The Arms of Woodberry Forest School

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

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

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

Official seal and coat of arms of Woodberry Forest School.

Image source: WFS website.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Saint Nicholas' Day

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

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

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

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

Banner of arms
rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

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

Some Episcopal Diocesan Arms

Selection of diocesan arms.  Click to enlarge.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

Sharing a selection of arms for various cathedrals in the Episcopal Church made me think about doing likewise for all the diocesan arms I've completed so far.  Below are a few designs that I find fascinating--from the hand of la Rose no doubt.

Diocese of Pennsylvania
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024

The arms of the Diocese of Pennsylvania were designed in 1906 by Pierre de Chaignon la Rose (1872-1941) and blazoned: Argent, on a cross Gules three open crowns in pale Or, bordure Sable charged with eight plates.

Diocese of Michigan
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024

The arms of the Diocese of Michigan were designed sometime between 1908-1912 by la Rose and blazoned: Vert, a pale barry wavy of six Argent and Azure between two pinecones pendant proper; on a chief Or three crosses fleury Azure.

Diocese of Rochester
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024

The arms of the Diocese of Rochester were designed sometime between 1931-1935, and based on my data I firmly believe la Rose designed these arms.  I'm currently waiting on some data to verify my hunch.  Blazon for the arms of the Diocese of Rochester:   Argent, a fess embattled and embowed Gules between three crosses moline Gules.

Some Episcopal Cathedrals

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

St. John's Cathedral

Quincy, IL

Designed around 1906 by Pierre de Chaignon la Rose

Blazon:  Azure, on an eagle displayed Argent aureoled Or, an escutcheon Gules charged with seven mascles conjoined three, three, and one Or.

Cathedral of the Incarnation.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

Cathedral of the Incarnation

Baltimore, MD

Designed in 1916 by Pierre de Chaignon la Rose

Blazon:  Quarterly Argent and Gules, a cross counterchanged with a pheon of the second in the first quarter.

Christ Church Cathedral.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

Christ Church Cathedral

Hartford, CT

Designed in 1919 by Pierre de Chaignon la Rose

Blazon:  Argent, a cross pattee Gules between as many grapevines fructed and leaved proper.

Cathedral of St. John the Divine.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

Cathedral of St. John the Divine

New York, NY

Designer unknown, officially adopted around 1965

Blazon:  Azure, seven five-pointed stars Argent between as many candlesticks Or.

Washington National Cathedral.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

Cathedral of Sts. Peter & Paul (Washington National Cathedral)

Washington, DC

Designed in 1949 by Alanson H. Sturgis

Blazon:  Gules a sword proper erect in pale hilted Or, surmounted by two keys in satire Or and Argent over all in fess point a crown Or.

Cathedral of the Advent
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024

Cathedral of the Advent

Birmingham, AL

Devised by the College of Arms in 1985

Blazon: Purpure, a cross tau ensigned by a celestial crown Or, a bordure ermois.  

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These are few cathedral arms that I've done so far and wanted to bring them all together here.  Enjoy.