Welcome to the twenty-fourth edition of the College of Arms Newsletter.
March 2010 Newsletter (No. 24)
News
Sir Peter Gwynn-Jones, K.C.V.O.
At the end of March the present Garter King of Arms will retire from the College of Arms. Thus concludes a long and distinguished career at the College, which began with his appointment as a research assistant to Colin Cole, then Windsor Herald, in 1966. He became Bluemantle Pursuivant in 1973, and was promoted to Lancaster Herald in 1982. He was appointed by The Queen to the position of Garter in 1995 following the retirement of Sir Conrad Swan.
During his career at the College of Arms, Sir Peter Gwynn-Jones has been Inspector of Regimental Colours, as well as Genealogist to the Orders of the Bath, St Michael and St George, and St John. He was made a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order in the New Year's Honours, 2010.
The Armorial of Haiti – 100% of proceeds to go to disaster relief: In May 2007 the College of Arms published The Armorial of Haiti. Symbols of Nobility in the Reign of Henry Christophe, edited by Clive Cheesman, with a historical introduction by Marie-Lucie Vendryes and a preface by Her Excellency Michaëlle Jean, Governor General of Canada. The volume presents a complete edition and reproduction of an extraordinary item from the College's collections of heraldic manuscripts, with a full commentary and an appendix of supporting historical documents. Following the calamitous earthquake that struck Port-au-Prince and its area on 12 January 2010 the College of Arms has agreed that all future proceeds from sales of the book will be donated to the international relief and recovery effort. On each sale of the book at its cover price of £45, something very close to that sum will be held for the benefit of a recognized charity working towards the international relief effort. Copies can be bought on-line through the College website. They can also be acquired in person at the College of Arms in London.
Recent Grants of Arms
A very small selection of those recently receiving grants or exemplifications from the English Kings of Arms:
CARLSON, John Herbert, of Weston, Massachusetts, USA. Honorary Arms, Crest and Badge. Garter, Clarenceux and Norroy and Ulster Kings of Arms. 14/8/2009. College reference: Grants 174/168.
The Badge (illustrated right) is blazoned: Four Oars couped and conjoined in cross Azure buttoned Or.
CLARKE, Gary Jack, of the London Borough of Barnet. Arms and Crest. Garter and Clarenceux Kings of Arms. 31/1/2009. College reference: 174/216.
DUNNE, Sir Thomas Raymond, of Leintwardine, Herefordshire, KG, KCVO. Supporters. Garter King of Arms. 17/7/2009. College reference: Grants 174/172.
EISENBERG, Zef, of St Peter Port, Island of Guernsey. Arms, Crest and Badge. Garter and Clarenceux Kings of Arms. 16/9/2009. College reference: Grants 174/208.
GIBBS, Philip Keith Charles, of Hatch Beauchamp, Somerset. Arms and Crest. Garter and Clarenceux Kings of Arms. 12/5/2009. College reference: Grants 174/180.
WORSHIPFUL COMPANY OF GLASS-SELLERS AND LOOKING-GLASS MAKERS OF LONDON. Arms, Crest and Supporters. Garter, Clarenceux and Norroy and Ulster Kings of Arms. 25/7/2009. College reference: Grants 174/182. Images of the Arms, and a discussion of the significance of the design, is provided by the Company's website here.
LAVENHAM PARISH COUNCIL. Arms. Garter, Clarenceux and Norroy and Ulster Kings of Arms. 28/8/2009. College reference: Grants 174/198.
Illustrated right are the Arms and Crest of Anil Kumar MALHOTRA, of the London Borough of Harrow, which were granted with three Badges by Letters Patent of Garter and Clarenceux Kings of Arms dated 30 June 2009. College reference: Grants 174/157.
The Arms are blazoned: Azure a Roundel Argent between three Trillium Flowers Or.
Crest: upon a Helm with a Wreath Argent and Azure Issuant from Flames proper a Triple-headed Phoenix displayed Argent each neck gorged with a plain Collar attached thereto a Chain fracted and intertwined Or. Mantling Gules lined Argent.
Badges (not illustrated): first: In front of a Roundel Argent a Griffin segreant per pale Or and Azure queued Or forelegs and claws Gules holding in the dexter forefoot three Peacock's Feathers proper. Second: In front of a Roundel Argent a Bengal Tiger passant proper armed Or holding in the dexter forefoot three Peacock's Feathers also proper. Third: In front of a Roundel Argent a Cornish Chough wings elevated and addorsed Sable beaked and legged Gules holding in the beak three Peacock's Feathers proper.
MENDOROS, Dennis George, of Foulridge, Lancashire, OBE, DL. Arms, Crest and Badge. Garter and Norroy and Ulster Kings of Arms. 2/2/2009. College reference: Grants 174/194.
SCRIVENER, Brian Anthony, of Lauzun, Department of Lot et Garonne, France. Arms, Crest and Badge. Garter, Clarenceux and Norroy and Ulster Kings of Arms. 14/8/2009. College reference: Grants 174/190.
SQUIRE, Julian Francis, of Sherston, Wiltshire. Arms, Crest and Badge. Garter and Clarenceux Kings of Arms. 1/6/2009. College reference: Grants 174/142.
