Amid America’s 250th Anniversary, Longwood University Recognized with Official Coat of Arms from Great Britain

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Longwood is one of the hundred oldest colleges and universities in America, rich with tradition, in a place deeply connected to the Revolutionary-era roots of this country. I'm so pleased that as America and Virginia celebrate our 250th anniversary, and as Longwood looks ahead to the start of our own third century in just over a decade, we will have a beautiful coat of arms to be a lasting symbol of this campus we love.

President W. Taylor Reveley IV

"Longwood is one of the hundred oldest colleges and universities in America, rich with tradition, in a place deeply connected to the Revolutionary-era roots of this country," said President W. Taylor Reveley IV. "I'm so pleased that as America and Virginia celebrate our 250th anniversary, and as Longwood looks ahead to the start of our own third century in just over a decade, we will have a beautiful coat of arms to be a lasting symbol of this campus we love." The University anticipates making presentation pieces and other items with the coat of arms available to alumni, students, and friends before the end of the calendar year.

Ordinarily, institutions are granted armorial bearings within the United Kingdom and Commonwealth of Nations, though the College of Arms at times considers American institutions in certain circumstances, most notably historical significance and legacy. In early 2024, Thomas Johnston, Rouge Croix Pursuivant, one of the officers of the College of Arms, began working with a small group of staff at Longwood to draft a petition for the granting of arms. Longwood's name traces to medieval Scotland, and the University's home of Prince Edward County was founded in 1754 in honor of King George III's younger brother. Since the time of the Second World War, a portrait of Prince Edward has hung prominently in the County's Board of Supervisors chambers.

Central to the work were former University Rectors Marianne Radcliff and Pia Trigiani, both of whom share a deep connection to Joan of Arc - Longwood's patron hero - and an appreciation for great symbols that represent historic institutions.

The pair joined Reveley at the British Embassy in Washington, D.C., on June 16 to receive the hand-drawn letter of patent that confers the arms to Longwood. Colin McDonald, Embassy Counsellor, presented the parchment in an embossed red leather box of the College of Arms to Longwood University.

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This is such a powerful testament to the place that Longwood has in higher education. The designers at the College of Arms were keen to understand our unique history and connection to Joan of Arc, and used that to create a meaningful, elegant crest that is truly reflective of Longwood ideals.

Marianne Radcliff '92, former rector of the board of visitors

"This is such a powerful testament to the place that Longwood has in higher education," said Radcliff, who served on Longwood's board from 2011-2019, serving two separate two-year terms as rector. "The designers at the College of Arms were keen to understand our unique history and connection to Joan of Arc, and used that to create a meaningful, elegant crest that is truly reflective of Longwood ideals."

For both of the women, Joan of Arc had become a meaningful figure in their lives, a feeling which mirrors generations of Longwood students. Both were instrumental in securing the Joan of Arc statue that sits at the south end of campus, sculpted by the Queen's Sculptor in Ordinary Alexander "Sandy" Stoddart and dedicated in 2018-when Radcliff was Rector and Trigiani was Secretary of the Board of Visitors. In conversation, their attention turned to the coat of arms that adorns the statue's base and also appears near the north doors of Allen Hall.

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Great and historic institutions like Longwood deserve great and historic symbols. The granting of a coat of arms to this institution is a recognition of nearly two hundred years of educating citizen-leaders who are carriers of the democratic ideals that bind the United States and Great Britain, and our charge in carrying those ideals with us far beyond the university gates.

Pia Trigiani, former rector of the board of visitors

"Great and historic institutions like Longwood deserve great and historic symbols," said Trigiani, who served on Longwood's board from 2014-22, and served as rector from 2021-22. "The granting of a coat of arms to this institution is a recognition of nearly two hundred years of educating citizen-leaders who are carriers of the democratic ideals that bind the United States and Great Britain, and our charge in carrying those ideals with us far beyond the university gates."

That sculpture is the third such representative of the French heroine on campus. In 1914, the senior class gifted to the institution a replica of Henri Chapu's sculpture Joan of Arc in Domremy, which has sat for generations under the iconic Rotunda dome at the heart of campus. Thirteen years later, American sculptor Anna Hyatt Huntington, in response to a letter from Lucy Hale Overbey '1927 and fellow members of the Joan of Arc chapter of Alpha Delta Rho, a national service sorority, gifted a scaled version of her Joan of Arc statue to Longwood.

As the petition was drafted, a small group of philanthropists who shared Trigiani's and Radcliff's affection for Joan of Arc committed to donating the funds required to secure armorial bearings. They recognized the importance of symbols for historic institutions and were excited by the prospect of supporting the creation of a heraldic achievement that would itself become a cherished symbol for the University.

The connection to Joan of Arc took on new meaning as Johnston worked with College of Arms artists to propose a design for Longwood's coat of arms.

The design that emerged contained elements from her own coat of arms: the fleurs-de-lis are taken from the arms of the House of Valois, the royal house of France from 1328-1589 which ruled during Joan's lifetime; the upright sword and golden cornets are taken from the coat of arms that appears on Stoddart's statue at Longwood; the chevron, with its traditional military references, is also frequently granted to those who have built great institutions like cathedrals or universities. Supporting the bearings are two black horses with their back legs on books, symbols of both Longwood's equestrian mascot and the black horse that the Duke of Lorraine gifted Joan of Arc in 1429-the horse that she sits astride in Longwood's statue by Anna Hyatt Huntington.

But the designers were also careful to include Longwood-specific items. The blue background on the shield references Longwood's historic primary color. Atop the arms sits a crest: a cardinal with its wings elevated in reference to Longwood's home in the Commonwealth of Virginia, standing on the battlements of a tower and resting its right foot upon a book bound in blue. The tower is symbolic of a city (civis) and citizenship as the University's mission; the book is typical symbology that has long been associated with educational institutions. Below the arms reads Longwood's official motto, "docemus docere," translated as "we teach to enlighten."

The official description of the blazon for the arms is: Azure a Sword erect proper between in chief two Coronets Or on a Chevron over all Argent three Fleurs de Lys Azure. The crest and supporters are described officially as Upon the upper part of a Tower Argent a Cardinal Bird proper holding in the dexter foot a Scroll unrolled Argent; On either side a Horse Sable gorged with a collar embattled Or the interior hind leg resting on a Book Or leaved Argent.

The approval process concluded in early 2026, and that April, ahead of King Charles' historic address to the U.S. Congress, Longwood was informed that its armorial bearings were being packaged to be delivered to the British Embassy in Washington, D.C. that summer.

In his speech to Congress, King Charles noted the cultural, historic, and educational ties that bind our two nations. "Our ties in education, research, and cultural exchange empower citizens and future leaders," he said. "The story of the United Kingdom and the United States is, at its heart, a story of reconciliation, renewal, and remarkable partnership."

The official letters patent will be displayed in Eason Hall.