Arms of Pjetur Pjetursson Bishop of Iceland 1866-1889

[Marcus Karlsson]

In 1889 (upon retirement) the Evangelical-Lutheran Bishop of Iceland Petjur Pjetursson (1808-1891) was awared the Grand Cross of the Danish Dannebrogorden (Iceland was at this time in peseonal union with Denmark, the King of Denmark being at the same time King of Iceland). As such He was required to have Arms painted and hung in the Chapel of the Order.

The Arms was Azure an Falcon rising, wings elevated and displayed Argent and Armed Or.
On the shield a mitre and behind it a Cross-staff and Crozier in saltire.
Motto: Per Ardua Ad Astra.

Information from the Exhibition Catalogue: Riddere i bog og på skjold: Udstilling af våbenforlæg fra Ordenskapitlets arkiv Hendes Majestæt Dronningens Håndbibliotek, Christian VIII*s Palæ, Amalienborg 25. maj 2012-1. januar 2014.

[Marcus Karlsson]

Interestingly the Shield is almost identical to the Icelandic National Arms used in the Period 1903-1918. Which the Bishops' Arms predates about 10 years.