Chapter III: Part 3

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).

This is the character of many examples occurring down to about the year 1650, when a greater profusion of mantling began to be shown: of this the seal of Sir Edward Nicholas, engraved on p. 45, is a good example; and it is the first instance I have noticed in which the folds of the mantling come out _from behind_ the shield, thus marring its distinctness. Usually, although the volume of foldings increases, they are kept away from it, so as to leave the impression of the shield standing out and quite clear. In this, too, the folds extend higher up on either side of the crest than is usual in earlier examples.

It may be interesting here to note that of the fifty-nine seals attached to the death warrant of Charles I., in 1648-9--following the very accurate engraving in _Monumenta Vetusta_, vol. ii,--twenty-one show mantlings, eleven are distinctly without, ten are doubtful, and the remaining seventeen seals are quite illegible.

From about 1650 many beautifully cut signets are found--the arms, with helmets, crests, and mantlings, the points of which rise up on either side of the crest, thus filling up that empty space. The seal of the Cordwainers of Oxford, made in 1680, is a favourable example of the date (_Arch. Journal_, vol. vi, pp. 159 and 279).

About 1680 I have observed tassels sometimes appear as a finish to the lower ends of mantlings, as in the seal of Thomas Bate, engraved on p. 45; also in a signet of 1683, in _Miscellanea Genealogica et Heraldica_ for 1886, p. 143; and elsewhere.

Shields set in frames of scroll-work, without mantlings, were prevalent from the beginning of the seventeenth century. For an example, see a signet of Fetherston, 1638, engraved in the _Visitation of Warwick_ (Harleian Society).

From about 1670 cornucopiæ, with flowers, &c., appear, supporting shields more or less egg-shaped; and some of them are most exquisitely engraved. But even at so late a date, I have not observed tincture lines introduced.

I have noticed very few seals about this time in the Jacobean taste. Probably no room was left in so confined a space for scroll-work around the base of the shield. But mantlings--rather heavy, although not voluminous, and kept up pretty high--are found towards the end of this seventeenth century. In many cases also, at this time, plain Georgian shields occur, without mantling.

Early in the eighteenth century seals are found in late Jacobean frames, open and with trellis-work, adorned with rushes and flowers, and without mantlings.

The influence of Chippendale taste strongly affected seals from about 1750 to 1775.

Many followed in the style of Adam, with ribbons and festoons of flowers, and sometimes lightly scrolled frames. These, of course, are without mantlings.

We are thus brought to the end of the eighteenth century. Only occasionally have I met with mantlings between about 1740 and 1800; but I must explain that it is very difficult to get together a body of examples of the eighteenth century: such are not old enough to be figured in engravings, and documents likely to bear them are not of sufficient interest to be examined for any other purpose. I trust fellow-students who read this book will sketch, with their dates, all instances of this epoch: it is only in that way we can get together a body of evidence.

It seems to have been very common, also, for successive generations to repeat the style of their seals, as if that were as important as the heraldry displayed; and thus instances of the several variations occur, perhaps, much later than their legitimate dates--as classified above, from many examples. I know one family whose seals from 1718 to 1840 show, with only one or two exceptions, "the tasteless though still prevalent form" No. 80, and without any mantlings.

* * * * *

Although taking DRAWINGS and STONE CARVINGS together, there are certain differences observable in each; for instance, we constantly find, in monumental sculptures of the sixteenth century, designs with mantlings above and scroll-work below, which very closely correspond with Jacobean book-plates and engravings such as did not appear till about 1720. I would refer to Thoroton's _History of Notts_, p. 227; where is engraved a monument, at Wollaton, to Henry Willoughby, who died 1581, which is quite Jacobean in taste and treatment. Another equally so is at Newark-upon-Trent Church: this was erected in 1661, to Thomas Atkinson (Thoroton's _Notts_, p. 200). Another with cornucopiæ and scrolls stands in West Lake Church, to the memory of Richard Mansfield, who died 1624 (Thoroton's _Notts_, p. 27). This last exactly corresponds with some of Hollar's beautiful designs, in Sandford's _Genealogical History_, published in 1677; and it is very remarkable that these are a distinct _advance upon_ Hollar's own designs in the preface and dedication to the Bysse edition of Nicholas Upton, which he engraved in 1654; while for nearly fifty years this monumental example had stood in West Lake Church, and we know it was only one of many similar English works. I have many times noticed that sculpture precedes engravings or paintings. It is, I think, inherently so: designing in the round comes first, to be afterwards translated, by skilful and artistic and educated shading, into the flat.

