Hampton Court Beasts

Images of real animals and mythical beasts have been adopted by the Royal Family and aristocracy as personal emblems throughout history and they can often be found in coats of arms, palaces and institutions across the country. Many of these symbols were used by Queen Elizabeth II.

The Tudors used beasts as a form of branding. The animals were meant to say something about the Tudors’ own qualities and strengths. As many of the animals had been used by earlier royal dynasties, they also helped legitimise the Tudors’ right to rule by emphasising their pedigree and allegiances against any would-be rivals to the throne.

Henry VIII’s original Privy Garden at Hampton Court Palace featured ninety royal beasts above green and white stripped poles that emphasised his ancestry.

Today, Tudor beasts can be found at the palace's entrance on the Moat Bridge, on the Great Hall buttresses and in Chapel Court.

Recreated in 2009 to celebrate the 500th anniversary of Henry VIII’s accession to the throne, Chapel Court is home to eight beasts carved in English oak, each holding special significance to Henry VIII and his lineage.

1. Golden Lion of England

The King's Beasts. The Lion of England, in the garden of Chapel Court. The beasts in Chapel Court are based on drawings produced in the early 16th century; their bright livery reflects the traditional Tudor heraldic colour schemes.

Used by

William I and monarchs since Richard I.

Appearance

A gold lion holding a vane with a reversed Tudor rose with white outer petals and a red inner rose.

History

The Lion of England has been used by monarchs since the early 12th century. The arms of three lions likely date to Richard I's reign when heraldry was officially recognised. The current coat of arms for England depicts the three lions walking.

Symbolism

Represents ‘Englishness’ and, later, ‘Britishness’ with qualities such as strength, courage, dignity and pride.

2. Falcon of the Plantagenets

Used by

Edward II and monarchs of the House of York and the Tudor dynasty.

Appearance

A falcon perched on a pillar, with one foot raised.

History

A falcon is a bird of prey domesticated for hunters to use. Edward III was the first to use the silver falcon in his royal arms, and his son Edmund of Langley, founder of the House of York, also used this symbol. Henry VII adopted the falcon as a King's beast when he married Elizabeth of York.

Symbolism

Represents resolve, determination and the high status of a monarch.

A display of brightly coloured heraldic beasts in Chapel Court

3. Silver Yale of Beaufort

Chapel Court Garden showing the Silver Yale of Beaufort heraldic beast.

The Tudor garden was created in 2009 to mark the 500th anniversary of King Henry VIII's accession to the throne. The garden was designed by architect Todd Longstaffe-Gowan and is planted with flowers and herbs that were available in 16th century England. The garden displays eight heraldic beasts, used by King Henry VIII to represent his lineage and reinforce his claim to the throne.

Used by

The Beaufort family, Henry VII and Henry VIII.

Appearance

A mythical beast with the body of an antelope, the tusks of a boar, a lion’s tail and swivelling horns.

History

In 1443 Sir John Beaufort (Henry VIII’s great-grandfather) took the Bedford Yale as symbol for his coat of arms after being granted land. Since then, the yale has been regarded as a Beaufort beast. Margaret Beaufort, her son and grandson (Henry VII and Henry VIII) also came to use the yale.

Symbolism

Represents prowess and defence in battle.

4. Seymour Panther

Used by

Jane Seymour, the Beaufort family, Henry VII and Henry VIII.

Appearance

A panther with the tail of a lion and the claws of an eagle. It is commonly shown as ‘incensed’, angry or infuriated, with flames coming from its mouth and ears.

History

A heraldic symbol of Jane Seymour, the panther was added to Henry VIII’s Privy Garden in 1536, the same year Anne Boleyn was executed and Jane became Queen. Anne’s arms and badges were replaced by those of Queen Jane and the Seymour family.

Symbolism

Represented as a symbol of Christ.

The King's Beasts. The Queen's Panther, in the garden of Chapel Court. The beasts in Chapel Court are based on drawings produced in the early 16th century; their bright livery reflects the traditional Tudor heraldic colour schemes. The panther is 'incensed' - flames coming from its ears and mouth represent its fragrant breath.

Take a look around the Chapel Garden at Hampton Court Palace on our 360-degree image, created in partnership with Google Arts & Culture.

5. White Greyhound of Richmond

Chapel Court Garden showing the White Greyhound of Richmond heraldic beast.

The Tudor garden was created in 2009 to mark the 500th anniversary of King Henry VIII's accession to the throne. The garden was designed by architect Todd Longstaffe-Gowan and is planted with flowers and herbs that were available in 16th century England. The garden displays eight heraldic beasts, used by King Henry VIII to represent his lineage and reinforce his claim to the throne.

Used by

The House of Lancaster and Edmund Tudor.

Appearance

An upright greyhound wearing a chained collar and holding a vane bearing the fleur-de-lis, a French heraldic symbol.

History

Dogs have been favoured pets for the Royal Family for centuries. The House of Lancaster adopted the greyhound as one of their symbols and it became known as the Greyhound of Richmond when Henry VI granted a white greyhound to his half-brother Edmund Tudor (Henry VII’s father).

Symbolism

Represents loyalty and honour.

6. Red Dragon of Wales

Chapel Court Garden showing a close up view of the Red Dragon of Wales statue, painted in red and gold.

Used by

The Tudor dynasty: Henry VII, Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary I and Elizabeth I.

Appearance

A red dragon holding a vane bearing the flag of St George.

History

The red dragon of Wales has been used as an heraldic beast since medieval times, and it was adopted by Owen Tudor (Henry VIII’s great-grandfather) to emphasise his royal Welsh ancestry all the way back to Cadwalader, king of Gwynedd in the 7th century. Henry Tudor (later Henry VII) flew the red dragon on a flag of white and green Tudor colours – the first design of the Welsh national flag today.

Symbolism

Represents valour and bravery.

7. Black Bull of Clarence

Used by

The House of York and Henry VIII.

Appearance

A black bull with a vane bearing the flag of St George, featuring gold horns and hooves.

History

The black bull was used as a badge by Lionel of Antwerp, 1st Duke of Clarence, the second son of Edward III who was the ancestor of the Yorkist kings. It became a royal badge used by his descendant Edward IV and later by Henry VIII.

Symbolism

Represents bravery and transformation.

King's Beasts in Chapel Court Garden. The Chapel Court Garden was renovated in 2009 as it would have appeared in Henry VIII's reign. This image shows the Bull and the Dragon.

8. White Hart of York

Chapel Court Garden showing a low angle close up view of the heraldic White Hart statue.

Used by

Richard II, the House of York and the Tudor dynasty.

Appearance

The hart (or stag) stands upright, wearing a golden collar and chain and holding a vane with a Tudor rose.

History

The White Hart of York was adopted as a Yorkist badge and was also used in Edward V's coat of arms. The White Hart of Richard II is believed to have derived from his mother's coat of arms, Joan of Kent. It is said that it was also chosen as Richard II’s badge as a pun on his name Rich-hart.