Although the actual origins of heraldry are still being debated, the use of arms as a form of recognition most likely began in 12th century Europe. With the development of more sophisticated armor, the face became invisible behind closed helmets. A system had to be developed that allowed instant recognition, or it was possible to be fighting friend rather than foe. The resulting colors and symbols quickly became objects of pride and were jealously guarded. A son would inherit his father's markings and carry them in his turn into battle.

The use of heraldry flourished in tournaments of the time. The use of armorial decorations at these jousts were supervised by heralds under command of a Marshall and a Constable. These officers are the origins of the modern College of Arms, which continues to govern the use of arms.

The use of gunpowder made armor obsolete. However, heraldry continued to flourish. Since a majority of people in the middle ages couldn't read or write, seals were used in place of a signature on document. The use of Arms moved from the battlefield to documents of state.

Since arms were used to identify an individual, there needed to be some way to regulate their design and appointment. It was necessary to have a language that not only accurately described the arms, but that others could understand. The language chosen was Norman French, and it is still used today.

The Great Visitations - Confirmations of Arms

Heralds were part of the royal household in the thirteenth century and perhaps as early as the twelfth century. From 1420 the Royal heralds had a common seal and acted in some ways like a corporation. In 1484 they were granted a charter of incorporation by Richard III, and given a house in Coldharbour in Upper Thames Street, London to keep their records in. They received the charter under which they now operate from Queen Mary and her husband Philip of Spain in 1555, together with the site of the present College of Arms.

One of the primary means through which heralds accomplished their task of recording, granting, and correction of arms in the sixteenth century was through "visitations." Starting in 1530, the provincial kings were authorized and commissioned to make visitations of counties in their provinces. They would typically travel to a county in summer and it took many years to cover England and Wales. The king of arms (or his deputized herald) would set up in an inn or a gentleman’s home and all those in the area who claimed arms were summoned to present proof of gentle status. The herald would record the pedigree and arms for a fee. If the claimant was found to be not up to standards he was required to sign a statement that he was "no gentleman" and forbidden to bear arms. This was proclaimed throughout the shire - a harsh fate in this class conscious era. More information on the heralds can be found here.

The records made by the heralds during this period are contained in what is known today as the "Harleian Manuscripts", important documents that trace the history of Arms and provide many lineage clues for genealogists. (NOTE: The Harleian Society was formed by Robert Harley, 1st earl of Oxford, and his son Edward, 2d earl of Oxford. The Harleian Library is a manuscript collection of more than 7,000 volumes and more than 14,000 original legal documents. In 1753 it was purchased for £10,000 by the British government and with the collections of Sir Robert Bruce Cotton and Sir Hans Sloane formed the basis of the British Museum library.)

The official records of the College of Arms, which include the registers of grants of arms, funeral certificates, the records of the systematic heraldic visitations of the English and Welsh counties undertaken by the heralds roughly every generation between 1530 and 1688, changes of name and arms by Royal Licence, and the pedigree registers, total approximately 750 manuscript volumes.

The Spooner Coat of Arms

The original Spooner arms, which bear a silver boar's head on blue background, were issued to Thomas Spooner of Henwood Hall, in the Parish of Solihull, Warwickshire, England. Although Henwood Hall is no longer there, Solihull still exists as a busy suburb of Birmingham. The arms were awarded to Thomas by Rob Cooke, Clarencoux, King of Arms on November 29 1589, the 32nd year of Queen Elizabeth's reign. They were confirmed at The Visitation of Warwickshire, 1682-1683 and recorded on page 148 of the Harleian Script that documents that trip by the heralds. A reproduction of page 148 of the Harleian Manuscripts can be viewed here.

The Arms were amended in 1797. Abraham Spooner, Esquire, eldest surviving son of Isaac Spooner, changed his last name to Lillingston, became the Lillingston heir, and in the process altered the Spooner crest. This was done to protect the property of his wife, Elizabeth Mary Agnes Lillingston, the only child and heiress of Luke Lillingston and Willielma Joanna Dottin. The new Arms are a combination of Spooner and Lillingston, commonly reffered to as a marriage coat of Arms. The arms are described in A Genealogical and Heraldic History of The Commoners of Great Britain and Ireland, Vol. I., by John Burke as: "Quarterly, first and fourth, for Lillingston, a bugle, stringed, between three crescents; second and third, for Spooner, az. a boar's head in bend ar. armed or. couped. gutted Sang."

Graphics of the original and amended Spooner Arms:

Original Spooner Arms

Spooner-Lillingston Arms

Who Can Bear the Arms Today?

Who has the right to bear the original Spooner Arms? To this writer, at least, that answer is not obvious. I do know that the Lillingston fanily is now in Scotland, where several of Abraham's children settled. I also know, from direct contact with the College of Arms in England, that no other Spooner has applied for rights to bear the original Spooner Coat of Arms.

It would seem, since Abraham was the last survivor of his branch of the family, that the original Spooner Arms are not correctly bourne by anyone. If, however, someone out there knows differently, I would welcome the information. In the meantime, I am working on the complete genealogy of Thomas's family to the 1900's. I'll add a link here when it's ready for the website. Check back often!