Human figures, winged and vested, and designed to represent ANGELS, are
occasionally introduced in English Heraldry, their office generally
being to act as “Supporters” to armorial Shields. Fine examples, in
admirable preservation, may be seen boldly sculptured in the noble
timber-roof of Westminster Hall; also in panels over the principal
entrance to the Hall, and in various parts of the Abbey of Westminster.
In the grand Abbey Church of St. Alban at St. Alban’s, numerous other
examples of great excellence yet remain, the works of Abbot John de
Wheathamstede, about A.D. 1440. In No. 159 I give a representation of
the Shield of Arms of the Abbey of ST. ALBAN--_Az., a saltire or_,
supported by Angels, and the Shield ensigned by the Mitre of Abbot
Thomas De la Mere, as it is represented in his noble Brass in the Abbey
Church. The Shield and the Angel Figures are the work of Abbot John. The
Heads of the Figures, which are destroyed in the original, are restored
from stained glass of the same period in the Abbey Church. Figures of
Angels holding Shields of Arms--each figure having a shield in front of
its breast, are frequently sculptured as corbels in Gothic churches.
In the earliest Rolls of Arms, the Lion is the only animal that is found
in blazon, with the sole addition of Boar’s heads. Deer, dogs, bulls,
calves, rams, and a few other animals subsequently appear to share
heraldic service and honours with the king of beasts. In modern Armory,
however, almost every living creature has been required to discharge
such duties as Heralds have been pleased to assign to them. The Lion of
Heraldry I leave to be considered, with the Eagle, in the next Chapter.
In comparatively early blazon, the _Bear_ is borne by FITZ URSE: the
_Calf_, by CALVELEY and DE VELE: the _Ram_, by RAMSEY and RAMRYGE: the
_Lamb_, by LAMBERT and LAMBTON: the _Otter_ (_loutre_, in French), by
LUTTREL: the _Hedgehog_ (Fr., _herrison_), by DE HERIZ, afterwards
HARRIS: and so also, in like manner, some other animals appear as _armes
parlantes_ (see p. 16).
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