ACTIVITIES 2004

Garter King of Arms receives Heraldic Achievement Award

Peter Gwynn-Jones and College of Arms
recognized by NYG&B Society

Peter Llewellyn Gwynn-Jones, CVO, Garter Principal King of Arms of England’s College of Arms, became the recipient of the New York Genealogical & Biographical Society’s first Medal for Heraldic Achievement. Mr. Gwynn-Jones accepted the award from Society President Henry C.B. Lindh at a gala event held at the G&B Society’s headquarters on Monday 4 October 2004.

The Medal for Heraldic Achievement was instituted at the request of the Society’s Committee on Heraldry to recognize prominent persons in the field of heraldry. The Committee’s mission is to educate the public about all aspects of heraldry.

“The medal commemorates his personal accomplishments as an Officer of Arms as well as those of the institution of which he is the principal officer,” said John Shannon, President of the College of Arms Foundation.

“I am truly proud that the G&B is in a position to recognize Peter Gwynn-Jones by presenting him the Society’s first Medal for Heraldic Achievement,” said Henry C.B. Lindh, President of the G&B.

Peter Gwynn-Jones has been an Officer of Arms – a herald – for over 30 years. He was first appointed Bluemantle Pursuivant in 1973, then Lancaster Herald then, in 1995, Garter King of Arms.

During his time at the College there has been a perceptible improvement in heraldic design. The emphasis has been on simplicity, clarity and boldness. In a sense, this is a reversion to the origins of heraldry, when it was all about making oneself known on a battlefield while covered in armor and a helmet. The earliest arms are also generally the simplest designs. This is an effect that people strive for today.

Beyond clarity and simplicity, the College has also championed a style for rendering armorial achievements in letters patent and library paintings. This reflects the influence of the artists associated with the College. Starting in the 50s and 60s there was a revival in interest in England in calligraphy and illumination, the means used to verbally describe and visually display heraldry. It is no exaggeration to claim that British heraldic artists are world champions.

Underlying these phenomena is a genuine widespread interest in heraldry in England. A coat of arms is a form of self-expression. At its most fundamental, it creates a unique and permanent identity for the grantee, something special and intangible that can be passed down to future generations. A coat of arms usually proclaims that one has achieved some form of success, either through public service, or by creating something new, or bringing about prosperity. Self-expression, recognition and immortality are three compelling yearnings that heraldry is uniquely able to satisfy.

Heraldry in England is not reserved exclusively for royalty and lords but is actually available to all (including Americans of British descent) as long as applicants meet certain basic standards; and pay the fees.

The College of A rms was founded in 1483 by King Richard III. In some regards, it is extraordinary that the late-medieval institution has survived so long. It is still a department of Britain’s Royal Household, reporting to the hereditary Earl Marshal of England. The officers’ salaries reflect the cost of living in the 17th century and have been rendered nil by inflation. Some of the College’s Continental “competitors” were eliminated by revolution or reformed as time went on. Yet the College of Arms is alive and well, and sets the standard for the design and production of heraldry along classic lines.

The New York Genealogical & Biographical Society was founded in 1869. As a non-profit educational institution, its purpose is to collect and make available information on genealogy, biography and history, particularly as it relates to the people of New York State. To this end it maintains one of the principal genealogical reference libraries in the United States, publishes periodicals and books, conducts educational programs and provides other services.


Ellsworth G. Stanton III, Secretary of the College of Arms Foundation; James C. Risk, CVO, FSA; and Hugh Williamson-Noble.


Commander Edward Moritz; David T. Boven, President of the American Heraldry Society; and Rev. Guy W. Selvester.


Francis J. Sypher, Jr., member of the NYG&B Society Committee on Heraldry, and Nancy Hathorne of the G&B.


Kazie M. Harvey and Melissa M. Gibbs.


John C. Harvey with Mrs. And Mr. Alexander Hamilton.


John McC. Shannon, Chairman of the College of Arms Foundation; Henry C.B. Lindh, President of the NYG&B Society; and George H. McNeely IV, NYG&B Society trustee.


