Page 44 - Yearbook issue try out

Hark the herald
Har k the her ald

The first grant of arms to a corporate body was in April 1439, when the
Drapers’ Company successfully petitioned the King of Arms. 550 years later,
in 1989, WCIT’s armorial bearings were granted. PAUL JAGGER explores the

symbolism that alludes to WCIT, its purpose and occupation

T IS the written description, and not the
pictorial representation, that defines all
Iarms. “Blazon” is heraldry’s own language,
a mix of English, Norman French and Latin,
with very little punctuation. The Blazon of
WCIT’s arms is:

Per pale Vert and Azure a double-warded Key
in pale the bow in base and the wards in chief
radiated Or amid six Mullets each of six points
also radiated Or a Chief Gold

So, split vertically, green and blue, the
double-pronged gold key with the bit you
hold at the bottom and the prongs at the top;
six gold stars; both key and stars with rays
shining from them; a gold stripe at the top.

Green (vert) was the colour of the early
computer screens, and blue (azure)
represents electricity. Gold (or) is one of
the best conductors of electricity. The key
indicates access to knowledge, the main aim
of IT. The stars (mullets) scattered on the shield The “supporters” (the griffin and winged horse)
denote electrical force, without which IT could not indicate energy, speed, intelligence and reliability:
work.
Dexter a Griffin and Sinister a Horse both gorged
The crest (on top of the helmet) is: with a Wreath Argent and Gules and both winged
Azure the under-wings Vert and all semy of Mullets
In a Crown rayonny Or a demi-figure of Mercury of six points radiated Or
vested Vert purfled Or over his sinister shoulder a
Mantle Azure lined Or on his head a Petasus Argent A griffin guards every road into the City of London;
winged Or and his dexter arms raised pointing with it and the winged horse both wear a twisted collar
the index finger upwards to and supporting at its of the City’s colours, silver and red (gules).
lowest point a Mullet of six points radiated Gold
The Company’s motto “CITO” means “swiftly”
Mercury, wearing his own silver (argent) (the motto of the Royal Corps of Signals is “Certa
“petasus” or winged helmet, is the messenger cito”, “swift and sure”). It is another allusion to the
god of classical legend, who embodies swift way IT speeds the transit of knowledge, though
communication. opinions differ as to exactly how fast that is!

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