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This is the Leopard tomb at Haughmond Abbey, a medieval ruin near Shrewsbury. (It's in a lovely spot, still has interesting carvings, and it's free entry, so it's well worth a visit).
The tomb is so-called because it features what experts believe to be the figure of a leopard. You can't see the leopard in this photo because it chipped off, and is now in the site exhibition.
What's interesting is that, while lions were a well-known motif in heraldry, leopards and tigers much less so, especially in England. So, what would be wonderful to know is whose tomb this is; currently, nobody is sure.
If that information is out there, it might establish yet another connection between Shrewsbury and leopards.
So - if you have a thought, let us hear it!
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A fun feature of the ITF World Tennis Tour tournament in Shrewsbury this autumn is the town's Tennis Ball Trail. The idea is to spot the twelve 12
caricature figures, which are all at different locations throughout the town.
This one has two loggerheads on either side of its head.
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The East Window at Church Stretton St Laurence Church carries a number of heraldic panels, including these in this photo. The arms on the left side carry the 'Hereford Diocese loggerheads' - three leopards' heads upside down with fleur-de-lys issuing from the top. These upside down loggerheads are an integral part of the arms of the ancient see of Hereford.
Church Stretton is in the part of south Shropshire that is in the Diocese of Hereford.
The origin of the Hereford loggerheads is shrouded in mystery.
The upside-down leopards' heads appear on the arms of the Bishop of Hereford Thomas de Cantilupe (died 1282) - but no one seems to know why the Cantilupe family had adopted them. If you do, let us know!
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The tomb of Earl Roger de Montgomery in Shrewsbury Abbey is one of the town's most precious heritage assets. Earl Roger was the Norman lord who was installed as the first Earl of Shrewsbury by William The Conqueror following the Norman invasion of England in 1066.
It's said that the reason that the traditional colours of loggerheads/Shrewsbury are gold & blue is because there were Earl Roger's colours. In fact, though Roger's wife and his son seemed to have arms of gold & blue bars, I can't find a direct link between Roger himself and any gold & blue colouring. Can anyone help me find out more about this?
The gold & blue colours-combination has persisted for nearly one thousand years in Shrewsbury. Today, the town's football club play in these same exact colours!
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When you're an inveterate loggerheads-spotter, even the slightest sighting can be exciting!
In this watercolour painting, the famous artist JMW Turner has depicted 'English Bridge', Shrewsbury's largest bridge... including its loggerheads.
It's impossible to see much from my photograph, but, ...believe me..., Turner has made sure he's included the decorative pediment which was on the balustrade of the bridge when he painted it (and it is still there now) - and which consists of the three loggerheads...!
What's nice to report that this painting is now on permanent public display at Shrewsbury Museum. The only way that it was safe to do this was to ensure that it had proper protective glass - to save it from the effects of light as much as anything else. Now, thanks to a donation from a local art-dealer, the painting has the glass it needed - so members of the public can now see it in the museum anytime.
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The Shropshire Carvers group was at the Shrewsbury Food Festival last weekend. Some of the work was truly amazing; the skill and patience that must go into making the pieces is hard to imagine.
This particular piece drew my eye of course. The faces sorta reminded me of The Pink Panther (as portrayed in the cartoon series), and that made me smile.
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Good to see the loggerheads out in full force on the town's high street, alongside Union Jacks, for Shrewsbury's Jubilee bunting decorations. The Queen celebrates her seventieth year on the throne this weekend.
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His many friends made a giant memorial-site out of the Greyfriars Footbridge, which passes over the river not far from where he was found.
The loggerheads, as the symbol of Nathan's favourite football team, Shrewsbury Town, were everywhere.
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.jpg "Henry Tudor House windows interior")
In Shrewsbury, one of the most ornate tracery carvings (in a town where there are plenty anyway!) is part of a first-floor window, in an ancient building which lies on a stretch known as Wyle Cop – the street which leads to the ‘English’ Bridge.
The house has been recently lovingly restored by its latest owners, and is now a rather special bar & restaurant. We were fortunate to gain access to the exclusive dining room, where we saw these splendid casement windows featuring heraldic designs, including a loggerheads.
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The building is the Victorian neo-Norman church of St Nicholas which I find rather ugly, but, nevertheless, it is Grade II listed.
It's not clear when it was converted to secular use.
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Of course, you don't have to buy one to see one. There are lots of Yeomanry badges at the Shropshire Soldiers Museum at Shrewsbury Castle.
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Interestingly, the newspaper report of the time described Cole as an heraldic artist, not a watercolourist (which I thought he was more famous as).
In theory, one should still be able to see a copy of this coin.
One of the ones made of gold, says a contemporary newspaper report, was placed into one of the links in the town Mayor's chain of office.
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A very very good friend spotted this rather lovely piece of decorated glass on sale at an arts shop in Shrewsbury. Thank you to her!
It’s been attributed to Edwin Cole, who was born in the town in 1860.
Cole is much better known for his watercolours, so this is a rare find. Which probably explains why it’s quite expensive …!
You’ll find it at Number Sixty One.
(PS if you too have spotted a loggerheads, please let us know!)
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