Goal to get a grant of COA

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

As an interesting side note, I am curious to see how this will be illustrated by the SABH. The main charges on the shield should be the three boars' heads as they come from the base arms of the clan chief. As such they should be the primary focus on the shield. The tressure will be what it will be, of course, but the bear is a charge intended to "difference" these arms from those of the chief and should not be treated as the primary charge. In other words, it should be smaller than the boars' heads. We often get this wrong in our modern interpretations of ancient coats of arms, particularly those of Scottish origin.

I am afraid that I must differ with you on your observations concerning the size of charges placed on a shield when devising the new arms of an indeterminate cadet. While it it true that when differencing arms for purposes of cadency within a single family diminished charges (sometimes called brissures) are added as permanent charges on the arms; the same, however, does not apply to the creation of "new" arms based on those of the chief of a family or clan. In this instance the herald takes note of the principle metal and colour of the arms, along with the primary charge or charges (the three boar's heads of Cochrane) and uses them to compose a totally new coat of arms.

One of the great problems facing heralds when designing a new coat of arms based on those of an established "chef de famille" is to make the new arms sufficiently different than those borne by the other branches of the family or clan. Usually heralds strive for three points of difference, but this is not always possible. When that happens, the herald tries to devise a coat which bears a strong family resemblance to that of the chief as well as all the other armigers in the "family".

In the instance of WVHighlander, the arms of his chief are "argent a chevron gules between three boar's heads azure". In composing new arms for WVH the Bureau of Heraldry has chosen to replace the chevron with a bear and enclosed the field within a demi-ordinary (the double tressure) blazoned as "argent a bear rampant sable between three boar heads azure within a double tressure etc." Since this is a new coat of arms, all charges are given "equal weight" based on the available space on the field, relative to the number of charges displayed.

[WVHighlander]

And a link with the crest using a horse; however, Lord Dundonald's crest is an argent horse passant while mine is an argent horse rampant. We went with rampant due to my career in the military over just being ready to serve country etc. We talked about differing it more by charging the shoulder with a v42 dagger or crossed arrows to denote my occupation, but that was vetoed by a higher authority. (read Mrs. Cochran) All in all, I like it better uncharged as well....as Jefferson said, simplest is always the best.

[SlackerDrummer]

Scott,

My point is simply that there is often a tendency of people unfamiliar with heraldry, or at least with good heraldic art, to pinch the three boars' heads into the corners with a large bear in the middle. You are correct that the heads and bear are all primary charges. But the bear is between the boars' heads much the same way a chevron is between the boars' heads. A good heraldic artist ought to be able to make the bear fit and still make the boars' heads prominent, which is something novices (and people using clip art) rarely seem to manage. And still, I am curious to see how the Bureau's artist handle it.

[WVHighlander]

I will post it when I get the first drawing and the final product. And you are right that my rendition is done using power point and paint...cut and paste. I am sure the heraldic artist will be much, much, much, much better.

Mr Gavin Schlemmer is the artist who will be doing the work, and he is pretty good. I think him and Monsieur Rom Squires know each other well.

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

Scott,

My point is simply that there is often a tendency of people unfamiliar with heraldry, or at least with good heraldic art, to pinch the three boars' heads into the corners with a large bear in the middle. You are correct that the heads and bear are all primary charges. But the bear is between the boars' heads much the same way a chevron is between the boars' heads. A good heraldic artist ought to be able to make the bear fit and still make the boars' heads prominent, which is something novices (and people using clip art) rarely seem to manage. And still, I am curious to see how the Bureau's artist handle it.

Ken,
Here we are in complete agreement. Unfortunately good heraldic artists are few and far between, but fortunately WVH seems to be in good hands with Gavin Schlemmer.

And like your good self, I await the out come with a high degree of anticipation!

All the best,

Scott

[Gael Ridire]

WVHighlander, best in your pursuits and thanks to Scott for the clarification of the double tressure issue.

[creagdhubh]

I will post it when I get the first drawing and the final product. And you are right that my rendition is done using power point and paint...cut and paste. I am sure the heraldic artist will be much, much, much, much better.

Mr Gavin Schlemmer is the artist who will be doing the work, and he is pretty good. I think him and Monsieur Rom Squires know each other well.

Well done! I look forward to seeing Schlemmer's work.

Best wishes,