The Man and His Arms: An Origin Story

The arms of Chad M. Krouse emblazoned in a Spanish-style by Dr. Antonio Salmeron (ES).

In light of several posts regarding the arms of two of my alma maters, I thought it appropriate to share my journey into the world of heraldry.  I used to be somewhat embarrassed about my passion for heraldry.  It's an arcane subject that most Americans wrongly associate with aristocratic impulses.  I feared that others might interpret my interest as a way to portray myself as something that I am not.  Over the years, thankfully, I was able to shed those unfounded fears.   

I am a visual learner.  I lean on my confluence skills, sifting for patterns and common themes in data--it's a gift I have and one I certainly didn't ask for.  Add to this my love of symbology and extracting meaning and identification through otherwise abstract ideas and images.  Perhaps this is why I was drawn to heraldry.

It all began as a freshman at Hampden-Sydney College back in 1998.  I was enamoured by the college's coat of arms, and I literally spent all of my high school graduation gift money in the College Bookstore on just about everything emblazoned with those arms.  Yes, I'll even admit to ordering my college ring as a freshman simply because I wanted to proudly wear those beautiful arms--fortunately my investment was proven upon graduation.  Click here to learn about Hampden-Sydney College's coat of arms.  

Following my undergraduate studies, I started to take a keen interest in the study of heraldry, purchasing loads of books on the subject.  My first work was to design arms within a vesica piscis for my local parish, Johns Memorial Episcopal Church.  Because the parish already had an existing banner containing an otherwise generic coat of arms, I had no choice but to run with that design in order to get the seal approved by the Rector and Vestry.  The blazon for the arms of Johns Memorial Episcopal Church:  gules an agnus dei carrying a resurrection banner proper.  Admittedly, there are some issues with this coat, but nonetheless, you have to begin your heraldic journey somewhere.  I learned a lot about proposing such things before committees, and yes, it's a dangerous thing.

The seal of Johns Memorial Episcopal Church in Farmville, Virginia.  Designed by the author in 2006 and emblazoned by Dr. Richard McClintock, Hampden-Sydney College.

I was extremely fortunate to attend the School of Theology at the University of the South for seminary, where I earned a master of divinity degree.  Sewanee, as it's simply called, is an Episcopal university high atop the Cumberland Plateau in Tennessee.  Gothic architecture dominates the landscape and serves as the perfect backdrop for heraldry.  While Sewanee's heraldry was cleverly designed in 1981 by French Professor Dr. James Waring McCrady (b.1938), the shields were not in use, bowing to the popularity of the university's seal (also set within a vesica piscis) prominently emblazoned on the floor inside the vestibule of All Saints' Chapel.  I would have to say that my time at Sewanee truly catapulted my heraldic interest to the next level.  Click here to read about the arms of the School of Theology, The University of the South.

A non-heraldic seal for the Sewanee Society of Our Lady of Walsingham, a short-lived student group at the seminary, designed by the author 2009.

In a small way, I was able to give something back to Sewanee by way of heraldry.  As my interest grew in the subject, I wanted to see how Sewanee's heraldry would look displayed as banners.  Given all the pomp and circumstance of university ceremonies, I felt deep in my gut that there was a way to increase the visibility of McCrady's work.  I posted several line drawings of banners here in September 2014, knowing full well no one in the world would take notice.  I was wrong.  

A line drawing correctly displaying McCrady's 1981 design for the arms of the University of the South, designed by the author, Sept. 19, 2014.

The Rev. Robertson "Rob" C. Donehue T'16, a seminarian at the time at the School of Theology, saw my post and sparked several conversations about Sewanee's heraldry.  Rob's passion for Sewanee's heraldry, along with his savy leadership, brought my humble sketches into reality.  My dream of seeing Sewanee's heraldry come alive and "fly," was simply made possible by Rob.  By the university's Easter 2015 commencement, all three banners were up and flying (The Sewanee Purple, April 16, 2016, website).  Please click here to read The Sewanee Purple's article.  I am incredibly thankful for Father Rob and the work he did as a seminarian.  To this day, we still correspond on occasion about these very topics.  