Rev. Canon Harry E. Krauss, former President of the College of Arms Foundation, and Mrs. John L. Fiorilla.


William P. Johns, Executive Director of the NYG&B Society with the Rev. Canon John G.B. Andrew, past President of the College of Arms Foundation.


Henry C.B. Lindh, President of the NYG&B Society; Mrs. Alexander O. Vietor; and Mrs. Lindh.


Garter Peter Gwynn-Jones is congratulated by Henry C.B. Lindh at the podium.



Alastair Bruce of Crionaich talk on Heralds and Pageantry

Alastair Bruce of Crionaich, Fitzalan Pursuivant of Arms Extraordinary of the College of Arms, gave a highly informative and entertaining talk at the New York Genealogical & Biographical Society (NYG&BS) on Tuesday 13 April 2004. Speaking about his work as an “Extraordinary” (meaning an “extra” herald who assists the “ordinary” ones) and about a splendidly illustrated book he authored on the ancient titles of Britain, now in its second edition, he held his audience captive from beginning to end with facts, anecdotes and an engaging speaking style.

As Fitzalan Pursuivant (one who “pursues” knowledge of armory), Mr. Bruce focuses on three areas: royal heraldry; provenance and semiology of state ceremonial; and representing the College of Arms to the media. From an early age he was fascinated by English history, particularly the living past: objects, jobs and people that link to an event in history. This was the theme of the book he wrote entitled Keepers of the Kingdom and containing splendid photographs (by Julian Calder and Mark Cator) of hereditary officers of state (Lord Great Chamberlain); holders of grand ancient offices both exalted (Lord Archbishop of Canterbury) and modest (Lord High Admiral of the Wash); and many more. All the offices were created at a particular time for a particular reason. In some cases, the need for them continues today; while in others the need has vanished. But, says Mr. Bruce, no one wanted to do away with the titles, which gave the bearers a sense of place and pride. The result is that the United Kingdom has a rich array of jobs with long histories, some still held by the original holder’s descendant.


John Shannon, President, College of Arms Foundation; Alastair Bruce, Fitzalan Pursuivant of Arms Extraordinary of the College of Arms; William P. Johns, Executive Director, NY Genealogical & Biographical Society; and Harry Macy, Jr., Editor, NYG&BS Record. (Photo credit: Nancy Hathorne, NYG&BS)

Royal heraldry is not the same as ordinary heraldry, Mr. Bruce noted. As an example, he cited his work on the design of Prince William’s coat of arms. As heir apparent of the Heir Apparent (The Prince of Wales), Prince William’s shield, based on past practice, would have been the royal arms of the United Kingdom differenced with a label bearing a red cross of St. George, patron saint of England. This English symbol might not have pleased non-English subjects of the Crown so Mr. Bruce suggested an alternative: a red scallop shell, a charge from the Spencer family of Princess Diana. The modification proved newsworthy and was widely reported in the press. The state projects its image, its sense of itself, through state occasions: coronations, openings of Parliament, funerals. Mr. Bruce is also a television commentator and can, in his own words, “talk and talk and talk” about the history of royal ceremonies, their origins and their meaning. He is thrilled to explain the living history that they represent.

Born in 1960, Mr. Bruce describes himself as a “complete enthusiast” about heraldry rather than an academic. He is the national event commentator for Britain’s Sky TV network and broadcasts on constitutional and historical matters. He has made a number of films for ITV, including Victoria and Albert, Nicholas and Alexandra and Days of Majesty, a celebration of the ceremonial way in which Britain lives its history. He has written a history of the coronation and was appointed Fitzalan Pursuivant of Arms Extraordinary in 1998. Mr. Bruce is also a Lieutenant Colonel in the British Territorial (Reserve) Army, and recently served in Operation Iraqi Freedom in Southern Iraq, and a member of The Queen’s Body Guard for Scotland (Royal Company of Archers).

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