Devon Notes and Queries. 153 117. The Seal of the Borough of Honiton. — ^Although this seal, as Dr. Oliver observes, has neither pretension to taste nor antiquity, its claims to singularity cannot be denied. The device it exhibits, which is erroneously held to represent the borough arms, challenges research and speculation, yet defies definitive solution. The present seal is grounded upon an earlier which dates from about 1640. It displays on the right-hand side a vested figure to the knees, with the hands raised in prayer towards a long-haired and erased figure on the left, with the dexter hand extended; over these is a large human hand, couped at the wrist, thumb apart, and the third and fourth fingers turned into the palm ; below, a flower. This curious device is singularly implicated in the etymology of the Borough. Shortt states that Honiton is so designated either from the British expression " Onnen y tun," or from " Oun " or ** Oon," and it has also been conjectured that the name is drawn from the whetstone quarries in the vicinity ; hence *' Honetown/' The strangest theory alleges that it sprung from the Norman-French word
- honi" {i.e., shame), which was incited by a curious legend.
Of this we find two versions. The first relates that once a remarkable curse fell upon the town — all the women became barren. To arrest it they were counselled to repair to St. Margaret's Chapel, where, by fasting and entreaty, they conciliated the Deity and became enciente. Whether this anathema was a retributive measure for laxity of morals, or employed to induce the return of a devo- tional spirit the tradition omits to say, but from this circumstance, according to the story, the parish became known as " Shame-town " or " Honi-town.** The second rendering, although amenable for the same etymology, is not so defamatory. It narrates that in former days childless women were directed to pray for a day and night in the chapel, when, by a vision, their wishes became fulfilled. To preserve the point this hypothetical etymology must be linked with the first version. The theory generally entertained, however, discovers the root in " honey," the town being once noted for this product. The earliest reference to the seal is given in " Notiiia Par- liamentaria"'^ The town, it states, possessed as arms, a priest
- Browne Willis, Not, Par.^ 1750, p. 16.
