The Heraldry of Richard, 3rd duke of York All the books on heraldry (and our teach-yourself course) explain how a man who marries an heraldic heiress may place her father’s coat of arms on a small inescutcheon in the centre of his own arms. Sometime around 1600, William Scudamore (d1649) of Balligham in Herefordshire married Sarah Kyrle, daughter of Anthony Kyrle of Walford Court, also in Herefordshire. On her father’s death she became the owner of the family coat of arms (jointly with any sisters she may have had) so William Scudamore placed [...]

The Scudamore Heiress Being a wealthy heiress, Frances Scudamore (1711-1750) could afford to enjoy life, and in doing so she acquired a rather dubious reputation. Alexander Pope said of her ‘My Lady Scudamore really behaves scandalously among us”. She was the sole heir of James Scudamore  3rd Viscount Scudamore of Holme Lacy near Hereford. Although the viscountcy became extinct, when her father died, all his estates devolved on her. The Scudamore arms are Gules three stirrups leathered and buckled or. The hatchment opposite is that of Frances' mother, Viscountess Scudamore (née Digby). It [...]

Martley - Enigmatic Heraldry and a Yorkist Effigy The Heraldry The pretty church of St Peter sits on rising ground overlooking meadows on the edge of the village of Martley in Worcestershire. Much of the inside is decorated with wall paintings, but it is the patterns around the easternmost window on the south side which is of major interest to the heraldist. The images opposite given a general view of the window, together with an attempt to emphasise some of the features. To appreciate the significance of the design it is important [...]