(Heraldic Scroll) | Lords and Earls Marshal of England, ca. 1732

(Heraldic Scroll)

Lords and Earls Marshal of England. England, ca. 1732

Manuscript vellum scroll on multiple joined panels (overall approximately 640 x 23 cm). 42 coats of arms illustrated in gold and brilliant colors, with names included for the first seven panels, manuscript title to top of verso; verso darkened, margin slightly frayed, occasional spots at edges, some minor detachment between sections, rubbing to title panel obscuring a few letters of “Earls,” seventh panel erased as it incorrectly bore the name Roger Bigod, Earl of Norfolk. Half-morocco box.

A remarkable scroll representing the succession of one of England’s highest ceremonial offices over nearly 600 years.

The present scroll depicts a vertical series of the coats of arms of 42 Earls Marshal in chronological order, beginning with Gilbert de Clare, Earl of Pembroke, who served from approximately 1135 to 1149. 

The position, originally deemed “Marshal” and evolving from the early medieval period, initially involved the care of the king’s stable of horses for military preparations. Eventually, the role expanded to include supervising the College of Arms and granting of new coats of arms to family trees. The Earl Marshal is also responsible for organizing major state ceremonies in England, including coronations, royal weddings, funerals, and the opening of Parliament.

Historical records of the position are scarce and inconsistent. In fact, in Brittania—William Camden’s important attempt at chronicling the history and topography of the British Isles in 1586—Camden addresses this uncertainty. “For some years after, there is in histories no mention of this office, until in the confusion under King Stephen,” he explains. “So he, for assuring his faction, made Gilbert Clare, Earl of Pembroke and Marshal of England, with the state of inheritance.”

The role has been held by hereditary right since 1672, at which point the office was granted to Henry Howard, thirteenth Duke of Norfolk. The present scroll ends with his nephew Edward Howard, sixteenth Duke, who succeeded to the title and office in 1732. The office has remained in the successive families of the Earldom, and later Dukedom, of Norfolk to the present day.

REFERENCES

Camden, Brittania

PROVENANCE

Sir John Fenn (1739-1794) (sale of his collection, 1866, lot 613) — Sir Thomas Phillipps (ms. 26466) — H.P. Kraus (Sotheby’s New York, lot 217, 4 December 2003)