MASSACHUSETTS
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The East
coast of North America between 41° and 45° North latitude was visited in 1498 by J. Cabot. In 1602 Batholomew Gosnold
dicovered Cape Cod and gave it its name. Two years later Samuel de Champlain
explored the coast and as a result of his report a company was founded by privilege of King
James I in 1606 to colonize the territory. Because the shareholders lived for
the most part in Plymouth, this company is known as the Plymouth Company. The
territory granted to the Plymouth Company received the name of New England in
1614 from captain John Smith who sailed along the East coast and gave many
places their names. The first
permanent English settlement in New England was established in 1620 (after
Jamestown, Virginia in 1607) with the founding of Plymouth Colony by the Pilgrims who sailed on the Mayflower. It was never large. A large-scale Puritan
migration began in 1630 after
the establishment of the Massachusetts
Bay Colony (1628), so called after an Indian tribe living
around present Massachusetts Bay, and spawned the settlement of other New England colonies. To untangle confused land titles
under the council and to resolve conflicting lines of political authority,
the Massachusetts Bay Company took possession of its charter directly from
the king, thus eliminating the Council for New England as an intermediary.
Friction between the new settlers and the local population grew, erupting in King
Philip's War in the 1670s. The Puritan Colony clashed also with
Anglican opponents in England over its religious intolerance and the status
of its charter. Businessmen from the colony sometimes shipped goods in
violation of the Navigation Acts. These political and trade issues led to
the revocation of the Massachusetts charter in 1684. King James II in 1686 established the Dominion of New
England to govern all of New
England to centralize royal control and weaken local government. The
intensely unpopular rule by Sir Edmund Andros came to a sudden end in 1689 with an uprising sparked by the Glorious
Revolution in England. The new king William III established the Province of
Massachusetts Bay
in 1691, to
govern a territory roughly equivalent to that of the modern state of
Massachusetts and Maine. Its governors were appointed by the
crown, in contrast to the predecessor colonies, which had elected their own
governors. This created friction between the colonists and the crown, which
reached its height in the early days of the American Revolution in the 1760s and 1770s over issues of who
could levy taxes. Massachusetts was where the American
Revolutionary War
began in 1775
when London tried to shut down local self-government. The commonwealth formally adopted the state
constitution in 1780, electing John Hancock its first governor. |
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The Council of New England,
existing between 1619 and 1635, used
an achievement as follows: Arms: Per fess, the chief quarterly: 1&4: ¼ of France and England; 2.
Scotland; 3. Ireland. The base Argent, three barrulets wavy Azure. Crest: Neptune with a trident riding on a Sea Horse all proper. Supporters: Two virgins, the dexter with a book and with a dove on her shoulder;
the sinister with a square. Motto: gens incognita mihi serviet (Unknown People Will Serve
Me). [1] |
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Attempts
to colonize the territory were not succesful at first. Not until 1620 the Pilgrim
Fathers founded Plymouth Colony at Cape Cod Bay which only encompassed a
small part of New England. The company of financiers and colonists of the
enterprise used a seal dated 1620
Seal: Arms:
[Argent], a cross [Gules] between four men kneeling in a landscape with a
tree, presenting a Holy Heart [all proper]. L.: R X sigillvm : societatis plimouth nov º anglia X. In the field: 1620. On the border: four
garlands of live oak. The seal of
the Plymouth Colony (....) was sent over to the colony by the London
Adventurers as early as 1624; but it may not have been used before the
issuance of the Warwick Patent of 1630. It remained in use as long as the
colony maintained its independence and was used on official documents and in
outline, on the second edition of the Colony Laws published in 1685. Attempts
by several antiquarians to read significance into the meaning of the four
naked kneeling figures and the doubtful object (bouquet, bunch of tobacco
leaves, plumed heart) that they are holding have been unconvincing. From: Bradford, William: Of Plymouth Plantation, 1620-1647. Repr. New
York 1952 with an introduction by
Samuel Eliot Morrison. p. xxlii. [2] |
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Massachusetts
Bay Company |
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The
settlement at Cape Cod Bay was soon outstripped by the colonies of the
Massachusetts Bay Company. This Company received its charter on 4 March 1628
from King Charles I of England and Scotland. With the same charter it was
granted a seal. The grant reads: ‘And further that the said “Governor and Companye
and their successors maie have forever one common seale, to be used in all
causes and occasions of the said Company, and the same seale maie alter,
chaunge, breake and newe make, from tyme to tyme, at their pleasures.”’ [3] |
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Two versions of the seal of Massachusetts Bay,
the right one dated 1675 In
April 1629 the Governor in England wrote to the colonists in Massachusetts
that he had sent over ‘the Companyes seale in silver, by Mr. Samuel Sharpe, a
passenger.’[4] It bears the device of an
Indian dressed in a loin cloth holding in his right hand an arrow, point
downwards and in his left hand a bow. From his mouth comes the text come over
and help us. The
Indian is standing in a landscape between two pine trees. The
legend reads: sigillvm
: gvb : et : societ : de : mattachvsetts : bay : in : nova : anglia. This
seal was the only one used for over fifty years until the abrogation of the
first charter in 1684. |
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Dominion of
New England |
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In
1684 the first charter of the Massachusetts Bay Company was abrogated by King
Charles II. Two years later King James II, the former Duke of York and the
owner of the province of New York, the
provinces of New England, were united. Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire
and Rhode Island became one royal province with the name of New England. The
king was represented by a governor.
