Picture Library - Heraldry

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Heraldry

Heraldry was probably the most important representation of status and social display on brasses and incised slabs. Figure brasses to the gentry proudly displayed their arms, often in a series of shields as at Spilsby, or with the main figures wearing heraldic tabards as at Wilne. Sometimes just a simple shield of arms accompanies the inscription, such as Sir John Rokesle's brass at Lullingstone, or the arms are shown with the crest, as on the brass in Lund Museum. On other brasses the crest (which was worn conspicuously on the helm) appears on its own, as exemplified by the remains of the Iwardeby brass at Great Missenden. At March crests on wreaths are used as supporters for a shield with the impaled arms of Anthony Hansart and his wife. Heraldic beasts were on occasion used as foot supports for effigies; an elephant is seen at the feet of William, Viscount Beaumont and also appears as a word separator in the inscription.

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