Hud/dleston Heraldry
Annette Hudleston Harwood


One of the earliest descriptions of coats of arms appears in "The Siege of Caerlaverock" which describes the expedition of Edward 1st. (b.1239 d.1307) "The Hammer of the Scots",
to Scotland in July 1300, and his siege of the Castle of Caerlaverock near Dumfries. It contains details of the banners and shields of more than 100 nobles and knights. Here is an extract from a publication of The Heraldry Society" rendered into rhyme by CW Scott-Giles OBE. Fitzalan Pursuivant Extraordinary , in 1960.

"In our Lord's Year thirteen hundred, on St. John's Day at Carlisle
Edward held great court, and ordered that all men in little while
Should prepare to march on Scotland,'gainst his foemen of the north.
Ready were they to the hour, and the good king led them forth.
Not in coats and surcoats rode they, on their chargers dearly bought,
But well armoured and securely, wary of surprise assault.
There were richly broidered trappings of silk or satin made
Many a lovely lance head pennon, many a banner proud displayed.
………Through fair days, by easy journeys, moved the host in squadrons four.
Hear the roll of the companions, and the banners which they bore……"

"Henry the good Earl of Lincoln, heart aflame with valour sure,
led the van, his silken banner saffron with a lion purpure" *
* "baniere or de un cendall saffron o un lion rampant porprin" (Old French)
……….John de Holdeston, prompt in warfare, gules with fretty silver showed**……."
** rouge portoit frette d' argent (Old French)
Another translation appears thus:-
"John de Huddleston
Who appears well and promptly
In arms at all seasons
He served the Earl *
Which makes it right
That he should be named among his followers
He bore Gules fretty of Silver…"

*Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln , to whom John de Hudleston possibly owed one knight's fee, inherited from the original de Lacy overlords.

Another Roll of Arms, temp. Edward 2nd.(1307-27) has:-
Sir John de Hudleston ------gules fretty argent
Sir Adam de Hudleston-------gules fretty argent border indented or ( younger brother of Sir John)
Sir Richard de Hudleston------gules fretty argent label or ( son of Sir John)
Another Sir Richard -gules fretty argent label azure ( unidentified, unless Richard was a misprint, for another younger son, possibly Robert.)

"AC Fox-Davies. A Complete Guide to Heraldry."
"Isolated examples of coats of arms appear in the early part of the 12th.cent. or perhaps at the end of the 11th.; but by the end of the 3rd.crusade (1189) they existed as hereditary decorations of weapons of warfare….These weapons were highly prized and passed down in the family…."
Coat armour developed from the necessity of knowing one's leaders in battles and tourney.


AMTH

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