UK Devolved Administrations

With regional elections on the horizon this year I thought it might be interesting to do a post about the British devolved administrations. That is the regional governments of the United Kingdom who's powers are given (devolved) to them by the national parliament in Westminster. The devolved administrations are the Northern Ireland Assembly, the Scottish Parliament, the National Assembly for Wales and the Greater London Authority. I though it would be a good idea for the devolved institutions to use coats of arms. You could also include the governments of the overseas territories and arguably the crown dependencies as devolved administrations, however I am focussing on the United Kingdom administrations as the territories and dependencies generally have their own coats of arms.

Scottish Parliament 

First off I'll start with the Scottish Parliament, which although founded in 1999, is arguably the oldest of the regional governments with roots in the Estates of Parliament (the original parliament of the Kingdom of the Scots) founded in the 13th Century. The Scottish administration is the only one of the devolved administrations with the title of parliament, which is significant as that suggests where its constitutional authority and power comes from. The difference between a parliament and assembly is that a parliment governs in the name of the crown. (although you could argue the same about assemblies as they get their power from the UK Parliament who inturn get it from the crown) There are notable differences between how parliaments and assemblies operate the Scottish First Minister for example is the Keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland, whereas in Northern Ireland and Wales the Great Seal is kept by the Secretary of State of the NI/Wales Office who is a member of the UK Parliament rather than a member devolved Assembly etc etc. So as Scotland is a parliament who constitutionally governs in the name of the crown a variation of the Royal coat of arms could be used. This variant is already used by the UK government in Scotland:

As the above variant is already used I think the pre 1603 version could be used:

The full coat of arms including the order of the thistle, crest, supporters and compartment. The lesser arms simply being the shield.

Northern Ireland Assembly 

Northern Ireland was the first region of the UK to have devolution, the Northern Ireland Parliament first meeting in 1921. It was granted this coat of arms in 1924, the first and only arms granted to a devolved government in the UK:

The NI Parliament was abolished in 1973 by the Constitution of Northern Ireland Act, The Northern Ireland Assembly was established in 1998. It hasn't been granted a coat of arms, although it could claim to be the successor of the NI Parliament and as such successor to its arms it doesn't, adopting instead an emblem featuring six flax flowers:

I think governments even devolved governments deserve a proper coat of arms, and my proposal is influenced on the former arms and current logo:

The shield features the cross of St Patrick which represents NI in the Union Flag. It is defaced with a gold shield bearing the red hand that is the traditional symbol of the province of Ulster, six of whom's nine counties form Northern Ireland. The chief is blue (the traditional colour of Ireland) and features a gold portcullis ensigned with the de burke arms flanked by two harps.  The portcullis is a British symbol of nobility that has evolved over time as the symbol of government and features in the badge of the national parliament. The gold shield with red cross is that of the Hibernio-Norman De Burke family, who as the medieval Earls of Ulster ruled the province. The harp on a blue field is the arms of the Kingdom of Ireland and used on the royal coat of arms and the arms of the Republic of Ireland. The crest features an antique Irish crown out of which six flax flowers are growing. This is open to interpretation.  The lion and elk supporters bearing the banners represents the two traditions of Northern Ireland. The lion wearing the St Edwards Crown represents those whose ancestors came from the island of Great Britain in the 17th Century plantation. The lion is the main national animal of the United Kingdom and the banner is a variant of the 1606 union flag. It has the St Andrew's Cross on top of that of St George, to symbolise the Ulster-Scots majority of the planters. It is also a flag of James I/VI who was the architect of the plantation, it is also to my knowledge the only use of this variant of the Union Flag in heraldry.  The Elk with the green harp banner represents those of gaelic-Irish descent. The Elk being an ancient Irish animal and the green harp banner being a historic Irish flag. It is first recorded being flown from ships of the Catholic confederation of the 1640s and was used as a defacto national flag of Ireland by nationalists and to an extent the establishment until it was replaced by the Irish tricolour. It is important to note that while these flags symbolise national identities, they are historic flags rather than current national flags, in fact neither ever had official status. The symbolism of the two supporters representing the two main traditions supporting the shield together is evident. The same animals are also used on the former coat of arms. The compartment as well as featuring shamrocks also features stones from the Giant's Causeway. 

