March 2007 Newsletter (No. 12)

The Earl Marshal's Court

The hall of the College of Arms dates from 1671-1673, being one of the first parts of the building to be erected after the destruction of Derby House in the Fire of London. It was used as a library until at least 1699. It was fitted up after 1707 as a Court Room for the Court of Chivalry or Earl Marshal's Court, with panelling, rails and throne.

Recent inspections of the paintwork, plaster and panelling of the Earl Marshal's Court revealed that the panels on the walls were separating from their frames; that a number of cracks had opened in the plaster of both walls and ceiling; and that the paintwork in general was in need of renewal. Work on the Court was undertaken by the specialist restoration firm of T Greening (Doncaster) Ltd. between October and December 2006.

The restoration work was funded by a number of very generous donations and grants following an appeal, together with contributions from the College of Arms Trust and the College itself.

Welcome to the twelfth edition of the College of Arms Newsletter, which is produced every three months and sent automatically and free to those who subscribe by entering their name and e-mail address in our mailing list. Other benefits for those who submit their names in this way include advance notice of College of Arms events, relevant publications, and media appearances. If you wish to remove your name from this list, to send the newsletter on to someone else, or send a genealogical or heraldic enquiry to the College, please make use of the links listed at the top of this page.

News

The White Lion Society: in 1986 a society of friends of the College of Arms was established. This society, which celebrates its 21st birthday this year with a dinner in the Palace of Westminster, has as its object the support of the work and activities of the College of Arms. In addition the society arranges for its members a number of visits to places of heraldic interest each year; and produces a quarterly newsletter. It takes its name from the two Lions Argent that form the Supporters to the College's Arms. It has many made generous donations to the College over the years, to assist with specific projects. Recently these have included the purchase of a Sigma SD9 SLR digital camera; a high-resolution A3 scanner; and the photography of a number of Letters Patent granting Arms, held in a variety of repositories, to enhance the College's own records. The society maintains a website. On 16th January 2007 the Annual General Meeting of this Society was held at the heralds' church of St Benet, Paul's Wharf in London; it was followed by a reception at the College of Arms.

The Armorial of Haiti: First announced three years ago, the College of Arms publication of the wonderful manuscript of Haitian heraldry "L'Armorial Général du Royaume d'Hayti" is about to take place after a long fundraising campaign. The book, edited by Clive Cheesman (Rouge Dragon Pursuivant), is entitled The Armorial of Haiti – Symbols of Nobility in the Reign of Henry Christophe, and has a historical introduction by Marie-Lucie Vendryes (formerly Directrice Générale of the Musée du Panthéon National Haïtien in Port-au-Prince) and a preface by Her Excellency Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada. It contains a complete set of colour photographs of the manuscript, with commentary on all the entries, an essay on the court and heraldic system of the kingdom of Henry Christophe (ruled 1811 to 1820) and an appendix of relevant materials. It is published by the College of Arms on 2 May at a price of £45 (ISBN 978-09506980-2-1). For information on purchasing copies after publication please check the College website or email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Recent Grants of Arms

A very small selection of those recently receiving grants or exemplifications from the English Kings of Arms:

BARTON, Richard Alexander, of Brisbane, State of Queensland, Australia. Arms and Crest. Limitations extended to include the descendants of his late father, John Alexander Barton of Brisbane, CBE, deceased. Garter, Clarenceux and Norroy and Ulster Kings of Arms. 2/6/2006. College reference: Grants 172/76.

CHAPMAN, Michael Francis Sherston, of Stoke-by-Nayland, Suffolk, TD. Arms and Crest. Garter and Clarenceux Kings of Arms. 28/9/2006. College reference: Grants 172/20.

COMMANDERY OF ARDS IN NORTHERN IRELAND, a Commandery of the Grand Priory of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem. Arms. Garter, Clarenceux and Norroy and Ulster Kings of Arms. 12/9/2006. College reference: Grants 172/9.

DAY, Robert Kirkpatrick, of Comberbach, Cheshire. Arms and Crest, Garter and Norroy and Ulster Kings of Arms. 10/11/2006. College reference: Grants 172/63.

GANNON, Stefan Michael, of the Special Administrative Region of Hong Kong, People's Republic of China, JP. Arms, Crest and Badge. Garter, Clarenceux and Norroy and Ulster Kings of Arms. 15/6/2006. College reference: Grants 172/5

GOULD OF BROOKWOOD, Philip (Gould), Baron, of Brookwood, Surrey. Arms, Crest, Badge and Supporters. Garter King of Arms. 30/10/2006. College reference: Grants 172/41.

MCIVER, Norman Keith Ian, of North Creake, Norfolk, OBE. Arms, Crest and Badge. Garter and Clarenceux Kings of Arms. 8/9/2006. College reference: Grants 172/3.

MOORE-GILLON, John Christopher of the London Borough of Southwark. Arms, Crest and Badge. Garter and Clarenceux Kings of Arms. 12/10/2006. Grants 172/34.

PETERS, Raymond William of St Louis, State of Missouri, USA. Honorary Arms and Crest, Garter, Clarenceux and Norroy and Ulster Kings of Arms. 29/9/2006. College reference: Grants 172/22.

REGAN, Richard David, of Farnborough, Hampshire. Arms, Crest and Badge. Garter and Clarenceux Kings of Arms. 21/6/2006. College reference: Grants 171/351.

SEALE, Sir Clarence David, of Hopefield in the Island of Barbados, Knight, JP. Arms, Crest and Badge. Garter, Clarenceux and Norroy and Ulster Kings of Arms. 25/10/2006. College reference: Grants 172/38.

