The Arms of Pierre de Chaignon La Rose & International Heraldry Day 2020

The arms of Pierre de Chaignon la Rose, line drawing by Dr. Krouse.

June 10th is International Heraldry Day, a day to celebrate the art and science of coat armour throughout the world.  This day comes at a time in which we find ourselves going into battle on a number of fronts, bearing symbols and mottoes those ancient knights and kings of old would not likely recognize.  This day is a day, I hope, for those heraldry enthusiasts to ask themselves, "how is heraldry relevant in 2020?"  I fear that if all we do is worship the charges and lines of partition of old to spite the battles before us, we risk debasing heraldry's ability to invite us into a deeper and more meaningful conversation about identity, inheritance, and legacy.  I believe this treasured art and science can still be relevant in 2020.    

Case in point: my humble attempt in devising an attributed coat of arms for the Black Lives Matter movement.  Click here to read about my design for the attributed arms of the Black Lives Matter movement.  The idea came to me when I started to ask, how can I help and how can I affect change within my locus of control?  And then it clicked.  I believe heraldry can and does occupy a relevant place in the world, beyond its historical aspects.  Others are free to disagree.       

Originally conceived in 2013, the idea of International Heraldry Day commemorates the approximation of the first date of known coat armour.  The story continues from the registration of arms found over at the Armorial International:

The celebration was started in 2013 within the International Association of Amateur Heralds (IAAH). Tomasz Steifer (Poland), a Fellow of the IAAH described the effort: we propose that this international day of heraldry at 10 June. On that day, in the year 1128, in Rouen was knighted, by his future father in law, Henry I Beauclerc, Godfrey Plantagenet. Suspended during the ceremony on the neck of a young knight shield blue decorated six golden lions, is recognized by most of the heralds, for the first time in history, fully formed coat of arms.

Today, I want to commemorate America's best kept secret, Pierre de Chaignon la Rose (1872-1941).  A man who single handedly shaped American heraldry in the early Twentieth Century and whose work can still be seen today.  So many know the images, but few know the heraldic genius behind those arms.  From the Schools of Harvard, University of Chicago, Notre Dame, Catholic University, Boston College, Rice University, to lesser know schools such as College of the Holy Cross, St. Ambrose University, and Trinity Washington University, all these institutions still bear the arms expertly designed by la Rose.  Scholastic heraldry aside, he devised arms for 24 dioceses of the Episcopal Church (including the arms of the Episcopal Church itself), and countless arms for Roman Catholic sees, abbeys, and religious communities.  In a sense, la Rose was the brand creator for so many iconic American institutions long before this concept took hold in business literature.   

More recently, several of these institutions have had to address their racial past in connection with their arms and dug into their archives to understand the meaning behind the herald's work--the former Calhoun College at Yale and Harvard's Law School for example.  Click here to learn about the new arms of Grace Hopper College at Yale, and please click here if you would like to learn more about the new arms for Harvard Law. 

La Rose first captured my interest in 2014 when I began my process for assuming arms.  I'm interested in what I call "fringe figures," and la Rose fits that bill nicely.  What do I mean by "fringe figures?"  He lived alone (undoubtedly gay based on my research), positioned himself as the foremost expert in America on heraldry (an arcane subject), and otherwise marched to the beat of his own drum while living on the fringe of Harvard yard.       

La Rose's yearbook photograph from Harvard, Class of 1895.

I've posted before about la Rose's work at St. Edward's Seminary in Washington and Brookline Public Library in Massachusetts.  Click here to learn more about the arms la Rose designed for St. Edward's Seminary, and please click here to learn more about the arms of the Brookline Public Library.  These two represent a drop in the bucket in terms of the scope of la Rose's heraldic work.  Piecing together his life and work continues to be a fun challenge; I've worked with numerous archives and even found a treasure trove of some of his best work.  In sum, I've identified 192 coats of arms that he devised for institutions around the world.  Sadly, most of these institutions don't readily know who devised their arms, much less the rationale behind them.  Even worse, marketing departments have managed to obscure the regal emblazonment in favor of a more modern appearance.   

La Rose's bookplate from the Houghton Library, Harvard, 1895.

A late edition to the post, the second known bookplate of Pierre de Chaignon la Rose created by the famous bookplate engraver George W. Eve, dated 1914, courtesy of Joseph McMillan of the American Heraldry Society.  Note the absence of the rose charge and the addition of a crest, coronet, and supporters.

I wanted to render his own arms, as I've yet to encounter any digitized versions on the web.  I discovered an emblazonment of his arms on a bookplate at the Houghton Library, Harvard, dated 1895.  The 1895 bookplate rendering is simple and very much keeping in his style and ethos.  

Based on the hatching, I've worked out the following blazon.  The arms of Pierre de Chaignon la Rose are blazoned: Azure, a lion rampant Or langued Gules and charged on the shoulder with a rose of the third barbed and seeded proper, holding in dexter arm a sword proper.  Motto:  Fortiter et Suaviter (Firmly and gently).  The only other known image is chiseled onto his tombstone at Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge.  Thus, I'm pleased to finally have La Rose's arms rendered on the web, albeit a line drawing!