For the dominion no coat of armsod achievement was adopted. On the
seal of the dominion was the royal achievement of the Union of England and
Scotland (English version). Around it was the legend sigillvm novæ angliæ in america. |
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Province of
Massachusetts Bay |
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After 1689
and the failure of the dominion the
colonies assembled into the dominion then reverted to their previous forms of governance. A
new charter was issued to Massachusetts in
1692 by King William III and Queen Mary II. This
act provides that all laws &c. ‘as shall be soe made and published under
our Seale of our said Province, ‘shall be duly observed. And also that all
laws ‘be, by the first opportunity after the making thereof, sent or
Transmitted unto us, Our Heirs and Successors, under the publique Seal to be
appointed by us, for Our or their approbabtion or Disallowance.’ On
the seals were the royal arms at first but from the reign of King George II (1727-’60) tthis was
replaced by he royal achievement, surrounded by the legend: sig. reg.
provinciæ de massachusetts bay in nova anglia in america and the name and titles of
the reigning
prince. Of
these seals, if there have ever been five (the number of the successive
princes), only two have been preserved: the one of the Kings George I and II. |
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Seal of George I, 1714 |
Seal of George II, 1728 |
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Massachusettes Colony |
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Pursuit
of autonomy and dissatisfaction withthe English rule were the reason for continuous
military action in the colony. After the Boston Tea Party in 1773 a
provisional independent government was founded in 1775. The provisional
government immediately adopted a new seal
and this continued in use for five years. It represents an armed
citizen with a paper in his left hand on which are written the words magna charta. This refers to the Magna Charta, a
document signed by John Lackland on 15 June 1215, laying down the rights and
duties of the people and the king. The citizens of Boston were of the opinion that the English
king violated this agreement. The man on the seal is surrounded by the motto ense placidam sub libertate quietem (With the sword she seeks
peace under liberty). The legend reads
sigillum coloniæ massachutensis 1775.
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Republic of
Massachusetts |
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When Massachusetts became a State action was taken
by the Legislature on the subject of a State seal, and under date of 13th
December, 1780, there is the following record. ‘Ordered
That Nathan Cushing Esqr. be a Committee to prepare a Seal for the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts, who reported a Device for a Seal for Said
Commonwealth as follows viz. SAPPHIRE, an Indian dressed in his Shirt; Moggosins, belted proper, in his
right Hand a Bow TOPAZ, in his left an Arrow, its point towards the Base; of the second, on
the Dexter side of the Indian’s head, a Star; PEARL, for one of the United States. “’CREST. On a Wreath a dexter Arms cloathed and ruffled proper, grasping a
Broad Sword, the Pummel and hilt TOPAZ with this Motto. ENSE PETIT PLACIDAM SUB LIBERTATE QUITEM - and around the Seal - SIGILLUM REIPUBLICÆ
MASSACHUTTENSIS. “’Advised that the said Report be Accepted as the
Arms of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.’ “This report
was sent up for approval by the Governor and Council, and it seems that no
further action was taken on it. The seal was, however, made and used for many
years, inaccuracies were introduced by different designs, until in 1885 it
was thought necessary to pass the folowing Statute: “’SECTION I. The great seal of the Commonwealth shall be
circular in form, and shall bear upon its face a representation of the arms
of the Commonwealth, with an inscription round about such representation, consisting
of the words “Sigillum Reipublicæ Massachuttensis;” but the colors of such
arms shall not be an essential part of said seal, and an impression from an
engraved seal according to said design, on any commission, paper or document
of any kind shall be valid to allintents and purposes whether such colors, or
the representation of such colors by the customary heraldic lines or marks,
be employed or not. “’SECT. 2. The arms of the Commonwealth shall consist of a
shield, whereof the field or surface is blue, and thereon an Indian dressed
in his shirt and moccasins, holding in his right hand a bow, in his left hand
an arrow, point downward, all of gold; and in the upper corner above his
right arm a silver star with five
points. The crest shall be a wreath of blue and gold, whereon is a right arm
bend at the elbow, and clothed and ruffled, the hand grasping a broadsword,
all of gold. The motto shall be “Ense petit placidam sub libertate quitem.”’”
