Heraldic Freedom & Preservation

Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

'There are no mistakes, just happy accidents," the famous American artist Bob Ross (1942-1995) so wisely quipped.  Indeed, my journey into the ever-expansive world of Adobe Illustrator and digital heraldic design has been marked by more "happy accidents," than not.  Interestingly enough, whenever I've made a digital error, somehow the design ends up working and unintentionally solved a problem I was facing.  For this and other reasons I quickly fell in love with the ability to bring to digital life and in full color coats of arms.  

Colored pencil drawing from 2014.

This whole artwork business really commenced back in 2014 as I began my studies in heraldry.  I wanted art for this blog simply because I am a visual learner; moreover, heraldry was intended to live in full color and amplifies any fact or opinion on the subject.

Around 2015, digital heraldry was beginning to take off and those artists available for commission priced me out of the market.  My solution:  colored pencils!

Case in point, please see this amateur drawing of my coat of arms from that time period (never mind the dogwood's flowering variety) to the left.  While dreaming of having a full color digital emblazonment of my arms, pencil and ruler brought me closer to those nuances known abstractly in the art and science of heraldry.

And there were many, many happy little accidents.

I will state it is hard to image that 10 years later, I would be able to solve my own problem and produce plenty of artwork for this blog.

Vector format designed
in 2024.

This year kicked off working with a young digital heraldic artist in Europe who kindly put up with all my requests.  As his free time for commissions became challenging, I knew I needed to pursue other options.  The pressing issue for me was a need for many renderings to use in my presentation at the heraldic congress in Boston.  With "my go to guy" out of commission, I was beginning to worry.  

Enter Adobe Illustrator.  Following a successful pass in Canva piecing together various assets for the American Heraldry Society, I felt empowered to leap to the next level.  

Freedom.  Literally true heraldic freedom; I now have the tools to complete armorial ensigns as I choose.  As a result of the is newfound freedom, I made a decision to focus on those American corporate arms in danger of extinction in the digital age.  What do I mean by extinction?  We truly have a great heraldic tradition in the US born from the early 20th Century onwards; however, many of those institutions which once bore arms have since closed or retired their armorial bearings.  Think Harvard Law, St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Richmond, Calhoun College at Yale are just a few examples of how culture can impact symbols and their ascribed meaning.  Pierre de Chaignon la Rose (1872-1941) rendered numerous designs for schools whose doors have since been shuttered and their archives scattered. 

The retired arms of St. Paul's Episcopal Church in Richmond, VA.
The "cathedral of the Confederacy," retired the design in 2015.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024. 

La Rose's proposed design for St. Norbert's College in De Pare, WI in 1925.
The College did not adopt this design.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

Even those designs for arms which were not adopted are worthy of preservation and study.  I am simply having the time of my life with the ability to render historical corporate coats of arms.  My next article will feature my 2024 Top 10 Favorite Renderings.

The Arms of Church of the Advent Boston

Seal and coat of arms of Church of the Advent Boston.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

You cannot have Advent without the Advent...Boston that is.  Hands-down my favorite Anglo-Catholic parish in the Episcopal Church, I have had several deeply spiritual experiences living into the beautiful liturgies at Church of the Advent Boston.  Founded in 1884 in the Back Bay area of Boston--Brimmer Street to be precise--Advent is simply the best of Anglo-Catholic liturgy and theology and well worth a pilgrimage.   

The parish has a special connection to Ralph Adams Cram (1863-1942) who Shand Tucci (1975) notes Advent became the headquarters for a new gothic liturgical movement which Cram would help advance.  Moreover, Cram's first commissions were completed at Advent Boston, such as the furnishings in the Lady Chapel.  By understanding Cram's origins in his "gothic quest" we can begin to understand his friendship with Pierre de Chaignon la Rose (1872-1941) and their heraldic partnership.  I've posted the link to Shand Tucci's (1975) article below and commend it to the reader.

