History of Sedbergh School in 50 Objects 36: Royal Visit and Coat of Arms
It was acknowledged from the middle part of the twentieth century that use by Sedbergh School of the Founder, Roger Lupton’s armorial bearings was not technically permitted. In 1986 Count Andrew McMillan of Cleghorn (Sedgwick 1933 – 37) offered to meet all costs if the School wished to apply for its own armorial bearings. The offer was gratefully accepted and the process began.
The new armorial bearings featured Roger Lupton’s arms at the centre, including the chevron, three wolves’ heads, lily flowers, a tau cross and escallop shells. The School did not include the clerical hat with tassels either side which signified the profession of Sedbergh’s Founder on his own coat of arms. The new armorial bearings featured a gold border charged with three ancient crowns, referencing the three monarchs who had a direct connection with the School; Henry VIII, Edward VI and George V. A crest was granted, featuring a wolf’s head rising from a crown and holding in its mouth a lily flower. From the shield emerged ribbon style fleur de lis, again distinguishing it from Lupton’s own bearings.
The letters patent with the new armorial bearings were issued in September 1988 by the College of Arms. Headmaster Dr Baxter, and his wife Dorothy were determined that the arms would not be unveiled until a member of the royal family visited School to mark the occasion. They campaigned quietly for a royal visit over several years until the Queen’s presence was secured. During that time the formal scroll granting the arms was stored in a wardrobe in Birks, hidden from view and awaiting a grand unveiling.
On May 3rd, 1991, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II visited Sedbergh School, together with her husband, Prince Philip. The royal couple’s arrival was marked with a fanfare of trumpets and trombones from the CCF band before the new armorial bearings were formally unveiled in Powell Hall. Many members of the School had the opportunity to meet the royal couple as they toured the School site. His Royal Highness visited the Design Centre and the new wetland at Bruce Loch where he planted an oak tree. He went on to meet boys undertaking the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme. The Queen met pupils from Sedbergh’s feeder Prep Schools and children from local schools and clubs. The entire occasion was broadcast live by BBC Radio Cumbria, with BBC Television also present to feature aspects of the day. The royal couple were wined and dined in Sedgwick House, served by pupils in the School. Colloquial tales of the day record that the Duke of Edinburgh requested a beer over lunch and members of staff scrabbled around looking for something to serve him. A bottle of Theakston’s ‘Old Peculier’ was found, and in commemoration of the events of the day the smaller wet land area west of Bruce Loch was renamed the ‘Old Peculier.’
