Arms
The Arms of the Duke of Cornwall are "sable fifteen bezants Or", that is, a black field bearing fifteen gold discs, representing coins. A small shield bearing these arms appears on the Prince of Wales' heraldic achievement, below the main shield. This symbol is also used by Cornwall Council to represent Cornwall. These arms were adopted late in the 15th century and are often surmounted by a Prince of Wales coronet, four crosses patée and four fleurs-de-lis with an arch. Supporters are not always used, though the Cornish Red-billed Chough and ostrich feathers are sometimes found. Rather than the motto used by the Prince of Wales (i.e., Ich Dien, German for "I serve"), the Duke of Cornwall's Coat of Arms uses the motto "Houmout" (meaning "honour" or "high-spirited"), derived from the Black Prince. The banner of the Duchy of Cornwall is simplified, showing the fifteen gold bezants on a black field.
Alternative Information on the Coat of Arms of Cornwall.
The coat of arms of the Duke of Cornwall is a Crusader shield on which are displayed 15 golden bezants (gold coins) in the shape of a triangle with the motto "One and All"
The story of the 15 bezants occurs during the Crusades when the Duke of Cornwall (the future Richard II) was captured by the Saracens. A ransom of 15 bezants (bezants being gold coins named after Byzantium) was demanded. The people of Cornwall raised the money for the ransom. It was paid and the Duke was set free. The inhabitants had all helped together One and All to raise the money – hence the motto.
However it is difficult to verify this as Richard joined the Sixth Crusade and went to the Holy Land. He fought in no battles but managed to negotiate for the release of prisoners and the burials of Crusaders killed at a battle in Gaza in 1239. He also refortified Ascalon, which had been demolished by Saladin.
The golden bezants on sable were apparently already present as border of the shield of Richard, made Count of Cornwall by his brother Henry III of England in 1227. Source: http://www.cornwall-calling.co.uk/cornish-history/cornish-coat-arms.htm)
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Famous quotes containing the word arms:
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