Enfield beast
Encyclopedia
The enfield is a fictitious creature sometimes used in heraldry
, having the head of a fox, forelegs like an eagle
's talons, the chest of a greyhound, the body of a lion
, the hindquarters and tail of a wolf
.
The earliest known example of the enfield is the crest
of the Ó Cellaigh clan of Ireland. Ó Cellaigh of Uí Maine are the most documented O'Kelly sept in early Irish history and annals. The enfield appears in Leabhar Ua Maine
.
The ancient tradition among the O'Kellys is that they have borne this fabulous animal since the days of King Tadhg Mór Ua Cellaigh
who fell "fighting like a wolf dog" on the side of the High King of Ireland, Brian Boru
, at the Battle of Clontarf
in 1014. When Tadhg Mor fell this mythical beast issued from the nearby sea to protect the dead body of the chief until it was retrieved for proper burial by his kinsmen.
The animal is sculptured on many old (c.1375–1650) tombstones of the O'Kelly family in the Abbey of Kilconnell
(founded c. 1353 by King William Buidhe Ó Cellaigh
), and in the old church of Cloonkeen.
In 1859, an excavation project found a bronze 15th century O'Kelly seal 20 ft deep in a bog, prompting considerable research on the origins of the O'Kelly enfield on the seal:
, which was amalgamated with the Municipal Borough of Edmonton
and the Municipal Borough of Southgate
to form the London Borough of Enfield
; but it is not sure whether the beast has any historic connection with the town. It is used as an emblem by some organisations there: for example, on the arms of the London Borough of Enfield
and on the badges of Chace Community School
, Enfield Ignatians R.F.C. and of the football clubs Enfield (1893) F.C. and Enfield Town F.C.
.
In Australia
, it was used in the crest of the old City of Enfield
(which was named after the London borough), and is still used by the Enfield Brass Band.
Heraldry
Heraldry is the profession, study, or art of creating, granting, and blazoning arms and ruling on questions of rank or protocol, as exercised by an officer of arms. Heraldry comes from Anglo-Norman herald, from the Germanic compound harja-waldaz, "army commander"...
, having the head of a fox, forelegs like an eagle
Eagle (heraldry)
The eagle is used in heraldry as a charge, as a supporter, and as a crest. Parts of the eagle's body such as its head, wings or leg are also used as a charge or crest....
's talons, the chest of a greyhound, the body of a lion
Lion (heraldry)
The lion is a common charge in heraldry. It traditionally symbolises bravery, valour, strength, and royalty, since traditionally, it is regarded as the king of beasts.-Attitudes:...
, the hindquarters and tail of a wolf
Wolves in heraldry
The wolf was widely used in many forms in heraldry during the medieval period. Though commonly reviled as a livestock predator and man-eater, the wolf was also considered a noble and courageous animal, and frequently appeared on the Arms and crests of numerous noble families...
.
O'Kelly
Crest (heraldry)
A crest is a component of an heraldic display, so called because it stands on top of a helmet, as the crest of a jay stands on the bird's head....
of the Ó Cellaigh clan of Ireland. Ó Cellaigh of Uí Maine are the most documented O'Kelly sept in early Irish history and annals. The enfield appears in Leabhar Ua Maine
Leabhar Ua Maine
Leabhar Ua Maine is an Irish genealogical compilation, created c...
.
The ancient tradition among the O'Kellys is that they have borne this fabulous animal since the days of King Tadhg Mór Ua Cellaigh
Tadhg Mór Ua Cellaigh
-Background:Ua Cellaigh was the first King of Uí Maine to bear the surnmae Ua Cellaigh, derived from his grandfather, Ceallach mac Finnachta, who was in turn a sixth-generation descendant of Eoghan Finn, a descendant of the first king, Maine Mór...
who fell "fighting like a wolf dog" on the side of the High King of Ireland, Brian Boru
Brian Boru
Brian Bóruma mac Cennétig, , , was an Irish king who ended the domination of the High Kingship of Ireland by the Uí Néill. Building on the achievements of his father, Cennétig mac Lorcain, and especially his elder brother, Mathgamain, Brian first made himself King of Munster, then subjugated...
