hampden-Sydney College's coat of arms.

Riffing on the classic American film capturing campus life,
Animal House
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

While brainstorming digital assets to create for my presentation, I had the idea of riffing on the ubiquitous "college" tee shirt worn in the film Animal House.  Since my doctorate was in the social sciences and I'll be wading through a sea of humanities scholars, I'm leaning on a few tricks to win acceptance!  Thus, I wanted to use Latin as my audience will be extremely well versed in the language par excellence, and may appreciate the playfulness while engaging more with this subject.  I'm planing to ask a lot of questions in hopes of sparking dialogue for the art and science of heraldry, as I want to understand its historic absence from such scholarly gatherings.  As far as I know, there will be no other papers on the subject of heraldry!  

Another fun doodle
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

All are welcome to the conference and program details can be found by clicking this link to go to Harvard's site.  I certainly plan to share a recap shortly thereafter with hopes of submitting the presentation as a journal article.

36th International Congress of Genealogical and Heraldic Sciences

What an incredible week in Boston!  Attending the 36th International Congress of Genealogical and Heraldic Sciences was truly special--the first time this gathering has been held in the US.  The action took place inside Old South Church on Boylston Street in the heart of the Back Bay area.

And there were so many highlights.

First and foremost, meeting colleagues for the first time in person was truly memorable.  It is astonishing how one can write, share, and collaborate with others while never having met in person.  Whether from Facebook, Discord, or even Instagram, it was awesome to put actual faces to usernames. I actually believe, now, that having met so many folks in person has enriched those professional relationships while giving me an even great depth of appreciation for who they are and their contributions to our field.

I was able to connect with fellow board members from the American Heraldry Society as well as the College of Arms of Foundation.

Title slide from my presentation.

Secondly, it was a high honor to have been selected to present a portion of my research on Pierre de Chaignon la Rose (1872-1941) during the Congress.  To say I felt pressure to give la Rose the appreciation he deserves--especially in his adopted hometown of Boston--would be an understatement.  

Slide showing la Rose's breakdown via frequency distribution for his heraldic work in the Episcopal Church. Click to enlarge.

I spent a lot of time, perhaps too much, in creating all the digital emblazonments for the presentation.  I wanted everything to be streamlined and in full color so that audience participants could visually understand la Rose's methods.  In exactly 30-minutes, I think I was able to do justice for the American heraldic designer without belaboring any minute point which I may have felt critical for understanding.  

Example of how la Rose used the ancestral arms of the Dominican Order
to create new identities for US-based Dominican institutions.  Click to enlarge.

Now as the Congress winds down today, I will write my article to be published in the Congress journal in 2025--another extraordinary opportunity to make a meaningful contribution for la Rose!  

The Heraldry of Saint Thomas Church

The lush heraldry of Saint Thomas Church in New York City.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

Whenever I find myself in New York City I hear the spiritual call from Saint Thomas Church, a holy refuge from the horns and packs of tourists milling about along Fifth Avenue.  In the heart of midtown stands a resplendent temple of the Lord representing the best of the Episcopal Church's architectural and liturgical offerings (clearly I'm biased).  Don't believe me?  Just pop in for evensong and you'll see my point.  Even if I'm rushed and unable to participate in one of the many liturgies, I light a candle and say a prayer in the presence of Our Lady of Fifth Avenue asking Mary to intercede on my behalf.

And the parish's motto is particularly striking and poignant--"O God my heart is ready."  Certainly, however, there is a lovely heraldic component to all this well.  

Bertram Goodhue's (1869-1924) design St Thomas Coat of arms
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

Following the disastrous fire which consumed the church in 1905, the firm Cram, Goodhue and Ferguson was selected to rebuild, and on a much grander scale.  Both Gilliss (1927) and Krause (2001) credit Bertram G. Goodhue (1869-1924) for the majority of detail and designs found within the fabric, and given Goodhue's hand in the design for the great reredos, it is most likely that he is responsible for one of the earliest known designs of arms for the parish.

