A Society of Friends of Her Majesty's College of Arms
INTRODUCTION
The Society, founded in 1986, raises funds for the purchase of items or services of historical or
heraldic importance for Her Majesty's College of Arms in London.
Membership is open to all who are interested in heraldry and supporting the College of Arms.
In 1984, at a meeting of the Heraldry Society, it was suggested to John Brooke-Little, then Norroy and Ulster King of Arms, that it would be appropriate to found a "Society of Friends" of the College of Arms.
Norroy and Ulster explained that the late Wilfrid Scott-Giles, Fitzalan Pursuivant Extraordinary, had previously suggested the same idea, giving it the notional name of THE WHITE LION SOCIETY (the heraldic supporters of the College of Arms being two white lions taken from the Earl Marshal's Mowbray Supporters).
The idea was put before the Chapter of the College by John Brooke-Little and received its approval. Thus the Society came into being in 1986.
The Society holds an Annual Meeting in January each year followed by a Reception at the College of Arms. Outings to places of heraldic and historical interest regularly take place, and a news letter is published once a quarter.
THE COMING OF AGE OF THE WHITE LION SOCIETY
The first meeting of the White Lion Society was held in the College of Arms on May 8th 1986.
To honour the Society’s ‘coming of age’ a dinner was held in the House of Lords on May 8th 2007.
110 members and guests attended. Our host was the Viscount Simon and the Society’s principal guests were its President, the Duke of Norfolk, the three Kings of Arms (our Vice-Presidents) and Mrs Mary Brooke-Little, the widow of the Society’s founder, John Brooke-Little.
On Wednesday, the 9th of July, there was a visit to Arundel Castle in Sussex, the seat of the Duke of Norfolk, Earl Marshal and President of the White Lion Society.
And on Saturday, the 30th of August, The City of Bath hosted The White Lion Society to a Heraldry Day in Bath.