Armory
It is believed that coats of arms came about when armor was invented. That to distinguish between opposing forces symbols were used on the shield which was held in a hand as a defense. Hence the term armory.
The shield. The shield is the essential part of armorial bearings; without which there can be no heraldic device. Armorial bearings are referred to as arms or coat of arms. The term coat of arms is derived from the surcoat of silk or linen worn over the armor to keep off the rays of the sun and to prevent rust. The surcoat was a waist length garment in which the same heraldic insignia is shown as on the shield.
The crest. A crest is the object place on top of the helmet and bound onto it by what is called the wreath of the colors, which show the two main colors of the shield. Crests were first made of leather, later of light wood, and, as time went on, of more valuable materials. It is thought they were first borne in tournaments. They became general in families in England from the 16th century when the venal heralds of that time persuaded crestless families acquire them for additional payment. Today it is included with any grant of arms in England, Scotland or Ireland.
The helmet. On top of a shield is placed the helmet, upon which the crest is tied by a wreath. Later on the helmet was used as a way to distinguish ranks of the bearer. displayed full faced, or in part profile or full profile, with bars, open or shut face and even the metal color.
Mantling. From the helmet hung the mantling or lambrequin. This was of linen or other material and performed the useful function of shielding the wearer form the sun's rays and also served to catch or deflect sword cuts. The mantling is painted with the principal color of the shield, while its lining is of the principal metal.
Crowns and coronets. These are emblems of the rank of the bearer. In Britain there are different coronets specific for the ranks of barons, Viscount, earl, marquees, and duke.
Mottoes. Many myths have arisen about mottoes. They are often said to have originated in the heat of battle or of a Battle cry. But actually very few did. Mottoes are not part of the coat of arms and be varied at the user's pleasure, though they are included in modern grants of arms. They are always shown in a scroll at the bottom except for the Scottish Arms where they are on top.
The supporters. These are figures on either side of the shield of arms and are borne by peers, and by other bearers of orders of the highest class, such as Knights of the Garter, the Thistle, St. Patrick and by Knights Grand Cross.
The compartment. The ground of foundation on which the supporters stand is called the compartment. Which is usually rock or ground.
The Achievement. In heraldic writing, the term achievement often carries the same meaning as "arms". But is best used to describe the whole representation of shield, helmet, crest, mantling, and supporters. This is rare since only a select few have supporters. Usually only royalty.
The badge. This is older than the heraldic system. For instance the eagle of Rome is a badge. They are not generally a part of the coat of arms as they are not officially governed.
Banners and standards. The use of arms in Middle Ages often displayed them on the fork-tailed pennons of their lances. When the forked ends were cut off, the resulting flag was square, becoming a banner. Valorous conduct was often indicated in this way, and knight thus distinguished was known as knight banner. The Banner bears the owners arms.
There are many books written on the subject of Heraldry. Today having a coat of arms is more popular than ever. A lot of people will buy a "coat of arms" belonging to the same surname assuming this is the family coat of arms. Coats of Arms were not granted to families, only to individuals. There are strict guidelines on how the arms are passed down. Generally in England it is through the oldest son to the oldest son and so on. But people within the same family could have a coat of arms granted with a variance or difference. That is why this is a vital study to genealogist. There are laws in England, Scotland, Ireland, Spain, France and Canada that still regulate the use of arms. There is a College of Arms in America, The American College of Arms. According to the Constitution no one can hold a title while a citizen of America. But you can be granted a coat of arms from any country. The cost in England is around 1500 GBP. The good news is that there is no law in America that regulates the use of coats of arms. Anyone can make up or have a coat of arms. There are groups like the SCA that issue and will help in design of a coat of arms.
In England a coat of arms were a sign of nobility. Arms have long since had a high social significance in England; those who possess them have a social prestige. In Scotland arms are bound up in the clan.
The coat of arms that belong to the Wayne line of PA are described as follows: Gules a chevron ermine between three dexter gauntlets or. That is the shield or coat described. There are two crests, one is recorded and one is not, but both have been used for over two hundred years. One crest is as follows: A pelican feeding her young or, collard gules, on the body an ermine spot, nest azure. The other crest which Capt. Anthony Wayne used is as: A stags head proper, erased or collared. The motto of the arms; there are two recorded, one for the Crest with the Pelican is: "Tempus et casus accidit omnibus". The one used in New Zealand is: "In te domine confido". The New Zealand version can be found in Burke's Colonial Gentry, Vol. II, pp 128, 144 as referenced to Wayne, of Milton, Otago, N.Z. descendant of William Wayne, confirmed 1782. The other can be found in Burke's General Armory, pp 1085.
The arms are recorded as far back as 1392 and 1459 in Glover's Ordinary, Cotton MS. Tiberius D 10, and Harl. MSS.
Robert Glover 1544-1588) was the Somerset Herald. His manuscript genealogies of the nobility in Latin were reduced to method by Milles with assistance of Sir Robert Cotton. Glover's famous Ordinary of Arms is printed in an augmented form in Vol. I of Edmondson's Complete Body of Heraldry, 1780. The references cited by Papworth are all at the British Museum.
The Will of John Wayne, of Formark, Derbyshire, dated November 13, 1657 and proved June 30, 1658, is sealed with a coat of arms with the outside dexter gauntlets, without a crest, and as he was the grandfather of Capt. Anthony Wayne, settler of PA, the outside gauntlets should be used. Outside means you see the back of the hand.
In 1782 Major Herman G. W. Wayne of Chetton, Bridgenorth, Shropshire, has the confirmation of arms issued to his ancestor William Wayne, of Duffield, Derbyshire. This one has the Pelican in nest feeding it's young as a crest. The Garter King and Norroy Kings of Arms approved it on August 9, 1782, signed Garter Principal, Ralph Bigland, and Thomas Lock Norroy, King of Arms. The Derbyshire Waynes also used a Stags Head cooped proper, as a crest.
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Facts on General Anthony Wayne .......................... Maj. Gen. Anthony Wayne
The Battle of Fallen Timbers................................... Battle of Fallen Timbers
Plantations of Georgia............................................. Anthony Wayne In Georgia
Saint David's ........................................................... St. David's Church
Wayne's of Savannah Georgia............................... Savannah Wayne's
Henry Wayne.......................................................... Henry C. Wayne
Family Arms............................................................ Coats of Arms
History of Heraldry............................................... Heraldry
Coats of Arms........................................................ Armory
Descendant Report................................................ Descendants of Richard Wayne
Family Documents.................................................. Wills, Documents and Letters
Sources.................................................................... Authorities
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English History of Waynes.....................................English Ancestory
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