Thomas Holland (aft. 1350)

Born after 1350 in Thorpe Watervile, Northamptonshire, England

Descendants

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Biography

Marriage

Thomas Holland of Thorpewater married Lucy, the daughter and heir of John Holdesworthy of county Devon^[1][2][3] in 1368-69 [42 Edward III].^[4]

Heraldic Achievement

Thomas Holland bore the arms of 6 quarters with his wife, Lucy Holdesworthy's paternal arms as follows:

1. Azure, semée of fleurs-de-lys argent, a lion rampant of the same. [HOLLAND.]

2.  Gules, ten bezants or, 4, 3, 2, 1, and canton ermine. [ZOUCHE.]

3. Quarterly gules and or, four escallops counterchanged. [METSTED.]

4. Ermine, a bend gules. [BATHE also known as BAA.]

5. Azure [sable], three bends argent. [MERTON.]

6. Azure, semée of fleurs-de-lys argent, a lion rampant of the same. [HOLLAND.]

7. Gules, a chevron argent between three plates. [HOLDESWORTHY.]

Another interesting piece of evidence is found in The Art of Heraldry: An Encyclopaedia of Armory on page 417. It describes Thomas Holland of Thropwater's coat of arms as having a blue background with scattered fleur-de-lis and a white lion standing upright and facing forward." This description specifically refers to Thomas Holland's coat of arms and does not mention any additional ones. You can find the drawing of Thomas Holland's coat of arms on plate LXXXVI after page 268 in The Art of Heraldry: An Encyclopaedia of Armory.

The College of Arms possesses a manuscript volume of drawings of shields, sketched in pen and ink, and it contains the sketch of Thomas Holland of Thorpewater's armorial achievement. From an artistic perspective, the collection of heraldic designs is considered highly unique and intriguing. The manuscript is presented as a roll of arms without any accompanying explanation. Viewing the manuscript as an armorial record could lead to an exaggeration of its value. Some shields are clearly mythical and do not function as official records for verifying coats of arms. The reasons behind the creation of the manuscript are unclear. Additionally, its official status remains uncertain. Furthermore, the College of Arms' acquisition of the manuscript remains a mystery. The manuscript is primarily valued for its artistic merit. Regrettably, the artist's name remains unknown. Due to their historical nature, these examples are unsuitable for modern heraldic art reproductions. Overall, these designs do not align with any other design styles beyond the volume they are found in. Yet, these designs showcase strong craftsmanship and artistic potential in heraldic symbols that are unmatched and likely to remain so. The powerful enthusiasm in their design evokes admiration. Mr. G. W. Eve, in his book "Decorative Heraldry," estimates the manuscript's date to be between 1540 and 1560, and he suggests that the manuscript is likely a revised copy of an earlier piece.

Sources

1. ↑ Vivian, J. L. (John Lambrick)., College of Arms (Great Britain). (1895). The Visitations of the County of Devon: Comprising the Herald's Visitations of 1531, 1564, & 1620. Exeter: For the author, by H. S. Eland, p. 475.
2. ↑ Saint-George, Henry, William Camden, Frederic T. Colby, and Samson Lennard. The Visitation of the County of Devon in the Year 1620. London: for the Harleian Society, 1872. Print., p. 345.
3. ↑ Harvey, William. The Visitation of the County of Devon in the Year 1564: With Additions from the Earlier Visitation of 1531. United Kingdom, William Colby, 1881, p. 133.
4. ↑ Day, William Ingram Leeson. Holsworthy. United Kingdom, Devonshire Association for the Advancement of Science, Literature and Art, Parochial History Section, 1934, p. 23.

• Fox-Davies, Arthur Charles. The Art of Heraldry: An Encyclopaedia of Armory. United Kingdom, T.C. & E.C. Jack, 1904, p. 417, and plate LXXXVI Text: 7. Azure, seme-de-lis and a lion rampant guardant argent (Sir Thomas Holland of Thropwater). Note: It is not certain if this individual is referred to him or his son.