180
NOTES AND QUERIES. [9< s. in. MAR. 4,
begins its perusal is likely to suspend it until the
end is reached.
The Symbolism* of Heraldry; or, a Treatise on the Meanings and Derivation* of Armorial Bearings. By W. Cecil Wade. (Red way.) WE are always glad to welcome any book which is calculated to place the science of heraldry in its proper light before those who are ignorant of the subject. In the work before us Mr. Wade has attempted to make people see that heraldry was once an important factor in the lives of our an- cestors ; and he tries to explain the why and where- fore of the colours, signs, and symbols used in heraldic language in such a manner as to make them intelligible to those who know little or nothing of the subject. A great heraldic work this book is not, and we are quite sure that Mr. Wade would be the last person to claim such a position for it; but as a text-book we can give it our sincerest approbation. We are exceedingly glad to see that the popular error as regards the bend sinister is pointed out ; but while novelists continue to speak of it as the mark of illegitimacy, we suppose that no amount of evidence to the contrary will convince the un- lettered public. Mr. Wade says, and correctly, that the Catherine-wheel is rarely to be met with in heraldry. It occurs as an inn sign in Cambridge- shire, and some people have thought that it might have been taken from a coat of arms ; but there is no proof of this. With reference to the " maunch," we are told that it is a very ancient bearing in the families of De Mohun, De Mauley, and Hastings. To these might be added the Nortons, who rose in rebellion with Percy and Neville in the celebrated "rising in the North." A curious heraldic incident is connected with this event. The banner of Norton did not display the bearings of that house, but was apparently one invented for the occasion, and in- tended to show that the war was a religious one. The ballad tells us that
The Percy then his ancient raised, The half moon shining all so fair, But the Nortons' ensign was the cross,
And the five wounds our Lord did bare. Amid all the curious bearings given we cannot find any mention of that of Newton of Beverley, who bore, according to Surtees, "a spectre passant, shrouded sable." We are astonished to find no reference to Randle Holme ; his ' Academy of Armory ' is one of the most valuable works upon the subject that we know. As a book of reference for those who do not possess or have not access to the great heraldic works and text-books, we can highly recommend this unpretending little volume.
Charters and Writs concerning the Burgh of Had- dington. Transcribed and translated by J. G. Wallace- James. (Haddington, Croal.) ANTIQUARIES not only Scottish, but those of the whole empire ought to be grateful to Mr. Wallace- James for printing the text of the Haddington charters and accompanying them with a lucid translation. His preface is of the shortest, but he has packed away a considerable quantity of in- formation in a very small space. He is evidently one who regards even a few useless words as an impertinence. The Haddington records have suf- fered loss, not so much from the carelessness of their keepers as the incidents attendant on Border warfare. The "auld ynemies of England" knew
well the store which the burghers set by their
charters, and were wont to make off with them
when occasion offered. In a sixteenth-century
account-book there is an entry of a life pension of
eight marks to be paid to Robert Maitland for
" agayne gettin of ye haill evidentis pertaening to ye
towne furcht of ye Inglismannis handis." Much pre-
cious matter has, however, been lost from over-care-
fulness. Three iron chests of records were after the
battle of Dunbar hidden for safety underground in
the courtyard of Balcarres Castle. W T hen peaceful
times again returned, and the boxes were dug up, it
was found that their contents were entirely spoilt
by water.
The earliest charter now remaining was granted by Robert the Bruce. It is a confirmation of all rights previously enjoyed by the burgesses. Had there been a previous charter ; or may we assume that Haddington had been a burgh by repute in times previous to incorporation by charter? The latter was, we think, more probably the case. It is worthy of note that in these charters, from the time of King Robert the Bruce (1318) to James V. (1542), the kings always style themselves " Rex Scottorum," that is, kings of the people, not of the country. A single example, and that not a royal one, points in the opposite direction. John, Earl of Carrick, in his capacity of Steward of the Kingdom, in 1383 issued a confirmation of a charter of his father Robert II., and he therein describes himself " Regis Scotie primogenitus." It must be noted, however, that when, further on, the king has to be named, he is described as "Dei Gracia Rex Scottorum Illus- tris." Some may regard these facts as too trivial for notice ; but it is not so, for in those days the forms of law were wont to reflect ideas. We see, therefore, that the monarchy had not become territorial in the narrow, modern sense.
to
We must call special attention to the following notices :
ON all communications must be written the name and address of the sender, not necessarily for pub- lication, but as a guarantee of good faith.
WE cannot undertake to answer queries privately.
To secure insertion of communications corre- spondents must observe the following rule. Let each note, query, or reply be written on a separate slip of paper, with the signature of the writer and such address as he wishes to appear. Correspond- ents who repeat queries are requested to head the second communication " Duplicate."
C. D. W. ("Co-operation"). Politics are for- bidden ground in ' NT & Q.'
NOTICE.
Editorial Communications should be addressed to " The Editor of ' Notes and Queries ' "Advertise- ments and Business Letters to "The Publisher "- at the Office, Bream's Buildings, Chancery Lane, E.G.
We beg leave to state that we decline to return communications which, for any reason, we do not print ; and to this rule we can make no exception.
TERMS OF SUBSCRIPTION BY POST.
. d.
For Twelve Months 106
For Six Months 10 3
