Recent Finds VII

I had this vision in my head for a lion bishop
Created and rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

A lion bishop?  Well, of course!  Anything is possible in the world of heraldry!  I had this vision in my head with the lion wearing a mitre and cope and bedazzled in all the episcopal finery possible.  Voila!

...and the finds keep coming!  Here's a quick post with some interesting US corporate heraldry found online recently and then rendered by me.  

The coat of arms of St. James Episcopal Church Prouts Neck, ME
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

The coat of arms of St. James Episcopal Church Prouts Neck in Maine successfully avoided the old "2 and 1" with escallops.  In the absence of any known blazon, I'm guessing the escallop here would be proper.  Green is an entirely appropriate tincture for the State of Maine. 

The coat of arms of St. Gabriel's Episcopal Church Hollis, NY
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

"Hail Mary, full of grace the LORD is with you," proclaimed the angel Gabriel.  The coat of arms of St. Gabriel's Episcopal Church in Hollis, New York successfully ties together the herald's trumpet with the angel's wings.  I'm still trying to track down, however, if this coat is the attributed and undifferenced version for St. Gabriel.  Regardless, the design works.  My only question is why is there no geographic reference--which leads me to believe these are the attributed arms.  

The coat of arms of the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Barre, Vermont
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025 

Vermont continues to keep things interesting and the coat of arms of the Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd in Barre, VT are quite lovely if not unique to say the least.  These arms were a fun puzzle to solve.

The coat of arms of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (left) and Anderson University (right)
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

In 2021, Anderson University in South Carolina officially adopted a coat of arms as seen above.  The university is affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention and I wonder if the bordure was intentional--matching Southern Baptist Theological Seminary's arms.  Either way, I appreciate this thematic approach by our Protestant sisters and brothers.

The coat of arms of St. Paul Seminary (Roman Catholic) in St. Paul, MN
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

The coat of arms of St. Paul Seminary in St. Paul, Minnesota carries forward the barry wavy in base which is featured in the arms of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis along with its cathedral, the Basilica of the St. Mary.  Additionally, the seminary's arms avoid the undifferenced and attributed version of arms while providing unique geographic identification as well as unification.  Score!

Recent Finds Part VI

Arms recently found on the web and digitally emblazoned, legend below
by Chad Krouse, 2025

For part six of recent finds, I am sharing a few scholastic coats of arms recently found online.  While I was familiar with the arms of Gilman School and Indiana University, the others were new.  I know I've written before about this point, however, it is a universal truth that the artistic rendering of a given coat can only serve to enhance the beauty and effectiveness where blazonry ends.  The ensigns of the two aforementioned academic institutions never stirred much within me;  I saw those arms as interpreted by the artists who rendered them.  Well, today my mind has changed.  I love the arms of Indiana University (as I interpreted them ha!).  

First Diagonal Row (Top-down):  The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, a coat of arms presently unknown, and Middlesex School;

Second Diagonal Row (Top-down):  The Masters School, University of Indiana, and Gilman School 

The coat of arms of Indiana University
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

In 1962, Indiana University officially adopted a coat of arms designed by Ade Bethune (1914-2002) who immigrated to the US from Belgium and became a highly skilled liturgical artist in the Catholic Church.  The blazon for the arms of Indiana University:  Gules, on a sun in splendor Argent an open book with four clasps edged of the field. 

Coat of Arms unknown at present
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

Loved this design immediately but could not identify it!  One source suggests that these arms are from the US Hospital Auxiliary and used as an award of sorts.  Another source points to the military--the three white stars on a blue field would support that theory.

Blazon:  Argent, on a cross throughout Gules an open booked edged with two clasps Or inscribed Pro Patria et Ecclesia on a chief Azure three mullets of the field.

The coat of arms of Masters School in Dobbs Ferry, NY
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

Rendering the arms of Masters School in Dobbs Ferry, NY was a fun break from some of the more traditional divisions in the field.  A simple and clean coat of arms.  My blazon for the arms of Masters School:  Or, on a triangle throughout void of the field Purpure an open book edged with three clasps Argent thereon inscribed Do It With Thy Might.

The ribbons hanging from the pages are bookmarks and a first for me in rendering them.

