The Empire Adopts New Coat of Arms

By Chris Ramsay, Chief Herald In an edict on Friday afternoon, His Imperial Majesty, Aggelos I, proclaimed a new Imperial Coat of Arms. It succeeds the almost 14 year old coat of arms that many have grown to recognise.  Considering the former’s lack of heraldic integrity and of graphic volatility and representation, it was decided that a new coat of arms was necessary. Following the abdication of Jonathan I, it became even more urgent to remove the immediate links to the Austen family, as is thought to have been the case in the second quarter of the old coat of arms. Chris Ramsay was appointed Chief Herald on 19 March to fulfil that task, and to devise a new coat of arms in conference with the Emperor, the Prime Minister, and the Crown Prince. The new coat of arms conserves the charm and sentimentality of the old coat of arms, eradicating any instances of false quartering or lack of adherence to heraldic conventions, and taking in use for the first time a new heraldic imperial crown and a representation of the Glorious Order of Saint John. It features a chevron on a shield of the national colours, red and gold, from the arms of the House of Austen, of which Austenasia bears its name and flag. The latter of which also feature on the first and fourth quarter of the old arms. There are two lions combatant, from the second quarter of the old arms, and there is a simple Chi-Rho Christogram in the base, from the third quarter of the old arms.  On either side of the shield are the two unicorns, as they were in the old coat of arms, utilised this time to give the piece a recognisable layout and an even shape. On the top of the whole is a new Imperial Crown, inspired lightly from the eastern crown, the Orthodox Christian miter, and the flourished crowns of the late middle ages. The wreath, previously of the crest where it took on almost civic attributes a la Republican Spain, was instead moved to the bottom, where it binds the entire coat of arms together, and connects it to the new insignia of the Order of St. John.  The new Imperial coat of Arms comes in at least two different versions, with and without a mantle. It will be exciting to see the distinction of their use, the development of auxiliary heraldic devices, and of heraldic armorials and achievements of both Austenasian land and people. To that end the nobility and knighthood, falling in the latter category, can direct any heraldic inquiries or requests to the Chief Herald.

Empire Expands with the Simpson Act

Earlier this morning an Act of Parliament, the Simpson Act, was passed with a majority vote by the House of Representatives to annex 13 new land claims, given to the Empire by Lord Michael Simpson, Duke of Taysha. His Imperial Majesty, Aggelos I, granted Imperial Consent to the act shortly after the vote passed. The Simpson Act not only annexes 13 Territories, but also declares Procyon, Lord Simpson’s home constituency, as the capital of Taysha, as well as moves the Province of North Nevada from the Duchy of Occidentia to the Duchy of Taysha. The following are the 13 new Territories: Thanks to Lord Simpson, this is the largest single influx of Territory in Austenasian history. The Empire is expected to annex more claims from different sources within the coming weeks. Chief Herald Appointed On 19 March 2025, following a nomination from Prime Minister Andrew Musgrave, His Imperial Majesty, Aggelos I, appointed Austenasian Ambassador to Norway, Chris Ramsay, as the Empire’s new Chief Herald. The position became vacant on 27 February, following the resignation of Lord William Wilson. Ramsay, who has been in talks with the government, intends to completely overhaul Austenasian heraldry and most importantly, update the national coat of arms, to better suit the new Emperor.