Post by mommybird on Jun 28, 2007 12:46:54 GMT -5
SOMERSET HERALDRY SOCIETY
Newsletter 1 - Spring 2003
EDITORIAL
I am not the editor. I am not even an editor. However, I would still like to say welcome to this new society. I hope that the Somerset Heraldry Society will grow and prosper, but whether it does depends entirely on how many and how keen the members are. So, if you like the idea, join and come.
We have arranged a programme for the Spring to start things off. It is not meant to set a precedent, so please do fill in the questionnaire and indeed the joining form. We propose that there should be a charge of £1 per person to cover the cost of tea and buns (or should it be cakes and ale?). I hope that's okay.
Please submit articles for future newsletters. Anything of heraldic interest is welcome. After all the Beatles had nothing to do with the West Country, but I hope that most readers will welcome the article on Paul's arms.
So welcome, please join, please come to any or all meetings, please write articles. Thanks.
Alex Maxwell Findlater
***************************
SIR PAUL MCCARTNEY'S ARMS
It was recently reported that Paul McCartney has been granted arms. These are:
Arms: Or between two Flaunches fracted fesswise two Roundels Sable over all six Guitar Strings palewise throughout counterchanged.
Crest: On a Wreath of the Colours A Liver Bird calling Sable supporting with the dexter claws a Guitar Or stringed Sable.
Motto: ECCE COR MEUM (Behold my heart)
The four bits of beetle-back made by the flaunches, represent the four Beatles. The discs and strings represent a Gibson guitar with two sound holes. The Liver Bird sits on the top of the Liver Building in Liverpool, as it does in the arms of the city. The Motto refers to the oratorio written while his first wife Linda was dying. It was first performed in November 2001 by the choir of Magdalene College, Oxford.
Interestingly, the College of Arms only put the illustration of Paul McCartney's arms on their site after the news broke in the Sunday Times. When I read the paper, I checked on their site for the arms, before writing it up. It is also curious that it took over eighteen months for the news to break, as the arms were granted on 18th June 2001.
Their website says:
"The design of these arms (granted on Sir Paul's 59th birthday) clearly recalls Sir Paul's principal instrument, the guitar. In addition the cormorant or 'liver bird' in the crest is a reference to his native city, Liverpool. The helmet is left-facing and has an open visor as is customary for knights; Sir Paul was made a knight bachelor in 1997.
The result is a simple and distinct design that makes a clear reference to the grantee's career without departing from the standard vocabulary of the English heraldic tradition."
Perhaps one might take issue with this last, in that a flaunch fracted is hardly traditional vocabulary. Indeed fracted means broken, surely it does not mean "broken in a straight line by the width of a barrulet"? It is also noteworthy that the new(ish) rule that the direction of the helmet should be determined by the needs of the crest is quite obviously observed in the illustration.
However, the coat of arms is a satisfying design, with an elegant and tasteful reference to his career.
****************************
MAY ARMS AT CHARTERHOUSE
As a member of the Charterhouse Environs Research Team (CHERT), we visited Lower Farm to produce a measured drawing and architectural survey. We hoped to find evidence of the original grange established by the Carthusian monks of Witham Friary in the 12th century. The farm provided evidence of many phases of building and renovation. The façade had clearly been remodelled in the 17th century when these arms were added over the main front door. I was asked to see if I could establish whose arms they were.
I was advised that I should start at the Local Studies Library in Taunton, where David Bromwich directed me to various volumes including Burke's General Armorial and Papworth's Ordinary of British Armorials. I immediately understood the value of the 'grammar' of heraldry; how else could you produce any kind of index of arms without one? I found the section based on the single chevron and scanned all the entries until I found a chevron between three roses, which were clearly visible on the stone carving. The entry which closely matched the arms was - Sable, a Chevron Or between three Roses Argent a Chief Or. Clearly the arms had been repainted in the wrong colours (or tinctures) as you can see the blue background (which should be black) and the green roses (which should be silver). These were the arms granted to Robert May in 1573 and the Harleian Society's 1623 Visitation of Somersetshire provided the family tree. Other evidence supports the May family's presence at Lower Farm over a fairly long period. Knowing little of heraldry I was pleased at my success. We are still looking for the grange!
With many thanks to the owner Mrs Y Trimm. Barry Lane
****************************
HOLCOMBE ROGUS
I recently went to visit a house on the Devon border at Holcombe Rogus. While there I saw this plaster armorial, which Anthony Bruce kindly photographed for me. I have not been able to identify the arms, so this is by nature of a quiz as well. I suspect that they date from the 16th century, when a junior branch of the family inherited the manor. The answer may well be in an armorial monument in the Church, which I noticed but did not remember. The mantling is interesting with its fine tassels; I imagine the blue on the helm and mantling is not original. Alex Maxwell Findlater
*******************************
Contact address:
THE SOMERSET HERALDRY SOCIETY
The Grammar House, The Hill, Langport, Somerset TA10 9PU
Tel & Fax 01458 250868 email alex@findlater.org.uk
Newsletter 1 - Spring 2003
EDITORIAL
I am not the editor. I am not even an editor. However, I would still like to say welcome to this new society. I hope that the Somerset Heraldry Society will grow and prosper, but whether it does depends entirely on how many and how keen the members are. So, if you like the idea, join and come.
