The Charnock's Carved Shield
The countless questions raised during my role as a volunteer room steward in Astley Hall's Long Gallery frequently revealed the gaps in my knowledge and prompted further research. Several questions that taxed me were about the elements of the various shields displayed on the shields on view inside the Hall and carved in the panelling and framework of the building. This drew me into the world of the Heralds who maintained the records of Arms from the time of the Crusades and throughout the medieval world. Over the centuries various Armigerous families bearing Coats of Arms beginning with the Charnock family have displayed there shield with pride in the fabric of the building be it glass, wood or stone and these materials have preserved them to this day. Then, as now, people adopted arms belonging to other families without right or permission. Today this is very prevalent among internet companies purporting to provide your Arms but, in reality, simply selling you copies of t