The International Association of Amateur Heralds

Cardinal Thomas Wolsey was Archbishop from 1514-30, but is remembered primarily for his roles as Lord Chancellor (1515-29) and Papal Legate (1518-30).



John Kemp was Archbishop of York from 1426-52 (see the thread on Archbishops of Canterbury: viewtopic.php?f=25&t=34 ).

Cardinal Wolsey was indeed a busy man for while Archbishop he was also Bishop of Bath and Wells 1518-23, Bishop of Durham 1523-29 and Bishop of Winchester 1529-30.

Dr David Michael Hope (now Baron Hope of Thornes) was granted Arms while Bishop of Wakefield 1 July 1991. In the Same year he was translated to London and in 1995 become Archbishop of York. He served as such until 2005.

His Arms: Per Chevron Azure and Or papillony Azure the point terminating in a Fleur-de-Lys Gold. Motto: Spe Gaudentes.
The was also granted a crest: Upon a Helm issuant from a Celestial Crown Or an Arm embowed vested Azure cuffed Or the hand proper grasping a Sword bendewise pommel and hilt Azure the blade Gold piercing a Rose Argent barbed and seeded proper.

The Colours Blue and Gold are from the Arms of the City and Diocese of Wakefield and also are prominent in the Arms of the University of Oxford (where he was principal of St Stephen's House 1974-82). The Chevron represent a Hill and alludes to Hope's love for walking and it may also symbolises the Spire of Wakefield Cathedral. The Fleur-de-Lys is from teh Arms of the City and of the Diocese of Wakefield. The papillony field may alludes to the tiles on a roof, and are chosen to represent the father of Bishop Hope which was a builder by profession.

The Crest includes the Celestial Crown from the Arms of the Diocese of Wakefield. The Sword is taken from the Arms of the City and Diocese of London. It pierces the White Rose of York to symbolise London replacing Yorkshire as the focus of Bishop Hope's ministry. Later of cause he was to return to Yorkshire.

As papal legate, Wolsey was the first man in English ecclesiastical history to control the provinces of both Canterbury and York. The power this gave him suggested to Henry VIII that he could hold that power himself, and in due course he had Parliament declare him Head of the Church of England.

Cardinal Wolsey is featured in the series Wolf Hall. Here is a scene with his arms: