Heraldry in the News!

Kennett Township, Pennsylvania (west of Philadelphia and just over the state line from Wilmington, Delaware) has officially adopted a new coat of arms.

Back in January of this year, newly-elected Supervisor Geoffrey Gamble recommended that the Township create a coat of arms for itself, as reported in the Chester County Press on January 25, 2022. (https://www.chestercounty.com/2022/01/25/388221/kennett-township-to-explore-ideas-for-a-coat-of-arms-design).

A number of proposals were put forth, and four were selected and published for residents to vote on in early March. (https://chaddsfordlive.com/2022/03/09/a-coat-of-arms-for-kennett-twp/)

Of the four, A. (above) proved the most popular, and with some minor changes, the final design - with input from the College of Arms in London and the President of the American Heraldry Society - was adopted by the Supervisors of the Township on May 18 by passing Ordinance No. 296. (https://www.chestercounty.com/2022/05/24/400839/kennett-township-adopts-new-coat-of-arms)

The official blazon of the arms is: Per pale Vert and Argent three American Sycamore leaves the stems conjoined in pall counterchanged. Crest: On a wreath Argent and Vert a representation of the Old Kennett Meeting House in 1777 Proper in front of a demi-sun in splendor Or between on the dexter the Flag of the United States of America in 1777 bendwise and on the sinister the Flag of Great Britain in 1777 bendwise sinister Proper.

A copy of Ordinance No. 296, with attached Exhibits of the arms, crest, seal, and flag of Kennett Township and the meanings each of their elements can be found on-line at https://www.kennett.pa.us/DocumentCenter/View/5635/Agenda-Item-6_c_Ordinance-296

Congratulations to Kennett Township, not only for adopting a coat of arms (and crest, seal, and flag), but for taking the time and effort to consult with people with heraldic expertise, and for adopting such a comparatively simple, and yet meaningful, design!