Lawrence Dalton
Encyclopedia
Lawrence Dalton was an officer of arms
at the College of Arms
in London
. Dalton was one of thirteen children of Roger Dalton of Bispham, Lancashire
, and his fourth wife. Lawrence Dalton also had two half-brothers and one half-sister from his father's first marriage. Little is known about Dalton's early life, and he is not known to have attended a university.
at the College of Arms. This appointment came while Sir Christopher Barker
was Garter Principal King of Arms
. Barker was an important connection, being the husband of Dalton's aunt. Dalton was promoted to Richmond Herald of Arms in Ordinary
on 12 April 1547. In 1549, Dalton was involved in a scheme to embezzle
from the Great Wardrobe of the Royal Household
. In August 1553 Dalton accompanied Norroy King of Arms in attending upon the army in Scotland
. He later received a royal pardon
for all of his embezzlement offenses and all consequent actions and bills against him in any court.
Dalton was created Norroy King of Arms on 6 September 1557, and in February of 1558 Dalton and Rouge Dragon Pursuivant went north to attend the Earl of Westmorland
on an expedition against the Scottish army. They remained at Newcastle
and Berwick
recording pedigrees and arms of prominent men in the north, though these pedigrees have never been counted at the College of Arms as an official visitation
.
In November of 1560 the other herald
s accused Dalton of having syphilis
and suggested that as a sick man he should only receive half of the fees to which he was entitled. He would not answer their charges and they refused to eat or drink with him and deprived him of any pay. He was reinstated by the Earl Marshal
in early 1561 on the advice of two physicians. In 1560 and 1561 he made over forty grants of arms, more than half of them to established families in Lancashire, his county of origin.
Dalton's death was sudden. He granted a crest to Adam Hulton on 10 December 1561 and drew up his will on the 12th. He died early the next day. He was buried on 15 December at St Dunstan-in-the-West
, London. Though his memorial brass does not survive, sketches of it do that show him wearing a tabard
and crown. His wife, Dorothy, was the executor and sole beneficiary of his will, which was proved on 26 January 1562. Neither his will nor hers mentions any children.
Officer of arms
An officer of arms is a person appointed by a sovereign or state with authority to perform one or more of the following functions:*to control and initiate armorial matters*to arrange and participate in ceremonies of state...
at the College of Arms
College of Arms
The College of Arms, or Heralds’ College, is an office regulating heraldry and granting new armorial bearings for England, Wales and Northern Ireland...
in London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
. Dalton was one of thirteen children of Roger Dalton of Bispham, Lancashire
Lancashire
Lancashire is a non-metropolitan county of historic origin in the North West of England. It takes its name from the city of Lancaster, and is sometimes known as the County of Lancaster. Although Lancaster is still considered to be the county town, Lancashire County Council is based in Preston...
, and his fourth wife. Lawrence Dalton also had two half-brothers and one half-sister from his father's first marriage. Little is known about Dalton's early life, and he is not known to have attended a university.
Heraldic career
On 15 November 1546, Dalton was appointed Rouge Croix Pursuivant of Arms in OrdinaryRouge Croix Pursuivant
Rouge Croix Pursuivant of Arms in Ordinary is a junior officer of arms of the College of Arms. The office is named after St George's Cross which has been a symbol of England since the time of the Crusades...
at the College of Arms. This appointment came while Sir Christopher Barker
Christopher Barker
Sir Christopher Barker was an officer of arms at the College of Arms in London.-Heraldic career:Barker started his heraldic career as the private officer of arms of Charles Brandon. Barker was made Lisle pursuivant in 1513 and Suffolk Herald in 1517. He is known to have accompanied his employer on...
was Garter Principal King of Arms
Garter Principal King of Arms
The Garter Principal King of Arms is the senior King of Arms, and the senior Officer of Arms of the College of Arms. He is therefore the most powerful herald within the jurisdiction of the College – primarily England, Wales and Northern Ireland – and so arguably the most powerful in the world...