Click here to view my post containing a new digital emblazonment of la Rose's arms based on his 1895 bookplate.  

Note the absence of the rose and the addition of the coronet.  Source: Findagrave.com

It took several tries to get the line drawing proportioned just right.  I played with numerous shield shapes, only to end up using one of his own found in the arms of St. Joseph's Academy (for girls).  The school operated from 1851-1971 in Saint Paul, Minnesota as a Roman Catholic school founded by the Sisters of Saint Joseph.  You won’t find these arms anywhere on the web until now!  La Rose devised these arms as: Azure, a semme of Madonna lilies Argent, in pale a sword Or with hilt in base thereupon an open book edged Or and inscribed Suboles Doctrinae Pietas (“Reverence, Scion of Scholarship”).

The arms of St. Joseph's Academy, devised by La Rose in 1926.

 

La Rose was a fan of placing charge upon a charge, especially with animals.  Below are two examples of his expert hand.  Remember, these are hand painted, no digital software for drawing was available in those days.  The first example is la Rose's proposed coat of arms for the new Episcopal Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City.  He rendered two designs, and the one below is the first.  The Cathedral, sadly, ended up adopting Ralph Adams Cram's design which you can see in use today.  La Rose's design pays tribute to St. John by way of the eagle with the halo and honors the "New Amsterdam" Dutch heritage of New York City by way of the windmill blades. 

The second example comes from the arms of Mundelein College which has since merged with Loyola University Chicago.  La Rose used the "phoenix rising from the ashes" charge in several designs.  The arms of the University of Chicago (adopted in 1909), the arms of the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta (adopted in 1920), and the arms of the Archdiocese of Chicago (approx. 1939) all bear the phoenix as their central charge.  Incidentally, both cities survived disastrous fires, the phoenix becomes an appropriate symbol of resurrection.  And of course, la Rose employs the open book, one of his favorite charges for schools and universities.

The proposed arms of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine #1 by la Rose in 1927, courtesy of the Cathedral's archives.

The blazon for the proposed arms of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine #1 is: Argent, an eagle displayed azure, aureoled or, charged with a full sail of a windmill in saltire of the third.

The gonfanon of Mundelein College by la Rose, courtesy of the Women and Leadership Archives, Loyola University Chicago.

The armorial banner of Mundelein College by la Rose, courtesy of the Women and Leadership Archives, Loyola University Chicago.

The arms of Mundelein College by la Rose, courtesy of the Women and Leadership Archives, Loyola University Chicago.

The arms of Mundelein College are blazoned: Argent, a pheonix displayed rising from the flames gules charged with an open book edged or and inscribed VIA VERITAS VITA, on dexter wing a roundel azure edged of the field charged with a star of the first, on sinister wing a roundel of the fourth edged of the field charged with the monogram BVM of the first. 

Never one to shy away from critique, la Rose often lived his motto with his wicked sharp pen.  He frequently had words with the appalling state of heraldry in America at that time.  I'll close this appreciation with two of my favorite la Rose quotations--both relevant today--which bear our admonition: 

 “The heraldic traps for the unwary are far more numerous than the average amateur suspects.”  Ecclesiastical Review, Feb. 1922, Vol. LXVI, p. 179

“A Prelate would shrink from issuing over his own name an illiterate document, and yet he will tranquilly bear an illiterate coat-of-arms!  But we are gaining rapidly.”  Ecclesiastical Review, Feb. 1922, Vol. LXVI, p. 179-180

Update: The Attributed Arms of the Black Lives Matter Movement

A graffitied image of the attributed arms. Source: Reddit

I want to post an update to a previous one concerning my proposed arms of the Black Lives Matter movement.  Click here to read the original post on my design for the attributed arms of the Black Lives Matter movement.  I've been simply blown away by the several emblazonments of the attributed arms of the Black Lives Matter movement sent in by readers.  I honestly wondered if anyone actually read my blog, well I have an answer now!  I wanted to share some stylistic interpretations of my blazon.  

Attributed arms of the Black Lives Matter Movement emblazoned by Brian Jeffs.

Attributed arms of the Black Lives Matter Movement emblazoned by Mike Owens.

I like how each one took time to put their mark on the arms.  Brian's dove looks peaceful yet fierce.  Mike's shield composition is on point.  Again, thank you to both of these fine gentlemen for taking time to help this design come alive.

I especially love the graffiti work!  This proves that you can affect change within your locus of control, especially if you get creative with how you can help work towards social justice.  I'm truly humbled.

Earlier this morning I contacted a colleague through Facebook who lives in Canada with a commission to render these arms.  I'll share those as soon as they come in.     

The banner of Black Lives Matter arms, sent in by an anonymous reader.

The banner of Black Lives Matter arms, sent in by an anonymous reader.

I've doodled some more as I was never quite happy with the dove's face.  Here's my revision as of June 10th.  The revised blazon is: Argent a fist couped Sable flaunches Gules masoned of the field, on a chief Vert a demi dove displayed of the first with a halo Or.  I hope this helps the overall color scheme and helps depict the dove of peace more fittingly.  For the dove, I used La Rose's arrangement of heraldic birds.  I mean, he's the best!

