The College of Arms Foundation

Arms and crest of the US-based College of Arms Foundation,
rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

This past June I had an awesome opportunity to participate in the annual meeting of the College of Arms Foundation held via Zoom at the College in London--being on a call with several heralds was an unforgettable experience!  Even more humbling, I might add, was being elected to serve on the US-based foundation's board of directors where I'll get to learn alongside some of the giants in our field.

Earlier this Spring, I co-authored the following description of the Foundation and its work:  

Founded in 1983, the College of Arms Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization that proudly holds a special place among US-based organizations dedicated to matters of heraldry and genealogy through its close working relationship with the College of Arms in London.  The College is the oldest heraldic authority in the world, a department of the Royal Household responsible for devising, granting, and regulating armorial bearings within England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and some of the Commonwealth realms. 

Arms of the College,
rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

Beyond heraldry, another preeminent role enjoyed by the College and its heralds is organizing State ceremonies, such as the annual State Openings of Parliament, while another is preserving and maintaining genealogical records collected over the centuries. 

Bound by mutual ties of affection, the Foundation’s four-decade partnership has produced lasting outcomes by funding critical projects at the College.  The Foundation unwrites projects that the College identifies to preserve the rich history of heraldry and genealogy for centuries to come. In recent years, the Foundation fully funded the conservation of two deteriorated pedigree manuscripts and partially funded the publication of A Catalogue of Manuscripts in the College of Arms, Records Volume 1. Completion of these projects preserves vital historical records while widening access for research and furthering our common understanding. 

Additionally, the Foundation promotes English heraldry and genealogy in the US by sponsoring programs and offering presentations on related subject matter with interested organizations.

Interestingly enough, there are two organizations on either side of the Atlantic working to raise funds to support the College--the Foundation here in the US and the UK-based White Lion Society.

The Foundation was established in 1983 and White Lion Society in 1986.  The Foundation received a devisal of arms on December 20, 1983, closely resembling the College's arms albeit differenced by a single tressure in each quarter.

Banners of arms: (L) the College of Arms and (R) the College of Arms Foundation (US),
based on their respective arms.  Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

The blazon of arms for the Foundation: Argent, a cross and within four tressures Gules as many Doves their dexter wings elevated and inverted Azure beaked and legged Gules.

Arms and crest of the College of Arms,
rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

I'm excited to serve in this new capacity and help advance the work of the College--by far the oldest heraldic authority in the world. 

Vector Magic

Arms of the American Heraldry Society.
I'm obsessed with this shield shape now.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

All this practice in Adobe Illustrator is beginning to payoff...I recently got round to doing my own arms (about time, I think) and even created a lozenge shield for my daughter.  I have not yet begun to explore shading and highlighting in the software as I feel like I still have a ways to go getting the basics dialed in.  

The arms of Chad Krouse

I'm still in love with the design I created in 2014, and its hard to image that 10 years have flown by since those days of multiple drafts while sketching everything in colored pencil.  I would have NEVER conceived the possibility of one day creating novice renderings on a computer.  

Arms of the author's daughter.

Banner of arms of Chad Krouse

I even successfully tackled my first ribbon with text all in vector--that was a fun learning experience.   The possibilities, now, are endlessly exciting.

Summer Heat and Recent Emblazonments

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

As the summer continues to heat up (as well as fly by), I want to share a few recently completed emblazonments. I definitely am beginning to feel more comfortable working in Adobe Illustrator, but there is a lot to learn.

Luckily a close friend just so happens to be a professional graphic designer who has his black belt in Illustrator.  I just need to bribe him to share those tips and tricks to help my work get to the next level.  For example, I am clueless when it comes to shading--I think that helps give any coat of arms a rather polished look.

I feel like the possibilities for design using heraldry and heraldic elements is endless, only your creativity holds the limit.  I'm enjoying learning new fonts, current favorite is the classic Stempel Schneidler, and simply playing around and learning in the process.  Several of these designs are purely just for fun and are not official.  Enjoy!

Badge of the Order of St John.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

Banner of arms of Yale School of Nursing.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

Coat of arms of Yale School of Nursing.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

Banner of arms of St Thomas Church, NYC as devised by the College of Arms in 1975.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

Coat of arms of St Thomas Church devised by the College of Arms in 1975.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

For the 'Gram

Banner of arms, Institutum Divini Thomae (OH) based on Pierre de Chaignon la Rose's original design.  Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

Hoist the colors!  That's right, if you fancy a bit of flying heraldry in your social media feed, then add @flying.heraldry to your Instagram account.