, at the Battle of Clontarf
Battle of Clontarf
The Battle of Clontarf took place on 23 April 1014 between the forces of Brian Boru and the forces led by the King of Leinster, Máel Mórda mac Murchada: composed mainly of his own men, Viking mercenaries from Dublin and the Orkney Islands led by his cousin Sigtrygg, as well as the one rebellious...
in 1014. When Tadhg Mor fell this mythical beast issued from the nearby sea to protect the dead body of the chief until it was retrieved for proper burial by his kinsmen.
The animal is sculptured on many old (c.1375–1650) tombstones of the O'Kelly family in the Abbey of Kilconnell
Kilconnell
Kilconnell is a small rural village in County Galway, Ireland.Its population in 2006 was 680. Its land is mainly used for dairy farming and the raising of cattle....
(founded c. 1353 by King William Buidhe Ó Cellaigh
William Buidhe Ó Cellaigh
William Buidhe Ó Cellaigh, King of Uí Maine and Chief of the Name, died c.1381.-References:* The Tribes and customs of Hy-Many, John O'Donovan, 1843* The Surnames of Ireland, Edward MacLysaght, Dublin, 1978....
), and in the old church of Cloonkeen.
In 1859, an excavation project found a bronze 15th century O'Kelly seal 20 ft deep in a bog, prompting considerable research on the origins of the O'Kelly enfield on the seal:
Modern uses
The beast was on the coat of arms of the Municipal Borough of EnfieldMunicipal Borough of Enfield
Enfield was a local government district in Middlesex, England from 1850 to 1965.The parish of Enfield adopted the Public Health Act 1848 in 1850, and formed a local board of health of 12 members to govern the area. The local board's area was reconstituted by the Local Government Act 1894, and...
, which was amalgamated with the Municipal Borough of Edmonton
Municipal Borough of Edmonton
Edmonton was a local government district in north-east Middlesex, England, from 1850 to 1965.Edmonton local board was formed in 1850 for the parish of Edmonton All Saints. In 1881 Southgate was separated from the Edmonton local board's district, forming its own local board. Edmonton became an urban...
and the Municipal Borough of Southgate
Municipal Borough of Southgate
Southgate was a local government district of Middlesex from 1881 to 1965. It was part of the London postal district and Metropolitan Police District....
to form the London Borough of Enfield
London Borough of Enfield
The London Borough of Enfield is the most northerly London borough and forms part of Outer London. It borders the London Boroughs of Barnet, Haringey and Waltham Forest...
; but it is not sure whether the beast has any historic connection with the town. It is used as an emblem by some organisations there: for example, on the arms of the London Borough of Enfield
London Borough of Enfield
The London Borough of Enfield is the most northerly London borough and forms part of Outer London. It borders the London Boroughs of Barnet, Haringey and Waltham Forest...
and on the badges of Chace Community School
Chace Community School
Chace Community School is a comprehensive mixed state secondary school in Forty Hill, Enfield Town with 1257 pupils in 2009. It is situated on Churchbury Lane with its fields backing on to Baker Street. Chace is spelled with a 'c' rather than a 's', despite the school being close to the Chase Side...
, Enfield Ignatians R.F.C. and of the football clubs Enfield (1893) F.C. and Enfield Town F.C.
Enfield Town F.C.
Enfield Town F.C. is an English football club from Enfield Town, Greater London. Established in 2001 as a fan-led breakaway from Enfield FC, the club currently play in Division One North of the Isthmian League and are based at the Queen Elizabeth II stadium....
.
In Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
, it was used in the crest of the old City of Enfield
City of Port Adelaide Enfield
The City of Port Adelaide Enfield was established on 1 January 1997 by the amalgamation of the City of Port Adelaide and the City of Enfield, and is one of the larger metropolitan councils within South Australia....
(which was named after the London borough), and is still used by the Enfield Brass Band.