Birds, bats, badgers, beavers and bunnies

The Marc Elvin Lecture

Speaker: David Phillips

During the Tudor period, the heralds’ menagerie was expanded beyond the usual lions, eagles stags and dragons. We see the introduction of a range of exotic beasts such as the heraldic antelope and the heraldic tyger.  This period, however, also sees the introduction of hedgerow beasts such as rabbits and badgers familiar from the British countryside. 

Such charges are rare in coats of arms prior to the visitations. This lecture will examine some examples of these charges and discussing why they might have been chosen. A pleasant stroll down the country lane of rural heraldry.