When did John Shakespeare apply for a coat of arms?
John Shakespeare made enquiries about securing a coat of arms around 1575. The application was renewed in 1596 by John or his son William on behalf of the family.
Questions about Shakespeare coat of arms
Short answers, pulled from the story.
What does the Shakespeare coat of arms look like?
The shield features a gold background with a black diagonal bar called a bend sable. A spear of gold with a silver head sits on that bar, and the crest displays a falcon standing on a wreath supporting another gold spear.
Who designed the Shakespeare coat of arms grant document?
Herald William Dethick wrote two drafts of the grant document from 1596 which have been preserved. Paleographer Charles Hamilton suggests William wrote the drafts himself if they are indeed examples of his handwriting.
Why did Ralph Brooke challenge the Shakespeare coat of arms in 1602?
Ralph Brooke claimed the Shakespeares did not qualify for such honors and that the design resembled existing arms too closely. He served as a rival to Dethick and used this opportunity to question multiple grants simultaneously.
How is the Shakespeare coat of arms connected to Henry Wriothesley?
Scholar Katherine Duncan-Jones connects the falcon to Henry Wriothesley's coat of arms which displays four silver falcons or hawks. She proposes the colors imply the Shakespeare family included crusading knights in their history.