The arms of the Society

Abstract

John Evelyn was keenly interested in the early organization of the Society, and when the question of suitable arms was under consideration he appears to have prepared at least six designs. Charles John Smith, the antiquary, included these in his Historical and Literary Curiosities , published a hundred years ago ; and the plate from that work is reproduced on page 38. Evelyn’s heraldic efforts, however, came to nothing, for in August 1662 Charles II. informed the Society that it might use ‘the armes of England . . . in a canton' in its arms; and in the following month the present form of the arms was approved. ‘We now resolv’d,' wrote Evelyn in his Diary under 17 September 1662,‘ that the armes of the Society should be, a field Argent, with a canton of the armes of England ; the supporters two talbots Argent; Crest, an eagle Or holding a shield with the like armes of England, viz. 3 lions. The words Nullius in verba .'The King approved the form of the arms, and gave orders ‘to Garter King at Armes to passe the diploma of their office for it.’How far Evelyn was responsible for the motto it is impossible to say: it will be noted that on the reproduced sketch of his heraldic designs it appears twice.