Antique Flea Finds
Antique Heraldic Crest Framed English Art Copper Engraving Hand Colored
Regular price
$398.00
Antique English Framed Heraldic Crest Hand Colored Copper Engraving 18th Century of The Right Honourable Henry Willoughby Baron Willoughby of Parham
Willoughby, Henry Willoughby, Baron, 1696-1775 The Crest depicts an ostrich and a man covered in leaves are the supporters and the motto; 'Verite Sans Peur" - “Truth without fear.”
Measures - 15 3/4" x 23 1/8"
In as found Antique Condition - few areas of age on the frame and the paper backing is torn in a few places
The granting of armorial bearings (coat of arms) within the United Kingdom is the sole prerogative of the British monarch. Under the latter's jurisdiction, the right to arms is acquired exclusively either by proving descent in an unbroken male-line from someone registered as so entitled or by a new grant from the King of Arms. These are the most common way of gaining this right, however technically arms can also be gained: by a grant from the Crown, by prescription (meaning in use since time immemorial), by succeeding to an office or by marriage. The descent of arms follow strongly the Law of heraldic arms, which is a branch of English law, interpreted by civil lawyers in the Court of Chivalry. Sir Edward Coke in his Commentary upon Littleton (1628) wrote that "gentry and armes is the nature of gavelkinde, for they descend to all the sonnes." Arms in England, therefore descend to all of the male lines, and not just the most senior alone. In the past this issue of eligibility have been a source of great conflict between the heralds, as such submissions are made on an officer for clients basis, which meant some 'unsuitability' was ignored in lieu of profit by past officers. Suitability rested on the phrase "eminent men", originally the test applied was one of wealth or social status, as any man entitled to bear a coat of arms was expected to be a gentleman. By 1530, the heralds applied a property qualification, requiring successful candidates for a grant of arms to have an income from land of £10 per annum, or movable wealth of £300
