Shakespeare's Arms

Arms of William Shakespeare.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

I feel like its a rite of passage...a step forward that every aspiring heraldic artist must tackle...yes, the arms of the great poet William Shakespeare (1564-1616).  I will say, however, I actually enjoyed putting these arms together in vector format.  Who doesn't love good canting arms?  Which reminds me of a saying I recently heard, "heralds don't pun, they cant."  

Scott-Giles (1950) offers the following blazon for the armorial ensigns of William Shakespeare:

Arms:  Or, on a bend Sable a spear Or headed Argent 

Crest:  On a wreath Or and Sable, a falcon displayed Argent supporting a spear Or headed Argent

Motto:  Non Sanz Droict ("Not without right")

The crest of William Shakespeare.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

The crest is simple, clean and straightforward.  I like it!  Moreover, I was thrilled to be able to have the falcon actually holding the spear.   

From Scott-Giles (1950).

I enjoy Scott-Giles (1950) work on the heraldry of Shakespeare, definitely worth having a copy in your library.  

Works Cited

Scott-Giles, C.W. (1950).  Shakespeare's Heraldry.  AMS Press.

La Rose & The Signet Society

The arms of the Signet Society at Harvard.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

One of the earliest documented design for arms by Pierre de Chaignon la Rose (1872-1941) was devised for his literary club at Harvard, the Signet Society.  Designed around 1902, Signet's arms would be carved on the pediment of its house in Cambridge.  

Shiverick (1969) provides la Rose's blazon:

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 Argent cuff.  The hand proper holding an open book with two clasps and edges Or, across the pages of which is inscribed VERITAS.

The crest of the Signet Society at Harvard.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

La Rose's crest offers us a glimpse into his developing methods for illustrating unification and differencing in arms by using the open and inscribed book.  VERITAS is Harvard's motto and inscribed upon its three open books.  Fascinating, right?

I really liked the challenge of creating the crest.  I actually like this one and find it unusual that la Rose created one--he was not a fan of corporate arms bearing crests and mottos.

   

Another version of Signet Society's coat of arms.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

There are a few other social clubs at Harvard bearing arms designed by la Rose, and I hope to get those emblazoned in the coming days.

Works Cited

Shiverick, Nathan C. (1969).  A short history of the Signet Society.  Privately published.  Cambridge, MA.

https://www.scribd.com/document/376709846/A-short-history-of-the-Signet-Society

Armorial Ensigns of Sweet Briar College

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

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

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

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

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

Investiture: The Order of St. John

St. Thomas Church on Fifth Avenue in Manhattan.
Photo by the Author.

This past Saturday was an especially memorable one for me as I gathered with other Confrères from across the US Priory for our investiture into the Order of St. John.  The service of investiture and rededication is an annual event for the US Priory rotating through major metropolitan areas across the US each fall.  Fortunately, my favorite city was selected for 2024--New York City with St. Thomas Church hosting the service.

Our Lady of Fifth Avenue inside St. Thomas Church.
Photo by the Author.

I love St. Thomas for so many reasons, the liturgy, the boys choir, the architecture, and of course heraldry.  Most especially and most holy for me, however, is always lighting a candle at the shrine of Our Lady of Fifth Avenue asking the Blessed Virgin to intercede for me and my loved ones.   

Quiet moments before the service.
Photo by the Author.

One interesting bit of the service related to heraldry.  During the service the priory retired two banners which had the older Royal crest using St. Edward's crown and blessed two newer banners using the Tudor crown chosen by H.M. King Charles III.  

Arms of the US Priory, The Order of St. John.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

The UK's Government recently posted a helpful lesson on the difference between these two crowns.  Please click here to learn more about the recent switch in crowns.

My decoration as a Member.

As luck would have it, St. Thomas had curated a special exhibit showcasing art in the service of the Lord through various media.

The parish's letters patent were on display.  The artist workmanship is exquisite. 

A new badge!

Father Andrew's cope resplendent with heraldry.

And as final course, I found an emblazonment of Bertram Goodhue's first design of arms for St. Thomas embedded in the floor of the narthex.  

Click here to learn more about the heraldry of St. Thomas Church.