The coat of arms of Gilman School in Baltimore, MD
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

Founded in 1897, Gilman School in Baltimore would adopt its coat of arms in 1907, representing an early adopted among US academic institutions before the arms race of the 20th century took off.  Gilman School's coat of arms were designed by faculty member Hamlet S. Philpot who taught Greek, Latin, and history.  The arms are incorporated in the school's seal which has seen a few revisions during its lifetime.  The school's archives present this timeline better that I could, so please click here to see how Gilman School's arms and seal has evolved. 

Some Arms of Episcopal Seminaries

New poster of arms from Episcopal Seminaries (past and present)
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025
Click to Enlarge

I was recently inspired to tick off my list a few more coats of arms for seminaries of the Episcopal Church.  While there are a few others not represented here, my criteria was simply that armorial insignia needs to conform to established rules within heraldry.  So, no logos, no landscapes, etc.  Basically, when looking for the heraldry of Episcopal seminaries, this is pretty much it.  

Below are some of my renderings of a few emblazonments that can be difficult to find decent versions of on the web.

Arms of the General Theological Seminary
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

I was fortunate to spend some time at General in the Chelsea area of Manhattan--a lovely, beautiful campus.  These arms were designed by The Rev. Canon Edward N. West (1909-1990) who was a talented liturgist, artist, etc. on the staff at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City.  

Arms of Nashotah House 
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

Nashotah House has a long tradition as an Anglo-Catholic seminary within the church and reflected in their coat of arms.  The lilies are for the Blessed Virgin Mary and the two fountains are geographical references as the seminary is located between two lakes in Wisconsin.  I don't know who designed these arms but they're simple and clear!

Blazon:  Gules, on a cross throughout Or a triple blossom lily between two fountains in chief. 

Arms of Bexley Hall 
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

Lots to note here on arms of Bexley Hall designed in 1907-08 by The Rev. Canon Orville E. Watson (1857-1951), a professor at the seminary in Gambier, Ohio.  For a full analysis on the heraldry of Kenyon College and Bexley Hall, please click here.

Arms of the Episcopal Theological Seminary in Kentucky
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

The Episcopal Theological Seminary in Kentucky operated from 1834-1990 as a diocesan seminary and used as the basis for their coat of arms those from the Episcopal Diocese of Lexington.  Pierre de Chaignon la Rose (1872-1941) designed the arms for the diocese around 1908.  The differencing mark for the seminary's arms was the addition of the lamp above the clasped hands.

Arms of Philadelphia Divinity School
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

The Philadelphia Divinity School (PDS) was established in 1857 and merged with Episcopal Theological School in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1974 to create Episcopal Divinity School.  Simple and clear in design.  

Blazon:  Argent, a cross throughout Gules on a chief Azure three open books edged with four clasps Or. 

Arms of Episcopal Theological School
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

Established in Cambridge, Massachusetts in 1867, ETS was the predecessor school for Episcopal Divinity School (EDS).  In 1974, ETS merged with Philadelphia Divinity School to form EDS.  Another clear and simple coat of arms.

Blazon:  Argent, on a cross throughout Gules an open book edged Or inscribed Veritas et Vita.

Arms of Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, MA
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

Created by a merger of two seminaries in 1974, Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge harmoniously reflects their foundation in the seminary's coat of arms.  The parted/frety cross ties together the two found in the arms of PDS and ETS.  Since books were incorporated as well in the arms of the two former institutions, four open books balance out the ordinary.  From a symbolic point of view, I'd say, the arms of EDS successfully visualize their foundation.

Blazon:  Gules, a cross parted fretty throughout Argent between four open books edged Or.

Of Bordures & Plates: Ecclesiastical Heraldry from Pennsylvania

A theme emerges from the Diocese of Pennsylvania!
Top: Diocese of PA, Washington Memorial Chapel
Bottom: St. Paul's Episcopal Church Chestnut Hill, St. George's Ardmore
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025
Click to enlarge

Once I began to see this bordure theme emerging from several coat of arms that I've discovered recently, I had to share.  Of course, it all began with Pierre de Chaignon la Rose (1872-1941) and his commission for a seal and coat of arms for the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania.

In 1906, the Diocese of Pennsylvania officially adopted its coat of arms designed by la Rose and blazoned: Argent, on a cross Gules three open crowns in pale Or a bordure Sable charged with eight plates.  These were early days for the up-and-coming designer and quite a coup to land such a commission.  The preceding year helped forge a heraldic path forward in the Episcopal Church after designing arms for the Diocese of Quincy, its cathedral of St. John, and the Diocese of Massachusetts.  By now, la Rose was certainly making a name for himself in the world of American ecclesiastical heraldry.

