Royal Supporters of England

In heraldry, the Royal Supporters of England are creatures appearing on each side of the Royal Arms of England. Originally, in England, supporters were regarded as little more than mere decorative and artistic appendages. In France, writers made a distinctive difference on the subject of supporters, giving the name of Supports to animals, real or imaginary, thus employed; while human figures or angels similarly used are called Tenants (i.e. 'holders'). Trees and other inanimate objects which are sometimes used are called Soutiens. Older writers trace origins of supporters to their usages in tournaments, where the shields of the combatants were exposed for inspection, and guarded by their servants or pages disguised in fanciful attire. However, medieval Scottish seals afford numerous examples in which the 13th and 14th century shields were placed between two creatures resembling lizards or dragons. Also, the seal of John, Duke of Normandy, eldest son of the King of France, before 1316 bears his arms as; France ancient, a bordure gules, between two lions rampant away from the shield, and an eagle with expanded wings standing above it. The Royal Supporters of the monarchs of England, displayed a variety, or even a menagerie, of real and imaginary beasts, either side of their Royal Arms of Sovereignty, including the lion, leopard, panther and tiger, the antelope and the hart, the greyhound, the boar and the bull, the falcon, cock, eagle and swan, the red and gold dragons, and of course, the current unicorn.[1]

Heraldic supporters of the monarchs of England

Monarch (Reign) Supporters[2] Details Coat of arms
 House of Plantagenet 
(1327–1399)

King Edward III
(1327–1377)
  • lion and falcon
  • two lions (as displayed at Trinity College)
  • two angels (first English king to bear these[3])

King Edward III was supposed to have used on the dexter side a Lion guardant Or, crowned of the last; and on the sinister, by a Falcon Argent, membered Or.

However, there is no conclusive evidence to assume that a definitive set of heraldic supporters were in use so early at this period.[4]
lion and falcon

King Richard II
(1377–1399)
  • two harts argent

King Richard's arms appear on the north front of Westminster Hall. On the base of the escutcheon rests his royal badge of the white hart; which is collared and chained. This device is derived from the personal badge of his mother Joan of Kent. The same device was also used by her son, from her first husband; Thomas Holland, 1st Earl of Kent. In this same decoration the escutcheon is surrounded by two angels, however these the character of pious emblems, rather than heraldic figures.[5]

Another example lies in St Olave's Church, Hart Street, depicts the arms of the monarch impaled with those of his patron saint; Edward the Confessor. Here is escutcheon is supported by two Harts Argent, collared and chained Or.[6]
two harts
 House of Lancaster 
(1399–1413)

King Henry IV
(1399–1413)
  • lion and antelope
  • heraldic antelope argent, armed, crined and collared gold; and white swan collared with an open crown or, a golden chain pendent from the crown
  • white swan collared with an open crown or, a golden chain pendent from the crown; and heraldic antelope argent, armed, crined and collared gold
  • two angels

King Henry IV was supposed to have his escutcheon supported on the dexter by an antelope Argent, ducally collared, lines, and armed Or; and on the sinister, by a swan Argent. However no remaining monuments have been found that supports conclusive proof that these devices were used as such. The device of the swan is derived from the Bohun swan of the family of de Bohun, a descendant of which, Mary de Bohun, was Henry's first wife.[7] It is likely that these may have been used only as badges and not as supporters at all. (Page 89)[8]

The heraldic antelope appears to have also been derived from the Bohun family.[9][10]
lion and antelope

King Henry V
(1413–1422)
  • lion and antelope
  • white swan collared with an open crown or, a golden chain pendent from the crown; and heraldic antelope argent, armed, crined and collared gold
  • two feathers argent

King Henry V as king bore on the dexter side a lion guardant Or, on the sinister an antelope Argent.[11]
lion and antelope

King Henry VI
(1422–1461)
  • two antelopes argent
  • lion and panther
  • antelope or and tiger

King Henry VI's arms are supported by two antelopes, this depiction appears on the ceiling of the southern aisle of St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle; and on the upper part of the inner gateway of Eton College.[12] Possibly the first English king to systematically used supporters, in their arms, previously they were used ornamentally rather than as part of the heraldic science. The heraldic antelopes are described thus; two heraldic antelopes Argent, armed and tufted Or. [13]
two antelopes
 House of York 
(1413–1485)

King Edward IV
(1461–1483)
  • two lions argent
  • lion argent and bull sable
  • lion or and bull sable
  • lion argent and hart argent

King Edward IV's arms contained the white lion, which had been used as supporters by the Mortimers, Earls of March. When he himself was Earl of March, his arms were indeed supported by two white lions; lions rampant guardant Argent, their tails passing between their legs and over their backs.[14][15]

A black bull, with horns, hoofs Or, is sometimes incorporated as a supporter interchangeably with other creature either on the dexter or sinister side. The bull was a device of Lionel of Antwerp, 1st Duke of Clarence, the second son of Edward III. The House of York were descended through him by Richard of York, 3rd Duke of York and his mother Anne de Mortimer.[16]

