Walter Halliday

Last updated

Walter Halliday (also spelled Halladay, Haliday, Halyday, and Holliday) was a long-serving royal minstrel in England in the 15th century. He was a founder member of a minstrels' guild which was the forerunner of the present Worshipful Company of Musicians. He is believed to be the founding father of the Halliday family of Gloucestershire, [1] and an ancestor of some of the Halliday/ Holladay/ Holliday/ Hollyday families in the United States. [2]

Contents

Family

Surviving records show that Walter was a minstrel in the service of three successive kings, for at least fifty-four years, between 1415. [3] and 1469. [4] This suggests that he was born not later than 1400.

According to Burke's Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Commoners of England (1836), Walter was a younger son of the chieftain of Annandale in Dumfries in Scotland. [1] However, Burke does not cite the source of this information and, as the Bluemantle Pursuivant at the College of Arms stated in 1975, this book "is compiled from family traditions, not proved, and is not accepted as an authority; there are many errors in it". [5]

The records show that, in addition to Walter, two other Hallidays were royal minstrels in the first half of the 15th century : William and Thomas. As William appears to have been older than the other two, it's possible that Walter and Thomas were brothers and William was their father. The recurrence of surnames in the lists of royal minstrels over the years strongly suggests "that minstrelsy could be a family business". [4]

Royal minstrel

Walter's first recorded listing as a royal minstrel is at the battle of Agincourt in 1415. [3] He, and William and Thomas, are listed among the minstrels in King Henry V's retinue. Thereafter, his name appears in the royal financial records on many occasions between 1421 and 1467, particularly in connection with payments of livery (clothing) allowances. [4]

In 1423, King Henry VI authorised a regular payment to the minstrels. [6] In 1439, Henry VI granted Walter and other minstrels an annual payment, on condition that they did not work for anyone else. [7]

In the late 1440s, the royal court became aware that "many rude husbandmen and artificers" were posing as royal minstrels and charging money for their amateur performances. This defrauded the public, and cheated the real minstrels of income. In 1449, Henry VI therefore authorised William Langton (marshal of the minstrels), Walter Halliday, and five other royal minstrels to investigate these activities and to punish the impostors. [4] [8]

In 1456, Walter and three other minstrels were commissioned to recruit "suitable boys, instructed in the art of minstrelsy", to take the place of some royal minstrels who had died. [4]

Henry VI's reign ended in 1461, when his cousin, Edward of York, deposed him and seized the throne as King Edward IV. This does not appear to have affected the minstrels, as they retained their positions under the new king. By 1464, Walter had succeeded Langton as Marshal of the Minstrels and was now in charge of all the minstrels. By then, he had been a minstrel for around fifty years. It is on record that, when Edward IV married Elizabeth Woodville in 1464, Walter conducted an orchestra of 100 players. [9]

A few years later, it appears that the minstrels were reorganised under two marshals, one for the 'haut' instruments, i.e. trumpets, horns, nakers, tabors, bagpipes, and shawms, and one for the 'bas' instruments, i.e. organs, flutes, crumhorns and stringed instruments. Walter was marshal of the 'bas' minstrels, which suggests that he himself played one or more of those instruments. [4]

Walter last appears on record in 1469, when the problem of bogus minstrels defrauding the public and cheating the official minstrels out of income, was dealt with again. In 1469, Edward IV granted a royal charter authorising "Walter Haliday (marshal), John Cliff, Robert Marshall, Thomas Grene, Thomas Calthorn, William Cliff, William Christean, and William Eynsham our minstrels" to found a brotherhood or guild of minstrels. It was to be headed by a marshal, appointed for life and two wardens elected annually. No minstrel, no matter how skilled, was to be allowed to perform in public unless he was a member of the guild, and the guild had the power to fine offenders. [2] [8] This guild is regarded as a forerunner of the Worshipful Company of Musicians. [8]

For how much longer Walter served as Marshal of the Minstrels is unknown. He is believed to have retired to Rodborough in Gloucestershire and owned property there.