From the 1906 convention journal we learn the following:

"It was deemed wise to represent (1) England, of whose national Church our own is the offspring, and especially as the Episcopate derived from the English Church was first found in America in the person of Bishop White, the first Diocesan of Pennsylvania. (2) Sweden, whose people founded a number of parishes that are now the monuments of the early history of the Anglican Church in this State.  (3) William Penn, the founder of this Commonwealth, who guaranteed its religious freedom, and from whose followers many of the most devoted of the Church's supporters of later generations were, and are, descended.

"The Committee, therefore, presents for your considera­tion what, in the terms of Heraldry, would be described as 'Argent, on a cross gules, three open crowns in pale or; a bordure sable charged with eight plates. The shield ensigned with a mitre, and resting upon a key and crosier in saltire.' This means, as may be seen by reference to the drawing, a white shield, bearing a red cross, upon which appear three golden crowns; the whole surrounded by a black border with eight white (or silver) discs upon it.  

"Its significance may be described thus: The white shield, with its red cross, is the shield of Saint George, and stands for England and her Church. It is also distinctly ecclesiastical, and symbolic of the Christian faith.  

"The three golden crowns are the principal charge on the Arms of Sweden, and so proclaim the existence of the Old Swedes' Parishes that are scattered throughout the Diocese.  Finally, the black border, with its white discs, is taken from the Arms of the Penn family. In this instance it has been used as a border. not only for the purpose of decoration, but to distinguish it from the coats recent]y adopted by the Dioceses of Pittsburgh and Harrisburg, where the Penn charge is used in its original form.  

"The whole Coat of Arms, as thus proposed, is heraldic­ally correct, and seems to be satisfactory from a decorative standpoint, while, at the same time. to a trained herald, it tells its story without confusion" (Diocese of Pennsylvania, 1906, 144).

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

Through the see's arms, la Rose refined his ability to combine multiple meanings into one clear design--a skill he would master in time.

So, we now have bordures and plates galore!

Comparing the arms of Washington with Washington Memorial Chapel
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

In Valley Forge, we find a lovely coat of arms for the Washington Memorial Chapel which manages to really shake things up a bit with those old two bars and three stars.  Literally, just invert everything!  Blazon for the arms of the Washington Memorial Chapel:  Gules, two bars and in chief three mullets Argent a bordure Argent charged with eight pellets.

Arms of St. George Episcopal Church in Ardmore, PA
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

Another excellent example of our bordure theme with fantastic differencing can be found in the arms of St. George's in Ardmore.  Blazon for the arms of St. George Episcopal Church in Ardmore, PA:  Argent, on a cross throughout Gules a dragon fess ways armed and langued Vert pierced in the breast with the spear of St. Michael Or on a bordure Sable eight torteau edged of the field charged with a cross saltire Argent.  I would love to know the designer of these arms!

Arms of St. Paul's Episcopal Church Chestnut Hill
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

One late comer, but equally worthy, are the arms of St. Paul's in Chestnut Hill.  Again, excellent differencing and completely avoiding the use of Paul's attributed (undifferenced) arms.  Well done.  Blazon:  Azure, a sword in pale with point to chief Argent hilt and pommeled Or surmounted by an open book edged with three clasps Or thereon inscribed Spiritus Gladius on a canton Gules a lamb Argent a bordure Sable charged with eight plates.

Arms of Church of the Good Shepherd, Rosemont
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

Working on securing a blazon for the arms of Good Shepherd in Rosemont, a lovely coat of arms and a lovely parish!

Arms of the Philadelphia Divinity School
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

Lastly, I stumbled upon a nearly extinct coat of arms, those of the Philadelphia Divinity School (PDS) which merged with Episcopal Divinity School in Cambridge, Massachusetts.  Lovely and simple arms, very similar to those Ralph Adams Cram designed for the Groton School earlier in the 1900s.

Blazon for the arms of the Philadelphia Divinity School:  Argent, a cross Gules on a chief Azure three open books edged with three clasps Or.

