Part 5

No. 16 occurs in a monument to Raynes, 1689 (engraved in Drake's _Eboracum_, p. 515).

This is a shape which would lend itself peculiarly to monuments or stained glass.

The shields engraved in Chauncey's _History of Hertfordshire_, 1700, are of this shape, slightly eared, and very slightly hollowed out in the sides.

* * * * *

Nos. 17 and 18.--In these a decidedly German influence is visible.

They occur in the German book of _Virgil Solis_, 1555.

The earliest English instance of No. 17 which I have noticed appears in the _Visit. Hunts, 1613_ (Camden Society), p. 4, with the arms of Clifton, but no exact date is attached.

In the 1724 edition of Guillim's _Display_ similar shields are engraved, with scroll work round the edges.

* * * * *

Nos. 19, 20, 21, and 22.

No. 19 is found on the tomb of Margaret, Countess of Richmond, in Westminster Abbey, who died 1509 (Sandford's _Genealogical History_, p. 326), see No. 73.

Again in a ledger tomb at Brent-eleigh, in memory of Mrs. Sawyer, and dated 1734 (_Miscellanea Genealogica et Heraldica_ for January, 1886).

Also in the engravings in Blomfield's _Norfolk_, 1739, with a shaped base.

No. 20, may be seen in stained glass, in Grappenhall Old Rectory window, of date about 1527.

Again in a brass in Antringham Church, Suffolk, dated 1562.

No. 21, a brass at St. Mary Quay, Ipswich, 1525 (Boutell's _Brasses_, p. 132).

Also on a seal, 1575 (engraved, _Miscell. Genealogica et Heraldica_, vol. ii, p. 170).

Also on a seal, 1578, in Oliver Vredius (_Seals of the Counts of Flanders_).

Again in a grant of arms, 1715 (_Miscell. Genealogica et Heraldica_, second series, vol. i, p. 188).

A ledger at Kelston churchyard, Gibbes quartering Harrington and Specott, 1730 (engraved in _Miscellanea Genealogica et Heraldica_ for Jan., 1884).

Thus showing that its present use so extensively by the College of Arms is a return to an old pattern existing at any rate since 1509.

Shields very similar occur in _The Ancient Order of Prince Arthure_, published by R. Robinson, 1583; also in Sylvanus Morgan's _Sphere of Gentry_, 1661; while the College of Arms shield No. 22 appears in the Great Seal of Edward VI., 1547.

This group, therefore, extends from about 1500 to the present day.

* * * * *

It is convenient to take Nos. 23 and 24 Stuart, together with 25 and 26 the Georgian.

No. 23, the annexed seal of Robert Greysbrooke of Middleton, is appended to his will, dated 1st September, 1668, and printed _Miscell. Genealogica et Heraldica_ for 1878.

It appears very constantly in seals from about 1610 to 1694.

The shape is used in Sir Peter Leycester's _Historical Antiquities of Cheshire_, published in 1673.

Again in Sylvanus Morgan's _Sphere of Gentry_, published 1661.

No. 24 appears in stone carving at Penshurst Place, Kent, showing the arms of Edward VI., 1547. The side points are curled round, and the centre one is capped with a fillet and half globe: an improvement by the stone cutter (Willement's _Regal Heraldry_), see No. 77.

It is found in the seals and in the crown-pieces of the Commonwealth, dated 1650.

Taking then the Georgian No. 25--In Willement's _Regal Heraldry_, the arms of Henrietta Maria, the wife of Chas. I., 1625, are reproduced in this shape.

It becomes very frequent 1783-92, and up to 1806 in monuments and book-plates--see page 56.

The shield is used in a work published at Worcester 1795, _Historical Anecdotes of Heraldry and Chivalry_.

Very many of the bulky seals so common during the last thirty years of the eighteenth century display coats of arms on shields of this shape, which seems to have been much used about this date. The Liverpool halfpenny, 1791, see No. 78; the Leeds halfpenny, 1791; and the Cronebane halfpenny, 1789; and no doubt many other copper tokens show No. 25.

No. 26 is figured by Randle Holme (_Academy of Armoury_, 1688), who took it from Sylvanus Morgan's _Sphere of Gentry_, 1661. He explains it is from old and decayed monuments. It is really adapted from ancient shields, which were used by the Amazons, and they are constantly represented with such shields and with double-headed battle axes on Greek coins (see _Petiti de Amazonibus Dissertatio_, 1687, p. 180, &c.)