WEWER, Christian, of Cheadle Hulme, Greater Manchester, DL. Honorary Arms, Crest and Badge. Garter and Norroy and Ulster Kings of Arms. 4/3/2009. College reference: Grants 174/155.
Appointments
Thomas Woodcock, L.V.O., D.L., the present Norroy and Ulster King of Arms, will begin his reign as Garter Principal King of Arms on 1 April 2010, in the place of Sir Peter Gwynn-Jones, KCVO, who retired on 31 March. He will also be appointed as Genealogist of the Order of the Bath, and Inspector of Regimental Colours. Here the future Garter introduces himself and describes his career:
"I came to work at the College in June 1975 as a research assistant to Sir Anthony Wagner, Garter, after taking the Bar exams. The immediate reason for this was that Sir Anthony had sat next to my father at a lunch and asked him about his pedigree, to which my father replied that his father and his son knew more than he did. Sir Anthony suggested that I should come to see him, which I did, and was offered employment as a research assistant. I had been interested in genealogy since childhood and my grandfather, also named Thomas Woodcock, wrote and edited more than one volume for the Chetham Society. His grandfather, another Thomas Woodcock, was also of antiquarian bent, so there was a tradition of interest in genealogy and heraldry amongst my ancestors. My father said that if I qualified as a barrister he was happy for me to pursue any career; I took the opportunity to work for Sir Anthony at the College before being Called to the Bar as a member of the Inner Temple later in 1975.
"In 1978 I was appointed an Officer of Arms, as Rouge Croix Pursuivant. I was subsequently promoted to Somerset Herald in 1982, before becoming Norroy and Ulster King of Arms in 1997. In addition I have been responsible for the College's significant collection of portraits and other pictures since 1987, and Librarian and in charge of the Conservation Department since 1995. Outside the College, I have served as Advisor on Naval Heraldry since 1996, and as a Bencher of the Inner Temple since February 2010. I was appointed a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order in 1996; and in 2005 I became a Deputy Lieutenant for Lancashire. I am a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries. My principal written works have been The Oxford Guide to Heraldry (1988) and Heraldry in National Trust Houses (2000) both with John Martin Robinson, Maltravers Herald Extraordinary. I have also been one of the editors of The Dictionary of British Arms, Medieval Ordinary, volumes I-III, which have been published by the Society of Antiquaries between 1992 and 2009. I produced a book entitled Legal Habits, A Brief Sartorial History of Wig, Robe and Gown (2003) for Ede & Ravenscroft Ltd., and a recent booklet is Heraldry, Genealogy & The 8th Lord Howard de Walden (2010). One particular interest has been Peerage Claims and I acted for the claimant when the Barony of Grey of Codnor was brought out of abeyance in 1989 terminating an abeyance which commenced in 1496. A different but interesting Peerage Claim was to the Earldom of Portland after the death of the last Duke of Portland in 1990."
Appearances
The Mystery Files: an episode of this series, exploring a variety of historical mysteries, was broadcast on 2 February 2010 on the National Geographic channel. It was devoted to the mystery of the Princes in the Tower – the fate of Edward V and his brother Richard of York, who placed in the Tower of London by Richard III and then heard of no more. The contemporary evidence relating to their fate includes an important manuscript in the College's archives, which was presented by Peter O'Donoghue, Bluemantle Pursuivant. This is a set of annals of London life, recording events and rumours as they arose.
Haslemere in Stitches: on 24 March Clive Cheesman, Rouge Dragon, attended the unveiling of a rug hand-woven using traditional techniques, bearing the Arms of Haslemere Town Council. The ceremony took place in the presence of local dignitaries. Details of the rug and associated events may be seen here.
Who Do You Think You Are? Live: the College of Arms was represented at this annual genealogical exhibition, held at Olympia, London, on 26-28 February 2010. The show provided an opportunity to inform and educate interested members of the public about heraldry, genealogy and the activities of the College of Arms. Some of our heraldic artists were also present at the show to demonstrate their skill and artistry.
The Evesham World Map: illustrated left is a detail of this medieval map of the world, which is one of the treasures of the College's archives. The map, which dates from the late fourteenth century, includes images of Eden and Jerusalem (shown here), but also shows Britain in considerable detail. The vellum membrane on which this map appears, is now part of a lengthy fifteenth-century pedigree tracing the ancestry of King Henry VI and Sir Ralph Boteler, K.G., Lord Sudeley.
The map will form part of an exhibition at the British Library in London, called Magnificent Maps: Power Propaganda and Art. This will run from 30 April to 19 September 2010; details can be seen here.
Lectures
Haiti Art Relief Fund: Clive Cheesman, Rouge Dragon Pursuivant, addressed an evening meeting on 11 March at Amber Entertainment, London on the subject of the historical links between Britain and Haiti, held to raise funds for this charity.
Recently Recorded Pedigrees
DAVENPORT: a pedigree of four generations shows a descent from Ormus Neville Talbot Davenport of the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham (born 1904). Connected with FOOKS, BELLI, BUREAU and SERVAGE. Cross-referenced to Norfolk 50/158. College reference: Surrey 32/17.
WOODD: a pedigree of four generations descends to the present day from Vernon Charles Woodd of New Zealand (born 1911). Connected with MACKAY and PULFORD. Cross-referenced to Surrey 29/350. College reference: Surrey 32/11.