Seal of the Senate of Virginia

“Letters Patent” refers to the formal description of the arms, as shown in the full presentment of the arms now on display in the anteroom of the Senate Chamber. As stated in the text accompanying the Letters Patent, the justification for approval of the Senate’s request was set out in these words, “Thereby the continuity and common traditions and heritage that the citizens of the said Commonwealth share with the citizens of Great Britain as the first permanent overseas Colony and Dominion of their mother country…”. Thus in considering the thinking and justifications which underlay the grant of approval for the devisal of the Senate arms, it was the consensus of the Senate that it was appropriate, and indeed even fitting, to turn to the College of Arms for the work of devising the arm for the Senate of Virginia.

The Letters Patent was officially sealed by the College of Arms in London on September 10, 1979. Each of the King of Arms attached to the bottom of the Letters Patent the seal of his particular office, depended on silk “ribbands” in “gilt skippets” (metal seal boxes similar to those used in attaching the Great Seal of the United States). These final acts completed the Letters Patent.

The Letters Patent was formally presented to and accepted by the Senate of Virginia on January 22, 1981.