A Description of the Armorial Ensigns
In 1992 the Shrievalty Association was granted armorial ensigns. The Association, although then only twenty years old, was accorded two privileges. It was granted supporters to its arms a comparatively rare privilege, but rarer still, the Home Secretary advised the Queen that it was in order for her to issue her Royal License and Authority for the Association to incorporate the Royal Crown in its arms and badge. There are a number of Institutions which have been honoured by being allowed to use the style ‘Royal’ but very few indeed who have been licensed to use the Royal Crown.
The arms are based on the former badge of the Association, that is the swords of Mercy (curtana, with the point cut off) and Justice, both of which are carried at the Coronation of a Sovereign, crossed in saltire but above them is now the Royal Crown and there is an ermine border to symbolise the judiciary. The crest is the well-known symbol of Justice. A blindfolded lady, holding the sword and scales of justice.
The supporters refer to England (the lion) and Wales (the dragon). Each supports a cross potent fitchy. The cross is taken from the attributed arms of King Edgar, in whose reign the Office of Sheriff is held by some to have been instituted. The 'crutched cross' itself symbolises the sword of justice and the noble aspirations of the early crusaders who helped the sick and poor and fought for Christ.
The Official Blazon of the Arms is as follows:-
ARMS:
Azure two Swords in saltire Argent hilts pommels and quillons Or that in bend couped at the point in chief the Royal Crown proper all within a Bordure Ermine.
Crest:
Upon a Helm with a Wreath Or and Azure a demi-female figure affronty proper vested Argent garnished Or her eyes obscured by a Blindfold Gules holding aloft in her dexter Hand a Sword Argent hilt pommel and quillons also Or and in her Sinister Hand a Pair of Scales of Gold
Mantled:
Azure doubled Or.
Supporters:
On the dexter side a Lion rampant Or armed and langued Gules resting the exterior paw on a Cross Potent fitchy Or and on the sinister sided a Dragon rampant Gules armed and langued Azure resting his exterior claw on a Cross Potent also fitchy Gold.
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BADGE:
Two swords in saltire Argent hilts pommels and quillons Or that in bend couped at the point charged upon an Oval Azure environed by a Wreath composed of Oak Leaves Gold with in chief and in base a Tudor Rose Gules upon Argent barbed and seeded proper and in the flanks two Leeks in saltire also proper the whole ensigned by the Royal Crown Proper.
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The heraldic description of The Shrievalty Association’s Armorial Ensigns was provided by Mr John Brooke-Little MVO MA FSA a member of the Association who, at the time the arms were granted, was Norroy and Ulster King of Arms.
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