J.P. Brooke-Little, Esq., C.V.O.
J.P. Brooke-Little, Esq.,
C.V.O., M.A., F.S.A., F.S.G., F.H.S., F.H.G. (Hon.), F.R.H.S.C. (Hon.), F.H.S.N.Z.
Founder, Heraldry Society (originally Society of Heraldic Antiquaries), 1947
- Born: April 6th, 1927
- Educated:
- Clayesmore School, Dorset;
- New College, Oxford – Master of Arts.
- Ranks
- Royal Victorian Order – Commander, 1984 (Member (Fourth Class), 1969);
- The Grand Priory in the British Realm of the Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of Saint John of Jersualem – Knight of Justice, 1975 (Officer, 1965);
- Sovereign Military Order of Malta – Knight Grand Cross of Grace and Devotion (initially Knight of Magistral Grace)
- Chancellor of British Association, 1973-1977;
- Order of Merito Melitense, 1964;
- Sacred Military Constantinian Order of Saint George [Franco-Neapolitan Branch (British Delegation)] – Knight Grand Cross of Grace;
- Cruz Distinguida (1st class) de San Raimundo de Penafort.
- Arms
- Arms – Quarterly (first and fourth) Argent goutté de sang three Unicorn Heads erased Sable armed and crined Or langued Azure (for Brooke-Little); (second and third) Azure two Dolphins haurient and addorsed Or the Eyes Gules between four Shamrocks slipped Or (for Egan);
- Crest – A Demi-Unicorn rampant erased Sable armed crined and unguled Or langued Azure and collared gobony Or and Gules with a Chain Or reflexed over the back and attached with a Ring Or;
- Badge – A Triquetra Or interlaced by an Annulet Argent;
- Motto – Recte Aut Nil.
- Appointments at the College of Arms
- Earl Marshal’s Staff, 1952–1953:
- Gold Staff Officer at Coronation, 1953;
- Bluemantle Pursuivant, 1956–1967;
- Richmond Herald, 1967–1980;
- Registrar, 1974–1982;
- Librarian, 1974–1994;
- Treasurer, 1978–1995;
- Norroy and Ulster King of Arms, 1980–1995;
- Clarenceux King of Arms, 1995–1997.
- Earl Marshal’s Staff, 1952–1953:
- Other Appointments
- Fellow, Society of Antiquaries, 1961;
- Fellow, Society of Genealogists, 1969;
- Honorary Fellow, Institute of Heraldic and Genealogical Studies;
- Honorary Fellow, Royal Heraldry Society of Canada, 1975;
- Fellow, Heraldry Society (New Zealand), 1969;
- Master, Worshipful Company of Scriveners of the City of London, 1985–1986;
- Chairman of the Council, Harleian Society;
- Honorary Vice-President, Cambridge University Heraldic and Genealogical Society:
- President, English Language Literary Trust, 1985–1996;
- Director, Heralds' Museum, Tower of London [now closed], 1991-1997;
- Trustee, R.A.F. Heraldic Trust.
- Advisor on heraldry, National Trust, from 1983
- Married: Mary Lee (daughter of John Raymond Pierce), 1960;
- Issue: Three sons and one daughter;
- Publications – As author:
- An Heraldic Alphabet, London: Macdonald and Co., 1973 [494:2.c.95.6 — 9494.c.364 — 9005.c.583 — 9494.c.360 — R492.14];
- The British Monarchy in Colour, Poole, Dorset: Blandford Press, 1976 [9494.d.134];
- Royal Heraldry – Beasts and Badges of Britain, Derby: Pilgrim, 1977 [1978.9.1012 — 1979.9.825 — 1982.9.826];
- Beasts in Heraldry;
- Royal Ceremonies of State, Feltham: Country Life Books, 1980 [9540.b.287];
- Royal London
- Publications – As editor:
- A Complete Guide to Heraldry, London: Nelson, 1969 [494:1.b.95.8 — R492.1] – original by A.C. Fox-Davies, 1909;
- Boutell’s Heraldry, London: Warne, 1963 [9494.c.199 — 9494.c.291 — 9494.c.363 — R492.4] – original by Charles Boutell (1812-1877);
- Tributes
- Campbell-Kease, J. [editor], Tribute to an Armorist - Essays for John Brooke-Little to mark the Golden Jubilee of “The Coat of Arms”, London: The Heraldry Society, 2000 [494:2.c.200.1]
- Died: February 13th, 2006
- References
- Chesshyre, H. and Ailes, A., Heralds of Today – A Biographical List of the Officers of the College of Arms, London, 1987-2001, Illuminata Ltd, 2001 [0 9537845-1-7] UL: 2003.9.864
- Wikipedia
- Russian College of Heraldry
- American College of Heraldry
- The Heraldry Society of Scotland
- The Daily Telegraph – Thursday, February 16th, 2006
- Footnotes