Object Type
This figure of a white ram, holding a banner, forms part of a group which, together with bull, griffin and dolphin, are known as the Dacre Beasts. The white ram is the supporter of the de Multon (or 'Mouton', French for sheep and hence the ram) coat of arms, which can be seen here on the banner. The Dacre Beasts are rare survivors of a tradition of heraldic ornament. They represent one of the most powerful families in Northern England and are a unique survivors of free standing, large-scale wooden heraldic sculpture from the English Renaissance.
People
A member of the de Multon family married into the Dacre family in 1317, bringing with them considerable land. This strengthened the Dacre's position as one of the most powerful families in northern England during the Middle Ages.
Places
Naworth Castle, Brampton, Cumbria, was a family seat of the Dacre family from 1317 until 1577, when the Castle became the property of Lord William Howard through marriage to Elizabeth Dacre. Dacre Beasts have stood in the Hall at Naworth Castle since the early 16th century.
Materials & Making
The Dacre Beasts were probably made by unnamed local craftsmen from a single, large oak grown on the estate.
Physical description
Carved, painted and gilded figure of a ram, bearing the medieval arms of the De Moulton family.
Ram is painted white. Inside of his ears, his eyes and tongue are painted red. His hooves are gilded. [dacre ram]
Pointed finial made of tinned copper. [finial]
Painted and gilded metal banner, bearing the De Moulton coat of arms. The background is depicted in alternating red and white stripes. Figure of a lion is depicted in the top left corner of the banner. [flag]
Wooden pole, painted black. [pole]
Place of Origin
Cumbria
Date
1507-1525 [dacre ram] (made)
ca. 1844 [finial] (made)
ca. 1844 [flag] (made)
ca. 1844 [pole] (made)
ca. 1844 [dacre ram] (repainted)
Artist/maker
Unknown
Materials and Techniques
Carved, painted and gilded oak, with tinned copper banner
Marks and inscriptions
"The Ram, supporter of the De Multon family with the arms of De Multon 'argent, three bars gu in chief a lion passant gardant'"
Dimensions
Height: 339 cm (with standard)
Width: 63.1 cm (with standard to side)
Depth: 114.5 cm (with standard facing front)
Height: 185 cm [dacre ram]
Height: 328.5 cm [pole]
Width: 43 cm [dacre ram]
Depth: 66 cm [dacre ram]
Weight 97 kg including standard (JT)
Dimensions checked: Measured; 26/04/2001 by T/S
Dimensions taken by Technical Services when beasts on display in RCC April 2001, and with standards facing frontally; black wooden bases weigh 9.5kg each.
Existing plinth's height is 30.5 cm [Weight 97 kg including standard (JT)
Dimensions checked: Measured; 26/04/2001 by T/S
Dimensions taken by Technical Services when beasts on display in RCC April 2001, and with standards facing frontally; black wooden bases weigh 9.5kg each.
Existing plinth's height is 30.5 cm]
Measurements include finial and banner. [Measurements include finial and banner.]
Object history note
The Dacre Beasts were commissioned by Lord Thomas Dacre (1467-1525) in about 1520 and were displayed in the rebuilt hall at Naworth Castle, Cumbria. He was a formidable soldier who fought on the side of Henry Tudor against Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth and with the Earl of Surrey against the French and the Scots at the Battle of Flodden in 1513. Lord Dacre's prowess was epitomized by the battle cry "a read bull, a read bull, a Dacre, a Dacre". In 1488 Lord Dacre eloped with Elizabeth Greystoke (1471-1516), the heiress to the baronies of Greystoke and Fitzwilliam. Through his marriage Lord Dacre acquired Morpeth Castle and the manor of Henderskelfe, later rebuilt as Castle Howard. In 1577 Lord William Howard, son of the Duke of Norfolk, married Elizabeth Dacre and the Dacre properties have descended in the Howard family. The barony of Gilsland was acquired through Ranulph de Dacre's marriage to Margaret de Multon in 1317. The white ram is the supporter of the de Multon family (or Mouton-French for sheep-hence the ram) coat of arms. Ranulph de Dacre received a licence to crenellate Naworth in 1335. The beasts thus demonstrate the antiquity of the Dacres-one of the most powerful Northern families-and the importance of two dynastic marriages.
