College of Arms - Armorial Achievement of The College

Armorial Achievement of The College

Arms of College of Arms
Notes The doves in the arms of the College of Arms, are always represented with the sinister wing closed, and dexter wing extended and inverted. The positions of the wings have given rise to much curious speculation. Arthur Charles Fox-Davies wrote in 1909, that the arms was clearly based on the attributed arms of King Edward the Confessor, which was composed of a cross patonce between five martlets, all or. John Brooke-Little on the other hand wrote in 1950 that: "These arms may have been derived from those used by John Wrythe who was Garter at the time of the foundation of the College of Arms in 1484."
Adopted 1484 (hypothetical), 1555 (definite)
Crest On a ducal coronet or, a dove rising azure
Escutcheon Argent, a cross gules (Cross of St. George) between four doves, the dexter wing of each expanded and inverted azure
Supporters Two lions rampant guardant argent, ducally gorged or
Motto DILIGENT AND SECRET
Banner Banner of Arms of the College of Arms
Badge A dove, the dexter wing expanded and inverted azure, ducally gorged or
Symbolism The dove has always been a traditional symbol of the herald's office. John de Bado Aureo in his heraldic treatise (circa 1390), wrote that the dove was a messenger of peace and gladness, as appeared in the eighth chapter of the Book of Genesis.

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