Comparing designs, L-R: Groton School, PDS, and Hodgson Hall (Sewanee)
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

Comparing the arms of PDS with two other known designs reveal similarities with nuanced differences.  The tincture of the chief, along with edging and number of clasps for the books, distinguish all three.  Groton's arms have a sword and crown on the cross.

The arms of Groton School (seen above on left) were designed in 1902 by Ralph Adams Cram (1863-1942) and  blazoned:  Argent, on a cross Gules a sword in pale with point to base hilt enfiling a crown Argent on a chief Sable three open books edged with two clasps Argent.

The arms of Hodgson Hall at the University of the South were designed by Dr. J. Waring McCrady in 2018 when he designed armorial flags for all the undergraduate residence halls at Sewanee.  While no official blazon can be found at present, here is our working one:  Argent, a cross Gules on a chief Purpure three open books edged with two clasps Argent.

Works Cited

Diocese of Pennsylvania (1907). Journal of the convention of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Pennsylvania. [Philadelphia]: Published by order of the convention. 144.

La Rose & Music City

Proposed seal and arms for the Diocese of Nashville
produced by Pierre de Chaignon la Rose in 1932
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

Some years ago, I was fascinated to learn that Pierre de Chaignon la Rose (1872-1941) had been commissioned for arms in the State of Tennessee.  Why?  After spending three years in graduate school/seminary in Tennessee, to find something as foreign as heraldry displayed seems, well, foreign.  Sewanee, of course, being the exception to this observation.  In fact, my research over the years has uncovered four corporate coats of arms produced by la Rose in the 1930s.

For the see of Nashville, la Rose proposed the design for a seal in the vesica format with new arms as illustrated above in 1932.  I've not encountered another Roman Catholic see whose seal is rendered in this format.  As far as I know, there is no evidence that the Diocese of Nashville adopted this particular shape, but thankfully their archives preserved la Rose's proposals and correspondence on the matter.

The vesica shaped seal with arms is widely used by dioceses in the Episcopal Church, as la Rose fashioned nearly 30 seals for Episcopal dioceses using this same format.  I do have one basilica that la Rose produced a seal with arms in the vesica shape which is still in use today. 

The Dominican Congregation of St. Cecilia, based in Nashville, worked with la Rose on a number of designs as the sisters established or took over leadership of a number of primary/secondary schools in the region.

L-R: Arms of Notre Dame High School and
the Dominican Congregation of St. Cecilia
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

The Sisters established St. Cecilia's Academy in Nashville and the school uses the undifferenced arms of the Congregation.  To the south of Music City, Chattanooga became another focal point for the Congregation and ran Notre Dame High School which still operates and uses the arms la Rose designed, though their modern branding has the entire armorial ensigns in green/white reflecting their livery colors.  I'm working with the sister in charge of the Congregation's archives as I've inquired about three more schools which appear to bear arms that are suspiciously la Rosian.  So, more to come.

If you know, please share!
This is an exact replica from la Rose's drawing.

Of interest to me and my colleagues with the American Heraldry Society, I cannot identify the sinister charge in base of the high school's arms.  What is it?  If you know, please email me at chad(dot)m(dot)krouse(at)gmail(dot)com.

La Rose's design theory and framework was very much rooted in the medieval tradition.  La Rose believed that arms for a branch of a religious community should have in base the undifferenced arms of the main order while using a chief for differencing and creating unique identification for the new branch.  Countless examples exist illustrating la Rose's faithful adherence to this rule.  With St. Cecilia's Congregation, however, we see the reverse used--its important to bear in mind that the high school's arms had been created before the congregation's request for a design.

I can offer only some guesses for this new design arrangement:  1) the gyron for the Order of Preachers is quite striking and likely presents certain design challenges, 2) St. Cecilia Congregation did request a coat of arms similar to the design rendered for Notre Dame High School, or 3) given what he had to work with to create a simple and clear coat of arms, he had no choice but to change up his framework.  Thus, the chief of the Dominican arms becomes the unifying symbol in the arms for both foundations and corporate sole and the base allows for differencing creating unique identification of the bearer.  Fascinating. 

We see other examples within the Dominican family where la Rose changed things up in order to produce clear and perspicuous heraldry.

