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 Upon incorporation of
ICSA on 2 May 1903, a grant of arms was made by the College of Heralds,
with the bird surmounting a shield of azure or Cambridge blue. On the shield
were emblazoned a pen, flanked on either side by keys, symbols respectively of
the secretary's role as recorder and custodian of valuable or confidential
documents. The ermine background signified conformity to laws, regulations,
rules and systems, the framework of a good secretary's working life.
In 1911, his Majesty the King extended his patronage to the
Institute and a new Grant of Arms was issued from the College of Arms. The new
Grant includes all the features of the original one i.e. The
Secretary Bird and Key as crest and
on the Shield the Quill Pen and the Keys and
the motto Semper Vigilans to which was added
a Lion "passant" on the red background or "diaper" above the shield in the
position called "chief". There are also Lions of England "differenced" with the
Tudor rose as Supporters. The new motto following the granting of the royal
charter is Semper Vigilans Rege Adjuvante which
means "Always watchful with the assistance of the King". The quill pen which
was in silver in the original Grant is now in gold in the new Grant, in token
of the golden pen fashioned like a quill which the Institute presented to
Princess Mary and the Duke of York on their respective weddings in 1922 and
1923 which in each case was used for the signing of the marriage register.
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