Coat of Arms of The Drapers Company
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Usually known as the Drapers' Company, The Master and Wardens and Brethren and Sisters of the Guild or Fraternity of the Blessed Mary the Virgin of the Mystery of Drapers of the City of London, was probably the first corporate body in England to be granted a coat of arms, in 1439. The arms were modified in 1561, when the crest was added and the original supporters of two angels changed to the current lions, and again in 1613, when the shape of the crowns was changed and the motto added.
The College of Arms says only that many livery companies and other bodies received grants after the Drapers. The Drapers' Company always say only that it has the oldest extant grant.
Blazon
| Azure | On a blue background
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| Three clouds | three clouds
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| radiated proper | with the sun emerging from behind, all in their natural ('proper') colours)
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| each adorned with a Triple Crown Or | each cloud has a gold three tiered crown
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| Supporters |
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| Two lions, Or, pelletted | Two gold lions with black spots (or 'pellets')
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| Crest |
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| On a the helm | A helmet,
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| a wreath of the Company's colours, thereon | on which is a ring of twisted blue and gold cloth
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| a mount Vert thereon | a green hill, on top of which is
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| a Ram couchant Or | a gold Ram lying down but with head raised
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| armed Sable | the ram's horns are black
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| the whole hatchment | the whole coat of arms
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| mantled gules doubled argent | is on a cloak of red lined with white or silver
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Symbolism
The Company's patron is the Virgin Mary.
It has been suggested that the arms demonstrate that from Mary, through the Holy Spirit, comes the divine Son of God: thus the sunbeams represent the brilliance and light of the Virgin Mary, and the cloud which is a frequent symbol for the Holy Spirit. Mary was deemed to be an empress; the symbol for an emperor/empress is the triple crown, still used by the Vatican City.
The triple repetition is dictated by the general principle of three charges to a shield apparent in medieval heraldry.
Motto
Unto God only be Honour and Glory