Through the kindness of Dr. Jackson Howard, Maltravers Herald, and Messrs. Mitchell and Hughes, I am able to shew the engraving (from _Miscell. Genealogica et Heraldica_ for 1884, p. 99) of a very unusual mantling from the Confirmation of Arms in 1526, by Thomas Hawley, Clarenceux, to Francoys Galuerdet, a native of Rhodes, and Receiver General in England for the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem. This mantling is unusually small; there is no helmet, and the torce is beautifully worked [compare the brass to Sir Wm. Say, lithograph No. 71]. I put this forward first because of its early date, and it seems that at this time mantlings in heraldic drawings, grants, &c., were kept very small.

It will be convenient to describe, and in a numbered list as follows, the variations observed at successive dates.

1.--From 1550 to 1570 there is a tendency to keep the greater portion of mantlings above the shield. They are of smaller volume, and one fold is allowed to wander down on each side, ending in a tassel about one-third down the depth of the shield. A very characteristic example is engraved in _Miscell. Genealogica et Heraldica_ for June, 1887, being the grant to Thomas ffletewood, of London, 1st June, 1545. In the grant to John Lambard, 15th January, 1551 (engraved in _Archæologia Cantiana_, vol. v, p. 247), such a mantling has four tassels, two above carried up somewhat high, and two below standing about one-third down the shield. The mantling to the arms of Goodricke, engraved in Gerard Legh's _Accedens of Armory_, edition 1562, is of the same character, but without tassels.

2.--A little later the number of folds is observed to increase, and the tassels are carried down further and turn inwards towards the base point of the shield.

3.--In a grant dated 1572, which is printed in _Miscell. Genealogica et Heraldica_, vol. i, p. 321, occurs the first instance I have noticed of the foldings coming from behind the shield, and the same may be seen in a grant of 1575, printed in Sylvanus Morgan's _Sphere of Gentry_, lib. ii, p. 74.

4.--From about 1590 to 1630 a return to the simpler style is observable; a single fold wandering away from the body and reaching with tassels to the base of the shield. Occasional instances return wholly to the descriptions given under 1 and 2.

5.--After about 1620 the volume of mantling gradually increased, and seemed to be purposely so arranged as to come out from behind, probably because it was found in drawings to give artistic relief to the shield.

6.--By about the year 1670 mantlings are frequently found of excessive volume, and in a mass, which would be solid were it not skilfully broken by lighter hackings appearing in the central portions; the folds come down in heavy masses, sometimes like great sausages or cucumbers, to the bottom of the shield. Examples of such may be seen in Sandford's _Genealogical History_, 1677, and in book-plates engraved in _Miscell. Genealogica et Heraldica_, December, 1886, p. 184, and elsewhere. The skill of the artist affects wonderfully the quality of these designs; it is not only the chiaro-oscuro, but the turning of a line may often sparkle with genius. Sometimes they are extremely flat and heavy, for instance, in the map attached to Thoroton's _Notts_, 1677, may be seen a specimen, which is a great contrast to Hollar's designs in Sandford's _Genealogical History_, published in the same year. Again, the frontispiece to Carter's _Honor Redivivus_, published in 1673, shows flat waves, and behind the shield, coming out two-thirds down its length, the edges rippling into leaves and hackings, while the folds extend down to a boldly hacked and curled cartouche for the motto, out of which spring two branches of olive.

