The Arms maketh the Man
FINALLY, TAKE ANOTHER LOOK at horse and rider.It's what we'd now call the Earl's corporate image, part of his P.R. The artist knew his subject well, perhaps he'd even followed the Earl in battle. Did he have chance to draw the armour and the tunic from life? Did an apprentice pose in it? As an illustrator myself these questions intrigue me. Of course, I'm used to being able to find a reference photograph almost any subject. The figure depicted is certainly that of a fighting man. That strong right arm belongs to someone who takes his training seriously.
The Earl has gone for manoeuverability; he seems to be wearing a body suit of chain mail, with no plate armour visible. Perhaps there's a breast plate under the tunic? The spurs are just visible on what look like chain mail 'socks'.
Horse and rider get a dynamic look from the way they break out of the circular frame. The chequered cloth on the horse, which is in the team colours of the Earl, looks bulky. Is this because of the way the seal is cut, or is this the horse equivalent of a bullet-proof vest? That would explain why flaps dangle around the legs of the animal. And, finally, there's that medieval inscription, I'm hopeless at Latin, but I notice it ends in :COM . . . . . . perhaps the Earl had his own website? Page 5 of 5
Richard Bell, |
The sword looks like the latest in butchering technology. It seems to have grooves running the length of the blade. The helmet gives protection but sufficient ventilation and visibility for the wearer.
It seems to have been deliberately shown as small but manoeuverable. Perhaps in his chain mail the Earl didn't need a huge cart horse. Or perhaps that's just artist's license? - a bigger horse would have made the Earl look too small in comparison.
