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.

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.

The Pringle Baronetcy

The Lyon Office has published on its website the decision and reasoning to allow the granting to Sir Norman Murray Archibald Macgregor Pringle of that Ilk and of Stichill, Baronet, of chiefly ensigns armorial and the Name and Arms of Pringle of Stichill which are recorded in Volume 1 of PRAABS - HERE.

Here is the entry from volume 1:

viz: Azure three escallops Or. Crest—A saltire Argent within a garland of bay leaves proper. Motto—Coronat fides.

Snawdoun at Aberfoyle

Snawdoun Herald gave a well received talk to the Aberfoyle Ladies Guild on Monday about the work of a herald which included both armorial and ceremonial. Here is Snawdoun's badge, illustrating the title's derivation from Stirling Castle.

Vexillologist on STV

Philip Tibbetts, Honorary Vexillologist to the Lyon Court, gave an excellent interview last night on STV's "Scotland Tonight" on the importance of Community Flags. It can be seen here https://player.stv.tv/summary/scotland-tonight… from 17.30.

You will need to register, which only takes a moment, and possibly only available to people in Scotland.

Lyon at the Montrose Probus Club

At a meeting of the Montrose Probus Club on the 18th February the Lord Lyon gave a talk entitled “What is Scottish about Scottish Heraldry?” There was a lively question and answer session with around 40 in attendance.

Lyon at the SGS AGM

On the evening of the 17th February the Lord Lyon as Honorary President of the Scottish Genealogical Society chaired the Society’s AGM after which he gave a talk entitled “Should Robert Burns be granted a Coat of Arms”. Here once again is the lovely version painted by the quondam Ross Herald Extraordinary, Mark Dennis, based on the bard's own design.