The Art of Heraldry
Royal College of Heraldry
The Royal College of Heraldry was a cornerstone of the Principality of Hutt River, serving as the guardian of its unique identity. Established to preserve the heraldic traditions of the Principality, the College played a vital role in designing and maintaining the official symbols, coats of arms, and insignias that represented the sovereignty and cultural heritage of Hutt River.
Through meticulous research and artistry, the College ensured that each emblem was steeped in historical significance and reflected the values and aspirations of the Principality.
Heraldry
Faculty of the Royal College
- Chancellor – Prince Graeme, Duke of Gilboa KGSOWL.
- Earl Marshal – Lord David P. Burkart KGSRO.
- Chief Herald – Sir Geoffrey Kingman-Sugars KOWL., OIOM.
- Principal Heraldic Artist – Sir Barrie Burr KSOL., CIOM.
- Counsellor on Genealogy & Heraldry to the Earl Marshal & PHR Senior Archivist – Hon. Sir Jeffrey S. Poole KOWL.
Functions of the Royal College of Heraldry
The functions of the College relate to the bestowal of the various Knighthoods and Peerages of the authentic Orders of the Principality and to the devising & registering of Arms.
The Earl Marshal, as head of the RCH, works with both the Sovereign and the Heads of each Order by providing recommendations and assisting with relevant information as to the worthiness of the proposed recipient.
These honours are bestowed upon people for works or actions above and beyond the normal as a form of both official and public recognition of the efforts that have been expended by the recipient.
The Award is always accompanied by a Sovereign signed and registered certificate which states the name of the recipient, the reason for the bestowal of the honour/honours and detail as to the honour bestowed.
These awards and honours must always be earned and can never be purchased and as such are something held dear and with pride by their recipients!
The Royal College of Heraldry is also the place where a person may have their own Coat of Arms designed and recorded and contact should be made direct with the College in order to obtain further advice regards all matters of heraldry.
Awards cannot be purchased and are not offered for sale. They must be earnt.
These are samples only. The award is confirmed with the certificate duly signed by the Sovereign.
No future awards are to be given.
We were looking to recognize people from all walks of life who contribute in some way to a cause, which could be an organization, community outreach, sports team or almost any activity of benefit to all. There are also those who work quietly behind the scenes on a personal level. The type of contribution should be something other than just excelling at their paid work.
The grant and type of award given are at the sole discretion of HRH Prince Leonard. There are 4 Orders of Chivalry from which the Sovereign may choose to Award a successful nominee plus the Title of “Honourable”.
Order of Wisdom & Learning
The Order of Wisdom and Learning is fourth in order of precedence. It has four grades, including one below the level of knighthood. This order is a reconstituted version of an older PHR order, with a new name and purpose. Its primary objective is to recognize persons who have made significant contributions to the field of education at all levels.
Illustrious Order of Merit
The Illustrious Order of Merit is third in order of precedence. It originally had five grades but now has seven. Like the S.O.L., the I.O.M. can be awarded to non-citizens and citizens alike. It is intended to recognize high achievement in fields other than politics, diplomacy and economics including but not limited to:
- a) honor, devotion to duty, outstanding loyalty;
- b) social sciences, health, humanities;
- c) arts, literature and culture;
- d) science and technology;
- e) commerce and industry;
- f) tourism and public relations.
This order is the most flexible of all, as it includes a number of levels below that of knighthood, allowing for potential advancement.
Serene Order of Leonard
The Serene Order of Leonard is second only to the K.R.O. It is structured in four grades and, unlike the K.R.O, which is rarely awarded to non-PHR citizens, the S.O.L. may be conferred on outstanding individuals who have contributed to society at large or for a notable achievement–especially in the areas of politics and economics. This decoration also serves to recognize outstanding service to the Principality by PHR citizens and is intended as an alternative to the K.R.O when advancement to the peerage is not contemplated. This order is especially appropriate for diplomatic and consular representatives.
Royal Order
The Royal Order, the premier and senior order of the Principality, was originally named the “Order of Royal Knights“. Early on, the K.R.O was deliberately restructured to provide a noble association of peers under the “umbrella” of the Order as they advanced from knighthood to the peerage. This arrangement is unique to the Principality in the way that the path to advancement in the nobility is via this portal. In theory, the Sovereign Prince could elevate a person to the peerage who is not a Knight of the Royal Order, but this has never occurred. Thus, this Order is considered the foremost in prestige and honor and is granted only after careful consideration of the recipient’s character and personal integrity.
