Shield of Isabel, 3rd Countess of Rutland (nee Holcroft, of Vale Royal)
This diamond-shaped shield represents the 3rd Countess, Isabel.
Isabel Holcroft married Edward Manners, the 3rd Earl of Rutland, in 1587. The Holcroft arms includes two unusual emblems. One shows a squirrel (or is it a fox?) eating what may be a nut. The other, seen here, shows a black bird (a sea-eagle) and an infant wrapped in swaddling clothes. We are as yet unsure about their meanings or origins—can you help? The sea-eagle may be associated with her father’s post as Vice-Admiral for the Coast of Lancashire and Cheshire.
Isabel was the daughter of Thomas Holcroft (1505-1558), a commoner who rose to great wealth during his career as diplomat, MP and as a ruthless commissioner for the Dissolution of the Monasteries. He built a mansion at Vale Royal on the site of the Cistertian abbey founded by Edward I.
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The backgrounds of all three quarterings should be white. The top right and bottom left qtrs are the arms of other families whose heiresses had married into the Holcrofts:
1 Argent, a cross and bordure both engrailed Sable [Holcroft]
2 Argent, a squirrel sejant Gules [Horton]
3 Argent, an eagle Sable, preying on an infant [proper], swaddled [Gules, banded Or] [Culcheth]
We are very grateful to the Norreys for the information regarding this shield. The background should indeed be white, but has become discoloured and now has a pinkish tint.
An eagle preying on an infant in swaddling clothes is the crest of the Stanley family, Earls of Derby. It would be interesting to know if any connection exists with the Culcheth family who as the above post states, have this image in their coat of arms.
In answer to the question on relationship between Houlcroft and Stanley, I believe it is as follows: sir Robert fitz Latham 1198-1282 father of Cecilia de Latham 1222-1275 mother of Joan de Houlcroft married to Thomas fitz Hugh de Houlcroft 1240-1298 parents of Adam de Houlcroft 1270-1347 father of John Houlcroft 1310-1352. The Lathoms were related to the Stanleys and the Eagle crest and swaddling baby is the tale that goes with the relationship.
Dear Peter and Steve James, thanks for shedding light on the shield on the tomb in St Mary’s. I wonder if it is known why the image of the eagle and the child in swaddling clothes came to be adopted by the Stanleys? With best wishes, Neil Fortey.
The eagle and child legend is well known in South Lancashire and is described in many places. The link below describes it.
eagleandchildbispham.co.uk/the-legend
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