A Little Bit of Heraldry

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UPCOMING EVENT

16^th July 2023 RESTORATION HOUSE TOURS

LAST HOUSE TOURS of 2023. Limited places, £10 pp

www.betleycourtgardens.co.uk/events for details

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Providing everything goes well, next week should see the breaking down of the final part of the scaffolding that has covered Betley Court since the end of 2020. It is no exaggeration to say this is quite an exciting time for the Brown family. Bit by bit we are getting ‘our’ Betley Court back. Once the last of the scaffolding is removed, Betley village will also have its ‘big house’ back.

One of the things that will be most noticeable when the scaffolding comes down is the large white stone decoration on the front of Betley Court. This is the heraldic achievement of John Craddock, the founder of Betley Court. It is said that these heraldic achievements or coats of arms
were developed when suits of armour became commonplace in the later 1100s. As knights’ faces were covered, it became important to decorate them so they were easily identifiable either in battle or tournament.[1] A whole language of symbols grew up within the heraldry that the initiated could decipher, yet the uninitiated could still recognise; specific colours, shapes, and placing of emblems that illustrated the social status of the wearer.

Craddock's coat of arms after refurbishment 

I’m not going to attempt to explain how heraldry works in this post, but details can be found HERE. I thought I would pick out some of the symbols in John Craddock’s coat of arms and explain some of their meaning. When these heraldic achievements were first devised, Norman French was spoken, as illustrated by some of the words used.

Starting from the top;

The CREST; a gold “or” bear’s head erase.

Bear; symbol of strength. Animals were used to denote personal attributes, the bear - healing and personal health and bravery. Using gold as a colour points to status/wealth. The term ‘erase’ means the animals head is depicted separately without the body.

The HELM (or helmet) & TORSE (wreath).

Represents rank and social status. The closed helmet, facing left symbolises lesser nobility. Also stands for wisdom and security, strength, protection and invulnerability. The torse (wreath) above the helm represents cloth in the colours of the family.

The GREEN MAN

Symbol of rebirth

ESCUTCHEON/SHIELD;

In the Craddock’s case, painted argent (silver) or white. This colour is known as the tincture (the conventional colours or stains used in heraldic shields). The azure (blue) chevron is a type of ordinaire, a symbol to make the shield identifiable. It is decorated with three charges in the design of golden garbs (wheat sheafs)

MANTLING

This is the leafy decoration that ‘holds’ the design together, in this case stylised
fleur de lys ‘flower of light’

Within the mantle, there are other symbols pointing to other meanings in heraldry:

The Rose; a symbol of hope and joy

& Wheaf sharf (or sheaf) – called a garb in heraldry. Means abundance and hope

Grapes; symbolise happiness, bliss and peace. Fruits of all kinds were considered Proof of God’s goodness

Scrolls: a symbol of learning

Should you be passing Betley Court once the scaffolding is down, do take a moment to glance up, and decipher John Craddock’s coat of arms for yourself .

All best wishes

Ladybird Su

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[1] A beginner's guide to heraldry | English Heritage (english-heritage.org.uk)