The only change noticeable in these shields is that the Stuart, which extended down to certainly as late as 1694, have perpendicular sides,--with an occasional exception, as that quoted 1625,--while in the Georgian the sides are always more or less bulged out.

* * * * *

Nos. 27, 28, 29, and 30, with which may conveniently be taken the tops, designated "eared couped."

No. 27--This shape occurs in Brussels tapestry, dated 1610. The sides are more hollowed-out, and the ears more projected (Jacquemart's _History of Furniture_, p. 102, English translation).

Very frequently in ledger tombs, 1718, 1749, 1750, and in 1680 (see _Miscell. Genealogica et Heraldica_, November, 1884, p. 172).

In a MS. dated 1710;

Also in the Radcliffe book-plate, _circa_ 1720, engraved in Mr. Rylands' _Notes on Book-Plates_, 1889, p. 30.

No. 28--The arms of Caroline of Brandenburg, wife of George II., 1727, are given on this shield in Willement's _Regal Heraldry_.

No. 29--Several of the engravings in Guillim's _Display_, edition 1724, and in _The English Baronetage_, 1741, partake of this character, thus giving a range from 1610 to 1741 for this group.

* * * * *

No. 31 is a shield very extensively used in Germany and Holland.

It first appears in the seals of the Counts of Flanders (Oliver Vredius) in 1477 and 1487, and disappears in 1602.

It is figured fo. 1_b_ in the _Nuremberg Chronicle_, published 1493.

It may be constantly found at all dates, and down to the present day in German heraldry.

* * * * *

Nos. 32, 33, and 34.

No. 32--This shield has a very extensive range of date; the first I have noticed is on the tomb of Anne of Cleves, in Westminster Abbey, 1539 (engraved in Willement's _Regal Heraldry_).

Engravings in an illustrated edition of Ariosto, printed Venetia, 1572, repeat the same shape.

In Bolton's _Elements of Armories_, 1610, where such arms as those of Paracoussi, King of Plate, The Navatalcas, early Mexicans, and the Incas of Peru, are placed in such shields.

The sixpences and York half-crowns of Charles I., 1614, and the arms on his Great Seal, 1627 (Sandford's _Genealogical History_, p. 515).

In a MS., 1652, reproduced in _Miscell. Genealogica_ for January, 1885, p. 204.

The Great Seal of Charles II., 1653 (Sandford's _Genealogical History_, p. 517).

The seals of the Commonwealth in 1651 and 1656.

Engravings in Bisse's edition of Nicholas Upton, published 1654;

Also in Sandford's _Genealogical History_, 1677.

In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, seals with this shape are common enough, many of most beautiful execution, supported by cornucopiæ, fruit and flowers issuant therefrom; these extend from 1670 to 1700. We need only look at our Britannia's shield in a modern penny to see the same, adapted from that coin of Antoninus Pius where occurs the first representation of the figure of Britannia, A.D. 138.

No. 33.--The earliest I have noted is on the seal of Sir Thomas de Bikenore, Knt., attached to a charter, _s.d._, but about 1300; this is engraved _Archæolog. Cantiana_, vol. ii, p. 41.

It occurs upon the seals of the Counts of Flanders from 1403 to 1623 (Oliver Vredius); it also appears elsewhere in his work.

It is also on the tomb in Maidstone Church to John Wotton, 1417 (_Arch. Cantiana_, vol. i, p. 181).

It may be seen in the printer's mark of Richard Pynson, 1530.

I have also noticed No. 33 in one of Camden's grants, dated 2nd May, 1608, to James Master of East Landen, Kent: this is engraved _Archæologia Cantiana_, vol. v, p. 238.

No. 34 is, I think, chiefly restricted to foreign seals and engravings. I have not, so far, noticed an English example.

* * * * *

Nos. 35, 42, and 43.

No. 35--Egg-shaped may be regarded very much as a variation of No. 32, some artists considering it more graceful and better adapted to hold the arms and leave less of the field vacant. The shield of Edward the Black Prince, preserved at Canterbury, and already noticed at p. 30, was of this shape. He died 1376 (Bolton's _Elements_, p. 67).

But there is a large number of such seals as may be described egg-shaped, with hollowed-out sides, and frequently framed in scrolls; these are classed as cardioid Nos. 42 and 43, the outlines having been altered by scroll work, although sometimes the scrolls are omitted.

