ELEMENTS
The style of a helm (helmet) displayed within a crest varies according to rank and social status. These styles developed over time, in step with the development of military helmets. The helm for esquires and gentlemen is steel with closed visor in profile. Is the helm relevant to the school today? The chevron occurs frequently in British and French heraldry. From the French word “chevron” meaning rafter, the chevron represents the roof of a house. The chevron representing security is a strong element within the crest.
Rich, Robert, 2nd Earl of Warwick (1587 - 1658) Stamp
The star is an abstract form with no particular historic or visual reference. The star [or sun] may represent energy, illumination and that which is (science, mathematics &c.).
Sunset detail from J.M.W. Turner, The Slave Ship (1840)
The fleur-de-lis or fleur-de-lys is a stylized lily used as a decorative symbol. While the fleur-de-lis has appeared on countless European coats of arms and flags, it is particularly associated with the French monarchy. According to French historian Georges Duby, the three petals represent the medieval social classes: those who worked, those who fought, and those who prayed. Within the crest, the fleurde-lis is a cultural link to Europe. Today, the three activities of fighting, working and praying are perhaps undertaken differently. People may not fight for values, beliefs or causes in a physical or combative manner. The fleur-de-lis may also be interpreted as a representation of growth, and culture ( tradition, languages, the arts, history &c.). Together, the star above the chevron, housing the fleur de lis within the crest convey a rational and clear message.
Clovis recevant la fleur de lys detail from the “Bedford Hours” c1410 - c1430
From Sainte-Chapelle, Paris c1248.
REFERENCES
The ampersand originated where the letters E and T were written as a ligature (two or more letters are joined as a single character). With the advent of printing in Europe, printers made extensive use of ampersands. & was often regarded as the 27th letter of the English alphabet. The modern ampersand is virtually identical to that of the Carolingian minuscule. The word ampersand is a merging of the phrase “and per se &”. The Tironian “et” is a symbol similar to the numeral 7 which is often used in Gaelic text. Notae Tironianae was a system of shorthand invented by Tiro (94 BC – 4 AD)
Insular script
Shepherd [Sheppard] Coat of Arms Azure on a chevron engrailed (scalloped) between three fleur de lis as many estoiles gule (red stars), a cubit arm vested azure cuffed argent, the hand holding a shepherd’s crook (proper or natural color). Motto - Deus Pastor Meus (The Lord is my Shepherd)
Caslon Italic 1734-1770
Sabon Italic 1967
Trebuchet 1996
Avenir Roman 1988
From Jan Tschichold’s The Ampersand: its origin and development 1957. 1. Pompeiian graffiti ; 2. Old Roman cursive, 131 AD ; 3. New Roman cursive, mid 4th century ; 4. New Roman cursive, c346 AD ; 6. From manuscript (St. Hilarius), before 509 ; 7. From manuscript (St. Maximus), 7th century ; 8. Insular majuscule from the 7th century ; 13. 8th century Merovigian ; 48. Carolingian minuscule, 810
Book of Kells
from It is a Long Way from Tipperary … The 400 Year Journey of the Sheppard / Shepherd Family, Mark Reider Conleth 2014
Detail from Bronze Disc showing the curvilinear repeated patterning typical of the La Tène style of Celtic art.
Detail from The Book of Kells c.800 The manuscript is written primarily in insular majuscule with some occurrences of minuscule.
Algemene Bank Nederland logo 1964 AMRO Bank logo 1964 ABN · AMRO logo (crest and text), 1991
Would it be more appropriate to abandon the helm that represents esquires and gentlemen? While there are specific visual references to heraldic content the details are simplified. The form relates to La Tène motifs which are a link to St. Conleth. The simplicity in form, style and technology is not tied to any transient style [ gradients c. ]. From minature on screen icons to print, signage, livery and clothing, the design can be consistently applied with no depreciation in form. It can work in full colour, monotone and line art.
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