De Carteret Name, Seals and Heraldic Arms

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Aim

This FSP is set up to record the seals and heraldic arms used by the De Carteret family over different generations.

SEALS

Introduction.

The very first equestrian seal on record is that of William the Conqueror and he is believed to have created it in 1066 after his victory in the Battle of Hastings^[1].

The Viscount of Cotentin Nigel III (d. 1092) is apparently the earliest noble of lesser status known to have owned a seal, if we can trust the reference to his lost sigillum in a pancarte dated c. 1090. However, general use of seals on the Cotentin occurred between 1101-1125.

A comprehensive study of heraldry in the Channel Islands was published by NVL Rybot in the 1928 Annual Bulletin of the Societe Jersiaise^[2]. Rybot identified only two equestrian seals of early Norman type in the 12th century, one used by Philippe de Carteret circa 1167 and the other by Richard de Vernon^[2].

It is possible that the equestrian seal used by Philippe de Carteret was adopted by his father Renaud de Carteret (1063 - 1125. According to Jerripedia in the archives of Saint Lô exists a charter, dating from the 1st Crusade, on which is found the seal of Renaud de Carteret^[3]. This charter cannot be identified in existing public sources.

The earliest armorial seal in the Channel Islands identified by Rybot was that of Philippe d'Aubigny, Bailli des Iles. The arms it shows are of special interest, not only for their connection with the church of the Holy Sepulchre at Jerusalem, but also because the de Carterets appear to have adopted them later^[2].

A seal attached to a document of 1290 is the earliest existing armorial seal used by a de Carteret. The label on the shield proves that cadency rules were in operation. The seals of this family during the next four centuries remained simple in design, though they assumed a more ornate character during the closing generations of its existence^[2].

There are records of personal armorial seals registered by different De Carterets in the National Archives.^[4] A Summary is as follows:

• 1680 – Signet - Sir Philip Carteret: Brown colour octagonal 5/8 Shield of Arms, 4 fusils in fesse on a canton d hand with helm and crest d’quirrel. Placard. Perfect no legend, Ref SP47/Cannel Islands 1 No. 97
• 1742 Treaties 158 (SP108)John Carteret, Baron: Red oval seal ¾ A shield of arms, quarterly, 1 & 4 three clarions, 2 & 3 four fusils in fesse, ensigned with coronet, supporters two winged stags, Motto: Loyal Devoir

• 1743 Treaties 159 (SP108) John Carteret, Baron: Red oval seal 11/16 same as Treaties 158, but different matrix. Motto: Loyal Devoir
• 1743 -treaties 160 Red two imp
• 1744 – treaties 162 red two imp
• 1744 – treaties 164 red twp imp
• 1744 – treaties 260 red, Seven imp
• 1744- treaties 261 Red Four imp
• 1744 -treaties 363 Red
• 1719 – treaties 528 red two imp
• 1719 – treaties 530 red

• 1756 Treaties 421 John Carteret, Earl of Granville Red oval ¾ Within a quarter shield a shield of arms, a chevron, ensigned with coronet, supporters two winged stags. Motto: Loyal Devoir

• 1758 – treaties 422 black
• 1759 – treaties 424 black
• 1760 – treaties 425 black

• 1759 – John Carteret, Earl of Granville: Rde oval seal 13/16 Within a Garter, ensigned with corner, a cartiche of arms, quartered as before (Placard. Two red imp. One black .Legend: none Ref: SP For Treaties 270

De Carteret-Vincheles Seal.

De Carteret-Vincheles Armorial Seal

This is the personal Armorial Seal of Dame Marie Ann(De Carteret) Vincheles , Dame Chatelaine of Vincheles de Bas after her husband, Edward Tuohy's death.

Arms

Payne, in his 'Armorial of Jersey' contends that families with arms in the Channel Islands did not avail themselves with heraldic grants or confirmations. Families, such as the De Carterets, generally retained the arms of their ancestors although some use was made of marks of cadency and quartering.

Certainly there are no records of heraldic visitations to the Channel Islands so there are no official records to form the basis of the arms adopted. We must therefore look elsewhere for evidence of the evolution of family arms prior to heraldry, which probably developed from Canting arms or 'armes parlances' as the French described them. It is generally accepted that Arms were introduced in the second quarter of the 12th century. This would have commenced with royal households and gradually spread down through the various levels of the aristocracy.

Among the publications of the Société Jersiaise will be found:

1. “Gibbon’s Roll of Arms. ”Vol.II Bulletins pp.129,130.

2. “Roll of Arms of the Lords and Keepers of the Isles. ’Vol. IX Bulletins pp.281—292.

3. “L'Art Heraldique du Cartulaire des Iles Normandes.”Preface of Cartulaire pp.xi—xviii.

John Gibbon, who visited Jersey in 1655 became Blue mantle Herald in 1668. His list of arms included the following regarding De Carteret: De CARTERET: a very antient keminent family. Owners of St. Oen and Rosell [a branch of web family owe The Manour (or petit Barony) of La Trinitie]: G. 4 fusills in fess Arg., conjoined^[2].

This may be confirmed by similar arms placed on the keystone of the gateway arch leading into the De Carteret ancestral home, the manor of St Ouen.

