Fig. 114. Seal of Alan la Souche in 1301.
During the first half of the fourteenth century little definite progress was made towards true supporters. Shields, whether hung from pegs or upon trees, or surmounted by crested helms, still continued to be flanked by quasi-supporters, which of course varied much in character. Pairs of wivers, dragons, and lions, usually back to back, the better to fit the space, and sometimes with entwined tails, were common early in the century, and shields with splayed eagles behind may not infrequently be found (figs. [115], [116]). What may be regarded as true supporters appear on the lesser seal (pl. [XII] A) of William Montagu earl of Salisbury (circa 1337), wherein two griffins seem to be holding up the shield, but it is not until well on in the second half of the fourteenth century that further definite instances become fairly common.
Fig. 115. Seal of John Beauchamp of Hacche with shield on breast of an eagle.