Oak panel, English, arms of Coplestone impaling Floyer, 1575-1586

Oak panel carved in high relief with an armorial shield ensigned by a helmet with a crest, and contained within a mantling of scrolling acanthus. The panel has split and been reglued.

Carved with the arms of Coplestone of Woodland (Devon) impaling Floyer. The quarterings are as follows:
1. Coplestone; 2. Graas; 3. Hawley; 4. Tresilian; 5. Huyshe; 6. Bouville; 7. St. John; 8. Wibbery; 9. Gorges; 10. Fitz-Walter; 11. Barclay.
On the sinister Side Floyer quart Croke or Crook. The shield is ensigned by a helmet with the Coplestone crest-a demy tiger - with a mullet for difference, and is combined within a mantling.

These are the arms of Richard Coplestone, of Woodland, died 1586, and of his wife Thomasine, second daughter of John Floyer, of Floyer Hayes (Devon), widow of Thomas Stowell, of Cothelstone (Somerset); (see Vivian, 'Visitations of Devon,' pp. 230, 345 (1895); Collinson, 'History of Somerset,' III, p. 250, 1791).

On the reverse with a rough bevel around the edges, one large, two small and one recent round pasted label:
1) with a sketch of the quarterings, annotated, headed Ratified at the Heralds College[?]
2) This shield was taken from Woodlands Little Torrington, Birth Place of my dear[?] Mother's Father John Coplestone, S[???] Hole [?]
3) Floyer quat. Croke or Crook
4) Lt.Col. Croft Lyons

Croft Lyons Bequest

Bequeathed by Lieutenant-Colonel G.B. Croft-Lyons, per Neill Stephenson, Esq., F.S.A.

On acquisition, the panel was described thus:
Arms of Coplestone of Woodland (Devon) impaling Floyer, the quartering as follows:
1 Coplestone, 2 Graaw, 3 Hawley, 4 Tresilian, 5 Huyshe, 6 Bouville, 7 St. John, 8 Wibbery, 9 Sorges, 10 FitzWalter, 11 Barclay.
On the sinister side Floyer quartering Croke or Crook.
The shield is ensigned by a helmet with the Coplestone crest, a demy tiger with a mullet for difference, and is continued within a mantling.
These are the arms of Richard Coplestone of Woodland, died 1586, and of his wife Thomasine, second daughter of John Floyer of Floyer Hayes (Devon), widow of Thomas Stowell of Cothelstone (Somerset); see Vivian "Visitations of Devon" (1895), pp. 230, 345, Collinson, History of Somerset 250, (1791)

This oak panel displays the arms of Richard Coplestone of Woodland, Little Torrington, Devon (died 1586), and of his wife Thomasine, second daughter of John Floyer of Floyer Hayes (Devon), widow of Thomas Stowell of Cothelstone (Somerset). During the 16th and 17th centuries the Coplestones were a wealthy family with numerous properties in Devon and Cornwall. In the quarterings on the left side of the shield are represented Richard Coplestone's ancestors among various families, making the carving a statement of family history and allegiances. It is not known where in Richard Coplestone's house this panel came from, but it probably occupied a prominent position, such as the overmantel of a fireplace.

W.49-1926