Gateway to St Ouen Manor

Note. According to Elliott the original arms of de Carteret showed three fusil in fesse, but when Renaud's son Philippe married Marguerite d'Aubigny, niece of Philippe d'Aubigny, Keeper or Guardian of the Isles, the de Carteret arms were changed to four fusils in fesse, thus becoming identical with the arms of the d'Aubigny family.

Similar heraldic arms of the Baron of Carteret are also illustrated in Sir Bernard Burke's A Genealogical History of the Dormant, Abeyant, Forfeited, and Extinct Peerages of the British Empire ^[5]

Arms of Baron of Carteret

This reference confirms the ancient house of Carteret was (in 1866) represented by three principle branches:

• St Ouen, Jersey, represented by Edward Charles Mallett De Carteret
• Hawes, Bedford, Bedfordshire represented by Sir George De Carteret, Bart, Vice Chamberlain to Charles II
• Trinity,Jersey, represented by the Count de St George, son of Miss de Carteret and grandson of Sir Philip de Carteret Sylvester Capt RN.

^[6]

Taking of St. Ouen

The Channel Islands were the personal property of the Duke of Normandy from the time of Rollo. Since from L'Oiseleur' onwards the De Carterets were loyal to the Dukes of Normandy it would seem to be unlikely that they would have taken possession of St Ouen without approval from the Duke or a situation existing where Sir Renaud could justify his actions as being in the Duke's interests.

Such a situation could have existed in the period between 1087 and 1106. When William the Conqueror died in 1087 he bequeathed Normandy including the Channel Islands to his eldest son, Robert Curthose and the throne of England to his second son William. The two brothers were natural rivals and Robert plotted to take the throne from William, mounting an unsuccessful rebellion in 1088. This failed and although a settlement was reached between the brothers, animosity continued to fester. William died in 1100 while Robert Curthose was involved in the 1st Crusade and their younger brother, Henry took the opportunity to seize the English throne.

Robert Curthose was intent on claiming the English throne from Henry I and in 1101 invaded England with an army. This invasion failed and Robert was forced to renounce his claim to the English throne in the Treaty of Alton.

Hostilities continued with each brother planning to take the other’s title. But whereas Henry I had clear strategies and ruthless tactics in preparing for confrontation, Robert presided over an increasingly disunified Duchy with rivalries and battles breaking out among his barons. In 1105 this civil disorder provided Henry I with reason to invade Normandy. Several Norman Barons defected to Henry I and in 1106 he defeated Robert at the Battle of Tinchenbray. Robert was imprisoned for the rest of his life and Henry I claimed Normandy for England.

Henry I's victory also ended the disorder which had increasingly gripped Normandy throughout Robert Curthose's rule. This turbulent period may have provided conditions for Sir Renauld's raid on St Ouen, either when Robert was away on the 1st Crusade (1096 - 1100) or in the turmoil after the Battle of Tinchenbray before Henry I restored order.

Although the foregoing identifies a period circa 1100 when Renaud may have had the opportunity to take St. Ouen, there are no primary sources to confirm it and most secondary sources make no mention of it.

Sources

1. ↑ EARLY ARISTOCRATIC SEALS: AN ANGLO-NORMAN SUCCESS STORY by Jean-François Nieus, Université de Namur, database online (accessed 19 Nov 2022) https://www.academia.edu/16796038/Early_Aristocratic_Seals_An_Anglo_Norman_Success_Story?email_work_card=view-paper
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4} Rybot, NVL "Heraldry in the Channel Islands" published in Societe Jersiaise Annual Bulletin, 1928, Vol 11, Article 5. (accessed 19 Aug 2023) https://collections.societe.je/archive/annual-bulletin/volume-11/annual-bulletin-1928/1928-article-5-heraldry-in-the-channel-islands/1982104?q=carteret
3. ↑ Renaud de Carteret I Jerripedia database online (accessed 4 Nov 2022) https://www.theislandwiki.org/index.php/Renaud_de_Carteret_I
4. ↑ The National Archives Catalogue, QFA 1 - Public Record Office: Search Department (and Successors): Digitised Seals Register, Index to seals: Personal Armorial: Men C. (accessed 19 Nov 2022) https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C14505588
5. ↑ A Genealogical History of the Dormant, Abeyant, Forfeited, and Extinct Peerages of the British Empire by Sir Bernard Burke, LL.D. Ulster King of Arms published by Harrison of London 1866 database online (accessed 29 Nov 2022) https://www.google.com.au/books/edition/A_Genealogical_History_of_the_Dormant/OpxfAAAAcAAJ?hl=en&gbpv=1
6. ↑ Collins, Arthur. A history of the noble family of Carteret, existing before the reign of William the Conqueror. With the most Memorable Actions, and Atchievements, of the principal Persons thereof, Humbly Inscribed to the Right Honourable John, Earl Granville. Collected from records, authentick manuscripts, our most approved Historians, and other Authorities, therein cited. By Arthur Collins, Esq; Author of the Peerage of England, &c. &c. London: [s.n.], Printed in the Year 1756. Eighteenth Century Collections Online (accessed December 7, 2022). https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/CW0101139929/ECCO?u=nla&sid=bookmark-ECCO&xid=3b7d8730&pg=22.