Cheshire Heraldry Web Journal (Blog)

There is a move afoot to promote an International Heraldry Day which, on the face of it, is to be commended. I’m all for anything that might just bring to the masses a better understanding of our hobby but I can’t help feeling that there is such a low National awareness of heraldry (even in those countries where heraldry originated) that it will be an upward struggle. In addition, I can’t help but feel that such an initiative is more likely to be hijacked by the bucket-shop family crest brigade.

I have often felt that local, National, initiatives might be better. It was good to see so many personal banners flying at “The Gathering” recently held in Edinburgh and I’d love to see English armigers (perhaps those members of The White Lion Society?) parading as a group with their personal banners at The Lord Mayor’s Show in London. If it took off, it might be possible to repeat the same at similar regional events.

 We seem to be fighting a loosing battle with bucket-shops but I did like the screenshot warning someone on the International Heraldry Day website had created.

I wish the promoters of International Heraldry Day the best of luck.

A tantalising glimpse of an armorial letters patent seen on the BBC’s Flog It - series six Aylesbury ( about 28 minutes into the programme). I couldn’t get a clearer screen shot and sadly the item was not actually featured on the programme.

This is the BBC link: 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/i/8w7zw/

Click here for a larger image:

http://gallery.heraldryaddict.com/var/albums/Miscellaneous-Heraldry/flog-it.jpg?m=1366655900

The Cheshire Heraldry Society Programme for the forthcoming year has now been published.

http://cheshire-heraldry.org.uk/society

Just sold on EBay.

[quote]A stunning early 19th Century armorial hatchment relating to the Greswolde family, owners of Malvern Hall, Warwickshire.
Painted on oak panels, set within a gilt slip and framed by a mahogany frame.

We are grateful to Dr Gray of The Heraldry Society, London for the following information regarding the identity of the panel; All black background. Sable a chevron Ermine (for Lewis); impaling: Argent a fess Gules between two greyhounds courant Sable (Greswolde). [Lewis of Bristol and London should be … between three spearpoints Argent, but these are missing or painted over.]
Crest: A blackamoor’s head couped at the shoulder collared Argent.
Mantling: Gules and Argent.

Apparently trimmed close and stated to be framed.

For David Lewis of Llwyny Grawys CMN and Malvern Hall, who married at Solihull 23 Jul 1744 Mary daughter of the Rev. Marshall Greswold of Solihull, and died 1773 (buried Yardley 10 Dec 1773); she died 1757. (Burke GA; Gents Mag 1744; Colls Hist Staffs 2(2) 129; Warks CRO Greswold papers; NBI)

Hatchments of David Lewis’ children are at Yardley, Solihull and Godshill IOW.
Condition - overall good - minor split to panel to left side however hardly noticeable and minor paint losses to outer edge commensurate with age.

Dimensions: 30″ x 30″ (1″ = 2.5cm approx)[/quote]

Initial asking price £2’250 the hatchment went for a lower price under the “best offer accepted” terms.

A lover of all things heraldic, I was half tempted to purchase a Grafton Milk Jug with the coat of arms of the Independent Order of Rechabites recently offered for sale on that famous on-line auction site we all know and love. I thought that it might be wickedly ironic to use it for water when I offer my guests a wee dram of malt (I don’t use the stuff … water that is!) but then I thought better of it.

I’ve only recently begun to take an active interest in armorial bookplates; they can usually be found at quite reasonable prices and it’s even possible to exchange contemporary bookplates with friends but this one seems, to me at least, to be priced at a rather unrealistic level.

For sale on EBay and marked as a “Rare example of gunuine (sic) 17th century bookplate, probably from Germany, exceptionally rare in this condition, slightly age stained on reverse”, try as I might I can’t see what it is that might be so rare as to demand a price of £129.99. Admittedly, if it is a genuine 17th century bookplate it will have a certain rarity but 130 quid?

I look forward to seeing if it sells!

I stumbled across these wonderful images last evening and though them too good to keep to myself.

The Pedigree of the Antient Honourable & Knightly Family of Domvile
of Santry and Templeogue in the County of Dublin

Deducing their descent directly and collaterally from Roger Domvile who followed the fortunes of William Duke of Normandy in his invasion and conquest of England to Sir Compton Domvile the present Baronet shewing their connection by marriage and descent with many illustrious and noble families both of England and Ireland.
also
A genealogical account of the families of Feypo and Mareward antient Barons of Scrine and Lords of Santry and of the noble family of De Barry Lords Barons of Santry
The whole compiled from the most authentic sources of information and authority and recorded in the archives of the office of Ulster King of Arms of all Ireland and now extracted therefrom.
MDCCCXVI [1816]

Lots more to see here:

http://www.dumville.org/photo_pages/cd1773_pho.html

In 2012 David Kynaston was commissioned by Chester West and Chester Council to restore the armorial bearings of the seven Norman Earls of Chester along with the ancient and modern versions of the Chester Arms which grace the Queen’s Park Suspension Bridge in Chester. The arms, which are cast out of lead, were fully repaired with all their broken and missing parts replaced. They were then fully repainted and finished in 23 1/2 carat gold leaf. The silver wolves’ heads were finished in palladium leaf.

I reproduce below some of the photographs from the web site of the restorer and encourage my reader to pay it a visit. A worthy project undertaken on behalf of a proud local authority by a true craftsman.

http://davidkynaston.tidywebsites.co.uk/heraldry

I was pleased to receive a case of wine from a friend as a Christmas gift. Whether he chose the wine because he was familiar with it or whether it was chosen because he knows I am a heraldry addict I have yet to ascertain however the label did immediately arouse my curiosity (and the wine itself is quite acceptable).

The arms shown on the label are Azure, a chevron engrailed between three lions passant guardant Or

 
The following extract is from The Gentleman’s Magazine - Volume 148 - Page 488

I wonder whether the arms on the wine label have any link to the producer or whether they were simply chosen for their aesthetic appeal?

Many of you will know that I am a Director of The Armorial Register Ltd but you may not be aware that we have decided to petition for our own armorial bearings. You can read all about it in our latest newsletter:

http://www.armorial-register.com/monthly/newsletter-4-1-2012.pdf

If you have an article which you believe might be of interest to our newsletter subscribers (over 500 subscribers to date plus over 300 followers on Facebook) we would be pleased to consider it.

You can subscribe to the newsletter Here:

http://www.armorial-register.com/newsletter/