National Assembly for Wales 

Wales does not have a coat of arms in it's own right, it does however have two royal badges that are used by government. The first one features a red dragon on a shield which is divided into the colours of the royal house of Tudor (green and white) and is what the current welsh flag is based on. This badge dates 1953 although it has older origins. It was originally used by the Wales Office and was used by the Welsh Assembly until 2008. It is still used by the Wales Office.

The second was approved in 2008 and is based on the historic royal arms of Wales, as used by Welsh princes in the thirteenth century:

As heraldic badges go I think these are pretty sound, although I would have them the other way round. (the historic royal arms used by the Wales office as its a UK government department and the draggon by the assembly). However if the Welsh Assembly was ever granted a full coat of arms my proposal would be something like this:

The shield is like the 1953 royal badge divided into the Tudor colours, and charged with the red dragon on a grass base. The chief is divided into gold and red with the lions in alternate colours from the royal arms, and a portcullis divided into alternate colours. The portcullis symbolising government and devolution from parliament. The crest features a medieval crown with the Prince of Wales' feathers symbolizing the country was historically a principality. The supporters are of course red dragons, because its the national symbol of Wales and because dragons are awesome. The base features leeks the national plant emblem. It also feature the mottos of the two badges. "the red dragon inspires action" at the bottom and "I am true to my country" around the shield, both in the Welsh tongue of course." 

Greater London Authority 

the Greater London Authority is the government of London both the 1 square mile City of London and the surrounding boroughs and districts, although the former has a great deal of autonomy. The GLA consists of the office of the mayor of London and the London Assembly. London is governed more like a province than a city, which given its size and population and the individual councils the boroughs (some of which have or claim the title of city) and districts isn't surprising. Historically this group of municipalities which together form London has been grouped into a "county" of London:

Then this was reorganised into a Greater London Council, with more authority than a county council:

However this didn't last long and the GLA was set up in 2000. However it was never granted a coat of arms which is in contrast to the local borough councils. So here is my design for a coat of arms for the London government. 

 it is unchanged from an earlier proposal (primarily because I think its a good design). It features a portcullis which is not only in keeping with the theme of devolved assemblies, but has become a symbol of London itself being found in arms and heraldic insignia of institutions like the Metropolitan Police Service and the Army Reserve's London Regiment etc. The chief features a lion passant (like the London Council arms but in red) flanked by the lancastrian and yorkist roses which together form the Tudor rose, the floral emblem of England. The red lion symbolises strength and courage and the name "red lion" is also a popular pub name in the area. The lion supporters with the banners reflect London's position as the defacto capital both of England and the United Kingdom as a whole, 

 English Parliament

England at present doesn't have a devolved government and is governed directly by the UK parliament. This has led to instances of non English MPs from Scotland, Northern Ireland, Wales (and London) being able to vote on matters that only affect England. The government is seeking to redress this by giving cities greater autonomy (particularly northern cities like Liverpool and Manchester) and by introducing English blocking measures on English matters in committee stages of law making (although not in the voting chambour). This is rather thin stuff and a devolved English parliament or English regional assemblies, would in my opinion be better (it would also make the UK more like a federation). I have done two posts about regional and provincial assemblies. But if there is a hypothetical all England parliament what would it's coat of arms look like?

As its a parliament (and I have no doubt it would be given the title of parliament) a variant of the royal coat of arms could be used:

Like the Scottish Parliament it only uses the quarter of full royal arms relevant to it. (the three lion passants), this is within the Order of the Garter. It features the royal crest of England, has two lion supporters crowned with medieval crowns (although a St Edwards Crown would be no less appropriate I just didn't want four variants of the same crown in the one coat of arms) and the compartment/base features tudor roses.

Royal coat of arms

This was something I was doing around the same time. I was originally working on an Irish variant of the royal coat of arms for use by the Northern Ireland Office (same way the Scottish variant is used by the Scotland Office). This was the result:

The shield is quartered so that the Irish arms are in the first and fourth quarter. The collar around the shield is also that of the Order of Saint Patrick. The crest revives the historic crest of Ireland not officially used since the Act of Union in 1800, using the stag emerging from a tower with three turrets. It also features an antique Irish crown although this is part of the crest rather than an actual crown. 

But what about a royal arms for Wales? Well I had ago at that two:

simple shield of the UK but with an inner shield with the historic royal arms of Wales. This is designed to give Wales the recognition it lacks and deserves, but at the same time taking into account it was never a kingdom as such. The motto is the same as the royal motto but in Welsh. It also has a dragon supporter and a dragon crest supporting a harp. (the harp is the national instrument of Wales). 