Coat of arms of Church of the Advent Boston.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

Initially, I suspected that la Rose may have had a hand in designing the parish's arms given Cram's relationship to the parish as well as the gothic wafer design so prominently used by la Rose.  I was wrong.  

Arms of the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts and Church of the Advent Boston.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

The parish seal and coat of arms were designed in 1923 by parishioner Robert Turner Walker (1867-1931).  According to Church of the Advent (n.d.), the trumpet in pale references the Second Advent as told in the Book of Revelation, and the three crowns comprised of alternating crosses patee and fleurs-de-lis identifies the parish within the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts whose arms contain the same crowns.  La Rose designed the arms for the Diocese of Massachusetts in 1906.

Furthermore, the charges in dexter quarter also bear meaningful symbolism as Church of the Advent (n.d.) notes:

"In the upper left quadrant is the red cross of St George, badge of England, surmounted by a circle containing wavy blue and white lines. The lines symbolize water, and the heraldic device is called a fountain and represents a well or spring. This may allude to our roots in the Church of England, but Cross + Well is also a rebus for Croswell, our first Rector."

The parish's arms make a lovely armorial flag as well.

Banner of arms, Church of the Advent Boston.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

Works Cited

Church of the Advent Boston (n.d.). The parish seal.  Church of the Advent Boston.

Shand Tucci, D. (1975).  Ralph Adams Cram & Mrs. Gardiner: The movement for a liturgical art.  Fenway Court, pp. 27-34 https://issuu.com/gardnermuseum/docs/1975_web

The Arms of Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets

Arms of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

As a follow up from my previous posting regarding the arms of the Virginia Military Institute (VMI), I want to share another Virginian collegiate-military coat of arms from Virginia Tech's Corps of Cadets.  The Corps of Cadets is a military component of Virginia Tech, a public university located in Blacksburg.  Established in 1872, the Corps of Cadets sport a rather simple and pleasant coat of arms.  

Col. Harry D. Temple (1911-2004) from the US Army Institute of Heraldry not only designed VMI's arms but also those of his alma mater, Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets.  

Designed in 1965, the Corps arms are blazoned:  Ermine, on a pale Gules a sword point upward Argent, pommel and hilt Or.

Armorial flag of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

Through Temple's design for Virginia Tech, we see the sword in pale used to identify the bearer as military--the same scheme he used earlier in 1961 for VMI's coat of arms.  I appreciate and admire Temple's desire to maintain consistency in charges for identification, as I believe when viewing all arms with the associated charge makes a powerful constant in a designer's armorial.  

L-R: Arms of VMI and Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets both designed
by Col. Harry D. Temple.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

Seeing the two sets of arms above, I believe, furthers my argument.  Click on the label below "Harry D. Temple" to see his other designs covered.  

The Arms of Virginia Military Institute

The arms of VMI set within its famous monogram.
Created by Chad Krouse, 2024.

The Commonwealth of Virginia has its own militia, that's right.  Right next door to Washington & Lee University in Lexington, the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) has a rich legacy of producing leaders along with a strong alumni network.  Established on November 11, 1839, VMI was the first state military college at that time, and whose cadets even fought in Civil War.

Coat of arms of the Virginia Military Institute.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

Devised in 1961 by Col. Harry D. Temple, the Director of the US Army Institute of Heraldry, the arms of VMI abstractly honor the institution's legacy and blazoned:  "Argent, on a cross Gules a sword in pale point upward of the first, pommel and hilt Or, surmounted by an antique lamp inflamed of the third, on a canton Sable a chevron rompu Or."  Click here to read the document from VMI's archives regarding their arms.  

The arms of the Virginia Company
granted by the College of Arms in 1619.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

From a design rationale point of view, here is a breakdown of the heraldic elements.  The red cross references the same found in the arms of the Virginia Company granted by the College of Arms in 1619.  

