News & Grants
Manchester: flag instructions
23 May 2017As a mark of respect for those that were killed and injured in Manchester yesterday, all Departments of Her Majesty's Government will lower their Union Flag to half-mast from 8 a.m. this morning 23 May 2017. Other UK national flags flown alongside the Union Flag when it is at half-mast should also be at half-mast. If a flag of a foreign nation is normally flown on the same stand as the Union Flag, it should be removed.
A minute's silence will be observed on 25 May 2017 at 11 a.m. Flags should remain at half-mast until 8 p.m. on that day and be raised to full mast before 8 a.m. on Friday 26 May.
Local authorities are not bound by this request but may wish to follow it for guidance. Devolved administrations are responsible for issuing instructions for the flying of the Union Flag on buildings in their estate and others as necessary.
A grant of Arms, Crest and Supporters was made to the University of Salford by Letters Patent of Garter, Clarenceux and Norroy and Ulster Kings of Arms dated 6 January 2017. On 10 February 2017 at Maxwell Hall, Salford, the Letters Patent were presented by Timothy Duke, Norroy and Ulster King of Arms, to the Chancellor of the University, Professor Jackie Kay, Makar or national poet for Scotland. An animated video on the new design can be seen here.
The Arms are blazoned:
Sable above a demi Sun issuant in base Argent charged with a demi Rose likewise issuant Gules barbed and seeded proper a Chain fesswise throughout enhanced and enarched and a Chief embattled and enarched Argent.
Crest: Upon a Helm with a Wreath Argent and Sable A Lion passant guardant Gules armed langued and resting the dexter hind paw on a Shuttle fesswise Or and supporting with the dexter forepaw a Fire Beacon Sable enflamed proper tied to the pole thereof by a knot at the mid point of its length and flying to the sinister a Riband party lengthwise Argent and Sable Mantled Gules lined Argent.
Supporters: On either side a Heraldic Antelope Sable attired langued and tufted Gules teeth Argent unguled and charged on the shoulder with a Bee volant Or and resting the interior hind foot on a Mooring Bollard Gules wound round with a Rope Or all upon a Compartment comprising a Quayside of grey stone setts issuant from Waves of Water proper.
College reference: Grants 180/72.
The Order of the British Empire
11 April 2017Two new British orders of chivalry were instituted 100 years ago this year, in June 1917: the Order of the British Empire, and the Order of the Companions of Honour. Until then, orders of chivalry were restricted both in terms of the number of awards which could be made, and the people to whom they were awarded, these being generally peers, high-ranking military personnel, members of the civil service, and those who had served the royal family. Moreover, women were eligible only for membership of a small number of the orders, there was very little that could be awarded to foreigners, and nothing specifically to recognise charitable work or, for example, contribution to the arts or science.
Both new orders had their origins in the First World War, when it was acknowledged that the current honours system was inadequate to recognise the contribution to the war effort of huge numbers of people in all walks of life, both on the field and off. A small committee was founded in early 1916 to discuss these matters and make recommendations. In July 1916 this became two committees, with some alterations and additions to their composition, and now including Sir Henry Farnham Burke, Norroy King of Arms. Reporting both to the King and the Government, and with various complex matters of precedence to take into consideration, it took around 18 months from the committee being founded for the first awards to be made.
Westminster: flag instructions
22 March 2017As a mark of respect for those that have died and been injured in Westminster today 22 March 2017, the Prime Minister has asked that all Departments of Her Majesty's Government lower their Union Flag to half-mast from 8 p.m. this evening.
Any other UK national flags flown alongside the Union Flag when it is at half-mast should also be at half-mast. If a flag of a foreign nation is normally flown on the same stand as the Union Flag, it should be removed.
All flags are to be raised to full mast no earlier than 8.00 p.m. on Friday 24 March, but before 8 a.m. on Saturday 25 March.
Local authorities are not bound by this request but may wish to follow it for guidance. Devolved administrations are responsible for issuing instructions for the flying of the Union Flag on buildings in their estate and others as necessary.
