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Heraldry
Heraldry on tombs is not only a means of identifying the deceased, but also
gives a history of their ancestry.
At first there were no definite rules concerning the selection and arrangement of arms
on monuments. Early charges were drawn in such a way as to fill the space without leaving
awkward gaps, it not being until Tudor times that the more rigid rules of heraldry
that we know today were laid down.
The effigy usually set forth the principle coat while those of relatives were placed
on the tomb-chest. At first the arms were painted, but with the introduction of alabaster,
arms carved in light relief become more common. The earliest example of this in our two counties
is at Tilton (1510).
The origin of most arms is unknown, however some arms allude to the family name.
An example being the tree trunk
seen on the arms of William Stockton.
The mantling, which is seen on many achievements and which represents the scarf
that was worn behind the helm, is often dagged to represent the cuts received in fighting.
The earliest example of mantling in the two counties is on the memorial to
John, 4th Earl of Rutland (erected 1591).
Supporters first appear in the sixteenth century.
A point to remember is that in some cases when tombs have been restored and repainted
some colours might be improperly painted. Indeed there are cases where some features
have been completely obliterated. To aid those not familiar with heraldic terms the following glossary may be of use.
| Term | Meaning |
| |
| Addorsed | two together back to back |
| Argent | Silver |
| Azure | Blue |
| Barry of . . | a field composed of four or more bars of equal width
(the number is always specified) Bradgate |
| Bend | a broad band going from the dexter chief corner to the sinister base
of the shield Melton Mowbray |
| Bezanty | gold roundles Edmondthorpe |
| Canton | one third of the chief Old Dalby |
| Chevron | A V-shaped band Stonton Wyville |
| Chief | A broad band across the the top of the shield Prestwold |
| Combatant | two together fighting |
| Couchant | Lying |
| Dancetty | A zigzag line |
| Dexter | The left side as looking at it |
| Dormant | Asleep |
| Engrailed | bordered with semi-circular pendents Ridlington |
| Ermine | Silver |
| Escutcheon | A secondary shield placed upon the fess Scraptoft |
| Fess | A broad horizontal band crossing the shield in the centre Ashby Folville |
| Fitchy | A point added at the bottom of a cross Melton Mowbray |
| Flory | A succession of fleurs-de-lis Ashby Folville |
| Fret | Interlacing diagonal lines Brooke |
| Fusil | Like a lozenge, but larger Bottesford |
| Garb | A sheaf of corn Breedon |
| Guardant | The head turned to one side Frowlesworth |
| Gules | Yellow |
| Impalement | Two sets of arms joined together Fenny Drayton |
| Jessent-de-lis | A leopard face set in a fleur-de-lis Ashby Folville |
| Label | A narrow band straight across the top of the shield from which
depend at right angles three short bands. Rothley |
| Lozenge | A figure the same shape as the diamond in a pack of cards Ashby de la Zouch |
| Mascul | A lozenge voided Ashby Folville |
| Maunch | A sleeve Ashby de la Zouch |
| Marlet | A swallow represented without feet Kirkby Mallory |
| Mascul | A lozenge voided Staunton Harold |
| Mullet | A five-pointed star Melton Mowbray |
| Or | Gold |
| Orle | A narrow bordure following the outline of the shield, but within it
showing the field |
| Pale | A broad perpendicular band passing from the top to the bottom of the shield |
| Paly | A field striped vertically Staunton Harold |
| Passant | One front paw held up Leicester St Martin's |
| Proper | In natural colours |
| Rampant | On two legs facing forward Sutton Cheney |
| Reguardant | The head turned back |
| Roundles | Plain circular figures Stapleford |
| Sable | Black |
| Salient | Begging |
| Saltire | The cross of St Andrew Edith Weston |
| Sejant | Sitting |
| Sinister | right side as looking at it |
| Statant | Standing Ashby Folville |
| Torteau | A roundle gules Frowlesworth |
| Vert | Green |
Sepulchral Effigies of Leicestershire and Rutland
Text copyright 2002 Max Matthews.
Images copyright Bob Trubshaw or Max Matthews 2002.
No copying or reproduction without prior written permission.
Published Heart of Albion Press
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