The white hart was evidently derived from the arms of Richard II, who in 1387 declared Roger Mortimer, 4th Earl of March, Edward's maternal great-grandfather, his lawful heir to the crown.[14]
two lions

King Edward V
(1483)
  • lion argent and hart argent gorged and chained or
  • lion argent and hind argent gorged and chained or

The short-lived monarch shares his supporters with those of his father's; specifically the white lion and the white hart.[17] A painting of the king's arms is found in St George's Chapel, beside the tomb of Oliver King, Bishop of Exeter. However the it shows; dexter a lion argent and sinister a hind argent.[18]
lion and hart

King Richard III
(1483–1485)
  • two boars argent
  • lion or and boar argent
  • boar argent and bull

King Richard III used most prominently two white boars as his supporters. Even before his ascension to the throne the white boar was used as a personal badge, also in his service was a pursuivant called 'Blanc Sanglier'. The satire of William Collingbourne, referring to Richard as a 'hogge' is well known.[19]The boars are described as; A boar rampant argent, armed and bristled Or.[20]
two boars
 House of Tudor 
(1485–1606)

King Henry VII
(1485–1509)
  • dragon gules and greyhound argent collared gules
  • two greyhounds argent
  • lion or and dragon gules

King Henry VII used as his supporters a red dragon and a white greyhound. The red dragon is traditionally the symbol of Cadwaladr, King of Gwynedd. Henry VII claims his descent from the Welsh leader, and was fond of the myth surrounding his reign. However the dragon itself have long been borne by various English kings in their standard; such as Henry III, Edward I and Edward III.[21] The dragon is described as; a dragon Gules garnished and armed Or.[22]

The white greyhound have been used as a device by the House of York, it was assumed as a supporter by Henry in right of his wife, who derived it from her grandmother's family of Neville.[23] At other times the greyhound have been attributed to the House of Beaufort, the family of Henry's mother; Margaret Beaufort, rather than York.[24]The greyhound is described as; a greyhound Argent collared Gules.[25]
dragon and greyhound

King Henry VIII
(1509–1547)
  • dragon gules and greyhound argent collared gules[3]
  • lion crowned or and dragon gules
  • dragon gules and bull sable
  • dragon gules and greyhound argent
  • dragon gules and cock argent

During the first half of his reign, King Henry VIII used the same supporters as his father, this was depicted on many manuscripts which belonged to him. Afterwards he began to use a crowned lion of England on the dexter side and the red dragon on the sinister side.[26] The lion is described as; A lion guardant Or, imperially crowned proper.[27]
lion and dragon

King Edward VI
(1547–1553)
  • lion or and dragon gules

King Edward VI used the same supporters, without change, from those used by his father on the latter half of his reign.[28]
lion and dragon

Queen Mary I
(1553–1558)
  • lion rampant or and dragon gules
  • lion or and greyhound argent
  • eagle and lion (Philip and Mary)

Queen Mary I used as her supporters; on the dexter an eagle Sable, with wings endorsed; and on the sinister a crowned lion of England. The eagle was the supporter of her husband King Philip II of Spain.[29]
eagle and lion

Queen Elizabeth I
(1558–1603)
  • lion or and dragon or / gules
  • lion or and greyhound argent

Queen Elizabeth I used the supporters of her father, a crowned lion and a dragon. However, sometimes the red dragon is substituted with a golden one.[30]
lion and dragon
 House of Stuart 
(1603–1649)

King James I
(1603–1625)
  • lion or and unicorn argent

When King James VI of Scotland inherited the English throne in 1603 and became King James I of England, he exchanged the red dragon with the Scottish unicorn of his ancestors.[31] The royal arms of Scotland have been supported by two unicorns since the reign of King James V.[32] The unicorn is blazoned as: a unicorn Argent, armed, unglued, craned, and gorged with a royal coronet Or, having a chain affixed thereto and reflexed over the back all Or.[33]

However to preserve a distinct identity for both nations, the king allowed for the use of two coats of arms; one for England and another for Scotland. In Scotland the position of the supporters are switched with the unicorn in the dexter and the lion in the sinister. The unicorn is also imperially crowned, similarly to the lion.[34]
lion and unicorn

King Charles I
(1625–1649)
  • lion or and unicorn argent

King Charles I uses the same supporters as those of his father, the crowned lion and unicorn.[35] Blazoned as; dexter a lion rampant guardant Or imperially crowned, sinister a unicorn Argent armed, crined and unguled Proper, gorged with a coronet Or composed of crosses patée and fleurs de lys a chain affixed thereto passing between the forelegs and reflexed over the back also Or.[36]
lion and unicorn
 The Protectorate 
(1653–1659)

