PLATE XII.—Early uses of crests, on seals of William Montagu earl of Salisbury, 1337-44.
During the first half of the fourteenth century there is an interesting diversity in the manner of representing crests, when not being worn by their owners.
William Montagu earl of Salisbury shows on his counterseal ([pl. XII A]) his shield supported by two griffins, and ensigned by the demi-griffin issuing from an open crown which in his seal he carries upon his helm. John Engayn, in 1349, has upon the upper edge of his shield a wolf or fox walking under a tree. Henry duke of Lancaster (1341) ensigns the shield of his arms with a cap of estate surmounted by a leopard (pl. [XIII] C); and Peter de Mauley, the sixth of that name, in 1379-80 has a seal with his simple arms (a bend) supported by two ramping leopards, and surmounted by a fierce dragon breathing defiance (pl. [XX] B). In none of these cases does a helm appear.
Fig. 61. Seal of Robert de la Warde, with fan crest.