By 2014, I was deeply engrossed in researching my family genealogy.  My motivation was simple:  I wanted to share with my children who we are and where we come from in this wide world we inhabit.  Through my research, I joined a number of hereditary societies:  The Sons of the American Revolution, the Sons of the Revolution, the Order of First Families of Massachusetts, the Order of First Families of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, and the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States.  All this research got me thinking about designing and adopting my own arms as a way to honor my newfound discoveries.

My research muse, Pierre de Chaignon la Rose (1872-1941), photograph from his Harvard Class of 1895 yearbook.  Image source Harvard Archives.  

As a researcher, I went looking for resources about how to design arms in accordance with the strict customs of heraldry.  Lo and behold, I kept running into a most unusual name, Pierre de Chaignon la Rose (1872-1941).  Throughout my seminary studies, I identified with the Anglo-Catholic movement within the Church of England--a story rife with historical "fringe figures" complete with equally colorful personalities.  It was no wonder, then, that my fascination with la Rose took off.  Now going on ten years of research, I am extremely grateful to la Rose for a number of reasons.  I learned through his work to appreciate the art and science of heraldry, and I mean good heraldry.  I credit la Rose for giving me the tools to create my own arms.

As a son of West Virginia, and now an adopted one of the Commonwealth of Virginia, I knew I wanted two key elements:  the dogwood flower and the cardinal.  As a lover of irony, the cardinal is the official bird for both states, and you can readily spot these brightly colored, majestic creatures taking flight in both areas.  Furthermore, I love "canting" arms, or using charges within a shield that play upon the arminger's name.  Thus, I knew I had to use the cross attributed to Saint Chad of Mercia (d. 672).  Saint Chad is truly my aspirational saint, a humble man who walked his diocese (refusing to ride horseback) with grace and even turned over his see in a demonstration of obedience. 

In the spirit of humility, an early draft of my arms in 2014.  Through this rather busy and unattractive design, you can see where I'm heading as I arrived at my final version.

Furthermore, I wanted my arms to be layered in a distinctly English sort of way.  The barry wavy lines of six became a logical solution, for it represents my love of water, fishing, and just about anything fun to do on lakes, rivers, and streams (ironically, I'm not a huge fan of the ocean on account of Jaws).  After multiple drafts--some decent, some horrible--I finally arrived on a design that I could live with.  

My very first digital emblazonment, rendered by Steve Cowan (CA) in 2014.

As I began joining various heraldry groups, I oozed envy over seeing all the beautiful digital emblazonments that armingers had commissioned.  While poor at the time, I wanted my own!  I connected with Steve Cowan, a heraldic artist in Canada who was so gracious and patient with me.  A link to Cowan's website and portfolio can be found under "websites of interest."  Once I received the emblazonment above, I proudly shared my arms within those groups.  And that's where I learned my first lesson:  blazons should be very specific.

The dogwood flowers in the shield above are distinctive of the species found in Canada, not the cornus florida variety which is the official state flower of Virginia.  I was incredibly embarrassed that I missed this key detail--it wasn't Cowan's fault, I simply needed to specify my blazon.  We quickly corrected this mistake and I learned the true importance of the blazon in heraldry.

The corrected cornus florida, emblazoned by Steve Cowan (CA).

And that's how I arrived at my final blazon:  Per chevron Gules and barry wavy Argent and Azure, in chief two dogwood flowers (Cornus Florida) Proper and in base a cross of Saint Chad of the first.

  

The next mistake I would make would be found within my motto.  I wanted my motto, "I make right," rendered in German to honor my fifth generation German-American ancestry.  I developed the motto to reflect my desire to "make right" all the wrongs I have (or may) done in the course of my existence.  I foolishly turned to Google where I landed with ICH MACHE RECHTE.  To this day, any German-speaking person reads this as, "I make laws."  It's imperfect, just like me.  As I would later learn the true translation, I decided to keep it for that very reason.

A rather ferocious cardinalis cardinalis. 
The crest of Chad M. Krouse, emblazoned by Steve Cowan (CA).

For my crest, I knew I wanted the cardinal and the madonna lily.  Again, I learned that the blazon must specify the type of bird lest it suggest some poor and unfortunate Roman Catholic prelate's head had been ripped off.