Supposed knighthood and coat of arms

A story arose in the United States of America, in the twentieth century that, in addition to being Master of the Revels, Walter Halliday had been knighted, had fought alongside Edward IV in the Battle of Tewkesbury, and had been granted a coat of arms "for his valor" in the battle. [10] The arms attributed to "Sir" Walter are those listed in Burke's Commoners : Sable, three helmets Argent garnished Or within a bordure engrailed Argent. Crest : A demi-lion rampant Or supporting an anchor Azure. Motto : 'Quarta Saluti'. [2]

This story does not stand up well under scrutiny. Walter would have been around seventy years old at the time of the battle of Tewkesbury in 1471, and rather old to be taking up the sword instead of his accustomed musical instrument. He is not listed among the knights created by Edward IV before or after the battle. [11] Bluemantle Pursuivant reported in 1975 that "I find no trace of Sir Walter in the official records of the College of Arms", and that "the arms in Burke's Commoners are wrong". [5]

The coat of arms supposedly granted to Walter is actually that which was confirmed to his descendant Sir Leonard Holliday, lord mayor of London, in 1605, and the crest was granted to Sir Leonard at the same time. [5] A possible explanation for the attribution of these arms to Walter is that, because Burke's Commoners states (without citing a source) that they were granted in the time of Edward IV, it has been assumed that Walter, his "master of the revels" (sic), was the grantee. Burke is incorrect as to the date of the arms, as they are known to have existed long before the reign of Edward IV, and before kings of arms began formally granting arms. [12]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Worshipful Company of Musicians</span> Livery company of the City of London

The Worshipful Company of Musicians is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. Its history dates back to at least 1350. Originally a specialist guild for musicians, its role became an anachronism in the 18th century, when the centre of music making in London moved from the city to the West End, and for more than a century it was a general guild for figures in the city, with no specific musical role. In the late 19th century, the musical element was revived, and the modern Company promotes all aspects of the art and science of music.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">College of Arms</span> Corporation responsible for heraldry in England and Wales

The College of Arms, or Heralds' College, is a royal corporation consisting of professional officers of arms, with jurisdiction over England, Wales, Northern Ireland and some Commonwealth realms. The heralds are appointed by the British Sovereign and are delegated authority to act on behalf of the Crown in all matters of heraldry, the granting of new coats of arms, genealogical research and the recording of pedigrees. The College is also the official body responsible for matters relating to the flying of flags on land, and it maintains the official registers of flags and other national symbols. Though a part of the Royal Household of the United Kingdom, the College is self-financed, unsupported by any public funds.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Walter Hungerford, 1st Baron Hungerford</span> Member of the Parliament of England

Walter Hungerford, 1st Baron Hungerford was an English knight and landowner, from 1400 to 1414 a Member of the House of Commons, of which he became Speaker, then was an Admiral and peer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Norroy and Ulster King of Arms</span> Officer of Arms of the College of Arms of the United Kingdom

Norroy and Ulster King of Arms is the provincial King of Arms at the College of Arms with jurisdiction over England north of the Trent and Northern Ireland. The two offices of Norroy and Ulster were formerly separate. Norroy King of Arms is the older office, there being a reference as early as 1276 to a "King of Heralds beyond the Trent in the North". The name Norroy is derived from the Old French nort roy meaning 'north king'. The office of Ulster Principal King of Arms for All-Ireland was established in 1552 by King Edward VI to replace the older post of Ireland King of Arms, which had lapsed in 1487.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Brooke-Little</span> British heraldic writer (1927–2006); Clarenceux King of Arms

John Philip Brooke Brooke-Little was an English writer on heraldic subjects, and a long-serving herald at the College of Arms in London. In 1947, while still a student, Brooke-Little founded the Society of Heraldic Antiquaries, now known as the Heraldry Society and recognised as one of the leading learned societies in its field. He served as the society's chairman for 50 years and then as its president from 1997 until his death in 2006.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gerald Wollaston</span> Officer of arms at the College of Arms, London (1874 - 1957)

Sir Gerald Woods Wollaston was a long-serving officer of arms at the College of Arms in London. Wollaston's family had a firm tradition at the College of Arms. Wollaston's great-grandfather was Sir William Woods, Garter Principal King of Arms from 1838 until his death in 1842. His grandfather was Sir Albert William Woods who held the same post from 1869 to 1904.

Charles Harold Athill, MVO, FSA (1853–1922) was a long-serving officer of arms at the College of Arms in London.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heraldic visitation</span> Tours of inspection undertaken by Kings of Arms

Heraldic visitations were tours of inspection undertaken by Kings of Arms throughout England, Wales and Ireland. Their purpose was to register and regulate the coats of arms of nobility, gentry and boroughs, and to record pedigrees. They took place from 1530 to 1688, and their records provide important source material for historians and genealogists.

