In March 1983. we received a donation of the pen and ink drawing of the Kingsland coat of arms from Pauline Kingsland Dall, a third cousin of Joseph Kingsland III.

When Nicholas Barnewall was elevated to viscount in 1645, the land of his viscountcy was the King’s land. He was referred to as Lord Kingsland, and the name stuck. With the title came a coat of arms.

The description written when the drawing was accepted by the Historic Restoration Trust reads: eagle?; scrollwork-maroon and silver blue on beige parchment; ½” black frame, width 10-3/4”, length 12-3/4” Malo mori quam firdari?; Kingsland. An additional note was added later: Mrs. Dall was dissatisfied with the original frame, so she had it reframed. There is very little difference in the measurements. The color of the frame is now black and gold. It was returned to us Dec. 1983.

On the back of the framed drawing is this: “Kingsland Coat of Arms. Should have a 5th feather. Sketched by Robert E. Kingsland about 1979.”

The translation of the Latin “malo mori quam foedari” in the drawing is “Death before dishonor”. The mention of a fifth feather refers to the number of feathers that should be in the crown below the eagle. We are not sure that the crown is correct. It more than likely should have been a helmet. This pen and ink drawing of the Kingsland Coat of Arms is in a glass case in our Museum.

We have two other examples of the Kingsland coat of arms. In the Dining room, there is a needlepoint version. In the Museum, there is an ink and watercolor rendition. The ink and watercolor rendition is probably the most accurate.