They were probably made by local craftsmen from oak grown on the estate, although the names of the carvers and painters have not been recorded. Their design is derived from contemporary grants of arms to the Dacre, de Multon and Greystoke families. Dendrochronological analysis recently demonstrated that the single trunk of oak from which all four beasts were carved was felled between 1499 and 1549. Testing of the polychrome decoration has revealed at least three successive paintings on the Bull, the Ram and the Dolphin. Samples from the earliest decoration contain pigments available in the first quarter of the 16th century and are likely to form part of the original decoration. The Dacre Beasts have remained in the hall at Naworth since the early 16th century.
The present decoration dates from the 1840s and was executed after the fire at Naworth of 1844. The staves and coats of arms held by the beasts also date from the mid-19th century. The present appearance of the Dacre Beasts reflects mid-19th century interest in antiquarian interest. They were rescued from a major fire at Naworth in 1844, and restored in 1849 under the careful supervision of the Victorian architect Anthony Salvin (1799-1881) who wanted the new work to marry as closely as possible with the old. Repainting of the Dacre Beasts was done by a Mr Wilkinson.
Descriptive line
Dacre beast -The White Ram
Labels and date
NEW ACQUISITION
The National Art Collections Fund
The Dacre Beasts
The Dacre Beasts have been acquired by the Victoria and Albert Museum with generous grants from the National Heritage Memorial Fund, the National Art Collections Fund, the Friends of the V&A and Old Possum's Practical Trust. They will be displayed at the entrance to the new British Galleries which open in November 2001.
The Victoria and Albert Museum is still seeking sponsorship for these new galleries. Please contact Lucy Morrison in the Development Office for further details.
The Dacre Beasts
These beasts appear to be unique survivors of English heraldic woodwork at the time of Henry VIII, although it is not now clear why they were made. They take their name from Thomas, Lord Dacre (1467-1525) and come from the hall of his castle at Naworth, Cumbria. The Beasts escaped damage in a disastrous fire in 1844, but were repainted shortly afterwards, perhaps following the original colour schemes.
Creatures that appear on shields of arms are known as supporters. The Bull with crown collar is the supporter of Thomas Dacre; the Gryphon is the supporter of the Dacre family of Gilsland, Cumbria; the Ram is one of the supporters of the De Multon family; and the crowned Salmon is the supporter of Elizabeth Greystoke, who married Thomas Dacre in 1488.
The Dacre Beasts will be included in the new British Galleries opening in November 2001.
The Dacre Beasts
Carved, painted and gilded oak; tinned copper
English, probably 1507-25
W.6,7,8,9-2000.
Acquired with generous grants from the National Heritage Memorial Fund, The Friends of the Victoria and Albert Museum, two private benefactors and the National Art Collections Fund, an independent charity.
British Galleries:
The Dacre Beasts
These figures appear to be unique survivors of English heraldic woodwork made in the reign of Henry VIII (1509-1547), although it is not now clear why they were made. They take their name from Thomas, Lord Dacre (1467-1525), of Naworth Castle, Cumbria, where they remained until recently. The beasts escaped damage in a disastrous fire at Naworth in 1844, but were repainted shortly afterwards, perhaps following the original colours.
These beasts were supporters, the creatures that appear on either side of an armorial shield. Each relates to a branch of the Dacre family or to families with which they were related through marriage. The red bull was a supporter of the arms of Thomas, Lord Dacre himself.
The Dacre Beasts
About 1520
The bull, dolphin, griffin and ram represent the heraldry of members of the Dacre family. They would have stood in the great hall of one of the family castles in Cumbria to proclaim the Dacres' high status.
Oak, repainted after fire in 1844
V&A: W.6 to 9-2000. Purchased with the assistance of the National Art Collections Fund
Cat. 156
Attribution Note
Probably made 1507-1525; the banners added about 1844. There is a suggestion the beasts might have come from Kirkoswald, Cumbria.
Materials
Oak; Tinned copper
Techniques
Gilding; Carving; Tinning; Polychromy
Categories
British Galleries; Woodwork; Sculpture
Production Type and Product Note
Unique
Collection code
FWK