Instances of this style continue to occur down to 1750. We find them so engraved in Guillim's _Display_, 1724, also in the _English Baronetage_, 1741, and in some of the engravings in Atkyn's _Gloucestershire_, 1768.

7.--About the year 1700 appeared for a few years, perhaps we may say till about 1720, book-plates and dedicatory arms with great hacked foldings twisted round and looking something like Catherine-wheel fireworks. Two or four of these occur in book-plates, and sometimes as many as six, three on each side. We notice that these are conventional exaggerations of the less pronounced circular foldings and turnings seen so early as 1677 in some of Hollar's engravings in Sandford's _Genealogical History_. An engraving at p. 185 in Chauncey's _History of Hertford_, published in 1700, is especially interesting; it shows a monument, dated 1662, to Hewytt, in Sawbridgeworth Church, where the carver has struggled to avoid the long ugly folds ("cucumbers"), and has introduced very vigorously twisted leaves and hacks which almost approach those conventional Catherine-wheel fireworks as found in book-plates of a later date, say from 1700 to 1720. I would point out that all the armorial engravings in Chauncey's _Herts_ are well worth studying: the mantlings are hacked all over, and extend about four-fifths down the shields in endless small and vigorous twists, the shields themselves being variations of No. 16. Some of the engravings in Plot's _Natural History of Oxfordshire_, published in 1705, show the same character, also some of those in Atkyn's _History of Gloucestershire_, published in 1768.

8.--The rebound from this taste led to small mantlings, kept a good deal at the top of the shield, even although there were no supporters, as in a peer's coat of arms, to prevent their downward flow. These occur also when the bases of the shields in Jacobean book-plates are finished off with scroll work, trellis, scales, &c., &c.; the upper part of the shield being ornamented with such smallish mantlings. In Blomefield's _Norfolk_, 1739, ribbon scrolls extend all round some of the shields in the place of a mantling; while in what is, I suppose, a book-plate, Holland impaling Upton, printed in the pedigrees at the beginning of vol. i, acanthus leaves occur in the base, and break out occasionally, where convenient, from such scrolls, which are arranged round the upper part of the shield. Scrolls are strictly architectural ornaments, and not _vegetables_. These correspond to the French style called "Bombé," in which curves and undulations of surface in ribbons, &c., were rolled and tossed about for artistic effect. But with our English examples of monuments of the sixteenth century in the same taste (see p. 80), we need not consider that our Jacobean style was borrowed from the French, although that nation, for a full century, ending in 1790, guided the artistic tastes of Europe.

9.--During the Chippendale fashion all martial elements disappear, helmets and mantlings are swept away, and we see the style of Louis XV. borrowed from the prevailing French taste, broken shell-shaped woodwork, rocks, and shell curves (rocaille coquille), hence called "Rococo." It was well enough in the frames of mirrors and furniture, but seems strangely out of place around a cardioid shield of arms, with festoons of flowers and spikes of reeds or grass, while perhaps Cupids or Greek vases on brackets are introduced. Nevertheless, the genius of Chippendale sublimated this into specimens of great beauty. Chippendale's _Books of Designs_ were published in 1759, i vol., folio, and in 1762, i vol., folio.

10.--Mantlings, of course, continued to be shown in grants of arms. We find about 1775 they appear to be smaller again, and confined to the top of the shield, often being carried rather high up on each side of the crest, and frequently ending at the base in two tassels [see a grant 1779, _Miscell. Genealogica et Heraldica_, second series, vol. iii, p. 41].

11.--This style continued to the beginning of the nineteenth century, when I have observed very light and graceful mantlings thrown about in airy and much hacked foldings, and generally ending in tassels (see a grant 1803, _Miscell. Genealogica et Heraldica_, original series, vol. ii, p. 20). This character is also seen in many book-plates of this date.