These occur in _Divi Britannici_, by Sir Winston Churchill, 1675;

In monuments of 1684, &c., in Blomefield's _Norfolk_;

And of 1699, _Miscell. Genealogica et Heraldica_ for December, 1884, p. 185;

Again in 1715, _Herald and Genealogist_, vol. ii, p. 230; and they are constantly to be found in monumental tablets.

Very frequently the bases of shields with hollowed-out sides are turned either to dexter or sinister, as noticed in seals throughout the eighteenth century; and in some later Jacobean, and in Chippendale book-plates say from 1720 to nearly the end of the century.

No. 36--French shields, so constantly represented in French heraldry, appear also in English grants of arms, 1557, 1561, 1582, 1612.

This is just an ordinary square shield, No. 7, with a pointed French base.

This shield, however, may be found at much earlier dates--see remarks on Simon de Montacute's seal to the Baron's letter, 1301, on p. 22; also the very curious brass formerly in St. Nicholas' Church, Lynn, to Thomas Waterdeyn, Mayor of Lynn in 1397 and 1404. This shows two shields, No. 36, which bear his merchant's mark, and stand on either side of a tree. He was alive in 1410 (see engraving, _Archæologia_, vol. xxxix, p. 505).

* * * * *

No. 39.--This curious Italian shield occurs in Gerard Leigh's _Accedens of Armoury_, 1562.

Also with curious scroll-work, dated 1589, in a timber house at Norwich, engraved, _Archæologia_, vol. xvi, p. 194.

In the Great Seal of Charles I., 1640, Sandford's _Genealogical History_, p. 516.

In the halfpenny of Charles II., 1660.

In the halfpenny of James II., 1685.

Randle Holme, book i, p. 6, would have us believe this was "the veritable shape of the Christal shield given by the goddess Minerva to Perseus, to enable him to slay the Gorgon Medusa, and which was after dedicated to Pallas," and this conceit may account for a monster's head introduced in the Great Seal of Charles I., 1640.

Grotesque shields, somewhat of this shape, are given to Ancient Britons, as in Speed's _Theatre of Great Britain_, 1676, and in MS. pedigrees of early seventeenth century, for the arms of Welsh princes and early potentates. Randle Holme (_Academy of Armoury_) gives one of these as from the monument of Mahomet, Emperor of Turkey, and another from the monument of Tamerlane, Emperor of Tartaria.

* * * * *

Nos. 40 and 41 actually do occur frequently in Roman bronzes and monuments, and are reproduced in engravings in Bolton's _Elements of Armories_, 1610, p. 147, &c. Bolton explains that it (41) occurs on the Column to Antoninus at Rome, but later discoveries have shown that this column was really erected to Marcus Aurelius Antoninus in 174 A.D.

Nos. 42 and 43 cardioid shields (see the remarks upon 33, 34 and 35).--I think these arose from the decorative scroll-work placed around egg-shaped shields, and especially in late Jacobean and Chippendale times, when they may be found in monuments and book-plates. The earliest mural tablet I have noticed is dated 1699, at Winchester Cathedral. This is engraved _Miscellanea Genealogica et Heraldica_ for December, 1884, p. 185.

The engravings in _Divi Britannici_, noticed under the variations of 35, nearly approach these.

* * * * *

Instances of pure heart-shaped shields occur in the brass to Willem Wenemaer, slain 1325. This is in the vestibule to the hospital which he founded at Ghent (_Archæological Journal_, vol. vii, p. 287);

Also in a monument at St. Margaret's, Hertford, 1691-2, shown in the annexed illustration. This is from _Miscell. Geneal. et Heraldica_, January, 1887, p. 197; and the shape may also be found at later dates.

My readers will also refer to that very interesting seal of Richard Basset, about 1145, described at p. 13, and No. 44: it is heart-shaped, greatly lengthened out.

A very curious heart-shaped shield, with the point turned round and scrolled, appears in the wooden effigy to one of the family of Oglander in Brading Church, Isle of Wight. This is supposed to be of sixteenth century. It is engraved in the Anastatic Drawing Society's vol. for 1883.

A curious instance of the recrudescence of early forms occurs when Sylvanus Morgan, vol. i, p. 27, places the arms of one Gill in a triangular shield, such as we noticed in the thirteenth century, and figured No. 1 in the sheet.

