Shropshire's Punning Heraldry - Benbow

 Benbow of Newport and Bolas.

Arms: Sable, two stringed bows endorsed in pale Or garnished Gules between two bundles of arrows in fess, three in each of the second barbed and headed Argent banded of the third.

Crest: A harpy close Or face Proper head wreathed with a chaplet of flowers Gules.

Edmonson Visitations p.68; Visitations of 1584.

The English surname Benbow, chiefly found in Shropshire, is of occupational origin. The name Benbow is derived from the Middle English term bend(en) meaning “to bend” and bowe meaning “ a bow,' hence an occupational name for an archer.

Lots of information on the Newport Benbows, along with an image which saves me duplicating the work, can be found here:

https://bravebenbow.com/?page_id=206

Image credit to Katherine Benbow and the aformentioned website.

Shropshire's Punning Heraldry - Barzey

Barzey of Shrewsbury (1623 Visitations). 

Arms: Argent, two bars Gules on a canton of the last a maunch Or. 

Crest: A squirrel sejant Proper cracking a nut Or (Confirmed by Edmonson). 

These are the same arms as those confirmed for Bardsey of Lichfield and also Bardsey of Lincolnshire.

Punning, but only in that the coat is "barry". Nice nontheless.

The arms of Barzey of Shrewsbury.

 

Shropshire's Punning Heraldry - Arundel

I feel that I've taken a few liberties with this one. Usually, the Arundell arms feature a martlet but in this blazon it simply states "six birds, 3 2 & 1 Argent clawed Gules". Whilst I would normally illustrate martlets, they clearly have no claws but then again, the pun is that the bird should be a swallow. It simply states birds but I've chosen to make them volant (in flight). The way I have emblazoned them gives the whole a sort of depth. 

Arundel, Thomas, Sable, six birds, 3 2 & 1 Argent clawed Gules (from the Corbet Pedigree).

The six birds are, in other, similar, Arundel arms swallows (often emblazoned as martlets but here they can't be because the blazon states "clawed Gules"); the heraldic pun associated with Arundel involves the use of swallows, known in French as hirondelles. 

This is a classic example of "canting arms"—a heraldic pun where the emblem represents the name of the bearer. The Pun: The French word for swallow, hirondelle, sounds similar to the town and family name Arundel.

While some theories suggest the name comes from "hoarhound-dell" or an Old English word for eagle, the swallow pun is a long-standing, romantic tradition associated with the family's arms. 

The arms of Thomas Arundel.

Shropshire's Punning Heraldry - Archer

There aren't many details listed for this one in "Shropshire Families" but Archer is listed as Archer, Richard, Sheriff, 1431, Azure, three broad arrows points downwards, 2 & 1 Or. The pun, I hope, is obvious.

The arms of Richard Archer, Sheriff, 1431.

Shropshire's Punning Heraldry

Basnett

There are thousands of arms in the book The Armorial Bearings of Shropshire Families from a MS of the Late George Morris, of Shrewsbury, and many of the surnames listed therein would have been perfect for punning arms but alas, most are a missed opportunity.  

All is not entirely lost however and there are more than enough to make an interesting project. Some, like the arms of Richard Archer, Sheriff, 1431, can be easilly guessed and those of Arundel are perhaps well known in heraldic circles, Barzy is a nice one that I may have a go at emblazoning as it is barry and Benbow, a bent bow, will also contribute to this project but what caught my eye most in this early stage were the arms of Basnett, for no other reason than when I met my lady wife over half a century ago she lived in a cottage in Basnett's Wood. 

Basnett, Argent, a chevron Gules between three profile helmets Proper 2 & 1.

Crest: A dexter arm embowed in armour, holding in the hand a falchion all Proper.

These arms feature upon a Monument at Baschurch to William Basnett, of that place and of Wikey. Also of St. Martins-in-the-Fields, Justice of the Peace for Co. Middlesex.

The Arms of Basnett, of Baschurch. 

The surname Basnett is primarily an English and Irish name of Norman origin, originating as an occupational term for a maker or wearer of a "basinet" (a type of medieval helmet) or derived from the Old English word "bas" (low stature). It is historically associated with Shropshire, England.

Standards aren't slipping

Being St. George's Day I found myself thinking all things armorial, as would be expected of a heraldry addict, and my thoughts turned to heraldic standards, those traditional English ones which featured the Cross of St. George in the hoist. According to that well known Smart Aleck Wikipedia, a traditional English Standard is:

A traditional English armiger's standard is a long, tapering heraldic flag used for identification in battle, tournaments, or on ceremonial occasions, particularly popular during the Tudor period. Unlike a banner, which displays the armiger's full coat of arms, the standard displays their badges, livery colours, and crest. 

Key Features and Structure

Shape and Size: It is a long, narrow flag that tapers towards the end, which can be rounded or swallow-tailed. Size varies by rank; a knight's standard was traditionally around 12 feet long.

The Hoist (Closest to the staff): The standard typically begins with the Cross of St. George (white field with a red cross). This signifies the armiger's nationality.

The Fly (The tapering part): The rest of the flag is divided horizontally (per fess) into two colours—the owner's livery colours—and decorated with the armiger's personal badges, crest, and a motto.

Motto: The motto is typically written across the flag on one or two diagonal stripes (bends).

Fringe: The edges of the standard are usually fringed. 

Rules and Usage

Entitlement: Any armiger who also has a personal badge may fly a standard.

Function: While banners identified the individual, standards were designed to rally followers, showcasing the livery colours and badges that soldiers wore on their uniforms.

Design Specifics: The standard does not display the full coat of arms shield, but rather, it is a display of livery, badges, and crest.

Now, I can't say that I have many followers but having been recently playing with PhotoShop I thought that I would make my own. I will say here and now that the crest and badge on this, my effort, were created digitally for me by Ljubodrag Grujic but the digital manipulations to create the finished article are my own. 

The Armorial Standard of Martin Goldstraw

One of my favourite design projects

 A recent review of the designs I have completed for clients reminded me of one of my very favourites, that of Peter Ffrench, completed back in 2020. 

https://armorialregister.com/arms-au/ffrench-pb-arms.html

It was a pure pleasure to work with Peter and the arms really do reflect his persona.

Arms: Per bend bevelled Or and Azure, within an orle three fleurs-de-lis errect in bend all counterchanged.

Crest:  A demi-man habited and bonneted Azure, the collar, cuffs and bonnet band Or holding in the dexter hand an annulet per fess Or and Azure.

Motto:  Whatever.

Do check out the link to find out about the rationale behind the design.