Birmingham: The Role of Women in Medieval Heraldry

The Role of Women in Medieval Heraldry – The Peplow Memorial Lecture

Speaker: Dr. Paul A. Fox

Early heraldry at a superficial level appears to have been a very masculine affair, but women played a much more important role than has been generally recognised.  Moreover, the frequency with which maternal arms (or elements thereof) were inherited has been under-estimated. Such transmission can provide vital clues for pedigrees. This presentation will include some long forgotten curiosities in the way that women formerly distinguished their personal arms from those of their husbands and fathers.

Paul is an heraldist, genealogist, medievalist writer, historical researcher, lecturer and Editor of The Coat of Arms magazine.

William Augustus Peplow

Gus as he was known was a successful business man from the Black Country and descended from a long line of clockmakers. He had a keen interest in Heraldry, which he helped develop in the society, also making authoritative surveys of the hatchments of Worcestershire. He later became President of the Worcester Archaeological Society and a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries. After his demise in 1983 this annual lecture was set up in his memory.