The blazon for my crest is: a cardinal's head (Cardinalis cardinalis) erased clutching in its beak a Madonna lily (Lilium Candidum) seeded Proper.  While the cardinal has been covered, I wanted to incorporate a symbol for the Blessed Virgin Mary as depicted in the image and vision of Our Lady of Walsingham (England).  It seemed fitting to have the bird clutch the seeding flower--a image of growth and vitality. 

The coronet of dogwood flowers (cornus florida) and fleur-de-lis along with the motto,
 emblazoned by Quentin Peacock (UK).

During the ill-timed COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, I wanted to create a heraldic badge and update my emblazonments.  I commissioned Quentin Peacock in England, who is rapidly becoming the expert artist for all things British heraldry.  With Peacock's expertise, we agreed on a coronet of dogwood flowers (cornus florida) and fleur-de-lis to encircle three madonna lilies.  I simply love my badge!  Click here to read the full details on my arms as they appear in the International Armorial Register.

The banner, arms, and badge of Chad M. Krouse, beautifully emblazoned by Quentin Peacock (UK).

 

Finally, during those dark and lonely days of lockdown, I leaned into heraldry as a way to highlight social injustice in our country.  I devised attributed arms for the Black Lives Matter Movement to visually portray the struggles many women and men of color face each day in our society.  The blazon I created: Argent a fist couped Sable flaunches Gules masoned of the field, on a chief Vert a demi dove displayed of the first auerled Or.  I was shocked that my work went viral!  Through these arms, I tried to show not only how extremely relevant heraldry is in our common human experience, but to make a contribution of hope.  I appreciated all the great feedback I received from this project.  Click here to read about the attributed arms for the Black Lives Matter Movement.

The attributed arms of the Black Lives Matter Movement, designed by Chad M. Krouse and emblazoned by Dimitri Prica, June 10, 2020.

My origin story of heraldry is uniquely my own and rather reflective of my journey in life.  While I'll continue to make mistakes as any human will, I endeavor to learn from them to make things right.  The journey led me to discover one of my passions in life, heraldry, and also gave me a research focus on the life and heraldic work of la Rose.  More importantly, I have connected and befriended so many enthusiasts of heraldry all over the world.  I cherish these friendships and connections.

My task, now, is crystal clear: to share la Rose's work with the world in order to give him the credit he truly deserves.  The goal is to publish a book, complete with my findings in the near term.  I even have an amazing research assistant now, an undergraduate student at Virginia Commonwealth University, where I earned my doctoral degree and continue to serve in a professional capacity.  

The arms of Chad M. Krouse, emblazoned in the inimitable style of Sivane Saray (BE).

In so many weird and unexpected ways, heraldry has given me a deeper sense of purpose along with a tangible goal.  I'm having the time of life.  ICH MACHE RECHTE!

Unification and Differencing: A Case Study in Quincy

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

Over the past 10 years, I've diligently combed through archives across the US and Canada on my quest to uncover the heraldic work of Pierre de Chaignon la Rose (1872-1941).  I have met so many archivists and volunteers who are passionate about the organizations whose histories they maintain.  Sometimes I am lucky and find answers, other times not so.  Today, however, was one of those good days. 

During the 28th annual convention of the Episcopal Diocese of Quincy, which met on May 16-17, 1905 in the Cathedral of St. John, the assembly voted to officially adopt a coat of arms designed by la Rose (Diocese of Quincy, 1906, pages 34-35).  Based on my data, now hovering around 250 institutional coats designed by la Rose, the arms for the Diocese of Quincy was the first coat la Rose designed for an Episcopal diocese.  

The seal of the Diocese of Quincy designed by la Rose and found upon the bishop's cathedra inside St. John's Parish and Cathedral in Quincy, IL.  Photo courtesy of The Rev. Patrick Smith, Rector.  Note the diocese's motto, Jehovah Jireh, placed in the base of the vesica piscis. 

There is something else, however, that makes this coat extra special--keep reading.  

The blazon for the arms of the Diocese of Quincy: Argent, between two pallets wavy azure debruised in fesse, a cross quadrate gules, thereon seven mascles conjoined three, three, and one or.  

An article appearing in The Living Church (1906), offers this description for the diocese's arms:

"The story told upon the shield is an interesting one and descriptive of the location, the history, the work, and the aspirations of the diocese. One versed in heraldry might read the shield as follows: The land between the rivers, of military associations where the Anglican Communion has spread the gospel net, which land is Quincy and whose church sends influences beyond the rivers. This is a free translation, very free, but better understood to-day than the language of ancient heraldry. 

