PRESS RELEASES:

COLLEGE OF ARMS ANNOUNCES HAITI RELIEF APPEAL

LONDON, 14 January 2010 - In response to the calamitous earthquake that struck Haiti on the evening of 12 January 2010, the College of Arms has announced that all proceeds arising from future sales of The Armorial of Haiti: Symbols of Nobility in the Reign of Henry Christophe (ISBN 978-09506980-2-1) will be donated to the island relief effort.

The book is an edition, with commentary, of an extraordinary heraldic manuscript created in Haiti in the second decade of the nineteenth century and now held in the College of Arms. It was published by the College in 2007 and is available on-line for £45 (plus shipping and handling) at www.college-of-arms.gov.uk/Haiti.htm; and through www.amazon.co.uk.

Clive Cheesman, Rouge Dragon Pursuivant of the College, said:  "This is the least we can do.  We are in possession of a Haitian artifact that has brought us welcome positive attention and some money, and since we are in a position to reach people who might not otherwise be reached by the relief campaign, and to offer them something in exchange for their donation."

Production costs for the book have been met and all sums received by the College over and above normal shipping and handling costs will be held for the benefit of a recognized charity working towards the international relief effort, the charity to be selected on the basis of official advice,” he continued.

All those who have not yet acquired a copy of this book are urged to consider doing so and to mention it to others who may be interested either in New World heraldry, in Caribbean history or, specifically, in the politics and culture of Haiti. Doing so will raise money directly for the relief of the nation that produced this unusual and fascinating artifact.

“If you have already purchased a copy of the book, or as an alternative to doing so now, please consider donating directly to the effort to the relief campaign through a charity of your choice,” Mr. Cheesman said.

COLLEGE OF ARMS BUILDING IS RESTORED AFTER FIRE

With records intact and repairs complete, College is in "fine shape"

The west (left) wing of the College of Arms in London has been restored after a fire erupted there in February 2009 causing damage to the interiors on all floors.

LONDON, 23 December 2009 - Repairs to the west wing of London’s College of Arms undertaken after a fire are now concluded and the damaged rooms have been restored and returned to their normal use.

David White, Somerset Herald, announced the completion of the work undertaken after a fire in February damaged the offices and workspaces of officers of arms and heraldic artists in the centuries old building on Queen Victoria Street. Besides the fire damage, further harm to the building fabric was caused by firemen dousing the flames with water.

“I am happy to report that the repairs to the College of Arms were completed on schedule in early December,” Mr. White stated. “The fire in February provided the opportunity to bring forward some of the College’s rolling program of maintenance. No damage befell the irreplaceable records and no one was hurt during the February fire.

The College of Arms is the official repository of the coats of arms and pedigrees of English, Welsh, Northern Irish and Commonwealth families and their descendants. Its records also include official copies of the records of Ulster King of Arms the originals of which remain in Dublin.

The College is the headquarters of the officers of the College, known as heralds, who organize the state pageants of the British monarchy as well as provide heraldic and genealogical work for their respective clients.

“A seventeenth-century building needs a great deal of upkeep; and the presence of scaffolding on the west wing to facilitate the fire repairs allowed us to carry out various planned minor but important pieces of work, including repointing and the refurbishing of brickwork,” Mr. White further stated. “As a result, the College of Arms is entering 2010 in fine shape.”

For further information, please contact:

David White, Somerset Herald
Telephone: +44 (20) 7248 1766
Email: somerset@college-of-arms.gov.uk