Category Archives: Heralds

Heralds The World Over (#9: Flanders [Belgium])

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We see here the Flemish herald Andre Vandewalle. Flanders is the northern Dutch-speaking part of modern Belgium. Historically, Flanders referred to a region in the southern part of the Netherlands. A friend once asked when referring to Flemish as a language, “Is there such a place as a country called Flem?” Hardly an original, or a very funny, joke.

An Extraordinary “Herald” (of sorts)

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While certainly never holding the title of herald and not being appointed as an officer of arms in any way by anyone this man was, in his own way, the most extraordinary of contributors to the world, the science and the art of heraldry. It can be said that he was a kind of “herald of the Church” during his long career as a Churchman and Papal diplomat. A one-time assistant to the then Nuncio to France, Angelo Cardinal Roncalli (later Bl. Pope John XXIII), the first Pro-Nuncio to the United Kingdom and the first Papal diplomat above the rank of Apostolic Delegate in England in the modern era since the Reformation as well as the man who quite literally wrote the book on ecclesiastical heraldry in the Roman Catholic Church: Archbishop Bruno Bernard Heim. His original work, “Coutumes et Droits d’Heraldique de l’Eglise” was later expanded and republished with lavish illustrations as “Heraldry in the Catholic Church” (1978). This Swiss priest and diplomat designed the coats of arms for Popes John XXIII, Paul VI, John Paul I and John Paul II. One can only imagine what the outspoken Helvetian would have made of the arms of Pope Benedict XVI or, far worse, the arms of the present pope. He was, in my opinion, the most knowledgeable person in the XX Century on the subject of ecclesiastical heraldry. As far as I’m concerned one need only justify a particular point of heraldic design or art by saying, “Heim says so”. He was also tremendously knowledgeable about heraldry in general. His book is a must read for anyone interested in the topic in addition to the four other books on heraldry he authored. Sadly, his influence over the revival of good heraldic practices in the Church is beginning to wane since his death in 2003 at age 92.

More on Private Officers of Arms

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In addition to Finlaggen Pursuivant there are three other private officers of arms currently in existence in Scotland. Slains Pursuivant is the officer of arms appointed by the Chief of the Name and Arms of Hay, currently the Earl of Erroll, Lord High Constable of Scotland. Garioch Pursuivant is athe officer of arms appointed by the Chief of the Name and Arms of Mar, currently the Countess of Mar. Endure Pursuivant is the officer of arms appointed by the Chief of the Name and Arms of Lindsay, currently the Earl of Crawford and Balcarres. Pictured above (l.-r.) are John Stirling, Slains Pursuivant; The Hon. Alexander Lindsay, Endure Pursuivant: Lt-Cmdr. Laurence of Mar, Garioch Pursuivant;

Heralds The World Over (#7: Ireland)

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This photo is also from the 2006 International Congress of Genealogical & Heraldic Sciences. We see Micheál Ó Comáin, an official of the Office of the Chief Herald of Ireland, who represented that Office and wore (again, made for the occasion) a tabard bearing the arms of Ireland.

Heralds The World Over (#4: South Africa)

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The two heralds from South Africa (wearing tabards made for the occasion) attending the XXVII International Congress of Genealogical & Heraldic Sciences which was held in 2006 in St. Andrews, Scotland. Marcel van Rossum, the Assistant National Herald of South Africa is on the left and the National Herald of South Africa, Themba Mabaso, is on the right.

Heralds The World Over (#3: Canada)

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Pictured above is Claire Boudreau, the Chief Herald of Canada sporting the brand new tabard which depicts Canadian symbols on front and back and has the royal arms of the Queen of Canada on the sleeves. She also holds her ceremonial wand of office. This photo was taken during the river pageant for the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II.

Heralds The World Over (#2: Scotland)

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Here we see Finlaggen Pursuivant (one of the three private officers of arms maintained by the heads of different clans) Thomas Miers the officer of arms to the head of Clan Donald standing next to his predecessor, Adam Bruce, currently Unicorn Pursuivant to the Court of Lord Lyon wearing his tabard with the royal arms as used in Scotland where the quarter bearing the Scottish lion is repeated twice in the first and fourth quarters and the three lions of England take the secondary place.