Campbell University - Pine Burr Yearbook (Buies Creek, NC)

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The Crest In Scotland, with its division into great tribal communities, armorial bearings are essential in authenticating genealogies and distinguishing the various branches of a widely extended clan. In the absence of heral- dry how could the endless diversity of these widespread families be under- stood? In full dress, the Highlander is covered with heraldry. From cap-badge and eagle-plume to kilt-pin there are displayed heraldric sym- bols appropriate to the wearer ' s rank and position in the clan. As a system of identification, the science of armory or heraldry was evolved in the twelfth century (approximate to the first appearance of the name Campbell in 1216.) Leaders adopted simple and outstanding figures, painting them on shields and banners so that their followers might recognize them in battle. These devices inscribed on the shirt worn over the armor gave rise to the term coat of arms. In Scotland the saffron shirt of war or leine croich bore the heraldric objects, as did a small shield in other cases. Armorial bearings became hereditary in the second genera- tion, having been initially a personal mark of identification. In peace a banner above the house or arms carved upon it indicated the owner. Within, over the great fireplace (the hearth of the race), shield, helmet, and crest were hung. Later a carved heraldric achievement representing these ancient accouterments became a more permanent orna- ment. Beside the chief ' s fireplace sat his chair, with the arms carved on its back. This was passed on with other furniture of the Hall as heir- ship moveables. The nature and position of those who first used these arms made them marks of nobility. A grant, or confirmation of arms, to the Representer of a clan or family made it an honourable community of the realm of Scotland composed of daoine-ussail, the hereditary gentlemen of the clan. Heraldric description of the armorial bearings (crest) of Campbell of Lochow, Duke of Argyll, includes a range of picturesque and indicative features. The shield displaying the arms is the most important item. With it divided into four sections, the first and fourth quarters contain a gyrony of eight for the name Campbell. The second and third sections are for the Lordship of Lorn. Behind the shield in an auspicious position is the imperial crown; upon that is the crest of Scotland, marking the bearer as hereditary Master of the Royal Household. The boar ' s head crest atop the crown is relatable to either of two traditions. Sir Duncan Campbell in the fourteenth century is known to have visited France, where he slew a wild boar. Another tradition refers the crest ' s origin to the old tale of

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The Tartan Whether or not clothes make the man, for the true Scot they do identify him. Of the distinctive garb worn by the Highlander no part indicates identity like the braecan, derived from the Gaelic breac, meaning check- ered. The ordinary Campbell tartan is green, black, and blue arranged in the same pattern as the Tartans of the Black Watch and Argyll and Suther- land regiments. This has been laid down by a succession of chiefs, and they and most of the Campbell families of Argyllshire have worn such a tartan for many years, though not necessarily all in the same shades of color. This emblem of nationality causes the heart of the exiled Scottish clans- man to warm to the tartan and thus be renewed in his continuity with the clan. As one Scot writer has it, The sight of tlie tartan reminds us of the days when the kilt and the tartan w ere our youthful dress, and of happy days spent on the hills or by the loch-side in our loved Highland scenes which can be eclipsed by no other land on earth. All of Scottish nationality will agree that when our ' heart does not warm to the tartan, it will be as cold as death can make it. ' 8

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The Crest, continued Diarmid O ' Duibhne and the Boar of Caledon. A sword proper with hilt and rounded knob is seen to the left. Two guarding lions of tinctured red complete the Arms save for the mottoes. (This is the Coat of Arms of the Duke of Argyll, Chief of the Clan. An adaptation of this for the Campbell College seal is now in progress.) Mottoes Above the shield of the Campbell armorial bearings is inscribed A ' e oblii ' is caris — Forget not. Below that shield are the words Vix ea nostra voco — I scarcely call all this my own. The ascendant motto, whatever its origins in antiquity, serves as re- minder of remembered history as the clue to personal, family, or institu- tional identity. We stand on the shoulders of the past. We know who we are as persons only as we forget not those persons and events shaping us in our more immediate arena of experience as well as the so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us in the larger sweep of history. To remem- ber is to be, psychologists, philosophers and theologians alike remind us. . . . And so the ancient Scottish clan knew its identity by fact of proud heritage remembered. Renewed for present struggle, it pressed toward future prospect and continued glory. The one of Scottish lineage whom we honor, Leslie Campbell, is one who values the backward look as a re- minder of present possibility and future hope. Looking to the rock from whence he was hewn has endowed him with sturdy qualities and steadfast purpose, giving heritage and hope to individual and institution alike that he has served. As for the second motto of Clan Campbell, it originated about 1528 wiien Colin Campbell, third Earl of Argyll, was created hereditary Lord Justice-General and Master of the Royal Household in Scotland. Added to the insignia of these great offices was the motto I scarcely call all this my own. Perhaps this Scotsman of yesteryear remembered the Biblical reminder To wliom nnich is given much shall be required. To possess a legacy of trust, responsibility, and heritage is not to hoard it but to use it, to build upon it. This, our later Campbell has remembered. In quiet but determined pursuit of distant goals he has taken a well-laid but modest foundation from his father ' s striving and built well upon it, and has in turn realized more fully the meaning of the college ' s motto Ad astra per aspera. As our President retires there is no arrogant boast, See the work of my mind and hand. Rather, I scarcely call all this my own. 10