12.--I must now say a few words on the style introduced and skilfully enforced by Robert and James Adam. They, too, adopted from the French, and by their skill and artistic taste developed to great perfection the style of Louis XVI. (1774-90). The rage for this fashion arose in Europe upon the discovery at Pompeii of Roman frescoes preserved in their original colours. The brothers Adam caught the exact spirit of these, and produced heraldic designs, consisting of shell-fluted scrolls, with light and airy festoons of flowers and ribbons, surrounding shields almost invariably Georgian No. 25. The festoons were frequently extended in graceful curves, from pegs, just as we see them in the recovered Roman arabesques, or on the walls of the Petit Trianon. Robert and James Adam published their book in three vols., imp. folio, 1773-1822. For examples of this style see Dugdale's _Warwickshire_, 1765; Hutchin's _Dorset_, 1774; Hasted's _Kent_, 1778; Rudder's _Gloucestershire_, 1779 (one specimen only); Nichol's _Leicestershire_, 1795; Shaw's _Staffordshire_, 1798; Manning and Bray's _Surrey_, 1804. This long list will show how extremely popular the Adam style continued to be for about thirty years.

13.--As early as 1500, a fan-shaped mantling with rounded base appears; it was formed of an unhacked cloth with many closely folded rays, and occasionally two tassels are attached to the _upper_ corners and hang down as supports on each side of the shield, which stands in the middle--see examples engraved in _Herald and Genealogist_, vol. viii, p. 247; _Archæologia Cantiana_, vol. v, p. 248; _Miscell. Genealogica et Heraldica_, first series, vol. ii, p. 100; &c., &c. This design is continued until after 1700, but seems less closely folded at the later dates, when they are often found in ornamental achievements in pedigrees.

14.--A curious example of a mantling is engraved _Herald and Genealogist_, vol. viii, p. 254, in which a square sheet or cloth, having no hacking, and attached to the helmet, is folded-in round the edges; through these a cord is passed, ending in two tassels which extend a little below the bottom of the mantle. This portion of the cloth, as well as the back, hangs down straight without any folds. The result is that the shield stands out against the deeply shaded back ground within these folded-in edges, they being in high light. The MS. from which this is taken is dated 1645, and the shield displays the arms of Helsby.

15.--The earliest instance I have noticed of those large unhacked square sheets or mantles called by Porney "drapery," which are drawn up through two rings or ribbons at the upper corners and fall in folds, while in the middle stands the shield of arms, occurs in a monument at Holme Pierpoint to the Countess of Kingston, which bears date 1649 (Thoroton's _Notts_, p. 90). Such are also engraved in the _Sphere of Gentry_, 1661; and in the _English Baronetage_, 1741. These are occasionally to be met with down to 1840. In French heraldry they are commonly found.

* * * * *

In _Archæologia Cantiana_, vol. x, p. 329, is engraved a curious tent-shaped "drapery," drawn over the helm and held there by a ducal coronet, from which starts the crest, while beneath, and in the middle of the sheet, stand the shield of arms and supporters. This is from "The Confirmation of Supporters, Crest and Arms to Sir Edward Dering, Knt. and Bart., by Sir Wm. Segar, Garter." The first baronet was created 1st Feb., 1626, and Sir Wm. Segar died in 1633; so the date of this drawing is within those seven years.

* * * * *

It must be evident that each artist gave a certain character and style of his own to his work; at the same time the various fashions noted above are found strongly prevailing at the dates given. They were what was approved by the public taste, and any variations only extend to more or less skilful working out. It will be noticed that public taste has several times alternated between sparse and voluminous mantlings. There are indications at the present time which seem to point to a return, within a few years, of the massive convolutions seen during the last quarter of the seventeenth century.

* * * * *

In ledger stones and monuments from 1650 the characteristics given above are followed until about 1780, when other kinds of decoration--palm branches, festoons, and scrolls--very largely superseded mantlings.

IMPORTANT NOTE ON TINCTURE-LINES IN SEALS.