Oliver Cromwell
(1653–1658)
  • lion or and dragon gules

During the Protectorate of Oliver Cromwell a coat of arms was created for use in the Great Seal. This coat of arms featured; Dexter, a lion guardant Or, crowned with the imperial crown Proper, Sinister, a dragon gules. Perhaps it was thought that the arms and motto of the Royal family was too personal and must be dropped. The supporters and crest, however was less personal but more national in character and was retained. The substitution of the Tudor dragon in favour of the unicorn demonstrates a clear rejection of the Stuarts and their symbols.[37]
lion and dragon

Richard Cromwell
(1658–1659)
  • lion or and dragon gules

The younger Cromwell retained the arms of his father for the eight months he held the office, until his rule was terminated by the Restoration in May 1660.[37]
lion and dragon
 House of Stuart (Restored) 
(1660–1707)

King Charles II
(1660–1685)
  • lion or and unicorn argent

King Charles II uses; dexter a lion rampant guardant Or imperially crowned, sinister a unicorn Argent armed, crined and unguled Proper, gorged with a coronet Or composed of crosses patée and fleurs de lys a chain affixed thereto passing between the forelegs and reflexed over the back also Or.[38]
lion and unicorn

King James II
(1685–1688)
  • lion or and unicorn argent

King James II uses; dexter a lion rampant guardant Or imperially crowned, sinister a unicorn Argent armed, crined and unguled Proper, gorged with a coronet Or composed of crosses patée and fleurs de lys a chain affixed thereto passing between the forelegs and reflexed over the back also Or.[39]
lion and unicorn

King William III and Queen Mary II
(1689–1694)
  • lion or and unicorn argent

King William III and Queen Mary uses; dexter a lion rampant guardant Or imperially crowned, sinister a unicorn Argent armed, crined and unguled Proper, gorged with a coronet Or composed of crosses patée and fleurs de lys a chain affixed thereto passing between the forelegs and reflexed over the back also Or.[40]
lion and unicorn

King William III
(1689–1702)
  • lion or and unicorn argent

King William III uses; dexter a lion rampant guardant Or imperially crowned, sinister a unicorn Argent armed, crined and unguled Proper, gorged with a coronet Or composed of crosses patée and fleurs de lys a chain affixed thereto passing between the forelegs and reflexed over the back also Or.[41]
lion and unicorn

Queen Anne
(1702–1707)
  • lion or and unicorn argent

Queen Anne uses; dexter a lion rampant guardant Or imperially crowned, sinister a unicorn Argent armed, crined and unguled Proper, gorged with a coronet Or composed of crosses patée and fleurs de lys a chain affixed thereto passing between the forelegs and reflexed over the back also Or.[41]
lion and unicorn

References

Citations
  1. ↑ The Art of Heraldry: An Encyclopædia of Armory. A.C. Fox-Davies. (ch XXX, p300). (1986). ISBN 0-906223-34-2.
  2. ↑ Charles Hasler, The Royal Arms, pp.3–11. ISBN 0-904041-20-4
  3. 1 2 The Penny Magazine. 18 April 1835
  4. ↑ Willement 1821, p. 16.
  5. ↑ Willement 1821, p. 20.
  6. ↑ Willement 1821, p. 21.
  7. ↑ Willement 1821, p. 28.
  8. ↑ Pinches 1974, p. 89.
  9. ↑ Willement 1821, p. 29.
  10. ↑ Pinches 1974, p. 90.
  11. ↑ Willement 1821, p. 33.
  12. ↑ Willement 1821, p. 35.
  13. ↑ Pinches 1974, p. 97.
  14. 1 2 Willement 1821, p. 46.
  15. ↑ Pinches 1974, p. 113.
  16. ↑ Willement 1821, p. 45.
  17. ↑ Willement 1821, p. 49.
  18. ↑ Pinches 1974, p. 121.
  19. ↑ Willement 1821, p. 50.
  20. ↑ Pinches 1974, p. 122.
  21. ↑ Willement 1821, pp. 58–59.
  22. ↑ Pinches p. 133
  23. ↑ Willement 1821, p. 59.
  24. ↑ Willement 1821, p. 60.
  25. ↑ Pinches 1974, p. 133.
  26. ↑ Willement 1821, pp. 64–65.
  27. ↑ Pinches 1974, p. 140.
  28. ↑ Willement 1821, p. 76.
  29. ↑ Willement 1821, p. 78.
  30. ↑ Pinches 1974, p. 154.
  31. ↑ Willement pp. 88–89
  32. ↑ Pinches 1974, p. 159.
  33. ↑ Pinches 1974, p. 160.
  34. ↑ Pinches 1974, p. 169.
  35. ↑ Willement 1821, p. 92.
  36. ↑ Pinches 1974, p. 174.
  37. 1 2 Pinches 1974, p. 179.
  38. ↑ Pinches 1974, p. 181.
  39. ↑ Pinches 1974, p. 187.
  40. ↑ Brooke-Little 1978, p. 214.
  41. 1 2 Brooke-Little 1978.
Bibliography

See also

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