Assumed Arms

[David Thorpe]

I am in the process of assuming my own arms, and would like to express my thanks to two Xmarkers for their invaluable assistance in the effort. Harold Cannon piqued my interest in this fascinating field as I followed his posts on the subject. SlackerDrummer has very patiently guided me through the process, beginning with an impossibly naive concept and ending with a blazon suitable for registration. Along the way, he generously provided a series of vector drawings as the concept developed, which I partially screwed up with my own modifications.

I have submitted the blazon for registration with the United States Heraldry Registry and have no intention of petitioning the Lyon Court for Scottish arms. Thus the connection of my arms and the kilt are limited to the acknowledgement of the help gratefully received. When kilted, I will continue to proudly and happily wear the retainer's cap badge of my Chief's arms.

The blazon:

Arms: Argent, an oak tree eradicated and acorned proper, on a chief engrailed azure seven novae argent.
Crest: On a torse of the liveries, a bear's head couped proper between two branches of Eastern Red-cedar (Juniperus virginiana) proper.
Motto: “In Vi Gnaritatis Libertas” (In the strength of knowledge, freedom)