We have arranged a programme for the Spring to start things off. It is not meant to set a precedent, so please do fill in the questionnaire and indeed the joining form. We propose that there should be a charge of £1 per person to cover the cost of tea and buns (or should it be cakes and ale?). I hope that's okay.
Please submit articles for future newsletters. Anything of heraldic interest is welcome. After all the Beatles had nothing to do with the West Country, but I hope that most readers will welcome the article on Paul's arms.
So welcome, please join, please come to any or all meetings, please write articles. Thanks.
Alex Maxwell Findlater
***************************
SIR PAUL MCCARTNEY'S ARMS
It was recently reported that Paul McCartney has been granted arms. These are:
Arms: Or between two Flaunches fracted fesswise two Roundels Sable over all six Guitar Strings palewise throughout counterchanged.
Crest: On a Wreath of the Colours A Liver Bird calling Sable supporting with the dexter claws a Guitar Or stringed Sable.
Motto: ECCE COR MEUM (Behold my heart)
The four bits of beetle-back made by the flaunches, represent the four Beatles. The discs and strings represent a Gibson guitar with two sound holes. The Liver Bird sits on the top of the Liver Building in Liverpool, as it does in the arms of the city. The Motto refers to the oratorio written while his first wife Linda was dying. It was first performed in November 2001 by the choir of Magdalene College, Oxford.
Interestingly, the College of Arms only put the illustration of Paul McCartney's arms on their site after the news broke in the Sunday Times. When I read the paper, I checked on their site for the arms, before writing it up. It is also curious that it took over eighteen months for the news to break, as the arms were granted on 18th June 2001.
Their website says:
"The design of these arms (granted on Sir Paul's 59th birthday) clearly recalls Sir Paul's principal instrument, the guitar. In addition the cormorant or 'liver bird' in the crest is a reference to his native city, Liverpool. The helmet is left-facing and has an open visor as is customary for knights; Sir Paul was made a knight bachelor in 1997.
The result is a simple and distinct design that makes a clear reference to the grantee's career without departing from the standard vocabulary of the English heraldic tradition."
Perhaps one might take issue with this last, in that a flaunch fracted is hardly traditional vocabulary. Indeed fracted means broken, surely it does not mean "broken in a straight line by the width of a barrulet"? It is also noteworthy that the new(ish) rule that the direction of the helmet should be determined by the needs of the crest is quite obviously observed in the illustration.
However, the coat of arms is a satisfying design, with an elegant and tasteful reference to his career.
****************************
MAY ARMS AT CHARTERHOUSE
As a member of the Charterhouse Environs Research Team (CHERT), we visited Lower Farm to produce a measured drawing and architectural survey. We hoped to find evidence of the original grange established by the Carthusian monks of Witham Friary in the 12th century. The farm provided evidence of many phases of building and renovation. The façade had clearly been remodelled in the 17th century when these arms were added over the main front door. I was asked to see if I could establish whose arms they were.
I was advised that I should start at the Local Studies Library in Taunton, where David Bromwich directed me to various volumes including Burke's General Armorial and Papworth's Ordinary of British Armorials. I immediately understood the value of the 'grammar' of heraldry; how else could you produce any kind of index of arms without one? I found the section based on the single chevron and scanned all the entries until I found a chevron between three roses, which were clearly visible on the stone carving. The entry which closely matched the arms was - Sable, a Chevron Or between three Roses Argent a Chief Or. Clearly the arms had been repainted in the wrong colours (or tinctures) as you can see the blue background (which should be black) and the green roses (which should be silver). These were the arms granted to Robert May in 1573 and the Harleian Society's 1623 Visitation of Somersetshire provided the family tree. Other evidence supports the May family's presence at Lower Farm over a fairly long period. Knowing little of heraldry I was pleased at my success. We are still looking for the grange!
With many thanks to the owner Mrs Y Trimm. Barry Lane
****************************
HOLCOMBE ROGUS
I recently went to visit a house on the Devon border at Holcombe Rogus. While there I saw this plaster armorial, which Anthony Bruce kindly photographed for me. I have not been able to identify the arms, so this is by nature of a quiz as well. I suspect that they date from the 16th century, when a junior branch of the family inherited the manor. The answer may well be in an armorial monument in the Church, which I noticed but did not remember. The mantling is interesting with its fine tassels; I imagine the blue on the helm and mantling is not original. Alex Maxwell Findlater
*******************************
Contact address:
THE SOMERSET HERALDRY SOCIETY
The Grammar House, The Hill, Langport, Somerset TA10 9PU
Tel & Fax 01458 250868 email alex@findlater.org.uk
