SCHRUM/SHRUM
COAT OF ARMS
SCHRUM-SHRUM COAT OF ARMS*HE BEARETH ARMS: Azure a la fasce echiq, d=argent et de gules.
Translated:(Azure, a fesse chequey argent and gules)
CREST: Duex prob. aux d=l=ecu.
Translated: (Two elephant probosis as the shield [blue]).
TRANSLATED INTO NON-HERALDIC TERMS:
The field colour of the shield is the first named, azure (blue). The shield is blazoned with a fesse (band across the middle, occupying one-third the shield) chequey (three rows of checks) of argent (silver) and gules (red).
The fesse is an Honourable Ordinary, or one of the nine straight sided symbols first used in Heraldry to denote a man incased in Armour, and later granted only to those [of] high military rank, such as a commander of an army. The fesse is emblematical of a military girdle of honour.
The crest is next to the shield in importance. It was the grant of the King himself. The crest for this family, Schrum-Shrum, is two elephant's probosis (trunks) coloured as the shield (azure) blue.
The elephant became a part of the Coat of Armour at a very early period since explorers went into part of the world where this beast was used for domestic and military burdens. Any part of an animal usually bears the same meaning as the whole, but the trunk of the elephant symbolizes great strength.
All men in Armour bear a helmet on their Coat of Arms. The helmet of a Gentleman, Soldier and lesser Peer is borne in profile and of a colour to represent polished steel (not silver). Silver helmets are shown affrontee (facing forward) and are reserved for Dukes. Continental helmets are usually shown closed with gold trim. The small leaf-like drawing at the top of the helmet symbolizes the scarf or lining worn under the helmet to protect the head and is always shown red as is any lining displayed on the helmet.
When a man bears a crest he has a wreath of colours for the crest to rest on. The wreath is a two coloured twist of silk interwoven of the principle metal and colour of the shield, metal always denotes the scarf used to secure the crest to the helmet. The colours are known as those of the livery.
There is no motto recorded for this family. J. B. Reitstap, who recorded all the Coat of Armour on the Continent, seldom gives a motto. The motto was a war cry, used during the Crusades and could be changed at will. He did not consider them very important and not a part of the Grant of Arms.
Colours are representative of the personal characteristics of the original bearer and were so granted.
Azure - (Blue) denotes loyalty and truth.
Argent - (Silver) is the metal for light of day, signifying peace, innocence, and sincerity.
Gules - (Red) stands for courage and magnanimity.
Mantling is the scroll-like drawing about the shield and helmet and is for decorative purposes only, having no bearing on a man=s rank. It is the only part of the achievement wherein the Heraldic Artist has any liberty in depicting a Coat of Arms. All other parts are given in the written Grant of Arms and must be drawn according to Heraldic Rules. Mantling was not used until the Tudor Period. All that time artists and engravers embellished their work with a lot of fancy scrollwork to fill in the space about the shield and helmet. Later the use of this scrollwork was incorporated into all finished drawings of Coat Armour and rules made to govern the manner of displaying it. Mantling must be drawn as leaves of the principle colour of the shield and lines with the principle metal.
Most Coat of Arms borne by Continental families are more elaborate in design and bear considerable trim. The shields are far more decorative than those borne by those issued by the British Kingdom.
Mantling is emblematical of the surcoat worn by the knight over his Suit of Armour to protect it from the elements. The surcoat often worn on the field of battle was of course cloth or leather, while the surcoat worn for court occasions, parades, tourneys, etc. was of finer materials and usually elaborately embroidered with the symbols of the shield, thus identifying the man incased in Armour. One man in full Armour was much like another but could easily be recognized by his shield and surcoat.
In an age when few men could read or write, all could understand the symbolical language of Heraldry. Coat Armour with its Heraldic Emblems has been called the written language of Early Europe and the shorthand of history.
Authority: J. B. Reitstap=s Amorial General and L=Planches. (Coat Armour of the Continent)
*Reformatted and adapted from the �Description of Coat of Arms@ produced by Vernon J. Schrum of Pine Knoll Shores NC. Used by permission.
by John L. Shrum