My readers would notice at page 52 and again at page 79 that I could not accept the statements that seals so early as 1648-9 could possibly show tincture-lines. I therefore gave my authorities, and showed pretty evidently that I could not, in the face of other _facts_, accept them. Since the writing of those pages, Mr. W. H. St. John Hope has very kindly examined for me the original document preserved among the muniments at the House of Lords, and reports that in _none_ of the seals attached to the death-warrant of Charles I. are the tinctures indicated by lines. It is not for me to explain how so accurate an observer as the late Mr. Planché made such a mistake. I think it is probable that the late Mr. Bouttell followed him and enlarged somewhat. The fact, however, is now definitively settled.

I had observed that in those earlier printed books which have copper plates, the invention of Father Silvester de Petra Sancta had been very cautiously and undecidedly adopted. In Spelman's _Aspilogia_ [included in that small folio published by Edward Bysse in 1654, and to which I have frequently referred as containing also the works of Nicholas Upton and John de Bado Aureo] most of the shields have tincture lines; but in some of the copper plates, signs of various planets are given instead of those letters for tinctures which are usually seen in "tricks."

NOTE TO PAGE 36.

I have no doubt that the curious projecting point to which the attention of the reader has been drawn, was meant as a protection against the "Coup de jarret," that terrible feat of arms which aimed at severing the muscles behind the knee, a spot necessarily covered by leather only, and therefore peculiarly vulnerable.

INDEX.

SHIELDS FIGURED ON PLATE I, PAGE 11.

No. Pages.

1--12, 18, 19, 72
2--12, 14, 21, 24
3--Introduced 5, 11, 12, 13, 17
4--11, 12, 17, 24
5--16, 21, 22, 24, 26, 32, 38
6--14, 15, 18, 20, 21, 72
7--22, 24, 38
8--59
9--37, 60
10--37, 60
11--37, 60
12--37, 60
13--61
14--61
15--61, 62
16--62
17--62, 63
18--62
19--63
20--63
21--64
22--64
23--65
24--65
25--65
26--65, 66
27--66
28--66
29--66
30--...
31--67
32--67
33--67, 68
34--67, 68
35--68
36--70
37--...
38--...
39--70
40--71
41--71
42--68, 71
43--68, 71

* * * * *

Adam style, 86

Animals in the fields of seals, 18, 22, 23, 24, 27, 32

Bosses in round shields, 4;
in other shapes, 13, 14, 16

Bombé style, 84

Bouches, 16, 24, 31, 37

Chaplets or Wreaths, 54

Chippendale style, 85

Counterseals, 75

Crosses and other signs beginning inscriptions, 21

Dates on seals, 43

Death Warrant of Charles I., 52, 54, 88

Decorations on the field in seals, 16, 21, 23, 32

Decline in the style of seals, 27, 30, 33, 44, 49

Guiges, 6, 21

Gunpowder, use of, 26

Helmets, 59

Inscriptions, style of, given at the end of each century;
cross and other signs at their commencement, 21

Ledger stones, 88

Lines, dots, ropes, &c., surrounding seals, 21

Mantlings, 39 to 43;
sixteenth century and later, 77 to 87;
fan-shaped, 86;
square sheets, 86, 87

Mottoes, 58

Palm branches, 55

Rococo style, 85

Seals sometimes used for a long period, 9, 29;
lines, dots, ropes, &c., surrounding, 21;
time required in making, 27, Note;
decorations on the fields, 16, 21, 23, 32;
animals in fields of, 18, 22, 23, 24, 27, 32;
inscriptions, crosses, and other signs at their beginning, 21;
unfolded scrolls in, 32;
counterseals, 75;
secreta, 76;
dates on seals, 43;
decline in style of, 27, 30, 33, 44, 49