Image from Gilliss (1927) p. 21.

Based on the illustration above from Gillis (1927), I offer the following blazon:  Azure, on a cross throughout Or a spear palewise Gules, in dexter canton an open book and in sinister canton a carpenters square all Or.  Krauss (2001) notes that there have been various versions of these arms in use, and without any known fixed blazon its up to the artist...

The arms engraved on the door of the parish house.
Image from Gilliss (1927) p. 68.

Two elements, at least, from these arms help identify the coat as one representing Saint Thomas.  The spear which features most prominently, perhaps, references the saint's impalement.  While seemingly gruesome, this visual reference is very much in keeping with Christian iconography.  For the carpenter's square, Thomas is widely credited as a builder and the charge makes this reference clear.  

The open book found in dexter canton is a reference to the Holy Bible.  The first illustration above shows the entire book (pages and binding) to be gold, whereas the second image of the engraved lock does not.  Giving the disagreement in data, I opted to leave the pages of the book white but edged gold.  As a historical coat and no longer in use, I think this change is permissible  As an aside, there is no geographical reference made in any of the coats of arms here.

No discussion of Saint Thomas' heraldry would be complete without acknowledging the parish's eleventh rector, The Rev. Canon John G.B. Andrew, OBE (1931-2014), who was affectionately called "Manhattan Pursuivant" due to his many designs of arms for US citizens.  English born and ordained in the Church of England, Canon Andrew's love of liturgy helped further the parish's embrace of heraldry as a dignified decoration.

The arms of The Rev. Canon John G.B. Andrew, OBE (1931-2014)
granted by the College of Arms.  Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

The blazon for Canon Andrew's arms:  Or, on a cross saltire Gules two feather quills between two roses all Argent and as many roses Gules.

Canon Andrew's arms were received as a grant from the College of Arms due to his UK citizenship.  At present I do not have a date when he received these arms.  His emblazonment above shows Father Andrew's honor as a canon of the Diocese of New York represented by the galero with three red tassels.

The arms of Saint Thomas Church designed and conveyed
by the College of Arms.  Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024

Canon Andrew arrived at Saint Thomas in 1972, and just three years later, the parish received a coat of arms from London (Krauss, 287).  Designed by the College of Arms in collaboration with Canon Andrew, the arms of Saint Thomas Church were conveyed by letters patent dated 1 December 1975.  I've encountered the good canon's name regarding other US-based organizations with ties to the UK, for example, Andrew is listed as the petitioner on the letters patent for arms assigned to the College of Arms Foundation.  Click here to read more about the arms of the College of Arms Foundation.  

The full achievement of arms.
Image source: Wright (2001).

Krauss (2001) notes that as of 1975, Saint Thomas Church was the first parish in nearly 500 years to receive arms from the heralds' college.   Blazon:  Or, on a cross formy throughout Azure between four closed books saltirewise Gules garnished and a each charged with a long cross a spear Or headed Argent.

The tincture and metal scheme from Goodhue's design was carried forth in the herald's design as well as the spear.  The field was reversed to gold and the cross made blue.  The open book is now closed and "garnished" making the reference much clearer that this book is the Holy Bible.  Geographically, the books saltirewise mimic the arms of a windsail and nicely reference New York in the most abstract of ways that only heraldry can accomplish. 

The arms of Saint Thomas Choir School
designed in 1963 by The Rev. Canon Edward N. West (1909-1990).
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

The Saint Thomas Choir School is a gem in the Church's crown, carrying forward the English boy-choir tradition in the American Church.  Established in 1919, the school functions as a boarding school with the added bonus of supplying angelic voices to accompany the rich liturgies throughout the week.  

Krauss (2001) credits the 1963 design for the Saint Thomas Choir School's coat of arms to The Rev. Canon Edward N. West (1909-1990) from the Cathedral of Saint John the Divine and the designer of the Anglican compass rose (p. 288). 

