The Arms of Cornwall

With the recent consultation to identify an appropriate 'Cornish' symbol (to replace the 'English' Rose tourist symbol) came the final shortlist of 9 possibles.   These range from symbolic representations of the 'Arms of Cornwall' (referred to as 15 Silver Bezants !!) to the Flag of St Piran.   In between these we have 'The Chough', 'The Outline of the Cornish Coast', 'The Engine House', 'Mining Symbols', 'Celtic Cross', 'Standing Stones' and 'Celtic Triskel'.   Each picture is presented as an image in black ink.   The official signs are white lettering on a pale brown sign and any additional colour (black?) is most unlikely to be approved by the Department of Transport.

In the absence of the use of black we must assume that the symbol, once chosen, would be depicted in white.   Hence the reference to the 'Arms of Cornwall' as "15 Silver (i.e. white) Bezants".   Whilst we must see if a special application will be made to use black, this was virtually ruled out at the initial consultative stage.   It should be noted that this 'special' relaxation (for red) was afforded to the 'English' Rose.   Only time will tell but in the absence of clarification just, for a moment, try and visualise each of the above symbols as white on a light brown background and how it provides a universal, and appropriate, symbol of Cornwall.

It is for each, involved in the consultative process, to make up their own minds and, by the time that this is read, the deadline (8th March 2002) will have passed for responses.   If red & black were available then I would personally go for the Cornish Chough (a magnificent bird) but as white on brown it could be any bird.   Similarly, it is hard to imagine St Piran's flag as a white cross on a light brown ground!   For me there is only one on the shortlist which holds an appropriate and universally recognisable form and that is the 'Arms of Cornwall'.   Its use would match that of Brittany and the Isle of Man where symbolic use is made of 'heraldic'(?) devices from their respective flags

Regrettably, the symbol depicted is that of the Duchy (15 in pile) and which would require permission from the Duchy to use - easily overcome, however, by not depicting 'in pile'.   Also white roundels are correctly termed 'plates'.   Roundels are only bezants if they are yellow/gold - there being a different name for each colour (e.g. green = pommes).   If a successful application could be made for the use of black (for the shield) then the light brown background would represent, in the absence of yellow/gold, a close approximation to the arms proper.

At a recent meeting where this subject just happened to come up for discussion, I was making clear my observations and dared to say that the 'Arms of Cornwall' are nothing to do with the Royal Family - I know many people have a blind spot when it comes to anything remotely associated with the Duchy.   There was a sharp intake of breath and 'a look', which carried a banner headline 'Don't be so silly!', from one of the persons present.   This page has been initiated, therefore, to try and sort out misunderstandings over the 'Arms of Cornwall'.

Given the superficial way that the Duchy is treated in the anniversary publication "The Duchy of Cornwall (1987)" - and referred to elsewhere - I shall include, with trepidation, the then archivist's comment :

"The first well known influence on what was to become the dukedom, Earl Richard's escutcheon - quite literally - is embodied in it.   The shield of contemporary dukes consists of a black field upon which are emblazoned fifteen golden 'byzants'.   These represent gold coins brought home by knights who have been to the crusades via Byzantium.   Silver was the usual coinage in the west, gold a precious novelty.   Richard, a pious man, and proud that he had been on crusade, adorned the edges of his shield with them... ... Though differing patterns were subsequently devised, bezants are the abiding symbol of the Duke of Cornwall." (Graham Haslam)

As with all things associated with Cornwall, there is always another view of things which, hopefully, makes us stop and think.   My understanding of the 'Arms of Cornwall' was brought to me by an article in the "Old Cornwall" magazine (vol VII, No. 1 Autumn 1967).   It may be appropriate for the FOCS to reprint this article in a current edition.   I shall include here a couple of relevant paragraphs for consideration :

"The fifteen bezants of the Arms of Cornwall have been the subject of a great amount of romantic guessing, and the stories of their origin are as varied as they are improbable.   The bezants are a direct link with the days when Cornwall was an independent Earldom, Cadoc, Earl of Cornwall at the time of the Norman invasion, had for his arms "a black shield garnished with golden bosses or roundels" - in heraldic terms "Sable bezantee", i.e. a black ground covered with as many yellow discs as can conveniently be placed thereon.   Heraldry, it is true, was not reduced to a system until 1483 but the bearing of coat-armour was in force for a great period before that time..."

"...The name of the yellow (gold) roundels, "bezants", is derived from that of the principal gold coins of medieval times.   The suggestion that the Crusaders returning from the Holy Land decorated their shields with gold coins and thus gave them the name, is no more reasonable than to assume that some stuck apples on their shield and so originated the name of pommes.   As for stories of ransom and of pawnbrokers, they can be dismissed as sheer fiction.   "Bezantee" is a term used when any number above 8 are depicted.   If 8 or less are shown their arrangement must be specified."

One can only imagine that the description of Cadoc's Arms are recorded somewhere since the description is included as a quote.   Hopely, that primary source information is still available.   It is satisfying to think that even the Arms of Cornwall provide us with a continuity with our past.   Cadoc was, after all, our last Prince of the British line.