Design for the Ancient Order of Foresters: "Unity, Benevolence and Concord"

The man standing at the center of this drawing wears the uniform of the Ancient Order of Foresters, a British Friendly Society, or charitable organization established by 1790 in Yorkshire, which expanded over the next century into multiple chapters with over 700,000 members. Supporting elements in the design include a lion nuzzling a lamb, a woman with a shield, a cornucopia and beehive--symbols of peace, strength and productivity. The latin motto, "Unitas benevolentia et concordia," translates as unity, benevolence and concord, and the image likely was intended as the engraved frontispiece of a society publication.

Credit: Gift of the Royal Institute of British Architects, 1961