. Barker was an important connection, being the husband of Dalton's aunt. Dalton was promoted to Richmond Herald of Arms in Ordinary
Richmond Herald
Richmond Herald of Arms in Ordinary is an officer of arms of the College of Arms in England. From 1421 to 1485 Richmond was a herald to John, Duke of Bedford, George, Duke of Clarence, and Henry, Earl of Richmond, all of whom held the Honour of Richmond...
on 12 April 1547. In 1549, Dalton was involved in a scheme to embezzle
Embezzlement
Embezzlement is the act of dishonestly appropriating or secreting assets by one or more individuals to whom such assets have been entrusted....
from the Great Wardrobe of the Royal Household
Royal Household
A Royal Household in ancient and medieval monarchies formed the basis for the general government of the country as well as providing for the needs of the sovereign and his relations....
. In August 1553 Dalton accompanied Norroy King of Arms in attending upon the army in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. He later received a royal pardon
Pardon
Clemency means the forgiveness of a crime or the cancellation of the penalty associated with it. It is a general concept that encompasses several related procedures: pardoning, commutation, remission and reprieves...
for all of his embezzlement offenses and all consequent actions and bills against him in any court.
Dalton was created Norroy King of Arms on 6 September 1557, and in February of 1558 Dalton and Rouge Dragon Pursuivant went north to attend the Earl of Westmorland
Earl of Westmorland
Earl of Westmorland is a title that has been created twice in the Peerage of England. The title was first created in 1397 for Ralph Neville. It was forfeited in 1571 by Charles Neville, 6th Earl of Westmorland for leading the Rising of the North. It was revived in 1624 in favour of Sir Francis...
on an expedition against the Scottish army. They remained at Newcastle
Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
and Berwick
Berwick-upon-Tweed
Berwick-upon-Tweed or simply Berwick is a town in the county of Northumberland and is the northernmost town in England, on the east coast at the mouth of the River Tweed. It is situated 2.5 miles south of the Scottish border....
recording pedigrees and arms of prominent men in the north, though these pedigrees have never been counted at the College of Arms as an official visitation
Heraldic visitation
Heraldic Visitations were tours of inspection undertaken by Kings of Arms in England, Wales and Ireland in order to regulate and register the coats of arms of nobility and gentry and boroughs, and to record pedigrees...
.
In November of 1560 the other herald
Herald
A herald, or, more correctly, a herald of arms, is an officer of arms, ranking between pursuivant and king of arms. The title is often applied erroneously to all officers of arms....
s accused Dalton of having syphilis
Syphilis
Syphilis is a sexually transmitted infection caused by the spirochete bacterium Treponema pallidum subspecies pallidum. The primary route of transmission is through sexual contact; however, it may also be transmitted from mother to fetus during pregnancy or at birth, resulting in congenital syphilis...
and suggested that as a sick man he should only receive half of the fees to which he was entitled. He would not answer their charges and they refused to eat or drink with him and deprived him of any pay. He was reinstated by the Earl Marshal
Earl Marshal
Earl Marshal is a hereditary royal officeholder and chivalric title under the sovereign of the United Kingdom used in England...
in early 1561 on the advice of two physicians. In 1560 and 1561 he made over forty grants of arms, more than half of them to established families in Lancashire, his county of origin.
Dalton's death was sudden. He granted a crest to Adam Hulton on 10 December 1561 and drew up his will on the 12th. He died early the next day. He was buried on 15 December at St Dunstan-in-the-West
St Dunstan-in-the-West
The Guild Church of St Dunstan-in-the-West is in Fleet Street in London, England. An octagonal-shaped building, it is dedicated to a former bishop of London and archbishop of Canterbury.-History:...
, London. Though his memorial brass does not survive, sketches of it do that show him wearing a tabard
Tabard
A tabard is a short coat, either sleeveless, or with short sleeves or shoulder pieces, which was a common item of men's clothing in the Middle Ages, usually for outdoors. It might be belted, or not...
and crown. His wife, Dorothy, was the executor and sole beneficiary of his will, which was proved on 26 January 1562. Neither his will nor hers mentions any children.