Royal Coat of Arms

[knottyprob73]

Does anyone know why the Irish quarter is sometimes depicted as a straight harp and at other as a harp incorporating a female figure as part of the frame??

[Octavius]

I think it is just how the emblem of Ireland has evolved. Formerly the harp symbol of Ireland was taken from the harp of Brian Boru at Trinity College Dublin, but over time this was developed to form the �Maid of Erin�.

Generally the one with the Maid of Erin is used in the capacity of British/Scottish Government, and the plain one is used for personal royal cost of arms, I think.

[dundurn]

The design used is not fixed and has been varied over time depending on the artist and the tastes of the time. The harp is desribed simply as being gold with silver strings. I would think that the winged female figure would nowadays be considered somewhat "flowery". The original Henry VIII design and the modern Irish Republic designs are certainly much simpler and the new 2008 British coinage (cf �1, 50p, 5p and 1p) has followed these models. The older varaint still appears however. See the current British Monarchy website:- http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/Page658.html

[Lil O'lady]

Could it also be that the detail involved depends on the size of the end product? ie be quite hard o get the detail of the female harp on a coin.

[Octavius]

And on the British passport Lil.

[knottyprob73]

Thanks for all the help. I have discovered at least four different harps, without looking at coins or flags.
I like the description 'Maid of Erin'
from 'Octavius,' have not heard that before. The harp varies depending on which website is consulted. A coat of 1799 carries the 'Maid' and so do the coats of princes William and Harry, but not that of Prince Charles.
Strange !!
Thanks for the website, Dundurn, I have tried it for a week or more, but it is not available. Why??
I would be pleased to receive any other suggestions or info.

[dundurn]

Sorry about that! It seems our investigations concurred with the desire of Hm THe Queen to relaunch her website!!

Try the new link

http://www.royal.gov.uk/MonarchUK/Symbols/Roya lStandard.aspx

[knottyprob73]

Thanks, Dundern, have re-tried the royal site.
Unfortunately am not any wiser.
Am still hoping someone can make it all clear.