[5] |
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Seal
1780 |
Seal
1885 |
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The
heraldic emblems valid in Massachusetts were the royal arms and the royal
achievement. Of the time of the Protectorate and Commonwealth (1649-’60) no
examples of heraldic emblems are available. After the Revolution a coat of arms
of Massachusetts was valid in the Republic. Some
examples of the royal achievement as used in Massachusetts on proclamations
of the Royal Governor are: |
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The royal achievement of Queen Anne (1702-’14) On a
Proclamation of Governor Francis Bernard , 06.12.1766 (!) |
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Proclamation of Governor Spencer Phips,
03.11.1755 With the
royal achievement of King George II |
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Proclamation of Governor Francis Bernard , 1762 With the
royal achievement of King George III |
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The
arms of the Republic of Massachusetts were adopted on 13 December 1780.
The arms of Massachusetts On the
frontispiece of Thomas Doolittle’s Display of the United States of America,
1791. The
arms are: Arms: Azure, an Indian dressed in his shirt, moggosins and belt proper, in his right hand a
bow, in his left an arrow its point downwards, both Or; on the Dexter side of
the Indian’s head, a five-pointed star Argent for one of the United States. Motto: ENSE PETIT PLACIDAM SUB LIBERTATE QUITEM. The
motto means: With the sword she seeks peace under liberty. This
is attributed to Algernon Sydney (Sidney), an English political writer
(1622-1683). His father writes to him: “It is said that the University of
Copenhagen brought ther album unto you, desiring you to write something
therein; and that you did ‘scribere in albo ‘these words: ..... Manus haec inimica tyrannios Ense petit placidam sub libertate quietam. [6] (This
hand hostile to tyrants With
the sword, she seeks peace under liberty.) |
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Arms of Massachusetts On the Acts
and Resolves of Massachusetts, 1824 |
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From:
State Arms of the Union, Boston 1876 |
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On a publication, 1889 The
present coat of arms, crest and motto were adopted and styled by an act of
the General Court of the State approved June 4, 1885. They are: Arms:
Azure, an Indian
dressed in his shirt and moccasins, holding in his right hand a bow, in his
left hand an arrow, point downward, all Or; and in dexter chief a
five-pointed star Argent. Crest: On a wreath of the colors a right arm bend
at the elbow, clothed and ruffled, the hand grasping a broadsword, all Or. Motto: ENSE PETIT PLACIDAM SUB LIBERTATE QUITEM Æ See
illustration in the head of this essay |
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Present
Governor’s Seal
Staned
Glass Window in the New State House, Boston Representing the seals and arms of the Province
of Massachusetts and the arms of its Governors Be it
that all acts of the Massachusetts Governors in the time of the Province of
Massachusetts had to be sealed with the Royal Seal, the Governors themselves,
belonging to the English nobility had their coats of arms of their own which
they displayed on the proper places and times. Most of them are described by
Burke’s Peerage |
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1692-1694 |
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Az. a leaf of shamrock and eight five-pointed stars
per bordurer ar. Crest- a hand ppr.
holding a leaf of shamrock ar. |
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1694-1699 |
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Ar. on a saltire
gu. between four doorstaples an escallop or
(another of the first). Crest a lion issunat holding an escallop or.
Personal
seal |
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1699-1700 |
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Ar. a chev sa.
betw. three coots ppr Crest a coot ppr. Supporters - Two wolves ermines
ducally gorged ar. Motto- Vincit Veritas |
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William Stoughton |
2nd time 1700-1701 |
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Governor’s Council |
1701-1702 |
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1702-1715 |
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Or, a lion rampant az
double queued vert. Crest - a lion’s
head az. |
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Governor’s Council |
1715 |
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Joseph Dudley |
2nd time 1715 |
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1715-1716 |
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1716-1723 |
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Per chevron sa and
or, in chief two eagles displayed of the last. Crest - a griffin sejant or.,
pierced in the breast with a broken sword blade ar. vulned gu. |
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1723-1728 |
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Az. three fleurs
de lis or on a chief of the second a demi lion ramp. issuant sa. Crest - a demi lion
ramp az. holding a fleur de lis or. |
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1728-1729 |
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Arms: Three holly leaves in chief vert and a hunting horn in base sa.. Crest - a dexter hand with a pruning knife pruning a vine tree ppr. Motto - Virescit Vulnere Virtus. Supporters - on either side a Highlander in a hunting
garb holding in his exterior hand a bow and a greyhound all ppr. |
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William Dummer |
2nd time 1729-1730 |
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1730 |
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1730-1741 |
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Arms: Paly of six or and gu. a chief vair. Crest - a greyhound’s head erm.