SHAND, William Stewart, of Crickhowell, Powys. Arms, Crest and Badge. Garter and Clarenceux Kings of Arms. 21/7/2006. College reference: Grants 172/12.

TAMARI, Abdallah Wahbe, of the City of Geneva in the Swiss Confederation. Honorary Arms, Crest and Badge. Garter, Clarenceux and Norroy and Ulster Kings of Arms. 30/8/2006. College reference: Grants 171/349.

UNIVERSITY OF WORCESTER. Arms, Crest and Supporters. Garter, Clarenceux and Norroy and Ulster Kings of Arms. 21/11/2006. College reference: Grants 172/67.

WHITFIELD, Adrian, of the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham, QC. Arms. Garter and Clarenceux Kings of Arms. 30/8/2006. College reference: Grants 171/347.

012-03 Richard Wayne Alexander SEAGRAVES of the City of New York, USA, RC Priest, Ph.D., was granted Honorary Arms and Badge by Letters Patent of Garter, Clarenceux and Norroy and Ulster dated 1 April 2006. College reference: Grants 172/106.

The Arms (illustrated left) are blazoned Per pale Argent and Sable a Lion rampant counterchanged armed and langued Gules crowned Or on a Chief per pale Sable and Argent a Wheel per pale Argent and Gules between two demi Wheels couped palewise spokes inwards that on the dexter Argent that on the sinister Gules.

The Badge (not shown) is blazoned In front of a Cross potent Gules a Penner and Ink-horn Sable stringed Or.

Exhibitions and Receptions

Who Do You Think You Are: The National History Show: The College of Arms will have a stand (no. 378) at this live show at Olympia in London, which takes place on 5-7 May 2007. The show will be a significant history and genealogy event; for full details see the website.

Crowns and Crests at Belton House: The College of Arms exhibition of carved Crowns and Crests created for the stalls at Windsor of Companions of the Order of the Garter, previously at Renishaw Hall, Blickling Hall, and Oxburgh Hall, has moved to Belton House in Lincolnshire. This magnificent seventeenth-century house is surrounded by extensive gardens and parks, and is open from 17 March 2007 until the end of the year.

Publications

Ancestors Magazine: an article entitled 'Last Rites' by Peter O'Donoghue, Bluemantle Pursuivant, appeared in the February issue of this magazine. It concerns the provision of heraldic funerals by the Officers of the College of Arms in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.

Recently Recorded Pedigrees

ARBUTHNOT: a pedigree headed by James Edward Arbuthnot of Mauritius (born 1809). Three generations of the Arbuthnot family are shown; also recorded are their connection to the Douglas family, whose descent from Edward Douglas of Mauritius (died 1867) is shown. This entry also includes five generations of the Noble family, headed by Norman Doncaster Noble of Hartlip, Kent and descending to the present day. Additionally connected with DOUGLAS-PULLEYNE, LORING and WEBB. Cross-referenced to Baronets 8/159; Norfolk 35/139; Norfolk 51/6. College reference: Norfolk 51/67.

BOTTOMLEY of Yorkshire: five generations of the Bottomley family headed by Moses Bottomley of Shelf, Halifax, Yorkshire (died 1870) and descending to the present day. Cross-referenced to Surrey 3/194. College reference: Norfolk 51/82.

EDMONDS: a pedigree of four generations showing a descent to the present day from Edward Oliver Edmonds of Royston in the West Riding of Yorkshire and from Olive his wife (married 1908), daughter of Frederic Charles Foster. College reference: Surrey 31/265.

HARTREE of Kent and Cambridgeshire: six generations of this family are recorded, headed by John Penn Hartree of Leigh, co. Kent (born 1844). Cross-referenced to 16D14/291. College reference: Norfolk 51/81.

JACOMB: a pedigree showing a descent of seven generations, from Robert Jacomb of Whitehall, Middlesex and Feltwell, Norfolk (died 1732), to the Jacomb family of New Zealand. Connected with ALLEN and CROUCHER both of New Zealand. Cross-referenced to 15D14/98. College reference: Norfolk 51/88.

JEFFCOCK of Monte Carlo: three generations are showing, recording the children and grandchildren of Robert Parkyn Jeffcock of Monte Carlo (born 1939) and of Sarah Fenella his wife, daughter and coheir of Vernon Edward Hinde. Cross-referenced to Surrey 17/15. College reference: Surrey 31/267.

POUND: a pedigree of three generations shows the descent from Russell Richard Jacque Pound (born 1887) and Hannah Dorothy Errington his wife, daughter of John Barr of Rishton, Lancashire. College reference: Surrey 31/255.

Elsewhere in the Records

012-04 The Badge of the Judge Advocate General was recently recorded at the College of Arms following approval by Her Majesty The Queen.

The Judge Advocate General (JAG) appoints judge advocates to conduct proceedings at Service Courts; his Office is responsible for the conduct of proceedings at Courts Martial for the Army and Royal Air Force, and for monitoring the military criminal justice system. Appointed by Letters Patent of the Sovereign, he falls under the responsibility of the Department for Constitutional Affairs.

The Badge, which is illustrated left, includes allusions to all three services.

College reference: Standards 5/101.

Sunway University College: following a petition, and with the approval of the Malaysian Government, Garter, Clarenceux and Norroy and Ulster Kings of Arms granted a devisal of Arms, Crest and Badge to this private higher educational institution in the Federation of Malaysia by Letters Patent dated 11 September 2006. College reference: Foreign Arms 2/192.

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