Arms.—Impaled.
Dexter: Az., an archiepiscopal staff, headed with a cross pattée or, surmounted by a pall arg., charged with 4 crosses pattée fitchée sa., fringed and edged or. See of Canterbury.
Sinister: Sa., on a chevron or, between 3 estoiles of 6 points of the second, as many crosses pattée fitchée gu. Laud.
[Laud. A relation of the Conference between William Lawd ... and Mr. Fisher the Jesuite, etc. London, 1639.]
William Laud (born 7th October 1573, died 10th January 1645) was the son of William Laud of Reading. After leaving Reading he went to Oxford and entered the Church, and quickly came into notice as a theologian. He was supposed to favour Romish doctrines. After enjoying several minor appointments, Laud was made Dean of Gloucester in 1616, and by this time he was high in the favour of James I., who in 1621 promoted him to the Bishopric of St. David's.
Under Charles I. Laud acquired still more importance. In 1626 he was made Dean of the Chapel Royal, and next year a member of the Privy Council, and in 1628 he became Bishop of London. In 1629 Laud was Chancellor of the University of Oxford, and in 1633 he was made Archbishop of Canterbury. Archbishop Laud was impeached for treason in 1641; he underwent his trial in 1644, and an ordinance of attainder was passed in the next year. Although Laud had in his possession a pardon from the king, he was beheaded on Tower Hill in 1645. He wrote a large number of books, mainly theological or historical. Several of his books are in the library at Lambeth Palace, and others are in the British Museum.
LEY, JAMES, EARL OF MARLBOROUGH
Arms.—Arg., a chevron between 3 seals' heads couped sa. Ley.