The sword in pale identifies the militaristic character of the school and combines this reference with the oil lamp for scholarship and learning.  The black canton and broken chevron hits a little closer to home for VMI, as this augmentation of honor references those cadets who lost their lives in the valiant charge on May 15, 1864 in the Battle of New Market.  I find the use of the chevron rompu, here, to be extremely meaningful for all in the VMI community.  

The US Army Institute of Heraldry devised a crest and motto to compliment the arms.  Consilio et Animis, or "By wisdom and courage," is truly a fitting motto for such a place.  

Concept for incorporating numerous elements into a seal.
Created by Chad Krouse, 2024.

Admittedly I had not paid VMI's arms much attention over the years--in fact I had altogether forgot about them until recently.  I'm glad I spent some time rendering VMI's arms, as Col. Temple has a great record designing all manner of corporate arms--civic, ecclesiastical, scholastic, and military.  Click here to read about Col. Temple's design of arms for Tift College.  

Banner of arms of VMI.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

The Arms of Woodberry Forest School

My take on a seal with arms for Woodberry Forest School.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

Not terribly far from Richmond, Virginia is Woodberry Forest School, a preparatory school for boys and young men established in 1889.  For the longest time I've admired the simplicity of the school's coat of arms, but never dug into their origins.  Recently, I needed to render the arms and armorial flag for a project and this gave me pause to begin thinking critically about this straightforward design.  

There is little (and I mean little) information regarding WFS' coat of arms; however, its clear that the school community highly cherishes this symbol as the arms literally adorn every item in the bookstore.  I've only seen the arms set within a wafer style seal bearing the school's name and date of establishment.  I've added their version below for reference.  

Official seal and coat of arms of Woodberry Forest School.

Image source: WFS website.

Fill the field! This heraldic design rule always rang loudly whenever I encountered WFS' arms. Yet, when I finished my emblazonment recently I had a "grinchy" change of heart. I actually like the simplicity of the design, though not a big fan of stains such as "tenne."

From what I can observe, the arms also a "cant" or heraldic pun on the school's name--three trees to create a forest, get it? It is clever. Orange and black are the school's livery colors; it appears that from some desired need to incorporate those tinctures in a design of new arms resulted in the orange stained chevron. I think I just didn't like the school's version where everything appears flimsy and rather small.

Coat of arms of Woodberry Forest School.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

I was intentional in filling the space with a thicker chevron and robust evergreen trees.  Without any data, I give the blazon for WFS' arms as:  Argent a chevron Tenne between as many pine trees eradicated Vert. 

Armorial flag of Woodberry Forest School.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

I have contacted the school's archives for information on the arms.  If my request is successful, I'll update this post. 

Saint Nicholas' Day

A design for the attributed arms of Saint Nicholas, designed by Michael Quigley, American Heraldry Society and rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024. 

On December 6th, the Church observes the Feast of St. Nicholas of Myra who died on this day 343 A.D.  My friend and heraldic colleague Father Guy Selvester blogs more about our beloved December saint here.  The attributed arms above were designed by another friend and heraldic colleague from the American Heraldry Society, Michael Quigley.

We can blazon these arms as:  Per fess fir twigs Vert and Gules, three bezants.  

Attributed arms, of course, are those armorial ensigns appropriated to an individual who did not bear arms--likely because she or he lived pre-heraldry.  Can you imagine?  

Banner of arms
rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

I chose darker versions for the tinctures and bezants for an old world feel.  I think it works!

The Committee on Heraldry

Arms of the Committee on Heraldry, American Ancestors.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

It may come as a surprise to many readers to learn that the United States has the oldest non-governmental heraldic body in the world.  Formerly known to many as the New England Historic and Genealogical Society's (NEHGS) Committee on Heraldry, the Committee on Heraldry was established on 3 February 1863 and remains headquartered in Boston.  While NEHGS has since been renamed to American Ancestors, the Committee's work collecting and preserving American arms continues.  Two distinct functions of the Committee's work:  1) Registering historical arms of early Americans and immigrants, and 2) recording modern armorial ensigns used by Americans today.  Note the distinction between registration and recording!  Both functions require a detailed process for acceptance.  