Again, heater-pear shields, No. 6, frequently occur in early monuments, as they accorded well with the style of decoration--see the monument to Henry Willoughby, 1581, at Wollaton (Thoroton's _Notts_, p. 27); also that to Richard Mansfield, 1624, at West Lake Church (Thoroton, p. 27); also that to Thomas Atkinson, 1661, at Newark-on-Trent (Thoroton, p. 200); also in a monument to the Clifton family, about 1670, engraved p. 61 in the same book.

* * * * *

It would be possible to give much more fully the exacter history of several of these shields, showing their various slight variations prevailing at different dates, but such would extend my "attempt" beyond a convenient length.

I have, however, selected one of the most common occurrence, feeling sure that its history will therefore be the more interesting. In _A Glossary of Terms used in British Heraldry_, published by Parker, Oxford, 1847, the date 1724 is given as the "earliest shield that has been noticed of this tasteless, though still prevalent form," No. 81.

Now, here is the exact sequence with the small variations which I have been able to trace:--

No. 79--Occurs in a book printed by W. Rastell in 1533, quoted in Parker's _Glossary_.

In an inlaid chimney-piece at Bolsover Castle, with the arms Cavendish impaling Ogle, and therefore the date is 1590-1600.

Also in a MS. pedigree of Howard, date 1580, in the possession of Col. Crosse at Shaw Hill, co. Lancaster.

The next instance I have found is carved on a pew in Warrington Church, and bears the inscription "Richard Massye, 1617." This shows arms quarterly, (1) Rixton of Rixton, (2) Mascy of Rixton, (3) Warburton (?), see Historic Society of Lancashire and Cheshire vol. xxxix, p. 154, where this quartering is discussed; (4) Horton of Horton.

The same shaped shield appears in a monument to Richard Wiatt, who died in 1619. This stands in Isleworth Church, and is engraved in _Herald and Gen._, vol. iii, p. 500.

No. 84--Is frequently found in MSS. about 1620. I can refer to the pedigree of the Holland and Dukenfield families, which is dated 1622.

The same shield is used in Bysse's edition of Nicholas Upton, which was published in 1654.

Also in a certificate of arms by Segar Garter, 1625, Historic Society of Lancashire and Cheshire, vol. xxxviii, p. 72.

It is also carved in oak in Prescot Church, with the arms of Ogle of Whiston quartering Bertram, and the date 1650.

It again occurs on the gravestone of Richard Clegg, Vicar of Kirkham; the earliest date on which is 1677 (Chetham Society, vol. xcii, p. 128).

The same, but more slightly eared, occurs frequently with the dedicatory arms of the donors of the plates to Sandford's _Genealogical History_, published 1677.

A ledger stone, dated 1690, with the ears still less strongly marked, is engraved _Miscell. Genealog._ for February, 1885, p. 242.

No. 82--Occurs in a grant of arms, dated 1684, _Miscell. Genealogica_, second series, vol. i, p. 397.

The same shield appears in a grant, dated 1696, printed in the same work, first series, vol. ii, p. 191.

Such shields with very slightly marked ears, and with pointed or angular, also with French bases, are found very frequently in book-plates of 1700 and for ten years or so later, and sometimes with the sides very slightly hollowed-out.

No. 83--Is a shield with Queen Anne's arms, 1706, engraved in Willement's _Regal Heraldry_.

No. 80--May be seen in the monument to Tho. Norreys, 1624, in Rainham Church, Kent (_Archæologia Cantiana_, vol. vi, p. 295).

A grant of arms, dated 1720, is engraved in _Miscell. Genealogica_, vol. ii, p. 252, and shews the same shield.

Seals about the year 1718 appear with this same shape, of rather broad proportions, and with French bases rather flattened.

No. 81--In Wright's edition of Peter Heylin's _Helps to History_, published 1773, this variation is used, but of rather longer proportions.

About 1780, seals are noticed to follow the same character, and with angular or French bases, just as we see them prevailing even to the present day.

This shield therefore, with slight variations in the ears, may be found from 1533 to the present day; and the date given in Parker's _Glossary_ was fixed upon insufficient research.

COUNTERSEALS

in England are usually of the same shape and size as the seal proper; the pendant cake of wax thus showing two complete impressions, one on each side.

Edward the Confessor and his successors have continuously used them; but among subjects they do not appear before 1130--excepting, perhaps, that remarkable instance of two seals conjoined back to back on the charter of Odo, Bishop of Baieux in 1075. See _Archæologia_, vol. i, p. 335.