Click below to add @flying.heraldry to your Instagram account

Flying Heraldry (@flying.heraldry) • Instagram photos and videos

Some Recent Emblazonments

Coat of arms, St. Francis de Sales Seminary in St. Francis, WI, designed by la Rose.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

Lots going on as spring is proving to be rather busy.  I want to quickly share a few emblazonments that I recently completed.  As a true novice messing around with digital artwork, I sincerely appreciate how Pierre de Chaignon la Rose (1872-1941) reuses certain base charges throughout his heraldic work.

Regarding the arms of St. Francis de Sales Seminary (seen above), I sent multiple file versions to the school in appreciation for their assistance in my research.  Likewise, I did the same for the arms of St. John's Cathedral (seen below) and the rector was most appreciative.  It feels good to keep these works of art alive!  Enjoy.

Coat of arms, the American Heraldry Society.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

Coat of arms, St. John's Cathedral and Parish, Quincy, IL designed by la Rose.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

Coat of arms, the Archdiocese of Chicago designed by la Rose.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

Coat of arms, the Archdiocese of Baltimore designed by la Rose.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

Coat of arms, the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta designed by la Rose.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

Coat of arms, Father Ryan Catholic High School, Nashville, TN designed by la Rose.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

Coat of arms, the St. George's Society of New York, devisal by the College of Arms.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

Coat of arms, Mundelein College (now closed) in Chicago, IL designed by la Rose.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

Pro Fide: An Honor of a Lifetime

The arms of the Venerable Order of the Hospital 
of St. John of Jerusalem as granted by the College of Arms.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

"The KING has been graciously pleased to sanction the following Promotions in, and Admissions to, the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem with effect from 4 April 2024 the date of His Majesty's sign-manual."  With those words published in the 19 April 2024 edition of The London Gazette, I found myself officially a member of the Order of St. John.  Even now, well over a week or more since the announcement, I still have moments of "that can't be true."  I consider this appointment to be an extraordinary "honour," one that defies my own belief in many ways. 

The coat of arms of Chad Krouse rendered by Quentin Peacock.
I added the OStJ member medal.

Of course, there is a heraldic element in this as well.  To help curb my excitement, I spent some time studying the arms of US Priory which were granted by the College of Arms in 1996 in recognition of its elevation to a priory.  The 1996 grant effectively replaced an earlier grant from 1988--made to the "American Society of the Order of St. John."  

Arms of the American Society of the Order of St. John
as granted by the College of Arms in 1988.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

The blazon for the arms of the American Society of the Order of St. John, granted by the College of Arms in 1988: "Gules, a cross Argent in the first quarter the Royal Crest proper and on the cross a Bald Eagle displayed proper."

The arms of the US Priory of the Order of St. John
as granted by the College of Arms in 1996.

By 1996, the American Society was elevated in status to that of a priory and was granted new arms from the College of Arms.  The US Priory's coat of arms blazon:  “Gules a cross Argent in the first quarter the Royal Crest proper differenced by charging the cross with a roundel Azure thereon the head of a Bald Eagle erased Argent armed Or within a Circlet of thirteen Mullets Argent.”

The Order has two mottos:  Pro Fide and Pro Utilitate Hominum.  These two mottoes are translated from Latin, "for the faith," and "in the service to humanity."  Noble goals for us to work towards.  

Banner of arms, the Order of St. John
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

The priory's investiture will be held at one of my favorite parishes, St. Thomas Church on Fifth Avenue in New York City, in October this year.  

Crossed banners of arms:  St. Thomas Church and the US Priory of the Order of St. John
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

Coincidentally, St. Thomas' received a devisal of arms from the herald's college in 1975, blazoned: "Or, on a cross formy throughout Azure between four closed books saltirewise Gules garnished and a each charged with a long cross a spear Or headed Argent."  

Arms of St. Thomas Parish on Fifth Avenue in New York City
received as a devisal from the College of Arms.
Rendered by Chad Krouse, 2024.

The parish's coat of arms is simple, clear, and quite striking--the work of its beloved rector, The Rev. Canon John Andrew, OBE (1931-2014) affectionately known as the Pursuivant of Manhattan.

I'll certainly post some photos from the service.  Pro Fide!