Coat of arms of the Drapers Company
Usually known as the Drapers' Company, The Master and Wardens and Brethren and Sisters of the Guild or Fraternity of the Blessed Mary the Virgin of the Mystery of Drapers of the City of London was probably the first corporate body in England to be granted a coat of arms, on 10 March 1438/9.[1] It is certainly the oldest known patent of arms to survive. The arms were modified in 1561, when the crest was added and the lion supporters granted. These grants were superseded in 1613 with minor modifications.
Blazon
Operative grant of Sir William Segar, Garter (6 June 1613):
| Azure | On a blue background |
| upon three clouds Proper | on each of three clouds of natural colour |
| the sunbeams issuing | from which are coming sunbeams |
| three imperial triple crowns gold | is an imperial triple-tiered gold crown |
| Supporters: Supported by two lions Or pelleted | On each side is a gold lion with black spots (or 'pellets') |
| Crest: On a wreath of their colours | On a ring of twisted blue and gold cloth |
| a mount Vert | is a green hill |
| thereon a ram jacent fleeced gold | on top of which is a gold Ram lying down but with head raised |
| armed and unguled Sable | with black horns and hooves |
| Mantle: Gules doubled Argent | The mantle (cloth attached to the helmet) is red lined with white or silver |
Symbolism[2]
A number of explanations of the symbolism of the Drapers' arms have been postulated. Certainly, the Company's patron is the Virgin Mary, and each of the grants of arms are clear that this is to whom the triple crowns refer. Mary was deemed to be an empress; the symbol for an emperor/empress is the triple crown.
This is particularly important as the tiara or triple crown was commonly used to represent the temporal power of the Pope, and may explain the clarifications which were required in the 16th and 17th century grants.
The symbolism is likely to simply represent The Assumption. It has been suggested that the arms demonstrate that from Mary, through the Holy Spirit, comes the divine Son of God: thus the sunbeams represent the brilliance and light of the Virgin Mary, and the cloud which is a frequent symbol for the Holy Spirit. Another suggestion is that the crowned clouds are mistaken renderings of pyx-canopies - veils (as would be sold by drapers) hanging from pyxes.[3]
The triple repetition of this main charge follows a general symmetrical pattern in heraldry of three charges on a shield.
Motto
Unto God only be Honour and Glory
References
- ↑ College of Arms
- ↑ some material from Bromley and Child, The Armorial Bearings of the Guilds of London (1960)
- ↑ Hope, WHStJ: Grammar of Heraldry, 2nd ed. (1953)