"The diocese includes a little more of the State of Illinois than was in what was known as the 'Military Tract,' a tract reserved after the war of 1812 to reward the soldiers. This fact, and the other one that within the diocese the Federal Government has its greatest arsenal, will account for the 'Military Associations.' 

"An interesting fact is that the lozenge like the devices in the centre of the shield arranged as these are, 3, 3, and 1 , in heraldry mean both Quincy and the gospel net. The motto 'Jehovah Jireh,' chosen as all will remember by Bishop Chase, while it may not properly be included in the design is correctly placed in the rim" (page 1007).  

Furthermore, DeKay (1993) notes that the arms of the diocese prominently features those from the "de Quincy family, Earls of Winchester, were [blazoned] 'gules, seven mascles conjoined, 3, 3, 1 or'" (page 36).  All of this background information is great, but there's more.

Banner of arms for the Diocese of Quincy.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

In Wright (1908), we learn that not only did la Rose design arms for the diocese, but also arms for its cathedral of St. John (page 244).  This is the special coat that I've been pinning to see.    

The only way I could find these arms was to contact The Rev. Patrick Smith, Rector of St. John's Parish and Cathedral, who so kindly sent me these photographs today.  The parish and building are now affiliated with the Anglican Church.  Moreover, Wright (1908) notes that the reredos was designed by none other than the Boston-based firm of Ralph Adams Cram (1863-1942).  Wherever there is Cram, and heraldry is involved, la Rose is surely not far behind.

The arms of St. John's Cathedral carved onto the reredos inside St. John's Parish and Cathedral in Quincy, IL.  Photo courtesy of The Rev. Patrick Smith, Rector. 

The arms of St. John's Parish and Cathedral are blazoned: Azure, on an eagle displayed Argent aureoled Or, an escutcheon Gules charged with seven mascles conjoined three, three, and one Or.

Arms of St. John's Cathedral.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

Now, we have the very first coat that la Rose designed for a cathedral or parish in the US.  Through the arms of St. John's Cathedral, we encounter for the very first time la Rose's method for showing unification and differencing.  The escutcheon on the displayed eagle is a clear reference to the cathedral's ownership by the Diocese of Quincy.  In this one coat of arms, la Rose not only differences the established de Quincy coat, but does so in a rather genius way which shows unification at the same time. 

Showing unification and differencing in arms, L-R: Diocese of Quincy, St. John's Cathedral.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024

The altar and reredos in St. John's Cathedral were dedicated on July 7, 1907 (Wright, 1908, page 244).  Thus, it is likely--given the time lag between mailing designs, actual construction, to final dedication--la Rose designed these arms between 1905-1906. 

La Rose would use the displayed and aureoled eagle for St. John in several future designs, as well as charge heraldic creatures with an escutcheon showing unification.

Arms of St. Francis de Sales Seminary (St. Francis, WI) designed by la Rose.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

Arms of St. Edward's Seminary (Kenmore, WA) designed by la Rose in 1931.  Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

If you're interested to read more about the arms of St. Edward's Seminary, click here to see one of my first posts regarding la Rose.  La Rose continues to keep me on my toes with how he uses charges, tinctures, and metals to either show unification or differencing in his work.  What is truly fascinating, at least to me, is that he worked out a logical solution to this problem very early in his heraldic career.  La Rose would continue to refine his methodology over the years, and I have many examples in my data.  Today was a good day.

Works Cited

DeKay, Eckford. (1993).  Heraldry in the Episcopal Church.  Acorn Press.

Diocese of Quincy (1906).  The 28th annual convention of the Diocese of Quincy.  Review Printing Company.    

The Living Church (1906).  Diocesan seal for Quincy.  The Living Church, vol 35(24), 1007.  

Wright, J. (1908).  Some notable altars in the Church of England and the American Episcopal Church.  MacMillan Company.  