Click here to go to the Committee on Heraldry's website.     

Recently, both American Ancestors and the Committee served as host for the 36th International Congress of Genealogical and Heraldic Sciences held this past September in Boston.  Congress brought together both genealogical and heraldic scholars from around the world for fellowship, research collaboration, and  presentations.  I was proud to have been among those selected to share a portion of my la Rose research at Congress.

I had every good intention to emblazon the Committee's arms before Congress, however, that didn't happen until this past week.

Banner of arms, the Committee on Heraldry.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

As far as I know the Committee's arms have been in use for quite some time and I wanted the challenge of recreating theses in my newly developing style of sorts.

My blazon for the arms of the Committee on Heraldry:  Argent, a ship under sail Azure, sail and flag Argent a cross throughout Gules, and in base barry wavy Azure and Argent.

Arms of the Committee on Heraldry.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

Back in 2014, I had the good sense to have my own assumed arms recorded with the Committee, something that was meaningful for me to be counted among so many others bearing arms in our country.

Our Lady of Cincinnati College

Seal and arms of Our Lady of Cincinnati College, later Edgecliff College, and the only surviving
artifact identifying tinctures and metals I could find.

Hunting down information regarding the coat of arms for Our Lady of Cincinnati College has proven virtually impossible.  Thankfully I found a reference in Evans (1959) which names Pierre de Chaignon la Rose (1872-1941) as the designer and with the date 1936.  Score for at least the designer.  What about a blazon for the arms?  Tinctures and metals?  What is inscribed on the open book?  The image above was all I could find regarding la Rose's design and thankfully included hatch marks.  

Our Lady of Cincinnati College was founded in 1935 by the Sisters of Mercy as a women's college.  In 1969, the College changed names to Edgecliff College and began admitting male students by 1970.  By 1980, Edgecliff College merged with Xavier University.

As the case with many of the now closed schools la Rose designed arms for, their archives have either been lost or scattered indiscriminately.  While Xavier University has some artifacts from Edgecliff in its collections, there is scant little from Our Lady of Cincinnati.    

Arms of Our Lady of Cincinnati College, later Edgecliff College.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

Through the hatching on the seal/arms, I was able to make out the tinctures and metals.  The blazon, as best as I can tell, is: Gules, an open book edged with two clasps Or inscribed “Maria Vita et Spes Nostra” and in base a cross of the Sisters of Mercy Argent, on a chief Azure in dexter a crescent and in sinister a plow Argent.

Click to enlarge.

The chief abstractly reads Our Lady, Cincinnati.  I love that even though I find the design somewhat unbalanced.  The cross in the base of the arms comes from the insignia used by the Sisters of Mercy as seen below.  I also like how the cross is literally the foundation of the arms since the Sisters founded the college.

Insignia of the Sisters of Mercy.

Arms of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati designed by la Rose.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

La Rose used the plow in his design of arms for the Archdiocese of Cincinnati in 1921 which are blazoned: Or, a plow between three cross crosslets fitchy Gules.

Recreation of la Rose's design for the College's seal.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

Recreating la Rose's gothic quatrefoil was incredibly challenging and my version is not perfect.  Remember, a seal is not a coat of arms and vice versa.  Seals are used to legally authentic documents and may contain a coat of arms but not required.  There is no governance or direction in the US on designing a corporate seal.

Banner of arms, Our Lady of Cincinnati College.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

Alas, I simply had to create a banner of arms even if the college no longer exists.  I continue to enjoy recreating la Rose's work from the past and hopefully giving them new life in the digital world of the 21st century.  

