It's to be "De Jure"

The newly adopted arms of the International Heraldry Society with the motto De Jure (by right).

Most people have some sort of design rational behind their arms and I suspect that their published rational is a slightly romanticized, edited, version which belies the reality. Here is a straight forward honest, if somewhat tongue in cheek, design rational provided by Kathy McClurg, Committee Member of the Society:

"So - John mentioned "design rationale" yesterday. Chas doesn't see a need for it.. I thought I'd "play" with it...
The shield is Vert because Kathy likes Vert and didn't have any yet. Since Chas put lots of effort into the compass rose and Martin thought it was too .. not compass rose-like, John found one online with a circle behind it and suggested the circle be made a shield... which played in nicely with an earlier comment by Martin saying he didn't think much of the arms said "heraldry" to him.

The astrolabe or celestial globe or ?? was suggested by Martin or Chas or John. But Chas located a graphic he could work with and produced it.

Richard was somewhat unavailable during a number of the discussions but hopes a simpler celestial globe is rendered if an artist takes it up with us... ;-)

The motto was ultimately first recommended by Martin while we completely ignored Ralf's poll. Kathy thought "du jour" as in soup? And Martin and Chas thought she was strangely making the connection to French rather than Latin and laughed at her most joyously... Martin posted the suggestion for the IHS FB page... and when no one commented, Chas and John jumped it - and it was done!"

New armorial bearings for a heraldry society

The International Heraldry Society, a web based society for heraldry enthusiasts all over the world, has settled upon a new design for armorial bearings and is now calling upon its membership for ideas for a motto.

Arms: Vert an inescutcheon Argent overall a compass rose counterchanged Sable and Or.
Crest: For crest: an armillary globe Or.

800 years and heraldry plays a part

It's rather nice to see that heraldry is being discussed in schools as part of the Magna Carta 800th anniversary celebrations.

https://www.tes.co.uk/teaching-resource/magna-carta--the-surety-barons-and-their-heraldry-11045590

International Heraldry Day

Descendants of the Magna Charta

Further to my post made yesterday about the "other" societies of descendants of the Knights of the Garter, it has now been brought to my attention that the same signatory's appear on the certificate for another descendants organisation. Clearly someone has hit upon a way to part the gullible from their hard earned cash. Caveat Emptor.

Perhaps, if they are charitable organisations it would be possible to view their accounts and charitable status? I know that it is quite easy to view the goings on of charities in England simply by searching the Charities Commission website however, I'm not familiar with how things work in the US (perhaps each state has different rules and requirements). Either way, if these really are charities, they ought not be afraid of questions as to their activities. In fact, I would go so far as to say that, if they are charities, then any questioning of their activities should be not only encouraged but welcomed.

Proper

I am not a fan of Proper in blazon but when it comes to chameleons one has little option since many of the species have the ability to change colours to blend into their surroundings. They are tricky little beasts rarely seen on coats of arms simply because it would be rather pointless emblazoning them as (for example) Gules a chameleon Argent when, after going for a cup of coffee, upon ones return to the page they had changed to match their background colour and all the viewer could see was a shield Gules charged with a sort of vague chameleon looking shadow of the same tincture. ;)

[Incidentally, I claim to have used supporters for many, many years; they are simply blazoned as two chameleons Proper. I always display them.]

:oops:

Happy Birthday Ma'am

Cheshire Heraldry would like to wish Her Majesty Many Happy Returns on her 89th birthday today.

Lancashire Heraldry Group - Study Day

Annual General Meeting Cheshire Heraldry Society

We had an excellent Annual General Meeting (The Cheshire Heraldry Society) on Saturday last with twelve Members in attendance.

I gave a power point show illustrating over 50 Scottish Letters patent, Derek Richbell brought along some interesting heraldic artifacts and Mike Thompson brought a selection from his vast collection of Manchester heraldry.

Rescued piece from a piano lid - Derek Richbell

L to R: Mike Thompson, Harold Storey and Alan Fennely

On the business side, the Committee were re-elected as is (your's truly remains Chairman) and the accounts for the year were approved.

It was agreed that, subject to the receipt of the outstanding grant from The Heraldry Society , we would continue for another year and that we would pay a membership fee of £10.

I was asked by the meeting to write to the Heraldry Gazette expressing our disappointment over the time and effort it took to finally receive the grant – I’m going to have to give some thought as to how I put such a request diplomatically in writing!

Thanks were given to the  Committee with especial thanks to me (Chairman), John Titterton (Events Secretary)  for arranging the speakers and best wishes were sent to Rutha Titterton (Secretary) who had been unwell.

I was asked if I would give the Ashton Court Leet talk (which I had to postpone due to lack of venue) so I’m happy to be one of the speakers for next year.

Burke's Peerage Limited under proposal to be struck off!

A little bit of gossip.

When the rights to the Burke's name were sold by the then Burke's Peerage & Gentry (UK) Limited to William Bortrick, William created a brand new company called Burke's Peerage (1826) Limited and Burke's Peerage & Gentry (UK) Limited then fulfilled its agreement and changed its name to disassociates itself with the brand it no longer owned (and became Jacks Hill Limited).

There have been a number of Companies over the years which have used the Burke's name, one of which, Burke's Peerage Limited incorporated in 2007, is now under consideration to be struck off by Companies House. Sometimes. it is hard to keep up!

https://www.freecompanyaccounts.co.uk/accounts/burkes-peerage/AnnualAccounts/2013-12-31

What a lot of Burkes !

Talk at Ashton-Under-Lyne

Tomorrow I will be giving a talk on the Ashton Court Leet Regalia at 2:00 p.m. at the Gallery Ashton Library Old St Ashton Under Lyne.

I look forward to seeing you there.

International Heraldry Day

Happy International Heraldry Day (June 10th).

The organisers of International Heraldry Day have today announced that the event is armigerous.

[quote] We are pleased to announce that Celebrate Heraldry - International Heraldry Day has assumed arms, a second badge, a flag and a seal. In a genuinely international cooperative effort all have been emblazoned and are being registered today with the US Heraldic Register (20150410A) and The Armorial Register - International Register of Arms (0327) (registrations to be online as soon as possible). With much gratitude to Danilo Martins (Brazil), Alexander Liptak (United States), Tomasz Steifer (Poland), Ljubodrag Grujic (Serbia), Chas Charles-Dunne (UK), Phil Blanton (US), John Duncan of Sketraw (UK), Martin Goldstraw (UK), Paul Lindsay (Australia), and The International Association of Amateur Heralds (International - Belgium). We proudly present to you the armory and flag of International Heraldry Day. These images are available for use in the Celebration of Heraldry and the Promotion of International Heraldry Day (Please watch the IHD FB page for further postings of items available via Zazzle should you desire an item to help promote IHD - we are loading them as we can.). [End Quote]

Congratulations to all the artists involved.

Details of the Armorial Register entry can be found here.