The Arms of the School of Theology, The University of the South

"Devout, Learned, and Useful."
The achievement of The School of Theology,
The University of the South.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024

In the Fall of 2007, the Krouse family moved onto the Domain of the University of the South.  Located atop the Cumberland Plateau in the town of Sewanee, Tennessee,  the School of Theology has been forming women and men for ordained ministry in the Episcopal Church since 1878.  With my daughter celebrating her first birthday, and my son coming along to join the clan in a few months, both the seminary and community became a treasured safe-haven for me and my family. 

The School of Theology has produced scores of priests, theologians, and bishops throughout the world formed at Sewanee and ready for ministry within the church.  I was truly fortunate to have been taught and formed by so many legendary academics.  Professors such as The Rev. Dr. Donald S. Armentrout (1939-2013) who famously taught church history with so much hyperbole and excitement, students oftentimes felt alive and embraced by the characters he portrayed.  I can still see Dr. Armentrout holding onto his suspender straps.  The Rev. Dr. A. Richard Smith (1928-2020), the legendary professor who taught New Testament Greek, not only made an ancient language understandable but helped us dive deeply into those texts for a richer understanding of the Christian faith.  

Sewanee Crest with arms.
Designed and rendered by
Chad Krouse.

In times of personal crisis, Dr. Joseph E. Monti (1943-2023) was always there with an empathic ear and wise counsel.  An ethicist, Dr. Monti taught moral theology and famously wheeled in a cart containing his notoriously thick syllabus--literally filling up an entire three-ring binder and bringing tears to the eyes of his pupils.  He was a force to be reckoned with, but sweet and gentle all the same.  Another inspiring and vibrant professor was The Rev. Dr. Susanna Metz (d. 2022.) who taught contextual theology and led the field education program.  Susanna, as she insisted on being called, was always laughing and believed deeply that Jesus wanted us all to simply lighten up.  I cherish clinking mugs of beer with Susanna and my classmates at Shenanigans, as we successfully coaxed her to move our small class discussion at times.

Proud dad moment.  My son was baptized in 2007 during the Great Easter Vigil at All Saints' Chapel, Sewanee.  My proud grandfather, "Pappaw," smiles with me.  

Finally, I had the honor of befriending The Rev. Dr. Marion J. Hatchett (1927-2009) towards the end of his historic and scholarly life.  I worked with him to arrange his vast library collection and deliver boxes of old books to the university's library so as to fill in any gaps in their collections.  I am thankful that I had Marion, as he simply wished to be called, autograph for me every copy from his list of published works.  I cherish our many luncheons we had together.  What a gem!    

Today, new legends are forming at the seminary, and while my path led me in a different direction away from ordained ministry, I have employed countless lessons learned as a seminarian which continue to enrich my life.  Why do I share all of this?  Simply because I have learned over the years that Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) knew of how we view symbols.  The great transcendentalist deeply understood the power these symbols have in the course of human experience.  Emerson wrote:

The world being thus put under the mind for verb and noun, the poet is he who can articulate it. For though life is great, and fascinates, and absorbs; and though all men are intelligent of the symbols through which it is named; yet they cannot originally use them. We are symbols and inhabit symbols [emphasis mine]; workmen, work, and tools, words and things, birth and death, all are emblems; but we sympathize with the symbols, and being infatuated with the economical uses of things, we do not know that they are thoughts" (Emerson, 1983, page 456).

In other words, whenever I see the arms of the School of Theology, I cannot help but heap onto that shield my own deeply personal experience with the place.  While heraldry was never intended to bear such weight, the human experience appropriates, when in use, those memories onto a coat of arms.  I believe this with all my heart.  Perhaps, this is why scholastic heraldry is so important.  I need something to hold onto to bear in my life those memories.  I live and inhabit this coat of arms.  

The arms of the School of Theology, from a library painting which prominently hangs inside the Student Common Room, Hamilton Hall.

Designed in 1981 by Sewanee Professor James Waring McCrady (b. 1938), the arms of the seminary carry forward McCrady's unique "Sewanee tressure," his device for showing unification within the arms of the subordinate colleges and schools of the university (McCrady, 2009, p. 552).  

Arms of the School of Theology, The University of the South.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

In McCrady (1983), he offers this blazon for the seminary's arms, "Gules on a cross or surmounted by a Sewanee tressure counter-changed a crossed fleam sable" (page 30). 

The seminary, at some point, picked up its own motto as seen above in the library painting.  The motto, Pius Doctus Utilis, translates to "Devout, Learned, Useful."

