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"History
of the Flannery septs"
Lorcan
J. O'Flannery
Heraldry
Although the development of heraldry is
rightly attributed to the Normans - strongly influenced by
their Scandinavian heritage - there is considerable evidence
that a rudimentary form of heraldry existed in Ireland before
the arrival of the Normans, possibly due in part to the
cultural contribution from earlier Viking settlers. It is
certain that the early Irish held certain symbols sacred as a
result of pre-Christian religions and ancient mythology.
These totems gradually became associated with specific
regions, and formed the basis of tribal emblems with deeply
personal significance to tribal members.
In the context of practical heraldry, which
is essentially the means of readily identifying similarly
armoured combatants, it should be borne in mind that the
majority of medieval Irish soldiers fought with little or no
formal armour. The Irish kern (lightly armed
infantryman) typically wore a linen tunic, carried a targe
(small round shield) strapped to the defensive elbow and
fought with a short stabbing lance or sword. Chain mail was
initially only worn by foreign mercenaries known as Gallowglasses
(usually Scottish) who wore a steel plate helmet –
normally an open cap rather than a fully enclosed bassinet
– and wielded the cliamh mór. This huge
two-handed sword tended to preclude the use of a shield. As a
consequence of the medieval Irish predisposition to eschew
formal armour, it was common for the heraldic emblems to be
displayed on banners at rallying points. However, the
conventional form of display on shields is not considered to
be a cultural compromise.
Strictly speaking, coats of arms are
granted to individuals and their direct descendants. They are
not awarded to unrelated groups of people sharing similar
surnames. However, it is becoming increasingly popular for
people to display so-called family arms in a variety of
domestic situations (heraldic displays in their homes, on
their stationary, websites etc.) and there is no real harm in
this practice as long as the lawful grantee is tacitly
acknowledged. Indeed, some armigerous individuals would not
be averse to sharing the use of their arms with unrelated
individuals, since it promotes an aspect of family history
which is an important part of our heritage.
A full patent of arms comprises the
following elements :-
- Arms – the heraldic signs
and emblems depicted on a shield or escutcheon
- Helmet – the social
standing of the grantee dictates the type of helmet
displayed above the shield;
- Mantling – the symbolic
shredded cape of designated colours framing the
shield;
- Wreath – the annular cloth
seating of the same designated colours as the
mantling, positioned on top of the helmet;
- Crest – the heraldic
device depicted on top of the wreath; and
- Motto – an adopted slogan
displayed below the shield. Supporters are
heraldic figures displayed on either side of the
shield, but are only granted in rare instances
(hereditary peerage, etc.).
The Flannery family is fortunate that there
are two different patents of arms registered to bearers of
the name. These are detailed as follows.
In 1904, the following heraldic device was
registered to Sir
James Fortescue Flannery, Bt. (1851 - 1943) in the Heraldic College in London :-
Arms : Argent, on a mount
in base vert, an oak-tree proper, on a chief enarched gules,
two roses of the first. (white background, naturally coloured
oak-tree on a green mound, two white roses on a red
upwardly-arched upper band)
Note that the arms of a baronet are
always charged with a badge to indicate his rank,
although this is not always explicitly mentioned in the
patent. The badge comprises either an escutcheon argent
(white mini-shield) or canton argent (small white
square), charged with a hand sinister couped at the wrist
gules (red left hand). It is frequently called the badge
of Ulster, but the Ulster hand is more correctly dexter
(right) not sinister (left). The badge is normally
located at the top edge of the chief, and positioned
either centrally or at the dexter (bearer’s right)
edge in order to suit the arrangement of the emblems on
the field. In this case, an escutcheon should be
centrally placed between the roses.
Helmet : Conventionally, the helmet for a
baronet is made of steel trimmed with gold and displayed face
forwards with the visor open.
Mantling : Vert and argent. (green and
white)
Crest : On a wreath of the colours, in
front of an oak-tree a cat statant guardant, both proper. (on
a green and white wreath, a naturally coloured cat standing
with face front, in front of a naturally coloured oak-tree)
Motto : Firmitate coeli floreat arbor. (the
tree flourishes in heaven)
In 1991, the following armorial ensign was
registered to Dr. Lorcán J. O’Flannery (1962 -) in the Chief Herald’s Office in
Dublin :-
Arms : Argent, an oak-tree eradicated vert,
a chief enarched gules. (white background, a green oak-tree
with roots, a red upwardly-arched upper band)
Helmet : Conventionally, the helmet for a
gentleman is made of steel, and displayed in profile with the
visor closed.
Mantling : Vert doubled argent. (green and
white)
Crest : On a mount vert, a Moorish square
tower argent founded on rock or. (a white Moorish square
tower built on yellow rock on a green mound)
Motto : Caveant hostes. (let enemies
beware)
Both of these patents of arms may be termed
canting arms which means that they contain a pun on
the surname. In both cases, the red enarched chief symbolises
a red eyebrow – the literal translation of Flannabhra
which developed into the name Flannery. In heraldry, a white
background symbolises purity whilst red represents strength
and energy. The oak-tree was deeply honoured in pre-Christian
religions and Celtic mythology, and is a favourite device of
the older Irish families, denoting strength, antiquity and
fertility. The crests have primarily personal significance.
It is important to remember that the Heraldic Offices are
acutely aware of the inherent symbolism in heraldry, and do
not grant armorial devices unless they are considered to be
appropriate in each specific instance.
There has been a relatively recent move to
establish sept arms which would entitle individuals
descended from families in discrete regions to display the
arms granted to that particular sept. This is a departure
from the traditional system – and no doubt upsets some
of the entrenched purists – but has reportedly received
favourable consideration from past Irish Chief Heralds such
as Dr. Edward MacLysaght.
An appropriate device for Flannery sept
arms might be a hybrid of the existing patents of arms as
follows:
Argent, on a mount in base vert,
an oak-tree proper, a chief enarched gules (white background,
naturally coloured oak-tree on a green mound, a red
upwardly-arched upper band).
Back to Flanary Family
For further information on information
provided on this page please contact: Lorcan J. O'Flannery
Last Updated 11/98
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