Secreta, 76

Shields, round, 1, 26, 36, 38;
laws relating to, 2;
heart-shaped, 13, 15, 71;
eared, 73 to 75;
square, 5, 19, 20, 38;
lozenges, 20;
turned round at base, 14, 69, 72;
curved outwards, 24, 33 to 36;
curious point in sinister base, 36, 89;
John of Gaunt's shield, 29;
the Black Prince's shield, 30;
length of shields, 4, 7;
their use abandoned in war, 8, 24 to 26;
introduction of gunpowder not the cause, 26;
bosses in round shields, 4;
in other shapes, 13, 14, 16

Sources of information, 9, 49

Supporters, 56

Targetiers, 5

Tincture lines, 52, 79, 88

Torces, 43, 81

Wreaths or Chaplets, 54

Being deeply impressed with the great value of a "CORPUS SIGILLORUM" which would bring together in one view a large number of English Seals of each century for the eye to rest upon and so to comprehend the varying styles at different dates, Mr. Grazebrook puts forward the following proposal to see if a sufficient number of Subscribers will be found to support him, and meet the heavy expense of producing such a work. It is obvious that to lessen the number of illustrations would impair its usefulness, and Mr. Grazebrook would not undertake the book unless it can be thoroughly carried out. What he contemplates would show perhaps fifty selected characteristic seals for each century from the eleventh to the seventeenth, displayed in order of date. So large a number would not be needed at the earliest or latest dates, but for some of the periods a greater number ought to be given. Students now get together such collections in tracings and drawings--as the labour of years; and it is feared very few have perseverance enough to carry out fully their aim, but without such exact data conclusions must be guess-work. Mr. Grazebrook has such a collection for his own use, and knows from experience what a great advantage it is.

This proposed well-illustrated book would not only be most valuable and instructive to the Antiquary, it would also possess a far wider and general interest, because these are the highest specimens of Art remaining to us of the early times in which they were made. Seals at all dates are the results of the greatest skill and care to be procured, according to the owner's means; and many of them are masterpieces, both of design and execution. They display the whole career of Art: the simplicity of early times, gradually developing and culminating in the perfection of the fourteenth century; to be followed by overloaded designs, beautified by exquisite workmanship, at the end of the fifteenth.

Such a pictured History of Art could not fail to be interesting and attractive to many who would not care to study the subject from a strictly antiquarian point of view.

This large collection of engravings would be accompanied by explanations giving an account of most of the seals, the origin of their decorations, and other particulars involving a considerable amount of genealogical research; which, even when epitomised, must form a bulky volume; and it would require a large body of Subscribers at 30_s._ to cover the expense; but the author trusts he may be encouraged by such extended support that he may be able somewhat to _increase_ the number of illustrations--many of which must be reproduced from the copper plates in old and rare works, thus involving considerable expense.

Subscriptions payable when the work is completed.

Gentlemen who would be willing to subscribe will please write to that effect to GEORGE GRAZEBROOK, F.S.A., Oak Hill Park, near Liverpool.

Any suggestions for the improvement of the work would be esteemed. The author will confine himself strictly to

The Art History of those seals whose dates are accurately known;

The Characteristic Styles prevailing at each period; and

The various Signs of Date as they are developed.

FOOTNOTES

[1] I have to acknowledge the kind permission to use the following illustrations--by Messrs. Virtue and Co., four blocks from Cutts' _Scenes and Characters of the Middle Ages_, 1872; by Messrs. Mitchell and Hughes, six blocks from Dr. Jackson Howard's _Miscellanea Genealogica et Heraldica_; by Messrs. Nichols and Son, sixteen blocks from _The Herald and Genealogist_, _Collectanea Genealogica et Heraldica_, _The Topographer and Genealogist_, and _The Visitation of Huntingdon_, 1613 [Camden Society]; by Messrs. Parker, eight blocks from Hewitt's _Ancient Arms and Armour_ and _The Archæological Journal_, vol. iv; by the Society of Antiquaries, eight blocks published in their _Proceedings_; and by the Royal Archæological Institute, one block from _The Archæological Journal_, vol. xi.

