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Fig. 7 Arms as Sir Francis Drake used them |
Fig. 8 Engraved portrait of Drake, 1583 |
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Fig. 9 Drake's Drum |
Fig. 10 Coconut cup |
The Arms of Sir Francis Drake
Part 2
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Subsequent Use
What happened after 1581 also provides additional evidence, though that too is capable of alternate interpretation. Whether he obtained official permission to use the wyvern arms or not, Sir Francis did indeed use them. He sealed several documents with the wyvern arms quartered with the new coat.(19) (Fig. 6) He seems to have abandoned the impossible crest of globe, ship and wyvern, using an ancient Drake crest of an eagle displayed.(20) (Fig. 7) Among several portraits, one which was probably rendered in life displays the wyvern in the first and fourth quarters.(21) (Fig. 8) Drake’s Drum, which depicts the arms, and which was obviously painted after 1581, does not display the quartering. (Fig. 9) A coconut cup given to Sir Francis by the Queen does depict a demi-wyvern in the crest. (Fig. 10)
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Fig. 7 Arms as Sir Francis Drake used them |
Fig. 8 Engraved portrait of Drake, 1583 |
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Fig. 9 Drake's Drum |
Fig. 10 Coconut cup |
After the death of Sir Francis, it was a different matter. Drake died childless, and his principal heir was his brother Thomas. There are no examples of which the author is aware of Thomas or his descendants using the wyvern quartering. When the family arms were recorded at the Visitation of 1620, only the new arms were included.(22) The fine over-mantel at Buckland Abbey, which was evidently placed during Stuart times, includes neither the wyvern quartering nor the wyvern in the crest. (Fig. 11) None of the church glass or monumental inscriptions contains other than the new arms. (Fig. 12) The impressive monument on Plymouth Hoe, erected in 1890, does show the quartered arms, but this reflects local sentiment, and probably the influence of Henry H. Drake, and is of no value as evidence. (Fig. 13) This author has been told by one of Sir Francis’ heirs that none of the surviving engraved silver still in family hands displays the wyvern arms.
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Fig. 11 Mantel at Buckland Abbey |
Fig. 12 Later Drake arms on church monuments |
References
19 Landsdowne MS 70, ff. 94-95, 98-99, 170-180.