L-R: Arms of Albertus Magnus College and the Dominican Province of St. Joseph
both designed by la Rose
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

In the 1920s, la Rose produced designs for Albertus Magnus College in New Haven, Connecticut and the Province of St. Joseph in New York.  Here we see la Rose placing an inescutcheon on top of the undifferenced arms of the Order of Preachers using their gyronny of eight and cross.  The visual effect creates a rather striking bordure effect--immediately you know that somehow the Dominicans factor into this corporate body!  

A foundation of the St. Cecilia's Congregation that I'm actively pursuing
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

Finally, I'm going on a limb suggesting that la Rose also used the other coat of arms in the Dominican family for a foundation of St. Cecilia.  I'm currently waiting on evidence from the archives so stay tuned.  Regardless who designed these arms, I think they're lovely.

The final corporate coat is that of Father Ryan High School in Nashville founded in 1925.  The school is beginning its centennial year in 2025.  I was honored to work with the official author writing the school's history regarding la Rose's design which is to be published this year as part of the celebration.  La Rose designed the school's arms in 1931 

Seal with arms of Father Ryan High School
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

La Rose's blazon for the high school:  Gules, between a cross saltire Or, three laurel wreaths and in base a covered ciborium all Or.  The ciborium found in base is a clear reference to Father Ryan.  The seal with arms arrangement above is the typical design format la Rose used for scholastic arms--a wafer style containing a gothic quatrefoil holding the arms in center.  I've simplified his design somewhat for a modern feel.

Tennessee, after all, does have good heraldry within its borders...you just need to dig a little.

New Year, New Discovery

The flag of Weld Boat Club at Harvard
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

My dry spell for discovering armorial designs created by Pierre de Chaignon la Rose (1872-1941) just ended, signaling what should become a great 2025.  While editing and double-checking references for an article on la Rose I wrote for the forthcoming publication on the proceedings of the 36th International Congress of Genealogical and Heraldic Sciences, I literally stumbled upon something I have never seen before, the flag of Weld Boat Club at Harvard.

Please click this link for background on the Congress and my presentation on la Rose's work for several US Roman Catholic religious communities.

La Rose's design for Weld Boat Club
source: Harvard Illustrated Magazine (1899), 16.
Click to enlarge

The inaugural edition of Harvard Illustrated Magazine, published in October 1899, showcases la Rose's flag designed for Weld Boat Club.  Named for Harvard alumnus and philanthropist George Walker Weld (1840-1905), the club's boathouse was constructed along the Charles River in 1906 (Hodge, 2022).  I believe Weld left this gift in his estate following his death in 1905.

Why is this discovery important?

La Rose's flag for Weld now represents his first known heraldic design in my growing data set containing more than 260 works of corporate heraldry he produced.  Moreover, the boat club's flag now becomes la Rose's first example to showcase his gift of combining history, unification, and differencing into a design of arms rendered in the simplest form possible. 

I can assure anyone on the above point; the ability to accomplish these three tasks in a singular design successfully and simply, is truly a gift not widely distributed among heraldic designers.

Previously, data suggested that la Rose's armorial designs for two social clubs at Harvard--Signet Society and The Digamma (also nicknamed The Fox Club)--produced around 1902 were tied for the honor of being his earliest known work in the space of corporate heraldry.

Signet Society's club house on Dunster Street in Cambridge prominently features la Rose's creation of the society's arms carved into the building's portico.  La Rose's design for the arms of the Signet Society is blazoned: "Arms:  Gules, a signet ring or, surrounded by seven bees of the same marked with sable.  Crest: From a fillet or and sable, a dexter forearm issuing, clothed in a sable sleeve with white cuff.  The hand proper holding an open book with two clasps and edges or, across the pages of which is inscribed Veritas" (Signet Society, 1903, II).

Arms of the Signet Society and Fox Club at Harvard
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

Moreover, la Rose's use of letters as heraldic charges represents a significant outlier in the data--repeated in only one other known design, the arms for The Digamma at Harvard produced in 1902. 

The Digamma's armorial ensigns were rendered as a bookplate for the society's library and published in 1915 (Ward, 122).  Based on the bookplate's engraved image, with hatching, in Ward (1915), the likely blazon for The Digamm's arms are: Vert, a fox rampant Or holding in dexter paw a capital Digamma Or.  The Harvard social club eventually changed its name to the Fox Club, as its told, because the Digamma closely resembles the letter "F."

Returning the Charles River.

