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.

Parliament declares Austenasia a Christian country

At 7:40 am this morning, Imperial Consent was given to an Act of Parliament establishing Christianity as the state religion of the Empire. Christians make up the majority of the Empire’s population, and much of Austenasia’s symbolism and ceremonies have been inspired by Christianity. For example, the Chi-Ro holds a prominent place on the Empire’s coat of arms, and Emperor Jonathan I made his coronation oaths while holding a Bible. The Act of Parliament has reaffirmed the provisions included in the Constitution that all have the right to choose and practice their own religion without discrimination or persecution. The Emperor has announced that he will consider the creation of an ombudsman-like position to ensure that no religious discrimination takes place. No particular denomination has been specified as Austenasia’s state religion, but rather Trinitarian Christianity as a whole. Austenasia has never before had an official religion, but since its founding the largest religion in the Empire has always been Christianity, which has influenced many of its laws and national symbols. Several Christian feast days have been made national public holidays, and local authorities have been given the right to declare a local public holiday on the feast day of the patron saint of their town or territory.

Mayoral elections called for the Empire’s cities

HIM Emperor Jonathan I has called for local elections to take place in the Empire’s two cities on 9 February. Wrythe and New Richmond became Austenasia’s first two towns to be granted city status earlier this month, on 8 January and 9 January respectively. The local elections will see the electorates of both cities elect a Mayor, who will hold responsibilities in local government. The position of Representative will also be up for election, but it is expected that the incumbents – Jonathan I in Wrythe and Lord Admiral Joseph Kennedy in New Richmond – will be re-elected. As the positions of Representative and of Mayor are incompatible, it remains to be seen who will run for election as Mayor in the two cities. Alongside calling the elections, the Emperor also granted a mural crown to the arms of both cities in recognition of their new status.

National motto amended

In an Imperial Edict passed earlier today, Emperor Jonathan I made an amendment to the national motto of the Empire. Since July 2011, the national motto of Austenasia had been “Imperator et Populum Austenasiae” (Emperor and People of Austenasia), based on the emblematic “S.P.Q.R.” of the Roman Empire. However, it recently became known that the phrase was grammatically incorrect. “Populum” should instead have been “Populus”, and was changed to such earlier today. This change will require a new depiction of the national coat of arms to be published, on which the motto is displayed.