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Arms of Tudors
Unknown - Enlarge image
Arms of Tudors; Arms of Henry VIII; Arms of Edward VI
- Object:
Panel
- Place of origin:
England, Great Britain (made)
- Date:
ca. 1540 (made)
- Artist/Maker:
Unknown (production)
- Materials and Techniques:
Clear, coloured and flashed glass
- Museum number:
C.452-1919
- Gallery location:
British Galleries, room 58b, case 5
Object Type
Encircled by a wreath of red and white roses (for the houses of York and Lancaster) and surmounted by the crown of England, this roundel displays the Tudor arms. It is thought to have come from the house at Cowick Barton in Devon, built by John Russell, 1st Earl of Bedford (1485-1555). The royal coat of arms was widely represented in windows of the period, both in the monarch's own residences and in those of his subjects, who sought to advertise their allegiance to the Crown in this way.
People
Russell was a favourite of Henry VIII, serving as the King's mediator and as commander of his armies during the wars with France. His allegiance to the King was further evident on Henry VIII's death, when Russell acted as one of the executors of the monarch's will. Created Earl in 1550 by Edward VI (ruled 1547-1553), Russell later served as Lord High Steward and Keeper of the Privy Seal.
Materials & Making
During Henry VIII's reign (1509-47) glaziers still used true stained glass, cutting and leading it together in complex heraldic designs. Here the golden fleurs-de-lis, made from clear glass painted with a silver stain, have been inserted into intricate holes drilled through the blue ground. 'Flashed' ruby glass (clear glass covered with a red glass layer which was then scratched to reveal the white below) has also been used. This in turn was sometimes painted, as can be seen in the centres of the roses.
