St George, books, copyrights and Shakespeare

[Arthur Radburn]

Today, 23 April, is Saint George's Day, he being the patron saint of England, among others. It is also World Book & Copyright Day. An example of an English coat of arms, displaying both the cross of St George and a book, is the achievement of the University of London, granted in 1838 :

U of London - CoA 1838.png

Today is also the anniversary of William Shakespeare's death, and it is widely observed as his date of birth too. Here is a modern (20th-century) College of Arms library painting of his arms, which were granted to his father in 1596 :

Shakespeare - CoA 1596.jpg