Royal Entry in the Register

  Marking the 70th year of Her Majesty's reign and the 350th anniversary of the Public register, the Queen has graciously signed folio 1 of Volume 96 of the Register, the royal arms as used in Scotland, painted by Herald Painter, Clare McCrory. 

The scan does not do justice to the richness of the gold. My thought is that flatbed scanners are only suited to paper and print - paint on vellum requires a camera as there is a 3D aspect to heraldic painting.

Interestingly (to me), this is the very first emblazonment of the undifferenced arms of the sovereign in Scotland in the Register. Volume One way back in 1672 blazoned the Sovereign's arms but did not illustrate them.

Royal Week 2022

  Many of you are not, I know, on "social media", so here are some shots from what has been a very joyful and busy Royal Week at Holyroodhouse. Although HM was not able to attend the Installation of the new members of the Order of the Thistle, at which the Duke of Rothesay accompanied by the Princess Royal presided, the Queen was clearly relaxed and enjoying the less processional events at the Palace.

The Governor of the Castle, Major General Alastair Bruce of Crionaich, presented the Key of the Castle to the Queen, the very same key which his predecessor, General Sir Robert Abercromby had presnted to George IV in 1822.

Later, there was a "Reddendo", a custom begun in the reign of Queen Anne, when the monarch was presented with a gift, known as a "Reddendo" from the Royal Company of Archers, the Archers then assembling with the Duke of Rothesay for a spectacular photograph

You can watch the Reddendo parade HERE.

Some of the Thistle Procession can be seen HERE.

   

International Heraldry Day

 Happy Heraldry! Today we celebrate International Heraldry Day so here are two sets of educational arms - some of our Primary Schools and all of our Universities:

Feast of St Columba

 St Columba's Day: here are the lovely 1874 arms of the Cathedral of the Isles, Cumbrae, which quarter the saint in his boat with the arms of George Boyle, 6th Earl of Glasgow, commissioner of the great Gothic Revival architect, William Butterfield, who built the Cathedral.

College of the Holy Spirit and Cathedral of the Isles, Cumbrae.

(Photo: Karen Brodie via Millport.org)

ASGRA

 The Lord Lyon gave a CPD seminar to the Association of Scottish Genealogists and Researchers in Archives on “The 350 Years of the Public Register."

Platinum Jubilee Thanksgiving Service

 Lyon, accompanied by Carrick and Unicorn, delivered the proclamation at the start of the Platinum Jubilee Thanksgiving Service at Glasgow Cathedral today.

Greenville Games - South Carolina

Lyon and Carrick are in Greenville, South Carolina - to present a grant of Arms to the Games Society and open the Highland Games on Saturday supported by a squad from the Royal Regiment of Scotland (2nd Batt. Royal Scots Fusiliers).

The Lord Lyon was proud to join the dedicated soldiers and NCOs of the Royal Regiment of Scotland who are performing ceremonial duties at the Greenville Games.

 Lyon with his new Parade Banner presented and carried by Miss Catherine Harden of Cowdenknowes.

The Lord Lyon preceded by Carrick Pursuivant closes the Greenville Highland Games 2022.

SMASO Centenary Banquet

 The Lord Lyon, Honorary President, along with Honorary Vice-President Robin Blair CVO attended the Centenary Dinner of the Society of Messengers-at-Arms and Sheriff Officers last night in Glasgow City Chambers. The Society presented Lyon with a cheque for the Lord Lyon Society. 

The event was organized by Unicorn Pursuivant, Roderick Macpherson, in his capacity as Honorary Secretary to SMASO and Rothesay Herald presided at the piano.

Lyon, the judge who admits all messengers-at-arms to office, and is Honorary President of SMASO, stands at the head of the judicial officers’ profession in Scotland.Here are Robin Blair CVO, Hon. Vice-President, William Dolier, President, and Lyon, in front of a audience of judicial officers from all over the world.

Dumfries Lecture

 The fifth our our series of lectures celebrating the 350th anniversary of the Lyon Register took place this evening in Moat Brae, Dumfries, when March Pursuivant tackled the subject of flags. Huge thanks to the Director and staff of Moat Brae.

College of Arms appoints its first female herald

 Islay Herald (Mrs Yvonne Holton), Linlithgow Pursuivant Extraordinary (Professor Gillian Black) and all at the Court of the Lord Lyon warmly welcome Professor Anne Curry to the Officers of Arms. The newly-appointed Arundel Herald Extraordinary made her first appearance in the Royal Procession at the opening of the UK. Parliament

Lyon in New York

 Lyon has been in New York for a few days.

On the 4th May in the Union Club (founded 1836) New York the Lord Lyon gave a lecture on the Arms and Insignia of the Venerable Order of the St John. Those attending were the members of the New York Region of the Priory of the USA.

The Lord Lyon was Guest of Honour at the Sesquicentennial Dinner of the Burns Society of New York held in the Racquet Club, Park Avenue. He was delighted to Propose the Immortal Memory of Robert Burns and was honoured to be elected and Honorary Member of the Club.

Here are the lovely arms of Burns painted by Herald Painter, Clare McCrory - look out for the "wee timorous beastie":

The American Scottish Foundation hosted an Evening with the Lord Lyon followed by Dinner in the Union Club, New York. Lyon spoke on the 350th Anniversary of the Public Register.

The 350th Anniversary Events continue

  The series of lectures organized to mark the 350th Anniversary of the creation of the Public Register of All Armorial Bearings in Scotland continues and photographs of the Glasgow, Inverness and Aberdeen events can be found HERE.

On the same day as the Aberdeen lecture, whch was given by Mark Dennis,  Herald Painter, Clare McCrory and Islay Herald Yvonne Holton gave a workshop in heraldic painting to the children of St Joseph's Primary School, Aberdeen. The children rose to the challenge brilliantly and the painters were very grateful to Headteacher Sinead Lindsay and Depute Headteacher Louise Lacaze for their generous welcome.

Here are some of the children's paintings.

The Lord Lyon Society receives Royal Launch

  The Lord Lyon Society received its official launch on Friday 1st April at the Palace of Holyroodhouse by HRH The Princess Royal, Patron of the Society.

The Lyon Court website has some photographs of the event here.

  

The badge (above) was designed by Mark Dennis and following a petition from Rothesay Herald was granted. Carrick Pursuivant then commissioned a silver and gilt brooch to Mark's design from Roddy Young of Inverness which was presented to the Princess Royal at the Reception.