HISTORICAL ARMS OF THE COLES

The Coles of England were granted some thirty Coats of Arms or Crests. While they differed greatly in their make-up, they all bore the same motto, namely, "Deum Cole Regum Serva" (Honor God, Serve the King). The one shown on the left is that of the Earl of Enskillen [sic], William Willoughby Cole [ed note: probably Enniskillen or Inniskillen, Ireland; note the "Harp of Ireland" in the upper right corner of the crest].

It is described as follows:

Arms: Pearl, a bull passant, diamond, armed and unguled topaz, within a bordure of the second bezantee; on a dexter canton per pale, of the third and sapphire, a harp gold, stringed of the first, and the quarterings brought in by Rodregan and Aredeacon.

Crest: A demi-dragon emerald, langued ruby, holding in the dexter paw an arrow gold, headed and feathered pearl, and in the sinister a shield sapphire, charged as the canton.

Supporters: Two dragons reguardant, emerald, each holding in the exterior paw an arrow as in the crest.

Motto: Deum Cole Regum Serva.

The crest shown on the left above, is that of the Hertfordshire family, and granted in 1040, is party per pale or (gold) and argent (silver), a bull peasant, within a border sable, on a chief of the third, three bezants. The crest, a demi-dragon vert (green) bearing in its dexter paw a javelin armed or (gold), feathered argent (silver). The significance of this armorial bearing is explained as follows: A pale denotes military strength and fortitude, and was given to those who had impaled or otherwise defended cities, or who had "stood up rightly for prince and. country". The bull is a bearing emblematic of valor and magnanimity; the bordure is an augmentation of honor. Bezants or besants, coins of gold, representing Byzantine coins of gold. Byzantine coins were one of the badges of a pilgrim or crusader. The dragon, of all mythical beasts the most valiant, broods over treasure committed to his care, according to the poets; heraldically a dragon stands for a valiant defender or soldier.