Coat of Arms T-shirt?

[MacMillan of Rathdown]

If a corporation can have arms granted by the Lord Lyon, well, it's obviously only a matter of commerce there.

Actually, it has nothing to do with commerce (on the part of any legitimate heraldic authority) but rather with the desire of a corporation to establish an identity other than some flashy logo which, in all probability, will have a commercial shelf life of something in the region of seven to ten years.

But then, a man of noble character is a man indeed. And if the ABC Corporation can have arms, why not Joe Blow?

Indeed Mr. Blow, if he is a "virtuous and well deserving" gentleman may apply for arms, as may the corporate secretary apply for arms on behalf and with the instruction of the directors of ABC Corporation. Both are subject to a fairly rigorous scrutiny, and here is where "legally constituted heraldic authorities" part company with the private "heraldic colleges".

None of the private bodies devising arms have the resources-- or the inclination-- to establish if the petitioner for arms is "virtuous and well deserving". None of them enjoy the sovereign immunity of a real office of arms. They run the risk of being sued if they refuse to grant arms on the basis of "we don't think you are a good guy". So, at the end of the day, they are little more than graphic design studios who are at the beck and call of their client.

The client hands over the money and in return is given what, for all intents and purposes, purports to be a coat-of-arms, although it lacks any substantive standing as such in any legally constituted office of arms, anywhere in the world.

In reality these private "colleges of arms" are nothing more than uber bucket shops, following on in the tradition of carriage painters who would "emblazon" a carriage door with whatever suited the fancy of their client.

The sad thing is, for very little more effort, or outlay of funds, a person may approach any of the real offices of arms and be granted substantive arms.