Even though Edgecliff College is no more, there is a rather active alumni association using the old line art of seal and arms.  I knew something had to be done, for la Rose if nothing else!  I sent the alumni association a suite of emblazonments for their use as well as the write up below.  Since I thoroughly enjoyed my work with Lenox School's Alumni Association, I wanted to do the same here.  Please click here to learn about my work with Lenox School Alumni Association.

 

Works Cited

Evans, Mary Ellen (1959).  The Spirit is mercy: The story of the Sisters of Mercy in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati 1858-1958.  Newman Press, pp 268-269.

Armorial Ensigns of Sweet Briar College

The coat of arms of Sweet Briar College in Virginia.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

Years ago I wrote a brief piece on the arms of Sweet Briar College, a women's college in Virginia so I won't retrace my footprints.  Please click here to read about Sweet Briar College's coat of arms. 

Designed around 1938 by English professor Dr. John M. McBryde, the arms are blazoned:  Quarterly 1st and 4th, Sable, a cross engrailed Argent between four plates each charged with an arrow Sable (Fletcher); 2nd and 3rd, Gules, three tilting spears Or headed Argent (Amherst), and on a chief Or three tudor roses barbed and seeded Gules.

Banner of arms, Sweet Briar College.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

There's a lot going on with this design.  Still, the campus is a lovely Cram-designed academic village and one of Virginia's finest colleges.

Armorial Ensigns of the Lesser Known

Arms of the Institutum Divini Thomae.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

As a follow up to my previous post showcasing emblazonments of several Ivy League schools and other prominent academic institutions, I felt it was only fitting to highlight arms from equally noble institutions likely unknown to some.

I am thrilled to present for the first time in digitized full-color, the arms of the Institutum Divi Thomae.  Located in Cincinnati, Ohio, the institute was a scholarly venture of the Roman Catholic Church focusing on scientific research.  Pierre de Chaignon la Rose (1872-1941) designed the arms for the institute in 1936 with a few unique marks of identification.  The inscription on the open book reinforces this mission, while the sun in splendor in dexter canton references St. Thomas Aquinas.  

Blazon:  Or, on a cross Gules an open book edged with two clasps Or inscribed Religio Scientia between four bezants, in dexter canton a sun Gules.

It truly brings joy creating arms knowing its the first time the design joins the digital age.

Arms of Rice University.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024

Rice University was designed in 1912 by la Rose--his first design for a secular institution.  La Rose's blazon for the arms of Rice University:  Azure, two chevronels Argent between as many Athenian Owls Argent.

Groton School coat of arms.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

The famous American architect and father of "collegiate gothic," Ralph Adams Cram (1863-1942) designed the arms for Groton School in 1904.  Located in Groton, Massachusetts, the school's coat of arms is blazoned:  Argent, on a cross Gules a sword in pale point to base with hilt ensigned of a coronet all of the field, on a chief Sable three open books of the field.

Arms of Bryn Mawr College.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

The arms of Bryn Mawr College are quite striking to say the least.  Designed in 1904 by the College of Arms in London--designed, no grant as far as I know--the arms are blazoned:  Per pale, Or and Ermine three owls proper.

College of Arms you say working with a US college in 1904?  According to the College, yes.  I will definitely want to see if these arms were granted.  My hunch is that a herald did the design work and dispensed with all the legalities, etc.

Arms of the University of Washington St. Louis.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024

The University of Washington St. Louis bears arms layered with identification. Designed in 1897 by Professor Holmes Smith, the arms are blazoned: Argent, on two bars Gules an open book bearing the motto PER VERITATEM VIS, in chief three stars of five points and in base as many fleurs de lys Vert.

Banner of arms, University of Washington St. Louis.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024

The coat of arms of Washington & Lee University, located in Lexington, Virginia, may be unfamiliar to many.  Designed in 1901 by chemistry professor William George Brown, the quartered arms combine a lot of imagery for identification.