A translation of Weld Boat Club's flag into a coat of arms
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

Since the magazine's illustration of the flag contains no additional information, the likely blazon la Rose constructed for the flag of Weld Boat Club: Gules, on a chevron Sable fimbriated Argent the capital letter W at fess point Or between three open books Argent inscribed ve-ri-tas.  

Click to enlarge infographic
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

The flag of the boat club shows la Rose's ability to masterfully combine history, unification, and differencing to produce one clear and coherent armorial design.  

As seen throughout his portfolio of corporate arms, la Rose's mastery of creating unification and differencing in arms built a framework the designer followed his entire career.  The flag's arrangement--the chevron and three open, inscribed books--is a clear reference to the arms of Harvard College, abstractly indicating that the boat club is a foundation of the college. Hammond (1981) gives the blazon for Harvard College's arms: "Arms of Harvard differenced by a chevron argent between the books" (171).  

Arms of Harvard College
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2025

Moreover, Hammond (1981) notes that the use of the white chevron in the university's coat of arms was commonplace and seen throughout the seventeenth to nineteenth centuries, but ultimately omitted when the Corporation officially adopted a seal containing its arms in 1843 (171).  Interestingly enough, la Rose resurrected the white chevron in his design for Harvard College's arms--adopted and seen to this day--ahead of the university's tercentenary celebrations in 1936 (Hammond, 1981, 171).  Perhaps la Rose had this plan in mind as early as 1899, though no evidence exists to support this claim.     

Nonetheless, la Rose suitably differenced the boat club's flag with a black chevron fimbriated white and omitting the gold clasps from the books while edging them white/silver instead of gold.  Overall, the capital letter "W" is placed at fess point likely honoring the club's namesake and benefactor, Weld.  The capital letter is rendered in Lombardic font, a very decorative, medieval-style of lettering la Rose used prominently for legends on corporate seals and inscriptions on open books.  Again, no rationale or details can yet be found to support these ideas.  

May the reader enjoy a happy, healthy, and prosperous new year!

Works Cited

Hammond, Mason. (July 1981).  A Harvard armory part I.  Harvard Library Bulletin 29(3), 261-297, https://dash.harvard.edu/handle/1/37364077?show=full

Harvard Illustrated Magazine. (October 1899).  "The flag of Weld Boat Club."  Harvard Illustrated Monthly 1(1),16

https://www.google.com/books/edition/Harvard_Illustrated_Magazine/XhkUAAAAIAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&dq=weld%20boat%20club%20harvard%20flag&pg=PA1&printsec=frontcover

Hodge, Unique. (9 May 2022).  "Campus Spotlight: Weld Boathouse," Harvard College, retrieved January 4, 2025

https://college.harvard.edu/about/campus/weld-boathouse.

Signet Society. (1903). The Third Catalogue of The Signet. (Boston, MA:  Merrymount Press, 1903), II.

Ward, Harry P.  (1915). Some American College Bookplates. (Columbus, OH: The Champlin Printing  Company),122.

https://www.google.com/books/edition/Some_American_College_Bookplates/Q0YPAAAAIAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1&pg=PA3&printsec=frontcover

Top 10 Favorite Renderings of 2024

Contenders, but alas, not finalists for the top 10 favorite renderings.
Row 1 (L-R):  Trinity Washington University, Sisters of St. Augustine, St. Joseph's Academy
Row 2 (L-R): Mundelein College, St. Paul's Harvard Square, St. Peter's Abbey
Row 3 (L-R):  St. Peter's Seminary and the George Washington University
Arms rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

Happily lost in the world of digital heraldry throughout the better part of 2024, I quickly noticed something surprising to my somewhat judgmental eyes which recalled an observation made by Pierre de Chaignon la Rose (1872-1941).  To paraphrase the great American heraldic designer, la Rose posited as a blazon falls into the hands of an artist, the draughtsmanship ultimately renders the verdict on whether or not a coat of arms is both clear and perspicuous.  Not that I am by any stretch close to mastering digital heraldry, but it is evident that when certain design principles are followed a poorly emblazoned coat of arms can be transformed for the better.  

The other observation I've noticed from the artist's chair is consistency wins the day.  I've stuck to, more or less, the standard heater shield shape, bold colors, thick outlines, and no shading (only because I haven't learned that yet).  Looking back now on probably a hundred or so arms completed, I do find applied consistency in this particular art form is beautiful, especially when grouping together different arms.

