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The wolf was widely used in many forms in heraldry during the medieval period. Though commonly reviled as a livestock predator and man-eater, the wolf was also considered a noble and courageous animal, and frequently appeared on the Arms and crests of numerous noble families. It typically symbolised the rewards of perseverance in long sieges or hard industry.
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History
British Isles
Wolves appeared frequently in English heraldry. A shield baring two wolf heads was attributed to the Earl of Chester, circa 1070. "Two azure wolf's heads erased" were later used on the Arms of subsequent Earls. During the reign of Edward III (1327-1377), a Sir Charles Lupus again used azure wolf's heads as part of his Arms. The Great Roll, written between 1308-1314 by an anonymous author, is the first written record of wolf imagery in heraldry, stating that wolves' heads, or "testes de lou" were used on the shields of two men called Adam Videlou and John de Lou. Edward IV (28 April 1442 – 9 April 1483) used a white wolf for one of his badges, along with a white lion, denoting his descent from the House of Mortimer. Wolves are shown as supporters for the Coats of Arms of Lords Welby and Rendell, and Viscount Wolseley, the latter of which have the image of a wolf as a family crest. The Arms of the Lovett and Low families, as well as the family crests of the Lovell, Lupton and Wolfe families, depict wolves. In the Henry VI Roll (circa 1422-1461), an Essex knight by the name of Wolferston is mentioned to have included in his Arms gold wolves' heads. The most prominent use of the wolf in Scottish heraldry occurs with the Arms of Struan Robertson and with all other members of Clan Robertson who can claim descent from or a relationship to the House of Struan. The "Enfield beast", an imaginary creature with the combined characteristics of wolves, foxes and eagles, appears as the crest of the Irish family of Kelly and is also used as a charge in a grant of arms to the Enfield District Council in Middlesex, England.
Continental Europe
The wolf is also featured in the heraldry of continental European nations. Spanish heraldry often represented wolves carrying the bodies of lambs in their mouths or across their backs.
Wolves were also common in German heraldry. A red wolf rampant on a white shield features on the Arms of Passau in Bavaria. In Saxony, a black wolf rampant on a yellow shield features on the crest of von Wolfersdorf family. A green wolf grasping a dead swan in its jaws on a yellow shield is depicted on the crest and Arms of the Counts von Brandenstein-Zepplin. The arms of Hans Wolf von Bibelspurg depict a wolf facing to the left, though the wolf was reversed on his marriage to Catharina Waraus at Augsburg in 1507, so that their two family crests faced each other.
In Italian heraldry, the Arms of Romulus and Remus were said to depict the Capitoline Wolf. An undated Milanese badge allegedly in the Biblioteca Trivulziana, Milan, shows a lamb lying on its back with a wolf standing over it.
In French heraldry, the Wolfcatcher Royal had as his official insignia two wolf heads facing frontally.
A horned, wolf-like creature called the Calopus or Chatloup was at one time connected with the Foljambe and Cathome family.
References
Websites
Literature
- A Grammar of English Heraldry, W.H. St. John Hope, Second Edition: Revised by Anthony Wagner, Richmond Herald. Cambridge University Press, 1953.
- Heralds and Heraldry in the Middle Ages, Anthony Wagner, Richmond Herald. Oxford University Press, 1956
- Boutrell's Heraldry - C.W. Scott-Giles OBE, Fitzalan Pursuivant of Arms Extraordinary and J.P. Brooke-Little FSA, Bluemantle Pursuivant of Arms. Frederick Warne & Co. London and New York. Revised Edition 1966.
- A Complete Guide to Heraldry, Arthur Charles Fox-Davies Revised and annotated by J.P. Brooke-Little Norrey and Ulster King of Arms. First published 1909. 1985 Edition - Orbis Publishing, London
- Dictionary of Heraldry and Feudal Coats of Arms and Pedigrees, Joseph Foster. Original Edition 1908 - James Parker & Co. 1994 Edition - Studio Editions, London
- The Scottish Tartans, Revised Edition by Sir Thomas Innes of Learney, Emeritus Lord Lyon King of Arms. Johnson & Bacon, Stirling. Edition 1984
- International Heraldry - L.G. Pine, David & Charles, Newton Abbott, 1970
- Heraldry (Sources, Symbols and Meanings) - Ottfried Neubecker, Member Governing Body of International Academy of Heraldry. 1997 Edition - Tiger Books International plc, London
- A Dictionary of Heraldry and Related Subjects, Col. A.G. Putrock. Blaketon Hall, Exeter, 1983.
- Fairbairns Crests of the Families of Great Britain and Ireland, James Fairbairn. New Orchard Editions, Poole, Dorset, 1986.
- The Highland Clans. Sir Iain Moncrieffe of that Ilk, Albany Herald. Barrie & Rockliff, London, 1967
- Scottish Clans and Tartans Nell Grant. Hamlyn Publishing Group, London, 1987
- Dictionary of Heraldry, Charles Norton Elvin (1839) Published: Heraldry Today Edition, London, 1969 and 1977
- The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, Sir Bernard Burke, CB, LLD. Published: Harrison, 59, Pall Mall, London, 1884
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