For a detailed analysis on the heraldry of the University of the South, please click here. 

According to McCrady (1983), the colors gules (red) and or (gold) come from the arms of William Porcher DuBose (1836-1918), who served as the second dean of the seminary.  The crossed fleam in the center represents the patron saint of the seminary community, Saint Luke. Saint Luke was also the name of the seminary's first building on campus as well as the name of one of the chapels which can all be seen today.  The Gospel writer is attributed as a physician, hence the use of the fleam which was a physician's implement for bleeding.  McCrady added the cross bar to the fleam in a most unusual way that gives dignity and significance to the design--typically in heraldry, the fleam is a stand-alone charge and McCrady's differencing of that symbol is purely masterful. To render the crossed-fleam in sable (black) not only alludes to the clerical color, but also to the Manigault arms, "the widow upon whose benefaction the seminary originally depended" (McCrady, 1983, page 30). 

An idea for a seal/logo for the school.
Designed and rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

McCrady's design for the arms of the seminary is simply genius.  His forms are simple and direct.  Not only are the seminary's arms beautiful, but they convey clearly the mission of the school.  This shield is a treasured possession for so many seminarians and Episcopal clergy who were deeply formed within the walls of Hamilton Hall.

In 2024, the American Heraldry Society selected the seminary's arms to receive its annual Pierre de Chaignon la Rose Design Award.  Click here to read the press announcement from the School of Theology.   

An armorial flag for the School of Theology, The University of the South drawn by the author, September 19, 2014.

Over the past few years, the School of Theology has embraced her arms as evidenced by a few events.  When comparing the popular use of the seminary's coat to the others found within Sewanee's heraldry, it is likely that the seminary's arms are used more so due to the influence of heraldry within the Episcopal Church.  For example, choir dress for clergy in the Episcopal Church requires a black preaching scarf upon which are (sometimes, depending on individual taste) tippet seals or arms are sewed to show clerical's seminary and/or diocese.  

The flags of the University of the South on full display inside All Saints' Chapel during a lecture.  Source: The University of the South.

In 2014, I rendered all the arms at Sewanee as flag and posted those drawings to this blog.  Enter The Rev. Robertson "Rob" C. Donehue T'16.  I truly suspected that no one in the world would ever read my posts here, but I was wrong.  At the time, Rob was a seminarian at the School of Theology and saw my post, sparking conversations about Sewanee's heraldry.  Rob's passion for Sewanee's heraldry, along with his savy leadership, brought my humble sketches into reality.  My dream of seeing Sewanee's heraldry come alive and "fly," was simply made possible by Rob.  By the university's Easter 2016 commencement, all three banners were up and flying (The Sewanee Purple, April 16, 2016, website).  Please click here to read The Sewanee Purple's article.  I am incredibly thankful for Father Rob and the work he did as a seminarian to make all this possible.  To this day, we still correspond about these very topics.  

The armorial flags of the University of the South and its schools.
Rendered by Lucas Hofmann, 2024.  Click image to enlarge.

In 2018, the graduating class of seminarians gave the seminary a gift of the school's arms rendered as a banner for processions.

The graduating class of 2018 pictured with the new banner.  Source:  The University of the South.

And perhaps most exciting of all, in the fall of 2022, the St. Luke's Community (the name for the student body association for the seminary) announced through Facebook that signet rings and pendants bearing the seminary's arms would be available for purchase.  Through a collaboration with a local Tennessee jeweler, Mr. Jim Woodard of Woodard's Diamonds and Design, two seminarians (now ordained), The Rev. Garron Daniels T'23 and The Rev. Suz Southern T'23 helped make the seminary's arms more tangible through this creative project.  Huzzah!  

A new project brought to life by The Rev. Garron Daniels T'23 and The Rev. Suz Southern T'23.  Source: School of Theology Facebook page.

It is so exciting to see these heraldic developments at my alma mater.  The School of Theology is truly a special place.  These armorial bearings mean more to me than simply good heraldry.  Memories, lessons learned, and the people who came into my life there, forever changed me.  I will never be able to pay back the debt I owe to the School of Theology, save winning the lottery.  I am a proud M.Div. graduate, and though my career in higher education philanthropy is so far removed from ordained ministry, I lean heavily on my formation from Sewanee each and every day.  I'll simply close with the fight song:

"Tiger, Tiger,

Leave 'em in the lurch.