So, from that large well, I am sharing my top 10 favorite renderings memorable in my learning process.  Enjoy!

Top 10 Favorite Heraldic Renderings for 2024

10.  St. Thomas Choir School

Arms of St. Thomas Choir School.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

St. Thomas Choir School is a foundational school attached to St. Thomas Church on Fifth Avenue in New York City.  The design made the list for the very reason that my rendering of the open and inscribed book marked a first instance for me in going out on a limb and trying something new.  What was that?  Adding medieval style musical notes to help fill in space while also providing additional reference to the school's purpose.  

The school's arms were designed in 1963 by The Rev. Canon Edward N. West (1909-1990).

9.  College of Guardians of the Holy House of Our Lady of Walsingham

Arms of the College of Guardians of the Holy House of
Our Lady of Walsingham.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

O England's Nazareth!  All the world shall come to Walsingham.  If one were to name their heraldic blog in dedication to Our Lady of Walsingham, then it behooves the owner to get cracking on an emblazonment of those arms.  The primary obstacle in my way of rendering the College of Guardians' design was the Holy House found in dexter canton.  

If the reader only knew how many hours I spent trying every shortcut I could think of to nail that holy place!  When I finally admitted that I will need to begin from scratch things began to fall in place.  The Guardians' arms were granted by the College of Arms in 1945 and the blazon simply reads, "Argent, on a cross Sable five lilies slipped and seeded proper, on a canton Azure a holy house Or."  So, the artist is completely at liberty to design precisely the Holy House at Walsingham.  

My version of the Holy House at Walsingham.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

I tried to keep everything symmetrical, clear, and avoiding too much detail in the composition of the Holy House as seen above.  Is it perfect?  Eh, no but represents some growth in this new medium.

8.  Princeton University 

Arms of Princeton University.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

When it comes to corporate heraldry, I'm reluctant to say whether or not a design is good or bad.  Why?  Because I know to those attached to the organization have a symbol they're proud of and represents them.  In the case of Princeton, however, I've never cared for the shield shape and rendering that dominates the university's symbolic representation.  Princeton officially adopted its coat of arms in 1896 and perhaps the shield's shape was meant to appear ancient and distinguished.  

Armorial flag of Princeton University.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

This rendering made me fall in love in with Princeton's simplicity in its design of arms.  Remember, Princeton's arms were assumed in the great American tradition just as those earlier Ivy League institutions devised their own.  

I say use the standard heater shield shape and join me in my new love affair of these arms!

7.  Woodberry Forest School (WFS)

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

The arms of this Virginia preparatory school--much like Princeton--never wooed me in how the school presents them.  The eradicated pine trees were far too small in between a rather skinning chevron on the field.  Fill the field, I say, and be bold!  I would love to know who designed these arms and any rationale too.  My theory is that the chevron comes from the Walker arms honoring the school's founder while the three eradicated fir or pine trees create a cant or heraldic pun on forest.

The challenge of creating a seal with the arms while working in the school's motto was quite fun.    

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

I was pleasantly surprised to see how lovely WFS's arms appear as an armorial flag.

When I applied my methods to WFS' arms, I loved the simplicity and plausible meaning of the design, earning it a spot on the 2024 top 10 list.

6. Lenox School

Arms of Lenox School.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

Lenox School's arms were an early favorite of mine designed by Pierre de Chaignon la Rose (1872-1941) in 1930.  Moreover, these arms brought me in contact with the school's active alumni association which still carries on Lenox's legacy in spite of the school's closure years ago.

The design is also a classic la Rose method of what I call an "Americanization" of arms from the old world, and in this design the arms of the Duke of Richmond and Lenox.  Given the volume of designs created by la Rose during his career, there's no wonder why he needed multiple methods of differencing his designs.  Click here to read more on Lenox's coat of arms.

5.  St Edward's Seminary  

Arms of St. Edward's Seminary.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

This Roman Catholic seminary in Washington State has long since closed its doors to priestly formation and barely one letter remains detailing la Rose's design for the school's coat of arms.  Preserving the design became an essential matter for me.  When I finished my first rendering I simply sat back and smiled--I dare felt as though I was the first person to ever see these arms in full color!  

