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The wolf was widely used in many forms in heraldry during the medieval period. Though commonly reviled as a livestock predator and man-eater, the wolf was also considered a noble and courageous animal, and frequently appeared on the Arms and crests of numerous noble families. It typically symbolised the rewards of perseverance in long sieges or hard industry.

[edit] History

[edit] British Isles

Wolves appeared frequently in English heraldry. A shield bearing two wolf heads was attributed to the Earl of Chester, circa 1070. "Two wolf's heads erased azure" were later used on the Arms of subsequent Earls.

Edward IV (1442–83) used a white wolf for one of his badges, along with a white lion, denoting his descent from the House of Mortimer.

The wolf or his head is often used for canting on names such as Videlou, de Lou (both recorded in the anonymous Great Roll of 1308–14), Lupus (in the reign of Edward III), Wolferston (in the Henry VI Roll, circa 1422–61), Wolseley, Lovett, Low, Lovell, Lupton and of course Wolfe.

The most prominent use of the wolf in Scottish heraldry is in the arms of Struan Robertson.

Wolves are used as supporters by Lords Welby and Rendell.

The "Enfield beast", an imaginary creature with the combined characteristics of wolves, foxes and eagles, appears as the crest of the Irish family of Kelly and is also used as a charge in a grant of arms to the Enfield District Council in Middlesex, England.

[edit] Continental Europe

A Spanish depiction of a heraldic wolf

The wolf is also featured in the heraldry of continental European nations. Spanish heraldry often represented wolves carrying the bodies of lambs in their mouths or across their backs.

Wolves were also common in German heraldry. A red wolf rampant on a white shield features on the Arms of Passau in Bavaria. In Saxony, a black wolf rampant on a yellow shield features on the crest of von Wolfersdorf family. A green wolf grasping a dead swan in its jaws on a yellow shield is depicted on the crest and Arms of the Counts von Brandenstein-Zepplin. The arms of Hans Wolf von Bibelspurg depict a wolf facing to the left, though the wolf was reversed on his marriage to Catharina Waraus at Augsburg in 1507, so that their two family crests faced each other.

In Italian heraldry, the Arms of Romulus and Remus were said to depict the Capitoline Wolf. An undated Milanese badge allegedly in the Biblioteca Trivulziana, Milan, shows a lamb lying on its back with a wolf standing over it.

In French heraldry, the Wolfcatcher Royal had as his official insignia two wolf heads facing frontally.

A horned, wolf-like creature called the Calopus or Chatloup was at one time connected with the Foljambe and Cathome family.

[edit] References

[edit] Websites

[edit] Literature

A Grammar of English Heraldry, W.H. St. John Hope, Second Edition: Revised by Anthony Wagner, Richmond Herald. Cambridge University Press, 1953.
Heralds and Heraldry in the Middle Ages, Anthony Wagner, Richmond Herald. Oxford University Press, 1956
Boutrell's Heraldry - C.W. Scott-Giles OBE, Fitzalan Pursuivant of Arms Extraordinary and J.P. Brooke-Little FSA, Bluemantle Pursuivant of Arms. Frederick Warne & Co. London and New York. Revised Edition 1966.
A Complete Guide to Heraldry, Arthur Charles Fox-Davies Revised and annotated by J.P. Brooke-Little Norrey and Ulster King of Arms. First published 1909. 1985 Edition - Orbis Publishing, London
Dictionary of Heraldry and Feudal Coats of Arms and Pedigrees, Joseph Foster. Original Edition 1908 - James Parker & Co. 1994 Edition - Studio Editions, London
The Scottish Tartans, Revised Edition by Sir Thomas Innes of Learney, Emeritus Lord Lyon King of Arms. Johnson & Bacon, Stirling. Edition 1984
International Heraldry - L.G. Pine, David & Charles, Newton Abbott, 1970
Heraldry (Sources, Symbols and Meanings) - Ottfried Neubecker, Member Governing Body of International Academy of Heraldry. 1997 Edition - Tiger Books International plc, London
A Dictionary of Heraldry and Related Subjects, Col. A.G. Putrock. Blaketon Hall, Exeter, 1983.
Fairbairns Crests of the Families of Great Britain and Ireland, James Fairbairn. New Orchard Editions, Poole, Dorset, 1986.
The Highland Clans. Sir Iain Moncrieffe of that Ilk, Albany Herald. Barrie & Rockliff, London, 1967
Scottish Clans and Tartans Nell Grant. Hamlyn Publishing Group, London, 1987
Dictionary of Heraldry, Charles Norton Elvin (1839) Published: Heraldry Today Edition, London, 1969 and 1977
The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, Sir Bernard Burke, CB, LLD. Published: Harrison, 59, Pall Mall, London, 1884

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