Item 2: Coat of Arms granted to John Wilkes, Esq, (removed to Half Box #1) , no date

Item — Box: 6, Folder: 2

Staff Only

Dates

Created: no date

Access:

All series and subseries within this collection are open for research, with the exception of a few files within the Academia series that are restricted. The Academia series contains financial and sensitive institutional records from Wilkes College, and financial report records from Princeton University that will remain restricted for 80 years upon creation.

Extent

1 items

Language of Materials

From the Collection: English

Additional Description

Condition Note:

Okay.

Type of Material:

Coat of Arms, Heraldry

Measurements:

12 ½ in x 8 ¾ in

Title:

Arms granted to John Wilkes Esqr;

Description:

A document that annotates the facets of the Coat of Arms granted to John Wilkes. At the top is an introduction of Wilkes, with the crest directly beneath. The crest itself is topped by an esquire’s hamlet, to its left is an English mastiff, to its right is an English game-cock, and beneath is an inscription that reads “Pro Rege Lege Et Grege”. The interior of the crest is separated into thirds, containing {top left} a General Warrant torn to rags, {top right} a bunch of broken keys, and {bottom} the Tower of London alongside the words “Habeas Corpus”. Beneath this is an explanation of every detail of the crest.

Transcription:

ARMS granted to John Wilkes, Efq; The ASSERTOR of BRITISH FREEDOM, At the United Requeft of the PEOPLE of ENGLAND. BY LIBERTY KING AT ARMS

EXPLANATION. ARMS 1. A General Warrant torn to rags; and, 2, A Bunch of broken Keys, de-noting the Ruin if arbitrary Power. 3. The Tower of London, the Gates wide open, with a Flag bearing the white Horfe (the Arms of the illuftrious Houfe of Hanover) and Magne Charta, denoting Freedom to all loyal Subjects and Friends to the Conftitution ; the words Habeas Corpus, under the open Gates, imply, that no Britifh Subject can be imprifoned contrary to Law. 4, 5. Two Meffengers in Mourning with a Handkerchief in one Hand, lamenting their loft Places; and in the other Hand, a Staff with a Greyhound on it, denoting their Offices. SUPPORTERS 6. An Englifh Maftiff, expreffive of Fidelity, Conflatancy, and Watchfulnefs ; the regal Crown in his Paw, denoted Loyalty. 7. An Englifh Game-Cock, an Em-blem of Britifh Courage, never to be fubdued by Death. CREST 8. An Efquire’s Helmet. 9. The Cap of Liberty, the indif-putable Right of every Englifhman, from the Prince to the Peafant.