DIY Coat of Arms

The Victoria & Albert Museum has an online programme which "lets you design your own coat of arms step by step". I was tempted to be highly critical and quite possibly it does deserve to be criticised heavily but it's a simple programme which obviously has its shortfalls and is probably aimed at children (at least I hope it is!) so I'll go easy on it. It's easy to use and will no doubt provide an introduction to heraldry to more than one child.

I couldn't recreate my own arms because for some reason it doesn't have Argent as a starting tincture for the field and frustratingly it only allows you to place charges on the ordinary without an option to place them directly on the field. Overall not brilliant but if it introduces just one youngster to our hobby then it has to be worth it.

 The programme promised to email me my finished arms so if I ever get them I'll post them here.

Bookplate of the Right Hon John Warren Baron de Tabley of Tabley Co Chester engraved by C W Sherborn and dated 1888

Bookplate of the Right Hon John Warren Baron de Tabley of Tabley Co Chester engraved by C W Sherborn and dated 1888, a photo by CharmaineZoe on Flickr.

John Byrne Leicester Warren, 3rd Baron De Tabley (26 April 1835 - 22 November 1895) was an English poet, numismatist, botanist and an authority on bookplates. He was buried at Little Peover in Cheshire.

But is he qualified?

I learn from the latest very welcome newsletter of The College of Arms that the University of Dundee is offering a distance learning course in heraldry.

"Heraldry Course at University of Dundee: Clive Cheesman and Peter O’Donoghue, Rouge Dragon and Bluemantle respectively, are the joint authors and tutors of a course covering the history, terminology and practice of heraldry. This course provides a detailed and thorough study of the subject for both beginners, and those with experience of heraldry alike. The heraldry module is a 13-week distance learning module delivered online in a fully supported learning environment. It can be taken on its own, simply as a leisure interest. It can also be taken for continuing professional development, as part of a Postgraduate Certificate in Family and Local History, or as part of the University of Dundee's Masters degree in Archives and Records Management. More information can be found on the Centre for Archives and Information Studies website www.dundee.ac.uk/cais or by e-mailing armtraining@dundee.ac.uk."

Courses of this nature can't be a bad thing however I can't help but think that once universities get involved we are only one step away from the view often nowadays held by academics that unless one has a recognised qualification in a particular subject one can't possibly know anything about it.

Heraldic Study Day - Thursday 6th October 2011

The Lancashire Family History and Heraldic Society has once again organised an heraldic study day and yours trully has been invited to contribute.



The poster and the booking form can be downloaded here:

http://cheshire-heraldry.org.uk/study-day-2011.pdf

http://cheshire-heraldry.org.uk/study-day-2011-application-form.pdf  

HERALDIC  STUDY  DAY

Thursday, 6th October 2011.

10.00.a.m. to 4.00.p.m.

at Hemsley House Masonic Hall
The Crescent, Salford M5 4PE

opposite Salford University and Art Gallery
and a 10 minute walk from Salford Crescent Railway Station.
Speakers and topics:

Martin Goldstraw : ‘Send 2/6d. for your family crest : a case for the defence.’
(The 19th century work book of an Heraldic Stationer recently discovered in the archives of Shropshire Museum)

James Floyd: ‘Scottish Banking Heraldry’

John Titterton: ‘The Grisaille and heraldic windows in the chancel at Norbury,
 St. Mary and St. Barlok,  Derbyshire c1300..’

Bill Pollock: ‘A look at some modern heraldry 1970 – 2011.’

Arms for the Middleton family

Today sees many news articles announcing the new arms for Mr. Middleton, father of the bride to be. This one has a wee video with Garter King of Arms explaining the basis for the arms.

The daily Telegraph video has since been either moved or deleted!

You are cordially invited.

Saturday 16th April is the AGM of The Cheshire Heraldry Society and there is to be a welcome and exhibition to celebrate the 50th Anniversary. Why not come and help us celebrate?

Churchill's Garter Stall Plate - follow up.

Just a note to say that according to Bonham's website the stall plate sold for a whopping £10,800 inclusive of Buyer's Premium !