ACADEMY OF SAINT GABRIEL REPORT 2903 http://www.s-gabriel.org/2903 ************************************ 26 Aug 2004 From: Aryanhwy merch Catmael Greetings from the Academy of S. Gabriel! You wanted to know if we could tell what you different styles of ermine tails were used in armory, both in England and on the continent, in the 14th century, particularly between 1330 and 1340. Here is the information we have found. One of our members has done some fairly extensive research on the use of ermine in medieval heraldry, and has scanned some images of period example, available at: http://www.s-gabriel.org/heraldry/ermine The examples are from: Limoges, France, or England, c. 1290-1324 [7] England, early 14th C [1] (and a chart of the above image [2]) England, early 14th C [3] (and a chart of the above image [2]) England, early 14th C [14] England, 1301 [5] England, 1301 [6] England, c.1340 [8] England, c.1360 [9] England, c.1365-70 [10] Brittany, 1361 [11] Brittany, 1360s [12] Brittany, 1366 [13] England, late 14th C [15] You can also find some images of ermine spots in reference [16]; the ones on the top row are probably appropriate for your period. Slightly after your period is the Edward IV roll, from the 1460's, online at http://libwww.library.phila.gov/medieval/lewis_e201/index.html The Zurich Roll, a 14th century German roll, is online at http://ladyivanor.knownworldweb.com/zroadt2v.htm. #32 in this roll contains an example of ermine. We hope that this letter has been useful to you and that you won't hesitate to write us again if any part was unclear or if you have further questions. Research and commentary on this letter was provided by Mor filia Cathali, Jacobus filius Ade, Arval Benicoeur, Modar Neznanich, and Alheydis von Koerckhingen. For the Academy, -Argantguia filia Catmaili, 26 Aug 2004 -- References: [1] Sion Cope, embroidered; personal photograph of Mike Case. [2] Charted by Mike Case. [3] Sion Cope, embroidered; personal photograph of Mike Case. [5] Seal of Mortimer from the Barons' Letter to the Pope, 1301, English; De Walden, Howard, "Some Feudal Lords and Their Seals", The De Walden Library, 1903. [6] Seal of Huntercombe from the Barons' Letter to the Pope, 1301, English; De Walden, Howard. [7] The Valence Casket, c. 1290-1324, French (Limoges) or English, enamelled; Alexander, Jonathan and Binski, Paul (Eds.) Age of Chivalry: Art in Plantagenet England 1200-1400. London: Royal Academy of Arts, 1987. [8] Richard of Bury chest, c. 1340, English; Alexander, Jonathan and Binski, Paul (Eds.) Age of Chivalry: Art in Plantagenet England 1200- 1400. London: Royal Academy of Arts, 1987. [9] Garter Stall Plate of William Fitzwaryn, created Knight of the Garter c. 1360, English; Bedingfeld, Henry and Gwynn-Jones, Peter. Heraldry. London: Bison Books, 1993. [10] Mowbray's Roll, c. 1365-70, English; Bedingfeld, Henry and Gwynn- Jones, Peter. Heraldry. London: Bison Books, 1993. [11] Seal of Brittany, 1361; Jones, Michael C.E. The Creation of Brittany: a late medieval state. London: Hambledon Press, 1988. [12] Seal of Brittany, 1360s; Jones, Michael C.E. The Creation of Brittany: a late medieval state. London: Hambledon Press, 1988. [13] Seal of Brittany, 1366; Jones, Michael C.E. The Creation of Brittany: a late medieval state. London: Hambledon Press, 1988. [14] Tile, early 14th C., English; Heralds' Commemorative Exhibition 1484-1934. London: The Tabard Press, 1970. [15] Stained Glass, late 14th C., English; personal research of Mike Case. [16] Fox-Davies, Arthur Charles, _The Art of Heraldry: an Encyclopaedia of Armory._ Benjamin Blom, Inc. Bronx, New York. first published in 1904 reissued in 1968. pg 49