i28.LJuxBi7.i9i6.] NOTES AND QUERIES.
493
Wilkinson's ' Ancient Egyptians ' (Birch's
edition) has about a couple of pages upon
the subject of Egyptian altars. Viollet-le-
Duc's ' Dictionnaire de 1'Architecture ' has
many beautiful illustrations of altars and
careful descriptions of them. Similarly
Parker's ' Glossary of Architecture ' deals
with English examples. I append notes
of a few papers of historical interest which
may supplement the above more important
books.
- The History of the Christian Altar. ' By Edward
Bishop. Downside Review, July. 1905
'Dictionnaire d'Arche"ologie Chretienne et de Liturgie.' By Cabrol.
- A Brief Historical Inquiry into the Introduc-
tion of Stone Altars into the Christian Church.' By J. Blackburne. Cambridge, 1844.
' The Archaeology of the Christian Altar in Western Europe.' By A. Heales. London, 1881.
' On Wooden Altars.' By C. R. Baker King. 1909. The Altars recently found in the Roman Camp at Maryport.' By J. C. Bruce. Arch. JEliana, M.S., vol. vii.
' On the Discovery of Roman Inscribed Altars at Houpesteads.' By John Clayton. Arch. ^Eliana, vol. x.
' Notices of the Roman Altars and Mural In- scriptions presented by Sir G. Clerk.' Proc. Soc. Antiq. Scotland, vol. iii.
' Inscription on an Altar found at Chester.' By
E. Halley. Royal Soc. Phil. Trans., xix.
' Description of a Roman Altar found in the Neighbourhood of Aldston Moor in Cumberland.' By Rev. S. Weston. Arch., vol. xvii.
'Observations on the Corbridge Altars.' By Daines Barrington. Arch., iii. ^ ' Observations on Episcopal Chairs and Stone Seats ; as also on piscinas and other appendages to altars still remaining in chancels.' By Charles Clarke. Arch., xi.
4 On a Roman Altar discovered in restoring the Parish Church of Gainford in 1864.' By Rev. H. M. Scarth. Brit. Arch. Assoc., vol. xxii.
- Roman Altars preserved at Rokeby and the
Roman Stations at Gretabridge and Piersbridge.' By H. M. Scarth. Brit. Arch. Assoc., xliii.
^On an Altar Stone found at Cpldingham in 1877.' By James Hardy. Berwickshire Nat. Club, vol. viii.
'L'Autel Chretien.' Par Didron. Annales Arch., iv. p. 238, &c.
A. L. HUMPHREYS.
187 Piccadilly, W.
Illustrations and descriptions of altars used in the various cults from the Druidical times to the present day are to be found in
F. S. Dobbins's ' Story of the World's Worship/ published by the Dominion Co., Chicago, 1901. Henry Moses in ' A Collec- tion of Vases, Altars, Paterae, Tripods,
Candelabra, Sarcophagi, &c.,' published by J. Taylor, London, 1814, also gives a short resume of the subject with illustrations.
Bruce's * Lapidarium Septentrionale ; or, A Description of the Monuments of Roman
Rule in the North of England,' published by
Bernard Quaritch , London, 1875, and Lysons's :
' Magna Britannia,' vol. iv. Cumberland,,
give descriptions of Roman altars. A
recent book on altars is Wright's ' Some
Notable Altars in the Church of England
and the American Episcopal* Church,' 114
full-page plates, New York, Macmillan Co.,.
1908. ARCHIBALD SPARKE.
SHAKESPEARE'S FALCON CREST (12 S. i.. 429). There is a note to the following effect in a work entitled ' The Story of the Life of William Shakespeare,' by J. C., which I picked up some years ago at Stratford-on- Avon :
" In the College of Arms two drafts of a grant of coat armour proposed to be conferred on John Shakespeare, one in 1596 and the other in 1599, are still preserved ; but although some of Shakespeare's descendants assumed these arms, it is not Known that they were ever really granted ' The shield and' cote of arms : in afield of gould vpon a bend sable, a speare of the first, the point vpward hedded argent ; and for his creast or cognizance a falcon with his wynges, displayed standing on a wrethe of his coullers, supporting a speare armed hedded or and steeled sylver, fixed upon a helmet with man- telles and tasselles, as more playnely maye appear depicted on this margent.' "
It would seem from this that the Bard's right to inherit the crest from his father is open to question.
WlLLOUGHBY MAYCOCK.
Next to the eagle the falcon is the noblest of birds in the demesne of armory. There was formerly a Falcon King of Arms, so named from one of Edward III.'s royal badges ; and she represents an honourable and national pastime, the peculiar province of. the noble and the gentleman. As the poet's surname had originally a martial significance,, implying capacity in the wielding of the spear, and the bird might be considered a symbol of true gentility, and Shakespeare- himself was evidently a past master in the gentle art of falconry, the assigning to him (or to his father on his motion) of this particular crest seems singularly happy.
The achievement assigned to Shakespeare by Garter is a famous example of canting heraldry. Garter's words are :
" Gold, on a bend sable a spear of the first, and for his crest or cognizance a falcon, his wings dis- played argent, standing on a wreath of his colours,- supporting a spear gold, steeled as aforesaid."
The Shakespeare falcon, which presumably shakes the tilting-spear, is innocent of bells,., jesses, or vervels, and is turned into a cock- bird by Garter. The falcon is, of course r the female peregrine, as may be seen in-