UK Government Coat of Arms

You may or may not remember my post about a "Parliament Flag" to be used over the Palace of Westminster when Parliament is meeting:

 

Well another idea I had around the time but haven't really got round to working on until now is a Parliament/Government coat of arms.
Of course the Government of the United Kingdom does use (and I emphasise use as it doesn't really  have) a coat of arms:

This is a variant of the Royal coat of arms, which is used quite a lot by the government, for example on the front of the British passport (which is technically government property):

and in the logos of government and state departments:



But while the government uses these arms it is not the owner of them. As stated before they are a variant of the Royal coat of arms, and as the government is "His/Her Majesties' Government" and constitutionally  gets its power and authority from the crown, it uses a variation of the Royal Arms. Now I am not disputing that nor saying the UK Government isn't run by the people for the people, nor am I saying it should have a coat of arms. This was really just a heraldic exercise. For example if the Government is granted its own coat of arms by the College of Arms for its own use, what might it look like. My idea is below:

 

Firstly the shield: The shield is divided into two colours green and red, these are the colours of the house of Commons and the House of Lords (like most democracies Parliament has a senior and junior chamber for example broadly speaking House of Representatives is the US equivalent of the House of Commons and the Senate is the US equivalent of the House of Lords)

The crowned portcullis is the symbol of the Palace of Westminster where Parliament has met since Tudor times at least. According to Wikipedia the Portcullis was common on the arms of English nobility this was adopted by the Tudors for Parliament (adding the crown to symbolise their sovereignty).

The Stars can have duel representation they can represent both the Constituent countries/Home Nations that make up the United Kingdom, or they can represent the three devolved governments within the UK (Scottish Parliament, Welsh Assembly and Northern Ireland Assembly (each of which also has a logo/heraldic badge)) which get their power (and funding) from the central British Government, while the fourth represents the local governments of UK dependencies and overseas territories, which also have devolved powers to run local affairs.  

The Royal Arms of the three historic Kingdoms that are present in the Royal Arms.

 

Secondly the supporters: the two monstrosities that are crossed are ceremonial maces. Each house of Parliament has one which is displayed in the chamber when the relevant house is meeting, it basically represents the sovereignty of the monarchy in the absence of the monarch. They are also sort of unofficial symbols of the individual house. I think as well as symbolising government of the people, for the people by the people it strikes a good balance as it also represents the sovereignty of the sovereign, via the Royal arms crown, garter ect.

 

 

Comments are Welcome

 

UK State opening of Parliament and Flag

As Wednesday saw the ceremony of the State Opening of Parliament in the United Kingdom I think this is an appropriate time to publish my 'parliament in session' flag. But first I will give a brief background to the state opening of parliament and some items of particular vexilogical and heraldry interest.

First the ceremony itself in short is when the Queen reads a speech written by the government to parliament which outlines what it hopes to achieve in the parliament year. it is full of both Royalist and slightly Republican symbolism. For example this is one of very few occasions when the Queen actually wears the crown of state symbolising the authority of the crown, but also when Blackrod (the chief of security for parliament usually an ex military officer) is sent to summon the House of Commons to the House of Lords to hear the speech, the door is deliberately and ceremonially slammed shut and he has to wait to be invited in, thus symbolising the sovereignty of the people. If you like pomp and ceremony you can view it on Youtube.

Three of the four Royal Bodyguards take part in the ceremony. The Honourable Corps of Gentlemen at Arms, The Yeomen of the Guard and soldiers of the Household Division. (The Royal Company of Archers only take part in ceremonies in Scotland)

 The Gentlemen at arms are the most senior of the Sovereign Bodyguards (Gentlemen at Arms, Yeomen of the Guard and Royal Company of Archers). They are mostly if not all retired military officers. They are more senior as they are the 'closed guard' and are classed as gentlemen rather than yeomen. Their uniform is based on that of a heavy dragoon in the Victorian period. Their standard is seen during the ceremony and can be seen below:

This is in the style of a carvery guidon, however it is a lot bigger. It has the Cross of St George in the hoist, beside which is the cypher of the reigning monarch (this picture is not of the current standard) beside which is the corps name, beside which is the corps badge which is similar to the bade of the palace of Westminster (the name of the building which Houses of Parliament) except with a royal crown. In the fly are two of the three battle honours. To get an idea of the full size see below:

The Yeomen of the Guard are the oldest military corps still in existence despite the fact they are junior to the gentlemen at arms. They are often mistaken for the Yeomen Wardens of the Tower of London known as Beefeaters. An easy mistake as the ceremonial uniforms of both are exactly the same except for a cross belt worn by the guards. Like the gentlemen at arms the are made up of former members of the armed forces however any rank can join not just officers. Their colour which is also seen at the ceremony is below:

 Only the cypher changes, in the centre is the floral emblems of the Kingdoms of Scotland, England and Ireland. In each corner are the badges of houses (families) to sit on the throne. The House of Windsor at the bottom left, the House of Stuart at the top left. A crowned hawthorn bush and the letters HR, representing King Henry VII and the legend that the crown was discovered by the guard in a hawthorn bush following the Battle of Bosworth in the top right.  A white horse on a green mound surmounted by the crown, representing the House of Hanover in the bottom right. Two of the company's seven battle honours are also displayed. 

The Sovereigns bodyguards are ceremonial only and are made up of ex servicemen  The Household Division are made up of serving soldiers most of which be deployed wherever the United Kingdom is engaged in military operations. There are two brigades in the division the foot guards are the famous guards with the red tunics and bearskin caps that guard Buckingham Palace. They are made up of five regiments (Grenadier Guards, Coldstream Guards, Scots Guards, Irish Guards and Welsh Guards) who rotate between ceremonial duties (or public duties as they are known in the military) training exercises, security and combat operations. At Parliament this year the Welsh Guards were the guard of hounour outside, their Queen's Colour was also on parade and can be seen below:

Unlike other army regiments the regimental colour is a Union Flag, not the Queen's Colour. The Queens Colour of the Welsh Guards has a Royal Crown and dragon, underneath which is the regiments motto: "Cymru am Byth"  Welsh for 'Wales Forever' it is also emblazon with battle honours of which there are notably more than the cerimonaly guards as I already mentioned the Foot Guards are modern operation soldiers. Most are WW1 and WW2 battle hounours but the bottom one reads "Falkland Islands 1982" since this picture was taken I think ones for Afghanistan have also been awarded but I'm not too sure about that. 

The next brigade is the Horse Guards which as the name suggests are mounted. There is only one regiment of Horse Guard the household Calvery but this is split into two seperate units the Life Guards and the Blues & Royals each of which have a mounted (horse) and armoured (tanks) corps in which troopers rotate. Their sovereign Guidon is carried when escorting the monarch to parliament:

Also of note are the Kings of Arms who are responsible for keeping records of heraldic arms and granting arms in England, Northern Ireland and Wales. They take part in the ceremonial uniform which are unchanged since the middle ages with the Royal Arms and their chains and staffs of offices.

Well that is the ceremony out of the way. The Union Flag being replaced by the Royal Standard when the monarch arrives is naturally part of the ceremony. Traditionally the Union Flag was only flown over parliament when Parliament was in session  (when one or both of the two houses were meeting for debates, votes and lawmaking, not including committees or hearing). But the last Government led by Prime Minister Gordon Brown decided it should be flown everyday from Parliament buildings and 10 Downing Street. So it has lost its traditional communicative purpose. I recently seen an idea for a parliament in session flag to be used for this traditional purpose:

Presumably this will replace the UK flag on the Victoria Tower when used. Its a white ensign, which is in itself unusual. The charge on the fly is Coat of Arms of Simon De Montfort who called for the first elected Parliament in 1265 AD. Behind the arms, is a knights of the round table based upon the design at Winchester, that had 25 slots for 24 knights and one for the Lord or Sovereign.

I also had ago at a design:

I kept the white ensign design. However my design has a red, white and green cross design. This represents the two Houses of Parliament  The House of Lords (whose colour is red) and the House of Commons (whose colour is green) In the centre is a blue disc with the badge of the Palace of Westminster (the parliament building) 

The above flag is designed to replace the Union Flag on the Victoria Tower when used. However if a second flag pole was constructed for a parliament in session flag, or if it was used under the union flag, then their would be no need to replace the Union Flag so an ensign design with the national flag in the canton would not be necessary. In that case my alternative design is below:

It feature the Tudor Rose of England, Thistle of Scotland, Leek of Wales and Flax of Northern Ireland.Personally I think I like the ensign version but I would like know what you think.

All Comments welcome

Only the last two flags are of my design.