Heraldry for Self-Isolationists

We have launched a simple heraldry course, intended primarily to add to the activities parents can enjoy with their children now we are all locked up/down together.

The first two lessons have already started and can be found here:

http://www.courtofthelordlyon.scot/IsolationHeraldryLesson1.pdf

and

http://www.courtofthelordlyon.scot/IsolationHeraldryLesson2.pdf

 http://www.courtofthelordlyon.scot/IsolationHeraldryLesson3.pdf

http://www.courtofthelordlyon.scot/IsolationHeraldryLesson4.pdf

then the week one quiz:

http://www.courtofthelordlyon.scot/IsolationHeraldryQuiz1.pdf

Hope in Australia

More rainbows have be sent from Australia by Richard d'Apice, President of the Australian Heraldry Society. The Marquess of Linlithgow was the 1^st Governor General of Australia and his arms, as Earl of Hopetoun, his title on appointment in 1901, adorn the walls of the Entrance Hall and the Arcade at Government House, Sydney.

At Spes non Fracta

Many Scottish children are decorating their house windows with colourful rainbows as a sign of hope. The Lyon Office is sadly closed for the moment but on this virtual window we share this lovely rainbow from the arms of John Hope, 1st Marquess of Linlithgow from 1902.

Feast of St Joseph

Today is celebrated in the Universal Church as the Feast of St Joseph, husband of Mary the mother of Jesus.

Here are the arms, recorded in 1949, of St Joseph's Academy in Kilmarnock.

The blazon is:
Per pale, dexter, Purpure a fess chequy Or and Vert (the then arms of Kilmarnock based on the Boyd arms)
sinister Argent a shakefork Sable (from the arms of Cunningham)
 on a chief Gules a book opened between two crosses flory Argent.

Happy St Patrick's Day

Happy St Patrick's Day! To mark the occasion, here are two related coats of arms from the Register.

The former St Patrick's High School, Coatbridge, granted in 1960:

and The Hibernian Football Club, granted in 2001:

Matriculation of Arms

The Lord Lyon has been pleased to matriculate for use in Scotland the arms granted to Oliver Burge by the College of Arms.

Lyon Office closed to Visitors

In light of recent Government guidance the Lyon Office is closed to the public for the time being.  Enquiries should be directed to the Lyon Office by post at:

The Court of the Lord Lyon

HM New Register House

Edinburgh

EH1 3YT

or via email to lyonoffice@gov.scot.

Sir Walter Scott - Bicentenary of Arms

Two hundred years ago today, arms were granted to Walter Scott of Abbotsford. On being created a baronet by George IV two years later, he petitioned again and was granted supporters.

'No, by mine honor,' Roderick said,
     'So help me Heaven, and my good blade!
     No, never! Blasted be yon Pine,
     My father's ancient crest and mine,
     If from its shade in danger part
     The lineage of the Bleeding Heart!

(The Lady of the Lake)  

Dean of Stirling Guildry

Yesterday, Snawdoun Herald,  Elizabeth Roads, in her capacity of Dean of the Stirling Guildry, attended Mass at St Mary's RC Church in Stirling and the re-internment in Snowden Cemetery of a late 13th century Dominican Friar. The event  was conducted by Friars from the Dominican Friary in Edinburgh.

You can read the whole story here: https://www.stirling.gov.uk/news/2020/february-2020/700-year-old-medieval-friar-to-be-reburied-in-shadow-of-stirling-castle/

Also known as the Order of Preachers, the Dominicans wear a black and white habit:

 which is reflected in their coat of arms. Originally Sable, a pile inverted argent, indeed in the arms of the first Dominican Pope, Benedict XI, the arms are even simpler - Per pale Sable and Argent  - nowadays the friars use Gyronny sable and argent, a cross flory counter-changed.