Getting a COA registered

[macwilkin]

I had, HOWEVER, after emailing them three times and NO RESPONSE I gave up on that option. I had similar issues with the American College of Heraldry and the American Heraldry Society. I began to think an active-duty, combat vet, officer, with multiple degrees etc didn't qualify for the US organizations.

A former member here, Scotus, had his arms registered with NEGHS several years ago with no issues. He and I used to be members of AHS, but left for similar reasons as you describe.

T.

[macwilkin]

Since you're in California, Spain would have been an option at one time, given that California was part of the Spanish Empire, but with the death of Don Vincente back in 2005, the Spanish Cronista de Armas is in a state of limbo.

T.

[thescot]

I have had a keen interest in heraldry and things heraldic for years--more years than I've worn a kilt. It all started with a trip to the UK in the mid-80s during which time I purchased a book on the subject and began a dilitante's study. I really love the subject, and love looking at all the different achievements. But I don't take it as seriously as some. I will probably pursue my own achievement one day, but not today.

I have noted:

1. Armigers take the subject much more seriously than the rest of us.
2. Non-armigers tend to be amused at the high dudgeon that results from someone who is not entitiled to arms but tries to assume them anyway.
3. With enough money, time, and determination, just about anyone can be an armiger, which kind of takes away from that real special status sometimes assumed by armigers.
4. A registered arms as opposed to the Lord Lyon's grant of arms looks pretty much like the latter.
5. There are many reasons to have arms, and one's family history and lieneage is a good one, one which should inspire pride.
6. Other reasons are equally valid.

I have considered developing and pursuing my own arms for use on stationary and dishes--and a cool crest badge of my own--through all the available routes, but I just haven't gotten around to it. I shall be interested in WVHighlander's experience in all this and shall consider it all as a good instruction for my own future pursuits.

Please keep us posted.

[macwilkin]

http://makepeace.ca/cha15.html

The Burgerwappen tradition de-emphasizes the distinction between citizen and non-citizen. Heraldic jurisdiction is seen as territorial. Anyone with a need to protect their arms in a place can register them there. Some countries open it up to anyone at all.

This has created a problem in South Africa only because the government subsidizes the creation and registration of arms. Americans, including this author, have swamped the Bureau of Heraldry with applications, creating a large and costly backlog.

The Canadian Heraldic Authority, by contrast, operates on a cost recovery basis. If Canada redefined arms as cultural or intellectual property it could begin designing and registering arms for Americans and other foreigners. Why get an expensive honorary devisal from England or wait years for South Africa to work through its backlog if Canada has a flexible and fully staffed office ready to create real arms for anyone?

With certificates in both English and French, the CHA could attract applications from all over the world. This would cost the Canadian government nothing but would create work and therefore employment for more Canadian heraldic artists and administrators.

Emphasis mine. Perhaps it's time to start lobbying the CHA?

T.

[thescot]

As is often the case, I rather like Todd's comments and suggestions.

[macwilkin]

As is often the case, I rather like Todd's comments and suggestions.

Jim,

I really can't claim it as my idea per se, but he certainly poses an interesting one in his article. If the CHA allowed Americans to petition for a grant of arms, I'd be one of the first in line, though.

T.

[WVHighlander]

That would be interesting...for sure. I would look into that. The main reason for Scotland is heritage.

It funny with G. Washington, J. Adams (both), and T. Jefferson so interested in heraldry that we didn't come up with our own office. I do understand the reason at the time being disdain for ANYTHING old world, elite, or noble. Even the Society of Cincinnati got remarks about it when it was created.

[Cygnus]

That would be interesting...for sure. I would look into that. The main reason for Scotland is heritage.

It funny with G. Washington, J. Adams (both), and T. Jefferson so interested in heraldry that we didn't come up with our own office. I do understand the reason at the time being disdain for ANYTHING old world, elite, or noble. Even the Society of Cincinnati got remarks about it when it was created.

If I remember correctly, the younger John Adams wrote home to his wife instructing her to have his arms removed from their carriage after they became a political liability.

The attitudes that led to this still seem to be going strong today.

As Jim said in one of his posts above, one of the reasons for pursuing a personal coat of arms is a sense of pride in one's ancestors, heritage, and family - this is the principal motivation of my desire to one day petition arms for myself.

[macwilkin]

That would be interesting...for sure. I would look into that. The main reason for Scotland is heritage.

It funny with G. Washington, J. Adams (both), and T. Jefferson so interested in heraldry that we didn't come up with our own office. I do understand the reason at the time being disdain for ANYTHING old world, elite, or noble. Even the Society of Cincinnati got remarks about it when it was created.

The AHS had a nice collection of articles on the arms of American Presidents:

http://www.americanheraldry.org/page...n=Main.Notable

Washington was the most enthusiastic about heraldry, and said that there was nothing incompatiable with the Republic in a letter to a fellow who wanted to form an American "college of arms" after the Revolution. I don't think the Adamses or TJ shared Washington's enthusiasm, although as you state, they did have their own arms.

My favorite president, Theodore Roosevelt, was also "dee-lighted" in bearing arms, and reportedly had a tattoo of them somewhere on his body.

T.

[WVHighlander]

Actually it was the elder John Adams who instructed Abigail to have it removed from their carriage during his time in Washington. This was due to the political attacks against him painting him as royal supporting from all of his time in England etc etc etc. (The political fights between him and Jefferson and Hamilton are something to read.) However, he still maintained the arms and used them later in life.