MEDIEVAL BATTLE & TOURNAMENT STANDARDS

The medieval Battle & Tournament Standards within the pages of this book were researched during the period 1530 to 1550 by the Lancaster Herald John Cock, His heraldic artist is unknown, however some say he was probably Irish. The drawings cover the period covering the 14th century through to the middle of the 16th century. The drawing were created in black and white by the artist, and the intended colours that was intended to followed were written in heraldic script, probably by Cocke. The colours were never added but the black and white drawing became very well known in the early 20th century when the became the focal point of what was to become known as "The Howard De Walden Collection. The editing of this medieval collection, for the first time ever, colouring the Standards in their intended colours has been completed by the editor of this book, Bob Pritchard. Thomas Willement was allowed by the College of Arms to trace Cocke's complete Standards Roll under the direct supervision of G.F. Beltz Esquire, Chester Herald in the early 1830's. On completion of the task Willement added what he perceived to be the personal Coats of Arms to each of the Standards; unfortunately he did not indicate on the roll exactly which family member he was referring to. On Willement's death the drawings passed to John Gough Nichols then to Sir William Richard Drake and finally to the Ulster King of Arms Sir Arthur Vicars. Tracing the actual Coats of Arms and identifying their actual family member who "owned" the Battle Standards displayed here is a task yet to be done. The task is of course ideally suited to an Academic Genealogist (which I unfortunately am not!). So still more to be done then!