gorged with a collar gu. rimmed and ringed or. Motto: LOYAL AU MORT. |
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William Shirley |
1741-1749 |
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Arms: Paly Or and Azure, a canton ermine
and in chief an escutcheon Argent, a dexter hand Gules Crest: A man’s head with a crown of
laurel ppr. |
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1749-1753 |
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Arms:
Phips |
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William Shirley |
2nd time 1753-1756 |
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Spencer Phips |
2nd time 1756-1757 |
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Governor’s Council |
1757 |
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Thomas Pownell |
1757-1760 |
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Arms: Per pale the dexter quarterly: 1&4: Argent a lion rampant Sable;
2&3: Sable a crevron Argent between three leaves Or and a bordure and
chief Argent, an eagle Sable; the sinister Sable, a lion rampant Argent a
canton Argent a cross Sable. Crest: A dexter hand proper holding a key per fess Or. |
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1760 |
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Per pale gu and az
a lion rampant ar and 12 crosses crosslet per bordure or. Crest- out of a
baronets crown a basilisk sejant az combed gu. |
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1760-1769 |
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Arms: Quarterly: 1&4. Argent a bear sejant Sable; 3&4: Argent
three lion’s heads Gules and a bordure engrailed Vert. Innombril point
Argent, a cross flory Azure between
four merlets Sable Motto: ANIMUS NISI PARET IMPERAT |
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Thomas Hutchinson |
2nd time 1769-1774 |
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Thomas Gage |
1774-1775 |
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Arms: Quarterly 1&4. Per saltire Azure and Argent, a saltire Gules;
2&3: Or, a sun in splendour Argent. Crest: a sheep proper Supporters: Two greyhounds Argent collared with a
crown Or Motto: COURAGE SANS PEUR |
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Car Emblem |
Sleeve
patch |
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Crest |
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Description That for
regiments and separate battalions of the Massachusetts Army National
Guard: From a wreath of colors, a dexter arm embowed, clothed Blue and
ruffed White Proper the hand grasping a broad sword Argent the pommel and
hilt Or. (The wreath colors will be the first named metal and non-metal
colors in the shield of the organization’s coat of arms). Symbolism The
design is taken from the crest of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts which was
adopted 13 December 1780. The right arm, bent at the elbow, is an
ancient European heraldic symbol, which is thought to symbolize the arm of
God. Background The crest
was approved for color bearing organizations of the State of Massachusetts on
20 March 1922. It was amended to correct the description on 16 July
1923. It was authorized for Separate Regiments and Battalions of the
Massachusetts Army National Guard and amended to correct the blazon and
symbolism on 3 July 2007 |
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Distinctive Unit Insignia |
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Description A gold
metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86 cm) in height overall consisting of
a white pentagon, one point down, bearing a gold and blue wreath supporting a
right arm bent at the elbow clothed and ruffled blue, the hand grasping a
broadsword and in base a five-pointed star all gold, all above a semicircular
bi-folded blue scroll folded back at each end and inscribed "ENSE PETIT
PLACIDAM" in gold letters. Symbolism The
colors white, gold and blue are taken from the State flag of Massachusetts as
is the star which signifies one of the original thirteen States. The
right arm, bent at elbow is taken from the design of the crest of the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts which was adopted 13 December 1780 and is an
ancient European heraldic symbol which is thought to symbolize the arm of
God. The motto is a contraction of the motto on the Massachusetts State
flag, which is translated as "this hand opposed to tyrants searches,
with a sword, for peaceful conditions under liberty." Background The
distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for Headquarters and
Headquarters Detachment and noncolor bearing units, Massachusetts Army
National Guard on 7 January 1974. It was redesignated with description
and symbolism amended effective 30 December 1983, for Headquarters, State
Area Command, Massachusetts Army National Guard. It was redesignated
retroactive to 1 October 2003 for the Massachusetts Army National Guard
Element, Joint Force Headquarters and amended to update the description and
change the symbolism. |
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Shoulder Sleeve Insignia |
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Description On a red pentagonal
background 2 1/2 inches (6.35 cm) in diameter with one side up a yellow and
blue wreath supporting a right arm bent at the elbow, clothed and ruffled,
the hand grasping a broad sword, all yellow. Symbolism The
design is that of the crest of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts which was
adopted 13 December 1780. The right arm, bent at the elbow, is an
ancient European heraldic symbol which is thought to symbolize the arm of
God. Background The
shoulder sleeve insignia was originally approved for Headquarters and
Headquarters Detachment, Massachusetts National Guard on 5 June 1950.
It was redesignated for Headquarters, State Area Command, Massachusetts Army
National Guard on 30 December 1983. It was redesignated retroactive to
1 October 2003 for the Massachusetts Army National Guard Element, Joint Force
Headquarters and amended to update the description and add a symbolism. (TIOH
Dwg. No. A-1-163) |
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© Hubert de Vries 2015-04-15
Heraldry of the World