I've since tinkered a bit and refined a few items as I've learned more about the design software; however, I still believe the arms have never seen color much less digitization.  A win for la Rose!

Click here to read more about St. Edward's Seminary arms.

4.  Undergraduate Residence Halls, The University of the South

Small selection of arms of various undergraduate residential halls at
the University of the South.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

Around 2018, all the undergraduate residence halls at the University of the South located in Sewanee, Tennessee received their own armorial flags designed by Dr. J. Waring McCrady.  McCrady designed the arms for the university and its schools back in the early 1980s and these 19 designs are in some manner his magnum opus.

Well, I love a challenge.  McCrady's designs for the residence halls were purely done in flag form and I wanted to translate them into shields.  Moreover, no blazons could be found but save a layman's description of each in the University Archives.  From that sheet, I took up the challenge.

The arms of Dr. J. Waring McCrady of Sewanee, TN.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

Above are a few of those designs that I really enjoyed putting together.  I found it particularly moving to render McCrady's arms as well, admiring the many contributions he has made both to the university and the field of heraldry.

3.  Hampden-Sydney College 

The arms of Hampden-Sydney College in various shield shapes.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

The arms of Hampden-Sydney College, devised in 1976 by the College of Arms in London, caught my eye as an applicant to the school.  Upon admission, I became smitten and caught the heraldry bug.  The College's arms started it all for me!  

The armorial flag of Hampden-Sydney College.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

Moreover, my first sketch for an armorial flag was for Hampden-Sydney in 2014, in pencil no less.  Then I could only dream of seeing a digital or even physical version of the flag.  I now have my flag flying from my front porch.  Being able to render both this past year was a real highlight for this proud alumnus.

Here's to "a glass of the finest."  Please click here to learn more about Hampden-Sydney College's arms.

2. The University of the South

The achievement of arms of the University of the South.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

Again and again Sewanee's heraldry presented me with numerous challenges in rendering the various designs of the university.  Honestly, I put off working on this group until the very last to help keep my frustration at bay.  The Sewanee tressure and its many nuances took numerous tries, as I was being exacting in recreating it just as McCrady had done.  

The armorial flag of the University of the South.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

I wanted to complete all of the university's assets that McCrady created--badge, crest, supporters, and so forth.  As I said I enjoy a challenge...My tressure breakthrough was an honest to goodness accident and led me to learn what a "clipping mask," is!  

The University Badge conceived by Dr. McCrady.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

To say I was over the moon once finished is an understatement.  Getting Sewanee's arms dialed in took a lot of time and patience.  

Please click here to learn more about Sewanee's heraldry.

1. The Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem 

Row 1 (L-R): Arms of the Order of St John and the US Priory.
Row 2 (L-R): Arms of the Priories of England and Canada.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

On 19 April this year I received the news of a lifetime when my name appeared in the London Gazette as newly appointed Member of the Order of St. John.  Truly, I was blown away and humbled by this high honor.  While I was naturally drawn to the chivalric and heraldic traditions of St. John, I also deeply appreciate the philanthropy and service we give freely in the order's name.

I wanted to render the arms of my priory here in the US using la Rose's style bald eagle in the blue roundel and see if I could make a contribution in this manner.  Well, it worked after numerous attempts.  And then as if to accept yet another challenge, I wanted to render all 11 priories and 5 commanderies of the Order across the globe.

And then I had an idea...

The arms of the Sovereign Head of the Order of St. John,
His Majesty King Charles III.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

A friend and colleague in the Order shared with me how the arms of the Sovereign appear for the Order of St. John, something I had never seen before.  Could I possibly recreate these arms?  I wanted to try!

And what a challenge it presented too.  Learning how to weave the Order of the Garter's beelt through the Order of St. John's eight-pointed cross was one challenge, and then trying to figure out how to create the sash and badge was another.  Above are the arms of His Majesty King Charles III as Sovereign Head of the Order of St. John.

The badge of the Sovereign Head of the Order of St. John.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

Rendering the arms of the Order of St. John and those of the Sovereign Head and Grand Prior come in at number one for me as my favorite renderings of 2024.  

The armorial flag of the Order of St. John.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

In so many wonderful ways, these designs showcase my growth in learning digital heraldry and creative problem solving.  I've had a blast spending time will all the designs I've been fortunate to render and look forward to creating more in 2025.