Seal of the Grand Imperial Conclave

Good day Worthy Knights,

In this part 71, The Great Seal of the Grand Imperial Conclave    (M L Burton / Wikipedia)

The Seal depicts the device of the Red Cross Fleuree or Cross Flory with the sixteen stars and the double-headed black eagle, displayed regardant which is the symbol of the Roman Empire as united under Constantine the Great. It is also the symbol of St John the Evangelist. An imperial crown surmounts the eagle.

The supporters are two Roman soldiers wearing the short red wool Tunica Subucula and Sagum or soldiers cloak. At the soldiers’ feet are the words “Fidelitas, Unitas et Fervor”, which translate as Faith, Unity and Zeal.

The whole is contained with a circular border, which bears the words:

Grand Council of England Knights of the Red Cross of Constantine.

The Sagum was a garment of note, generally worn by members of the Roman military during both the Republic and early Empire. It was regarded symbolically as a garment of war by the same tradition which had embraced the toga as a garment of peace.

Slightly more practical in any event, it consisted of a simple rectangular segment of cloth fastened by a leather or perhaps metal clasp and worn on top of the armour.

The fabric was made of unwashed wool, saturated with lanolin (which made it water-resistant) and it was traditionally dyed bright red.

The Sagum distinguished common soldiers from the highest ranking commanders, who wore a larger, purple-red cloak, the Paludamentum.

The colour of the ranker’s Sagum is uncertain. Roman military clothing was probably less uniform and more adaptive to local conditions and supplies than is suggested by its idealised depictions in contemporary literature, statuary and monuments.

       

Tunica Subucula                                                                              Sagum