PRAABS 200 years ago

 From our files two hundred years ago: the arms of Francis John Ringler Thomson, February 1825, PRAABS volume 3 folio 7 and his brother, John Ringler Thomson. PRAABS volume 3 folio 31, June 1825.

The blazons both read "Quarterly first and fourth Argent a stag's head cabossed Gules attired with five tines on each horn Or, and on a chief Azure a cross crosslet of the Third between two mullets pierced of the First; second and third Azure three rings two and one Or" (in John's case adding "all within a bordure Gules for his congruent difference".) Balfour Paul in his Ordinary removes the "five tines", substitutes "spur-revels" for the mullets and "annulets" for the rings.

PRAABS 100 years ago

 From the Public Register from 100 years ago: The Right Honourable Sir John Laurence Baird Bt, newly-created Baron Stonehaven of Ury. PRAABS volume 26 folio 69. "Per pale engrailed Gules and Or, a boar passant counter-changed." The Herald Painter at the time, and probable artist in this case, was Graham Johnston.

Professor Sir Geoff Palmer KT

 The Lord Lyon and all members of the Lyon Court send their most sincere condolences to the family of the late Sir Godfrey "Geoff" Palmer, Knight of the Thistle and scientist of international reputation. May he rest in peace.

Lyon in Switzerland

 The Lord Lyon is in Switzerland but such is his devotion to duty that he has sent a photograph of the famous Glacier Express, bearing the arms of the Canton of Graubünden for our edification.

New Matriculation

 Happy International Heraldry Day! This year's offering is a new matriculation of arms by the Lord Lyon for Jeffrey Marwell Johnstone, painted by Gayle Page. The petitioner's father was granted arms in 1989, painted by Patricia Bertram.

2025 arms

1989 arms

Supporters for the Incorporation of Hammermen of Edinburgh

 The Incorporation of Hammermen of Edinburgh recorded its ancient arms in 1983:

The Lord Lyon has now granted the Incorporation a crest and supporters:

The dexter supporter is ST ELOI, patron saint of Goldsmiths, while the sinister supporter is a female silversmith. The crest is an anvil surmounted of a sword and a key. The painting is by Sarah Coomer.

Incorporation of Baxters of Edinburgh

The Lord Lyon has matriculated the ancient arms of the Incorporation of Baxters of Edinburgh. The artist was Garry Millie. The arms have been used by the Incorporation "long anterior" to the 1672 act and like several other Edinburgh Trades the Baxters (i.e. bakers) wished to regulate the position.

Azure three garbs Or banded Gules and in chief two bars wavy Argent with a cloud above issuing therefrom a right arm Proper paleways the hand holding a balance and scales of the Fourth. 

For comparison, here are the arms, matriculated in 1923, of the Incorporation of Bakers of Glasgow:

 

World Bee Day

 We mark World Bee Day with the splendid arms of the Incorporation of Candlemakers of Edinburgh where the beehive and bees appear on the compartment. The artist was Yvonne Holton.

Arms of Pope Leo

 Marco Foppoli has produced two very fine paintings of the arms of the Pope.

St Andrew Society of Washington

 The Lord Lyon spoke at the St Andrew's Society of Washington DC (of which he is an Honorary Member) Act of Remembrance  at the "The Call" Memorial in Princes Street, Edinburgh . The memorial was given by America to Scotland to mark those who lost their lives in World War I.

Edinburgh 900 -'Tartan Day Procession

The Court of the Lord Lyon joined in the First Tartan Day Event in Edinburgh marking the 900th Anniversary of the founding of the City of Edinburgh.

World Book Day

 For World Book Day, another fine painting from the era, possibly even the hand, of Herald Painter Graham Johnston or his successor Law Samson. Many schools and universities use a book as a symbol of learning but it is less common in private arms. 

The arms of Sir William McLintock 1st Baronet: Azure a book expanded Or leaved Gules over all a writing pen paleways Proper.

Shrove Tuesday

 We mark Pancake Tuesday with the splendid arms of the Incorporation of Bakers and of Glasgow.

Gules a hand paleways proper holding a balance between three garbs Or on a chief barry of six Azure and Argent between two foul anchors Sable, the eye of Justice irradiated shining on clouds proper from which the hand descends.

Grant: December 20th 1923 volume 26 folio 16