Sir Cloudesley Shovell & His Coat of Arms
In the Middle Ages, and even still today, people were identified by their coat of arms. Often they were in the shape of a shield, since they were used to identify people on the battlefield. The symbols used on coats of arms were chosen to represent an individual or an entire family. Many symbols are used on a coat of arms to represent an individual’s values, hobbies, personality, family, or places with special meaning. Each symbol, picture, and color has a different meaning. Here are some examples of what knights and lords would have on their coat of arms in ancient times.
COLORS ANIMALS SYMBOLS Gold/Yellow - Generosity Bear – Protection Anchor – Hope White/Silver – Peace & Sincerity Bee – Efficiency Antlers – Strength Black – Grief & Devotion Boar – Bravery Arrow – Ready to Fight Purple – Justice & Royalty Bull – Bravery & Generosity Axe – Faithfulness Green – Hope & Joy Camel – Patience Castle – Safety Red – Bravery & Strength Deer – Peace & Harmony Cross – Christianity Blue – Truth & Loyalty Dog – Loyalty Crown – Authority Dragon – Protection, Defense Fleur-de-lis – Related to France Eagle – Nobility, Alertness, Bravery Hand – Faithfulness Falcon – Leadership, Eagerness Heart – Charity, Sincerity Fox – Cleverness Horseshoe – Good Luck Horse – Readiness to Serve Oak Tree – Strength Lion – Courage Ship – Men of the Sea Peacock – Power, Beauty Star - Nobility Pelican – Devotion to Others Sun – Glory, Splendor Ram – Leadership Sword – Justice, Honor Raven – Devotion Tower – Safety Snake – Ambition & Wisdom Tree – New Life Tiger – Fierceness & Bravery Grape Vine – Lasting Friendship Unicorn – Extreme Courage Wheel – Good Fortune Coats of arms had different shapes inside them as well. They could be divided into many sections, and the shapes had different meanings.
Quartered – Combination of Two or More Families
Blank – Most Ancient Shape, Usually Represents a Very Old Family
Chevron – Protection and Faithful Service
Chief – Authority, Wisdom, and Achievement in Battle
Pale – Military Strength
Fess – Honor
Coats of arms also included a motto on a banner at the bottom. Usually a motto included characteristics or values the knight or his family wanted to embody, to represent themselves in the very best way. Here are a few examples of mottos: With Greatest Honor Always Faithful True Friend By God’s Grace
SIR CLOUDESLEY SHOVELL’S TIMELINE Here are the highlights from the life of Sir Cloudesley Shovell. He was an amazing man, and achieved many great things.
1. In 1650, Shovell was born in Cockthorpe, Norfolk. 2. In 1662, he went on his first voyage as a Ship’s Boy with Sir Christopher Myngs to the Caribbean. 3. In 1666, when Shovell was aboard Myngs’ ship Victory, the mast was blown away in a battle with the Dutch. He volunteered to swim for help with a message in his teeth. He was a hero! 4. In 1669, he sailed aboard The Sweepstakes under Sir John Narborugh on its journey to South America and through the Straits of Magellan. 5. In 1673, Shovell sailed to North Africa to negotiate a treaty with the Barbary pirates. Their treaty was rejected, and when Shovell learned two English ships had been taken captive, he led a brave midnight rescue mission to retrieve the crews! As a reward, he was given a fortune in pieces-of-eight and a gold medal from King Charles II. 6. In 1685, King Charles II died, and his Catholic brother King James II came to power. Shovell did not want a Catholic king, but he had to fight for James II against Prince William of Orange, who was Protestant. However, the wind kept his ship from fighting, so Shovell could support Prince William. James II thought he was a traitor. 7. In 1689, Shovell was knighted by King William for his bravery after the Battle of Bantry Bay against the French. 8. In 1695, he became an MP for Rochester. 9. In 1702, he was promoted to Admiral of the White, and helped to capture the Spanish port at Vigo, bringing back £1,750,000 of treasure to Queen Anne. She ordered special “Vigo” coins be made from the treasure. 10. In 1704, he helped to capture Gibraltar from Spain. 11. In 1706, Shovell was named Admiral of England, his highest naval position. 12. In 1707, he died in the wreck of the Association off the Scilly Isles. His memorial is in Westminster Abbey.
Since you have learned so much about Sir Cloudesley Shovell and all the great things he achieved, you must wonder what his coat of arms looked like, and how it reflected his great deeds. He was given his arms in 1692 by Queen Anne.
The lion and anchor signify that Shovell showed courage The flag of St. George signifies that while at sea. Shovell served the English navy.
The two upside-down crescents honor Shovell’s victories over The guns, canon, drums, Turkish pirates in North Africa. and weapons represent Shovell’s time and victory in military service.
The fleur-de-lis honors Shovell’s victory over the French at the Battle of Bantry Bay, after which he was knighted.
Shovell’s motto means “By God’s Favor” RESPONSE Do you think Shovell should have added different symbols to his coat of arms? What kind of symbols could he have added? Give reasons for your answer. ______
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______Now that you have seen Shovell’s coat of arms, and read about what it means, it’s time to design your own version.
On the next page is a blank coat of arms. In each box, draw a symbol representing the corresponding event in Shovell’s timeline. You can use symbols from traditional coats of arms, or symbols representing Shovell’s life, like pieces- of-eight, swimming for help, his gold medal, a silver “Vigo” coin, an Admiral’s hat, or a ship. On the banner at the bottom, write a new motto for Shovell.
To design a coat of arms personalized for you, go online to http://www.parkfieldict.co.uk/infant/castles/coat_of_arms.swf
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