[2] Randle Holme's _Academy of Armoury_, book i. p. 9, tells us how Froissart, describing the battle of Poictiers, says that the Black Prince commanded the body of the Lord Richard Duras to be laid on a shield, and that five men should bear the same to the Cardinal of Peregorth for a present, &c. Also, that towards the end of the reign of Edward III, the Frenchmen, to save themselves from the liberal shot of the English archers, had shields made of elme-wood, seven feet in length and three in breadth and an inch in thickness, which were made sharp at the foot to pitch into the ground.

[3] It would be curious to ascertain, if we could, how long the die sinkers in early times required to make these large and splendid seals. I have only noted a few instances which throw light upon it, but, no doubt, a careful search might show the earliest dates after their succession when the several kings used their new great seals. Rymer's _Fœdera_ contains many orderings and surrenderings of such seals; the great difficulty is to connect the impression with the thing ordered or dealt with. Blackstone [_The Great Charter and the Charter of the Forest_, 4to, 1759, pp. xxix and xliii] informs us that the great Charter of Henry III, dated 12th November, 1216 (he was crowned at Gloucester, 28th October, 1216), was sealed--as declared in the document--with the seals of Gualo the Legate and William Earl of Pembroke; King John's seal having been lost in passing the Washes of Lincolnshire, and no new seal being made for King Henry till two years after. About 6th November, 1218, a new great seal was made for King Henry III, and then began to be used in sealing writs, of course, but was forbidden to be put to anything which might tend to perpetuity till the king should arrive to full age; and a footnote is added, "It has not even in later times been altogether unusual for the successor to defer for a while the making of a new great seal,--and in the interim to use his predecessor's:--The Editor has met with a patent of Rich^d Cromwell, dated 18 Nov. 1658, [11 weeks after his protectorship commenced] which was sealed with Oliver's seal." Roger de Hoveden notes, under the year 1194, that Richard I. ordered a new great seal to be made, but the earliest deed to which it is known to be attached bears date 18th May, 1198--that is, four years afterwards. (M. Deville's _Treatise on the Seals of Richard I._, and _Archæological Journal_, vol. iii, p. 372.) Among the Standish Deeds, which I had lately the honour to lay before this Society, was one--a licence to found a chantry at Standish--granted by Edward III. on 12th February, 1328, and with apparently an unfinished seal. The impression is a bad one, but the lions afterwards on the horse clothing seem to be wanting. He only ascended the throne 25th January, 1327. On the fourth day of his reign, viz., 28th January, 1327, he delivered his great seal to the Bishop of Ely as Chancellor, two fleur-de-lys having been engraved on the under side thereof (Rymer's _Fœdera_, vol. ii, p. 683). This was his father's seal, thus slightly altered on one side. In October of the same year Edward III. stated by proclamation that he had a new great seal, different on both sides from the seal hitherto used; which great seal was to have authority from 4th October, 1327. Rymer, vol. ii, p. 718, records that the previous seal was broken up in the king's presence, in his chamber in the Castle of Nottingham. See Professor Willis on the great seals of Edward III., a learned paper printed in the _Archæological Journal_, vol. ii, p. 14.

* * * * *

Transcriber's Notes:

The caret character is used to represent superscripts, e.g. "Rich^d."
Both "torse" and "torce" were used in this book.
Both "scroll work" and "scroll-work" where used in this book.
Both "wood-cut" and "woodcut" were used in this book.
Page 24, "p." changed to "pp."
Page 26, closing square bracket added after "p. 187."
Page 39, "15" changed to "by" ("He was beheaded by Edward II.").
Page 51, period added after "sett to my hand."
Page 53, "II" changed to "II."
Page 60, closing parenthesis added.
Page 67, "cornucopiaœ" changed to "cornucopiæ."
Page 69, closing parenthesis added after "p. 211."
Page 74, closing parenthesis added.
Page 86, "indroduced" changed to "introduced."
Page 94, period added after "considerable expense."