Arms of Washington & Lee University.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

Blazon for the arms of Washington & Lee University:  Quarterly. 1st Azure open book Argent thereon inscribed OMNIA AUTEM PROBATE. 2nd Argent two bars in chief three mullets Gules (Washington). 3rd Gules a fess chequy Azure and Or between ten billets Argent, four in chief, three, two, and one in base (Lee). 4th Azure a cinquefoil pierced Argent, a bordure engrailed Ermine.

The coat of arms of Washington & Lee University, with crest and motto.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

Banner of arms of Washington & Lee University.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

I will say, the university's arms are most attractive when rendered as an amorial banner.

Arms of the Episcopal Diocese of Vermont.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

The arms la Rose designed for the Episcopal Diocese of Vermont are simple and clear.  Sadly, however, one cannot find a decent emblazonment anywhere until now.

If you guessed that the piles reference Vermont's Green Mountains then you're well on your way in learning la Rose's methods.  I'm glad to now have a good emblazonment of these lovely arms.   

______________________________________

The following three arms below were designed by la Rose and perhaps represent his most controversial work in the 21st Century.  The arms of Grace Hopper College at Yale were not designed by la Rose, but I want to showcase these new arms.  All three of la Rose's designs have been retired and I wanted to ensure their conservation.  

As our collective social consciences woke to finally acknowledge the pain and struggles our sisters and brothers of color endure in the US every day, institutions nationwide took a deep internal look at names and symbols that no longer represent everyone in their constituencies.  Colleges and universities--especially--removed names from institutions and buildings and even retired logos and symbols too.

My efforts to preserve these designs stem purely from a heraldic perspective and scholarship.

Arms of Calhoun College at Yale (since been renamed).
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024

The arms of Calhoun College, the name of a former undergraduate residence at Yale, were designed by la Rose in 1931 and simply blazoned:  Argent, a saltire engrailed Sable; a chief of the arms of Yale.  The namesake of the residence had ties to slavery and thus Yale retired the name as well as the arms.  

The new arms of Grace Hopper College at Yale.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

Calhoun was replaced with Grace Hopper for the residential college.  The new arms of Grace Hopper College became official in 2017 and blazoned:  Azure semé of Plates and Billets Argent a Dolphin embowed Or; on a Chief Argent a Fess engrailed Sable.

Former arms of Kirkland House at Harvard.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

La Rose designed the arms for Kirkland House at Harvard in 1931.  The design in recent years caused a stir, as many at Harvard believed Kirkland's arms too closely resembled the Confederate flag.  Thus, these arms were effectively retired and new design ushered in.

Former arms of Harvard Law.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

As part of his heraldic program for Harvard's Tercentenary celebrations in 1936, la Rose devised arms for all the schools of university.  The arms of Harvard Law, however, would become a lightening rod for controversy and effectively retired in 2016.  The issue:  the three gold garbs of wheat representing Isaac Royall, Jr., whose family had owned slaves.  In 2021, the law school unveiled new arms. 

Finding Notre Dame

The arms of the University of Notre Dame
designed by Pierre de Chaignon la Rose.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024. 

For the longest time I've been frustrated by the fact that no decent digital emblazonment of Notre Dame's arms existed...until now.  These arms were among the early designs that I completed using vector format. Designed in 1930 by Pierre de Chaignon la Rose (1872-1941), the arms for the University of Notre Dame located in South Bend, Indiana are somewhat iconic in my opinion.  

Blazon for the arms of the University of Notre Dame:  Azure, issuing from a lake barry wavy Azure and Argent, a passion cross charged with an open book edged Or thereon inscribed VITA DULCEDO SPES, and in dexter canton a six pointed star Argent.

A souvenir found on eBay. 

The university's arms set within a gothic quatrefoil and most likely 
rendered by la Rose himself.

Banner of arms of the University of Notre Dame.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

So, now we have la Rose's beautiful, simple, and clear arms for the University of Notre Dame.