The noted heraldic writer Arthur Charles Fox-Davies in his Heraldry Explained ( 1925 ) noted that “ In Ireland there still exists the unique opportunity of obtaining a confirmation of arms upon mere proof of user …… The present regulation is that user must be proved for at least three generations, and be proved also to have existed for one hundred years.” Sir Bernard Burke,image below, who held the office of Ulster King of Arms for nearly 40 years ( 1854 – 1892 ), in the introduction to his Burke’s General Armoury mentions that the confirmation was accompanied by the addition of some slight heraldic difference mark. In Ireland the system of heraldic funerals prevailed as in England but with...
Heraldry in most of Western Europe is highly feudalized and arose in a feudal environment. There are, however, regions of Europe which have their own heraldic jurisdiction, uses and traditions, where feudalism came late, and was imposed on a tribal foundation. Examples of these regions are, in Eastern Europe, Poland and Hungary, and in Western Europe, the Highlands and Isles of Scotland and Ireland and Wales. What occurs in these regions is the overrunning of an allodial society by feudalism. An allodial society is one where property is owned free and clear of any superior landlord and lands are held tribally. All members of a tribe claimed to be of common blood and sooner or later these clan communities had...
IBBETSON-CAYGILL COAT OF ARMS Nobility existed in Wales from an ancient period well before Coats of Arms came into use. A Welshman’s status depended on his gentility of blood, in being descended from one of the ancient Prince-Chiefs, or lesser Chiefs, of one of the Welsh principalities. Heraldically the Welsh came under the jurisdiction of the English College of Arms in London, but in former days it was the practice for an English Herald when making a Visitation which took in part of Wales to appoint a Welsh deputy. Lewis Dwnn was probably the most celebrated of these and...
The supposedly learned and educated class of the 17th and 18th century had such a poor opinion of the Middle Ages that it may have been expected that Heraldry , deprived of several of its former supporters, might fall into disrepair. This disrepair was perfectly illustrated by the terrible style in which Coats of Arms were produced during this time period. One prominent example of this is the dreadful Coat of Arms granted to Admiral Nelson. Admiral Nelson’s career is symbolized on his shield. The Nelsons were an ancient family, and the original Coat of Arms was simply a single black cross on a gold field with a red diagonal line: Or a cross sable, overall a bend gules....
Another important occasion where Heralds were very much in evidence was the Knights Tournaments. These faded in frequency and popularity after the death of the eldest son of King James I, Prince Henry in 1612. At tournaments it had been the duty of the Herald to note the style and quality of the entrants and to check that they were of noble birth. Another duty of a Herald at the tournament was keeping the scores of the contestants. Another function of the Heralds was to attend and supervise the funerals of the nobility and gentry. The Coats of Arms of the deceased were displayed on banners at the funeral, but the heraldic marshaling of arms and arrangement of precedence among...
