The State of Virginia, heraldry and the Queen of England.

[arcadian]

I thought this was bizarre. In the Virginia State Senate chambers there is this crest:



In the foyer before you go into the chambers there is a large framed picture explaining the crest. It's from the Royal College of Arms or whatever. The guide said that the crest ultimately was approved by the Queen herself. Does anybody else find this just a little bizarre? The official State of Virginia seal is the polar opposite of what I just described. Sic Semper Tyrannis Thus Always to Tyrants. There are also two framed pictures of Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip just off the capitol rotunda. Just a few steps away from Houdin's famous sculpture of George Washington.

[jwirr]

1. I do not understand the QEII and Phillip pictures but the crest is the

symbol of the first government in Virginia - just history. Acknowledgment of their role in settling America.

[arcadian]

2. They were just there last year.

I guess that's why the pics are there. Why don't they just use the State of Virginia seal?

[jwirr]

3. Is the state symbol anywhere in the place? I was assuming that they

only kept the historic one there along with other historic artifacts. I remember that the Iowa capital had all the flags from the beginning of statehood on display.

[arcadian]

5. That crest isn't historic. It was adopted in 1976

That's what is strange about it.

[jwirr]

7. Ah then I see what you are asking. I still assume they are trying to say

that they are proud of the history as the state of the first settlements in America.

[LibertyLover]

4. I have no problem with Virginia having arms

granted by the College of Arms, an institution that goes back roughly 600 years or so and actually hears court cases involving the use of arms. Of course, I'm a herald in the SCA and find heraldry fascinating. And heck, I live in a town named after Queen Anne, so what the heck.

[Muttocracy]

6. Huh, the state bird (cardinal) gone fightin' mad! nt