Down with the heathen

And up with the Church

Ye-aa-ah, Sewanee's right"

Works Cited

Emerson, R.W. (1983).  Ralph Waldo Emerson: Essays and lectures.  Literary Classics of the United States, Inc.

McCrady, J.W. (2009).  Evolution of the university’s arms. In G.L. Smith & S.R. Williamson (Eds.),  Sewanee Perspectives: On the history of the University of the South.  The University of the South.

McCrady, J. W. (1983).  After 125 years completing the university's heraldry. Sewanee News, vol 49(1), 30.  

Heraldry of the Ivy League

Having been on five of the eight campuses, I'd have to say the arms of Harvard and Penn are my two favorites.

I'm deeply honored to have been asked recently to join as a co-presenter on the topic of the heraldry of the Ivy League Schools.  Sponsored through the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society (NYG&B), this free Zoom presentation is scheduled for Thursday, September 7th at 7:00 p.m. (EDT).  

Click here to register through NYG&B for the free Zoom presentation 

The main presenter is Mr. Paul Campbell who serves as the President of the US-based College of Arms Foundation, a philanthropic operation endeavoring to: 

"promote English heraldry in the United States and support the efforts of the College of Arms, the heraldic authority for England – as well as Wales, Northern Ireland, and Commonwealth nations. We are not part of the College of Arms, but we work very closely with the Garter King of Arms and the other Officers of Arms and Staff of the College" (College of Arms Foundation website, August 24, 2023).

 

The arms of the College of Arms Foundation (US) blazoned: Argent, a cross and within four tressures all gules as many doves their dexter wings elevated and inverted azure, beaked and legged of the second.  Link to the foundation is located under "websites of interest."  

Established in 1983 and incorporated as a 501(3)c not-for-profit organization in the State of New York,  the College of Arms Foundation's original purpose was to, "raise funds to preserve the College’s building, on Queen Victoria Street in the City of London, where it has been based since the late 17th century" (College of Arms Foundation, 2023).  As time passed, the focus of the foundation evolved.

"In 2001, the Foundation's focus was changed to promote knowledge of, and interest in, English heraldry in the United States. Through 2014, the Foundation co-sponsored lectures on heraldry with the New York Genealogical & Biographical Society, at whose office the events were held. Since 2014, the Foundation has funded special projects at the College of Arms"(College of Arms Foundation website, August 24, 2023).

I recently became a member of the foundation, unquestionably because of my love of all things English.  Regardless, I've rather enjoyed making new connections and friendships within the heraldry community.  

For comparison, the arms of The White Lion Society (UK) which seeks to support the work of the College of Arms in the United Kingdom.  Notice the slight differencing from the US foundation's arms.  Link to the Society is located under "websites of interest."  

Insofar as the heraldry of the Ivy League is concerned, my interest remains focused on the involvement of Pierre de Chaignon la Rose (1872-1941) and several projects he collaborated on within a few of these storied institutions.  La Rose, of course, designed the arms for all the schools (and many of the houses) at Harvard in preparation for the university's Tercentenary celebration in 1936.  La Rose also designed the arms for both Calhoun College (now Grace Hopper College) and Pierson College at Yale.  La Rose partnered with Ralph Adams Cram (1863-1942) to render several historical coats for incorporation into the Holy Grail stained glass window at Princeton.  Finally, la Rose was interviewed in 1933 concerning the newly adopted arms at the University of Pennsylvania.  

Having stepped foot on the campuses of Harvard, Yale, Columbia, Dartmouth, and Penn, I'd say the arms of Harvard and Penn are tied for my favorite designs.  I absolutely loved Dartmouth's campus, but lament their design of arms.  Click here to read a proposal by Johnathan Good in 1995 to Dartmouth College to adopt a revision of their arms by Jonathan Good.  

A proposed seal containing Jonathan Good's proposed arms for Dartmouth College.  The seal matrix and gothic tracery was the design of la Rose and used heavily by him for corporate seals in the early 20th century. 

Posting my research here has certainly helped provide greater visibility of my work within the heraldry community, literally igniting my desire to continue and work harder.  

I do hope you'll join us for this presentation.