Typescript: FitzSimons heraldry notes (Fox-Davies, Fairbairn)
Book 1, Page 124
Transcription
A single typewritten sheet on plain paper. The heading is centered at the top; the body is set as a series of indented entries, each beginning with a short bold-faced label.
F I T Z S I M O N S
From: Fox-Davies—“A Complete Guide to Heraldry”: Fairbairn’s Crests.
Arms: Sable, three crescents, in Chief a label of two drops and in fess another of one drop argent. (Harl.MS 1441 & 5866). (Papworth).
Crest: A Bear, passant, regardant, pulling from his shoulder an arrow.
Fitz—means “Son”. (Fitz Simons—Son of Simons)
Colors: Are represenative of the personal characteristics of the original bearer, and are granted only if he be worthy.
Sable—(Sa.)—black—The fur lining of Royal robes; constancy and nobility.
Argent—(Ar.)—silver—sincerity and peace; purity and constancy.
Label: “The label as a charge must be distinguished from the label as a mark of difference for the eldest son, though there is no doubt that in those cases in which it now exists as a charge, the origin must be traced ot its earlier use as a difference.”
Fesse: A military belt or girdle of honour.
Crescent: signifies one who has been “enlightened and honored by the gracious aspect of his sovereigh”; symbol of “Hope of greater Glory.” (for difference — indicates a second son.)
Boar: A boar is sharp and fierce in conflict with his foe. Bearing one betokens a man of a bold spirit, skilful, politic in warlike feats, and one of that high resolution that he will rather die valorously in the field than he will secure himself by ignominious flight. With the introduction of the boars-head in the Christmas festivities, it is ascr- ibed by some heraldists to be a token of hospitality.
(The meanings of the Label, Fesse, Crescent, and Boar—are taken from Hobbies Magazine.)
AI Notes
A typewritten sheet headed ‘FITZ SIMONS’ summarizing heraldic notes drawn from Fox-Davies’s A Complete Guide to Heraldry (Arthur Charles Fox-Davies, 1909) and Fairbairn’s Book of Crests. The sheet records the blazon of the family arms and crest, glosses ‘Fitz’ as ‘Son’, and gives the meanings of the heraldic colors and charges (Sable, Argent, Label, Fesse, Crescent, Boar). Manuscript-roll citations after the blazon — Harl. MS 1441 & 5866 (Harleian Manuscripts at the British Museum, now the British Library) and Papworth (Papworth’s Ordinary of British Armorials, 1874) — are the standard heraldic sources for the FitzSimons arms. A closing note attributes the meanings of Label, Fesse, Crescent, and Boar to Hobbies Magazine. The typescript blazons a bear crest, while the hand-colored illustration on the facing page depicts an eagle crest.