Nobility of the blood royal, their wives and daughters, seem to have used counterseals pretty generally from the middle of the twelfth century. The greater titular nobility also adopted them occasionally during that century; but in the next, and until the Baron's letter (1301), a much larger number occur. Their use, however, was very irregular: many prominent titular nobles neglected them, and, on the other hand, we find many families of only moderate territorial position placing secreta on the back of charter seals. I notice as quite remarkable how many ladies who had come to represent a manor, about the middle of the thirteenth century, when the fashion was at its height, at once beautified or safeguarded their seals with a secretum.

After 1301 such extra sealing almost disappears, but there are some very late instances. Humfrey Earl of Stafford and Perche, 1438, placed on the back of his splendid seal a smaller one--the Stafford arms on a heater shield, within a decoration of three Stafford knots, but without any inscription (_Archæologia_, vol. xxxviii); and some of those large and pretentious seals mentioned as appearing 1450-1475 were used with small counterseals.

Many ecclesiastical communities used counterseals, also the old Cinque ports and other ancient boroughs. Ancient official departments too, such as the Norwich Staple, 1272-1307: these having begun, of course continued their use as an established form.

SECRETA

were usually small, and inscribed "Secretum." The first I have noticed is that of Seherus de Quenci, created Earl in 1210--"Secretum Comitis Wintonie." (Spelman's _Aspilogia_, p. 67.) John de Busli, however, is even a little earlier; "Secretum Johannis de Bueli" (_The Earls of Eu_, by Chester Waters, p. 33).

* * * * *

After a careful examination I have come to the conclusion that no regulations restricted their use, but counterseals and secreta were adopted or not, according to taste. Some regarded them as an accession of dignity, and some as a safeguard: there seems no doubt it was for the second reason that that signet was placed, in 1529, on the back of the Dartford Priory Seal (see p. 60); and I find another instance, where a seal of the same Priory, in 1534, had as a counterseal the impression of a small signet with the letters I F, being apparently the initials of Isabel or Joan Fane, the prioress at that time.

It will give some idea as to the prevalence of counterseals if I say that to the Baron's letter, 1301, are appended ninety-five seals of the principal nobility. Seventy-nine have no counterseals: to sixteen such are attached; namely, eight of the same size as the seals, and eight greatly smaller. Two of these smaller ones are not inscribed (William de Brehouse and Simon de Montacute), and one only is called "Secretum" (Walteri de Teye). I think this shows they were less commonly used in 1301 than about 1250.

MANTLINGS FROM THE SIXTEENTH TO THE NINETEENTH CENTURY.

It is somewhat difficult to treat distinctly of the mantlings prevailing since the beginning of the sixteenth century; but as they afford indirect evidence of date, I venture to draw up the following short description of their variations; and I do so with some diffidence, in the hope that fellow-students may add to my feeble effort, and that thus we may presently arrive at a perfect and dated scheme of these changes.

I am obliged to treat seals separately from drawings and stone carvings, because the circumscribed space in a seal seems to have prevented some of the variations noticed in the others. At the same time, several characteristic changes are found to occur, and at tolerably distinct dates; and so it is possible to lay down very clearly, as to seals, the current of progressive change.

* * * * *

By far the greater number of heraldic SEALS at the beginning of the sixteenth century have no mantling, but display only a bare shield, without ornament--unless some scroll-work or architectural lines, to fill up the space within the dotted or plain circles. Such seals occur constantly till the end of the seventeenth century.

About 1550 helmets with mantlings, open and rather sparse, and kept high up on the top of the shield, appear. These mantlings are rather flat, so that a good space is left for the crest, which thus stands out distinctly. As a specimen, see Wm. Lambarde's seal, 1552 (_Archæologia Cantiana_, vol. v, p. 256).

Although a good many seals continue still with the mantlings kept up about the top of the shield (while sometimes a motto, &c., is introduced below), it is observed that a little after this date mantlings gradually creep downwards, perhaps to two-thirds of the depth of the shield. See a seal of the Throckmorton family, 1576 (_Visitation of Warwick, 1619_, Harl. Soc.); also those of Lord Chancellor Bromley, 1581 (_Herald and Genealogist_, vol. v, p. 5); John Ogle, 1597 (Mascy Charters, plate C, Historic Society of Lancashire and Cheshire for 1887); and Edward Osborne, 1618 (_Herald and Genealogist_, vol. iv, p. 241; also _Archæologia Cantiana_, vol. v, p. 234).