Yes, mine. Well, not just mine. I am researching a family history which
includes the surname Demarest. The Lords of De Marest going back to Baldwin
I have used three escallop shells on the coat of arms of the family Demarest
to denote their participation in the crusades. This line, by the way, goes
back to Charlemagne! So far as I can tell, however, he did not collect
scallops or any other shells!
FYI- the scallop shell was used in many coats of arms to denote not only the
crusades, but that the original knight was a pilgrim to the shrine of St.
James, I believe in Spain. Returning pilgrims would collect a few shells of
an indiginous scallop of the region and sew them on their cloak or hat so
everyone would know where they were coming from.
-----Original Message-----
From: Stewart Jones <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Sunday, July 16, 2000 11:55 PM
Subject: Shells in heraldry


>Surprised no one has mentioned this news item (capitalization is mine):
>
>"Prince William's royal coat of arms was revealed Sunday and included a
>unique addition--a tribute to his late mother, Princess Diana.
>    "The coat of arms...incorporates aspects of the royal arms used by
Queen
>Elizabeth II and Prince Charles IN ADDITION TO A SMALL RED SCALLOP SHELL
>DERIVED FROM THE SPENCER COAT OF ARMS.
>    "The escallop motif, used by Princess Diana, has been borne by the
Earls
>Spencer since the 16th century and was a popular symbol for medieval
>pilgrims."
>
>    Sir Winston Churchill's coat of arms had several scallop shells.  Do
you
>know of any others?