The open and inscribed book of Saint Thomas Choir.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

As the artist, I took some liberties when creating the open book for the choir school.  Firstly, when a book is blazoned "proper" this usually means that the book is bound by leather and thus various shades of brown are traditionally used.  Because the spear's handle was already "proper" with brown, I opted to use a red for the binding for contrast as well as to match the color of the closed books from the parish's arms.  

An example of how la Rose used symbols to balance text.

I also added a medieval-style whole note to the text for balance.  I learned this method of decoration from none other than Pierre de Chaignon la Rose (1872-1941) who would insert various symbols on inscribed open books for this same reason.  The two whole notes playfully reference the inscription, "sing to the Lord."  I really liked how the book turned out.  

For the inscription, I selected the font Luminari rather than Lombardic (as seen above in la Rose's example) or even my favorite Stempel Schneidler, believing the outlined version of Luminari rendered a clearly readable inscription with style.

Blazon:  "Azure, on a [cross formy throughout Or a] spear palewise proper headed Argent surmounted by an open book displaying the text Cantate Domino" (Krauss, 2001, 288).  The cross must have been accidentally omitted from the published blazon. 

Banners of arms of Saint Thomas Church and its choir school.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

I hope you'll come to appreciate the wonderful heraldry of Saint Thomas Church as much I have over the years.  "O God my heart is ready."

Works Cited

Gilliss, F. L. (1927).  A short description of the reredos, wood carvings and other objects of interest in Saint Thomas Church, New York City.  Gilliss Press. 

Krauss, H.E. (2001).  Heraldry at Saint Thomas Church.  In J. Robert Wright (Ed.), Saint Thomas Church Fifth Avenue (pp. 283-290).  Eerdman's Publishing.

The College of Arms Foundation

Arms and crest of the US-based College of Arms Foundation,
rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

This past June I had an awesome opportunity to participate in the annual meeting of the College of Arms Foundation held via Zoom at the College in London--being on a call with several heralds was an unforgettable experience!  Even more humbling, I might add, was being elected to serve on the US-based foundation's board of directors where I'll get to learn alongside some of the giants in our field.

Earlier this Spring, I co-authored the following description of the Foundation and its work:  

Founded in 1983, the College of Arms Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that proudly holds a special place among US-based organizations dedicated to matters of heraldry and genealogy through its close working relationship with the College of Arms in London.  The College is the oldest heraldic authority in the world, a department of the Royal Household responsible for devising, granting, and regulating armorial bearings within England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and some of the Commonwealth realms. 

Arms of the College,
rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

Beyond heraldry, another preeminent role enjoyed by the College and its heralds is organizing State ceremonies, such as the annual State Openings of Parliament, while another is preserving and maintaining genealogical records collected over the centuries. 

Bound by mutual ties of affection, the Foundation’s four-decade partnership has produced lasting outcomes by funding critical projects at the College.  The Foundation unwrites projects that the College identifies to preserve the rich history of heraldry and genealogy for centuries to come. In recent years, the Foundation fully funded the conservation of two deteriorated pedigree manuscripts and partially funded the publication of A Catalogue of Manuscripts in the College of Arms, Records Volume 1. Completion of these projects preserves vital historical records while widening access for research and furthering our common understanding. 

Additionally, the Foundation promotes English heraldry and genealogy in the US by sponsoring programs and offering presentations on related subject matter with interested organizations.

Interestingly enough, there are two organizations on either side of the Atlantic working to raise funds to support the College--the Foundation here in the US and the UK-based White Lion Society.

The Foundation was established in 1983 and White Lion Society in 1986.  The Foundation received a devisal of arms on December 20, 1983, closely resembling the College's arms albeit differenced by a single tressure in each quarter.

Banners of arms: (L) the College of Arms and (R) the College of Arms Foundation (US),
based on their respective arms.  Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

The blazon of arms for the Foundation: Argent, a cross and within four tressures Gules as many Doves their dexter wings elevated and inverted Azure beaked and legged Gules.

Arms and crest of the College of Arms,
rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

I'm excited to serve in this new capacity and help advance the work of the College--by far the oldest heraldic authority in the world.