I am not sure how well known the singer Tom Jones is in the USA; perhaps his profile was highest when he had a long running show in Las Vegas. Those that have heard of him may be interested in the report in a UK broadsheet, The Sunday Telegraph, that he has been granted a coat of arms. This will, of course, be no surprise to those of us who had already seen the announcement in the September 2011 edition of the College of arms newsletter (the link is to the pdf version),
Quote:
WOODWARD, Sir Thomas Jones[*], of Remenham Hill, Oxfordshire, Knight, OBE. Arms, Crest and Badge. Garter and Clarenceux Kings of Arms. 8/3/2011. College reference: Grants 175/226.
What is new is that, quoting Somerset Herald (David White), The Sunday Telegraph article gives a description of the achievement
Quote:
“The crest features a demi red dragon holding an inverted leek. The shield features a key upright, in between two trees, a play on his real surname, Woodward.”
It might be thought that the crest is a bit mundane (and why is the leek inverted, I wonder?) but I quite like the canting shield.
This grant follows those to Sir Paul McCartney, Sir George Martin and Sir Elton John (but none to Sir Michael Jagger, as far as I am aware) - almost time for someone to start an armorial of British rockocracy, perhaps 
* the name under which his award of Knight Bachelor was gazetted; London Gazette, 31 Dec 2005, issue number 57855 - pdf link.
James,
Thanks for that. I saw the name, but didn’t realize it was the same Tom Jones.
JamesD;90080 wrote:
I am not sure how well known the singer Tom Jones is in the USA; perhaps his profile was highest when he had a long running show in Las Vegas.
I recall he was on an episode of the Simpsons, which would suggest he is now a part of US lore as well.
What is the significance of the key? Does it have something to do with being a guardian for a ward?
JamesD;90080 wrote:
This grant follows those to Sir Paul McCartney, Sir George Martin and Sir Elton John (but none to Sir Michael Jagger, as far as I am aware) - almost time for someone to start an armorial of British rockocracy, perhaps.
Good idea! There is an armorial for famous scientists. Why not rock stars?
Edward
eploy;90082 wrote:
I recall he was on an episode of the Simpsons, which would suggest he is now a part of US lore as well.
Ah, the ultimate accolade
eploy;90082 wrote:
What is the significance of the key?
Before you had asked this, I had it in my mind that a ward was the business end of a key. However, the ‘ever reliable’ Wikipedia informs me that the wards are actually the obstructions that prevent any but the correct key from turning in a lock. Getting back to these arms, I think that the key itself just about works as a symbol for a ward, a difficult thing to emblazon otherwise.
eploy;90082 wrote:
Good idea! There is an armorial for famous scientists. Why not rock stars?
Thanks for reminding me of the armorial of scientists. Here is the link for anyone who hasn’t seen it before.
JamesD;90080 wrote:
I am not sure how well known the singer Tom Jones is in the USA;
Who hasn’t heard of Tom freakin’ Jones!? I met him backstage at a show a few years ago. Nice guy. Interesting that his arms don’t seem to have much connection to music like the arms of other British musicians (Paul McCartney, Elton John, Cliff Richards)
Arian
arriano;90085 wrote:
Who hasn’t heard of Tom freakin’ Jones!? ... Nice guy)
Sorry, it seems that I was being rather parochial 8).
arriano;90085 wrote:
Interesting that his arms don’t seem to have much connection to music like the arms of other British musicians (Paul McCartney, Elton John, Cliff Richards)
I must admit that I found that rather refreshing. Some of these ‘musical’ coats seem a bit contrived (even for heraldry!) for my taste. Perhaps it suggests that he doesn’t define himself solely according to his public persona.
Sir Tom played a charitable event a few years ago in my city, and I had seats in the sixth row. I was amazed at his energy and stage presence.
JamesD;90080 wrote:
This grant follows those to Sir Paul McCartney, Sir George Martin and Sir Elton John (but none to Sir Michael Jagger, as far as I am aware) - almost time for someone to start an armorial of British rockocracy, perhaps
Some of them are included in ‘An Armory of Famous Musicians’ on Heraldica:
The first thing I thought, when I read about the key between two trees, was "warden" or "warder" ... you know, the "turnkeys" running a prison.
Quote:
Ward. early 13c., "one who guards," from O.N.Fr. wardein, from Frankish *warding- (cf. O.Fr. guardenc), from *wardon "to watch, guard" (see ward (v.)). Meaning "governor of a prison" is recorded from c.1300.
So we have Fire Wardens, Game Wardens, ... and I suppose Tree Wardens.
There’s also the Ceremony of the Keys conducted by the "Beefeaters", also known by their official title as Yeoman Warders:
The British Monarchy wrote:
One of their main ceremonial functions is the daily Ceremony of the Keys. In this ceremony the gates of the Tower of London are secured each night shortly before 10.00 pm by the Chief Yeoman Warder escorted by an armed guard of four men.
After locking the gates, the Chief Yeoman Warder is challenged by a sentry bringing his rifle into the on-guard position.
He allows him to pass after recognising the Chief Warder as the bearer of Queen Elizabeth’s keys by saying ‘Pass, Queen Elizabeth’s keys, and all’s well’.
The Chief Yeoman Warder and his escort are met by a ceremonial guard on the Broad Steps near the White Tower, which then presents arms.
The Chief Warder concludes the ceremony by raising his Tudor bonnet and proclaiming ‘God preserve Queen Elizabeth’, to which all present reply ‘Amen’.
The keys are then carried by the Chief Yeoman Warder to safekeeping, whilst the Last Post is sounded.
Guy
Your citation of The Yeoman Warders and the Ceremony of the Keys is the clincher, for me, as it shows that a key is indeed an apt symbol for ‘ward’.
As to the leek: maybe the dragon is going to bite it - I mean, just for breakfast? I would start with the "white part" Charges which are presumed to be coming from heavens come to mind first.
JamesD;90080 wrote:
I am not sure how well known the singer Tom Jones is in the USA;
The TV show that he had from 1969-1971 called "This is Tom Jones" was on American television. That, plus his recording career made him very well known here. As someone else has already asked, "Who hasn’t heard of Tom Jones?" As had been the case with the late Richard Burton, Jones is one of those people Americans often erroneously think is "English" only to be quickly corrected (and many still don’t get the difference).
Michael Y. Medvedev;90224 wrote:
As to the leek: maybe the dragon is going to bite it - I mean, just for breakfast? I would start with the "white part"
gselvester;90226 wrote:
Jones is one of those people Americans often erroneously think is "English" only to be quickly corrected (and many still don’t get the difference).
But surely ... since the Laws in Wales Acts 1535–1542 formally incorporated all of Wales into the Kingdom of England then everyone born in Wales is in fact English. Unless of course they were from Flintshire and then (anciently at least) they were from the principality of Chester and were exempt from the laws and taxes of England.
[All said tongue in cheek of course]
JamesD;90080 wrote:
[...] What is new is that, quoting Somerset Herald (David White), The Sunday Telegraph article gives a description of the achievement It might be thought that the crest is a bit mundane (and why is the leek inverted, I wonder?) but I quite like the canting shield.
[...]
My guess is that the inverted Leek is to represent a microphone in a subtle way. But I would had suspected that the Crest would perhaps feature a Bull 
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