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Herald's Tabard

1707-1714
Artist/maker unknown, English Worn by Sir Henry St. George (the Younger) (British, 1625–1715)
In medieval times, heralds were messengers who wore tabards (open-sided garments) displaying their masters' arms to be recognized in battle. After heralds were charged with regulating the use of coats of arms, both their position and the garment became ceremonial. This tabard displays the coat of arms of Queen Anne (reigned 1702–14): the three lions of England and the lion rampant of Scotland quartered with the harp of Ireland and the fleurs-de-lis of France, then claimed by England. The Scottish symbol dates the tabard after the 1707 formation of the parliament of Great Britain.

Object Details

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