Blanche Lyon Pursuivant of Arms in Ordinary was an English office of arms created during the reign of King Edward IV.

John Watson was an English lawyer, Notary Public and the first Commonwealth Register at the Court of Chivalry and officer of arms at the College of Arms in London. He served as commissary and treasurer to Major Legge and Colonel Washington in the Royalist Army during the English Civil War. During the Commonwealth, Watson became acting Bluemantle Pursuivant at the College of Arms he was later appointed as Bluemantle for life. This appointment was later rescinded when the Monarchy was restored. Watson acted in an official capacity at the funeral of the Earl of Essex.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">George Nayler</span>

Sir George Nayler, KH FRS was a long-serving officer of arms at the College of Arms in London.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">William Segar</span> Officer of arms to Elizabeth I of England

Sir William Segar was a portrait painter and officer of arms to the court of Elizabeth I of England; he became Garter King of Arms under James I.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Leonard Holliday</span>

Sir Leonard Holliday was a founder of the East India Company, and a Lord Mayor of London.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">William Holliday (merchant)</span>

Note : dates are given using the New Style calendar.

Sir Walter Beauchamp was an English lawyer who was Speaker of the House of Commons of England between March and May 1416.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andrew Halliday (physician)</span>

Sir Andrew Halliday, KH was a Scottish physician, reformer, and writer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Gwladys ferch Dafydd Gam</span> Welsh noblewoman

Gwladys ferch Dafydd Gam was a Welsh noblewoman. She was the daughter of Dafydd ap Llewelyn ap Hywel, otherwise known as Dafydd Gam, who was killed at the Battle of Agincourt in 1415.

Sir Henry St George (1581–1644) was an English Officer of arms. He was the third son of the herald Sir Richard St George and his wife Elizabeth St John.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Athlone Pursuivant</span> Officer of arms in Ireland (1552–1921)

Athlone Pursuivant of Arms was a junior officer of arms in Ireland, founded 1552 during the reign of Edward VI, King of England and King of Ireland, and was named for the town of Athlone, which is partly in Co. Roscommon . The other heraldic offices of Ireland being Ireland King of Arms, 1392-1485, the Ulster King of Arms (Ulster) from 1552, the Dublin Herald (Leinster) and the Cork Herald (Munster). Accordingly, an officer was named for each of the four traditional provinces of Ireland. From 1943 the Ulster King of Arms was merged with the Norroy King of Arms as the Norroy and Ulster King of Arms with jurisdiction for Northern Ireland. Heraldic matters in the Republic of Ireland are now handled by the office of the Chief Herald of Ireland.

William Ryley was an officer of arms at the College of Arms in London.

References

  1. 1 2 Burke, J. (1836) Genealogical and Heraldic History of the Commoners of Great Britain and Ireland.
  2. 1 2 3 Holladay, A.N. (1983). The Holladay Family.
  3. 1 2 Nicolas, Sir Harris (1827). History of the Battle of Agincourt.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Rastall, Prof G.R. (1968). Secular Musicians in Late Medieval England (doctoral thesis).
  5. 1 2 3 Gwynn-Jones, P.L. (Bluemantle Pursuivant) (1975). Letter dated 1 July 1975, quoted in Holladay, Alvis. M. (1983) The Holladay Family.
  6. ↑ Nicolas, Sir Harris (1834) Proceedings and Ordinances of the Privy Council of England Volume 3.
  7. ↑ "Calendar of the Patent Rolls Preserved in the Public Record Office : Henry VI Volume III" (PDF). Sdrc.lib.uiowa.edu. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
  8. 1 2 3 Crewdson, R. (2000) Apollo's Swan and Lyre
  9. ↑ Simons, E.N. (1966). The Reign of Edward IV.
  10. ↑ Holladay, A.N. (1983). The Holladay Family, citing Henry Hollyday's article 'Early History of the Hollyday Family' in the Maryland Historical Magazine (1931).
  11. ↑ Shaw, Dr W.A. (1904). The Knights of England Vol 1.
  12. ↑ "Halliday Heraldry". Net46.net. Retrieved 23 July 2020.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.