Catesby Coat of Arms
Visitation of the County of Rutland 1618-1619
Taken by William Camden, approved by Augustine Vincent, Clarenceux Herald.
Recorded in Harliean Society Volumn III 1870
ARMS:
Argent two lions passant guardant Sable Crowned Or. Visitation Northampton.
CREST:
A leopard passant guardant pellettee Harl M. S. 1094 fol 93
In Standard English:
ARMS:
Silver (in practice white), two lions walking, three paws on the ground, the
right fore paw being raised, the head forward and the tail curved over the back.
When guardant added, the head is turned so as to face the spectator, the lions
black, crowned golden.
CREST:
The leopard white with black spots. In ancient times a leopard was blazoned
without spots unless stated.
This coat of Arms, the lions in some cases passant, others passant guardant, was approved on various dates to the lords of the manors of Ashby St. Ledgers, Newnham, Lapworth, Althorp, Hinton, Whiston, Hardmead and Seaton.
The simplicity of the coat indicates that it was adopted at an early date. It was probably first borne by William de Catesby of Ladbroke. Lions (big cats) play on the first part of the family name, an interesting example of canting heraldry. William may have been granted the crowns on the lions because of his many appointments by King Edward III 1312-1377.
MOTTO:
Gras be Hower Gyd
The Tudor spelling is taken from a plaque in Whiston Church built by Anthony Catesby in 1534. Modern English spelling would be Grace be Our Guide. A motto can be changed without authority.