It is hard to say when we may so name the grotesque animals,
which first appeared to fill up the fields in seals even earlier
than the fourteenth century--see that of Ralph de Monthermer,
Earl of Gloucester and Hertford, 1299 [engraved, Nicholas Upton,
edition 1654, p. 63], and several of those attached to the Baron's
letter, 1301 (_Monumenta Vetusta_, vol. i). These gradually, as the
fourteenth century progresses, assume an appearance on seals exactly
corresponding with our modern supporters. We have "S' Fratris Thome
Archer," 1325 (Nicholas Upton, p. 73), supported by two lions rampant
counter-regardant (see No. 75); "Sigillum Petri de Veel," 1361 (on
the same page) supported by two helmets with panaches, very similar
to those of Edmund de Arundel still earlier 1301, given on p. 23, and
Edmund Mortimer, 1372, engraved on p. 26; and we have two griffins
supporting the helmet in the seal of Richard, Earl of Arundel, 1330-75,
see p. 27. In the next century, supporting animals appear on many of
the large and beautiful seals: two greyhounds in that of John, Lord
Clinton de Say, 1438 (see No. 54); two horses in that of John, Earl of
Arundel, 1415-21 (see _Herald and Genealogist_, vol. ii, p. 55); two
heraldic antelopes support the crest of Humfrey, Earl of Stafford and
Perche, 1438 (_Archæologia_, vol. xxxviii, p. 273); and many others
might be quoted. It is quite impossible to say when we may begin to
call such decorative adjuncts "supporters." Planché (_Pursuivant_, p.
177) says that at the close of the fourteenth century, in one instance,
Richard II. (1377) used two white harts, his favourite badge, as
supporters; but that those of Henry VI. (1422) are considered to begin
the Royal series. In France, one supporter is frequently seen and is
then called a "tenant." In Scotland, where French influence is in many
ways visible, we frequently meet with seals where a single tree, man,
bird, fabulous beast, &c., &c., supports the shield of arms. Menestrier
[_Origine des Ornemens_, p. 93] traces many of these grotesque
animals to the attendants at tournaments who paraded in such disguises,
carrying the shields and weapons of the knights.
Supporters also occur in illuminations and carvings, and not being
then confined within the narrow sphere of a seal, they stand much as
in modern drawings--see the arms of Edward IV., 1460, in Willement's
_Regal Heraldry_; also the carving on the Founder's pew in North Witham
Church, co. Lincoln, being the arms and supporters of Sir Thomas de la
Laund, 1470 (_Archæological Journal_, vol. ii, p. 87).
From the above remarks it will be seen that no datings, at any rate in
the earlier centuries, can be deduced from the presence of supporters;
indeed, there are instances of stone carvings on dwellings, in which it
seems to me that the cutter, as in early seals, has added supporters
merely to beautify his design and balance his shield, without any
heraldic intention or authority whatever. Heraldry was a "mystery"
as well as a science, and if the cutter had placed supporters, when
decorating the mansion of a neighbouring lord, he might, in the same
way, balance his design on the house of some obscure gentleman.