The revised arms of the Black Lives Matter Movement by Chad M. Krouse, June 10, 2020.

The attributed arms of the Black Lives Matter Movement, designed by Chad M. Krouse and digitally emblazoned by Dimitri Prica of Canada, 2020.

Ich Mache Rechte: Notes on an Imperfect Motto

A recent emblazonment by the talented Sivane Saray of Brussels, Belgium.

Years ago when I was developing my coat of arms, I knew I wanted the motto to be rendered in German.  As a fifth generation German-American, I felt it was important to blend my German ancestry into the arms which otherwise are very English in nature.  The "crie de guerre" is the war cry carried into battle by soldiers under the knight's banner, at least that's the origin of the motto in association with coat armour.  I believe it to be the least important element of the armorial achievement.

Thanks to German speaking viewers on Facebook, most scratch their heads when they see my arms with the motto, "Ich Mache Rechte."  They rightfully ask, "I make rights?  What on earth?"  It's a fair question.  One that I'm getting used to answering more and more.  

It all started with Google translator in 2014.  Yes, all those years of taking French classes in high school and college was of no use to me on this particular project.  And I'm not ashamed to admit that I turned to Google for help.  In hindsight, I would have asked on Facebook for assistance with the translation and would have undoubtedly received it.  But, since I've invested a lot in registrations and emblazonments, the motto is now etched in stone.  

I make right, is my interpretation of Ich Mache Rechte.  The sentiment is deeply personal and meaningful to me.  As I look back on my young life to date, I strive to make right the things in my life that have gone wrong; poor decisions, damaged relationships, and all the normal human choices we face each and every day.  By nature, I'm a very reflective person.  I seek guidance for the future from my past.  Perhaps this is why biography is one of my favorite genres in books.   

I hope these brief notes help explain my imperfect motto, it's like me, imperfect.  I'm going to keep it.

And please check out the Facebook page of Sivane Saray who does exquisite heraldic work in a very unique style.  Support our heraldic artists!

The Attributed Arms of the Black Lives Matter Movement

The attributed arms of the Black Lives Matter Movement, designed by Dr. Krouse.

During the Selma marches in 1965, Dr. Marin Luther King, Jr. famously paraphrased a quotation attributed to Theodore Parker.  When King was asked how long will it take until social justice has been achieved, King responded, "Not long because the arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends toward justice."  NPR ran a story on this famous quotation back in 2010, click here to listen to it.  I've been reflecting a lot lately on what that arc looks like.

I've watched in horror the events unfolding over the past two weeks.  I've been processing the images from the news, the protests, and the thousands of Americans (and many across the globe) marching for justice.  As a white man living in America, I do not pretend for a second to know the pain and fear that Black men face everyday walking down streets, shopping in malls, or otherwise living their lives.  I'm angry.  I've been reminded recently that this phenomenon is not new in 2020, for it's been going on in this country since the days of settlement.  

I want to do something.  I wanted to create a noble coat of arms reflecting both Dr. King's arc as well as the barriers my Black sisters and brothers face everyday.  This led to the line drawing above and I wanted to share it.  Apologies for the photograph as I do not have access to a scanner at the moment.  I say "attributed" arms because I'm attributing them to the movement.  Throughout the history of heraldry, it's not uncommon to see attributed arms, think those of Jesus or the Blessed Virgin Mary.  They did not bear arms as we know it, so history has granted arms to them.

The blazon for the attributed arms of the Black Lives Matter movement is as follows:  Argent a fist couped Sable flaunches gules masoned of the field, on a chief of the second a demi dove displayed of the first.    

My design rationale for these arms follows.  I knew I had to use the fist as the main charge, so I chose to render it sable (black).  I wanted to incorporate the flaunch to show the arcs as a reference to Dr. King's famous quotation, but show these as "masoned" so that they appear as brick walls.  This image of brick walls clearly illustrates the barriers that Black women and men have fought (and continue to fight) to break down.  Moreover, rendering the masoned walls in gules (red) reflects the blood of the innocent.  Overall, I wanted the white dove of peace in the chief (the top of the shield) to show that the arc of justice will bring peace.  I really wish I knew digital heraldry, as these arms would be gorgeous rendered in full color.

I love this design and the symbolism it carries.  I wanted to design something within the accepted rules of heraldry that was befitting the noble cause of justice for all Black lives, because Black lives matter.  

The attributed banner of the Black Lives Matter movement, by Dr. Krouse.

 

Update:  I've doodled some more as I was never quite happy with the dove's face.  Here's my revision as of June 10th.  The revised blazon is: Argent a fist couped Sable flaunches Gules masoned of the field, on a chief Vert a demi dove displayed of the first with a halo Or.  I hope this helps the overall color scheme and helps depict the dove of peace more fittingly.  For the dove, I used La Rose's arrangement for heraldic birds.  I mean, he's the best!  Click here to read an updated post on the attributed arms of the Black Lives Matter movement.

The revised arms of the Black Lives Matter Movement by Dr. Krouse, June 10, 2010.