Jonas Arnell (born 28 February 1969), briefly known as Arnell-Szurkos, is a Swedish phaleristician and heraldist.[1] Since 1 January 2023, he is Herald at the Chancery of the Swedish Royal Orders of Knighthood.[2]
Arnell was raised in Eskilstuna and has a degree of Bachelor of Education from Linköping University[3], a degree of Bachelor of Social Science from Stockholm University[2], and a degree of Master of Science from Umeå University[4]. Between 1995 and 2014 he worked in the education, research and culture field, mostly as Political Advisor in the Parliament Chancery of the Christian Democrats.[5] Between 2015 and 2023, Arnell worked in the defence sector, mostly as Deputy Secretary-General for the Swedish Soldiers Homes Association.[2]
He is an Associate Companion of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States since 2013[6] and Member of the Royal Swedish Society Pro Patria since 2019.[7]
Arnell has been committed to phaleristics since 1990, since 1998 as a phaleristics writer and lecturer in Sweden and abroad.[5][8][9][10][11][12] One aspect has been to support and promote genuine orders of chivalry, a work for which Arnell has received several awards.[8]
In 1999 Arnell launched a lobby campaign via e-mails to the MPs of the Parliament of Sweden to undo the Orders Reform of 1975 (which reserved the Order of the Seraphim and the Order of the Polar Star for foreign and stateless citizens and put the Order of the Sword and the Order of Vasa dormant). This contributed to his subsequent employment at the Parliament Chancery of the Christian Democrats.[13] Arnell was active in this question for almost 20 years.[14] Different Christian Democratic MP's made motions on his drafts 1999–2001, 2004–2007, 2009–2011 and 2014. No motion carried, as a majority of Parliament votes could not be reached. The recurring motions was instead a way to keep life in the matter, until the Awards Reform.
In 2017, Arnell was one of three taking initiative to found the Swedish Phaleristics Association[15] and in 2020 he was elected member of the International Commission for Orders of Chivalry.[16] Since 1 January 2023, Arnell is Herald in the Chancery of the Swedish Royal Orders of Knighthood, after being Amanuensis 2018–2022.[2][5]
Arnell is also committed to heraldry and has been the Herald Pursuivant for the Swedish Heraldry Association 2002–2008[17] and member of the Vapenbilden editorial board 2008–2013, 2023–.[18][19] He was elected member of the Heraldic Society in 2004.[20]
King Carl XVI Gustaf's Jubilee Commemorative Medal IV in gold (15 September 2023)[2] The Royal Patriotic Society's large medal in gold (2015) for significant acts, 25 years as a phaleristician The Swedish Numismatic Society's medal of merit in silver (2023)[21] The Swedish Federation for Voluntary Defence Education and Training badge of merit in gold (2023)
Knight of the Order of the White Rose of Finland (The Finnish state visit 23 April 2024)
Cross of Merit with Silver Star of the Order of the Holy Sepulchre motu proprio (2017, Cross of Merit 2011[8])
