Devices on Coat of Arms: Possible Info/Leads

[Carol Muir Fauster, Clan Muir HC Regional South Midwest USA]

I found something of interest as I was perusing the internet for a long lost item regarding the devices on the coats of arms for Muir/More/O'More/O'Mordha. There has been here in our discussions a request for more info on the severed heads, etc. Well, shortly for tonight, I found some interesting items= I found a past history of "severed heads" under the "Red Branch Knights of Ulster." It seems that in the ancient Irish historical and mythical lore, and "Cycles," that the House of the Red Branch derived from the name of the assembly hall in Emain Macha of an Ulaid/Ulster king, Ross the Red, and also referred to his descendants and relations. In Gaelic it is "Craebh Ruadh" The Red Branch, aka the Clan Rury, and it became a military order, an elite warrior bodyguard of the king and protectors of the Ulaid/Ulster people from other warring provinces. This elite warrior group, also became known as the Red Branch Knights, often fought in chariots or on foot. They had (and here is the interesting part) the custom of cutting off the enemy's heads and displaying them on branches of trees=hence the other derivation of the name "Red Branch." It is not a far reach to see that from our early roots, that severed heads were important trophies/honours of battle, whether displayed in trees or on swords, as on the O'Mordha arms, or as above on our Muir arms, possibly. The Croeb Derg/Craoibh Dearg, or, "Bright Red Branch," was where the severed heads and other trophies of battle were kept. The name survives in Creeveroe County, Armagh. It can also be a mistake made by the scribe in that it may have also been written "riadh" or, Royal Branch. Indeed, the Craobh Ruadh is the name of two of the three royal houses of the king of Ulster, Conchobar mac Nessa. The famous Cuchulainn was their greatest warrior. Cuchulainn received his warrior training from a woman warrior in Scotland named Scathlach ("Shadowy"), who possible lived on Skye (Shadow Lands). Cuchulainn, born Setanta, was thus a mythical hero appearing in Ireland's Ulster Cycle as well as in Scotland's and Manx's folklore. The Ulster Cycle, formerly known as the Red Branch Cycle, was one of the 4 great cycles of Irish heroic legends and sagas of the people of early Northeastern Ireland: Ulster, Leinster, Armagh, Down and Louth. Ancient Ulster arms: Luna, a hand sinister, couped at the wrist (aka in other history as "the Bloody Hand"), Mars. I noticed in some older Muir arms with the 3 mullets(stars), a crescent moon is there. The O'Mores/O'Mordhas have as an ancestor, Conal Cearnach, one of the Red Branch Knights. In Alba and in Eire, these old revered heroes and legends and, even the devices/symbols, were important in ancient times and seem to carry on into medieval and modern times, evoking a sense of nationalism, of heroism, and of preserving the culture of the people. I could see possibly some connections here to a severed Saracen's head being a carrying on of the proud-warrior elite knights' old battle and honours customs. There was a lot more but, I can only add part of it for now. One thing, it may help answer "why the 3 heads on the swords" question our Clan Brother asked about last time. I am very interested in hearing what you, my Clan Family, think about this and, if there is any other enlightening things to add or corrects to what I found to be given, etc, etc. What fun it is to explore and find cool things! It was harder before, trust me, but easier now! Only problem=it seems I will have to wait until I return to Kansas to find my files on the Crusading More ancestor and the giving him the 3 mullets. In the meantime, a lot of interesting info came up. It's all good. Enjoy, and blessing to all! Slainte! Carol

[A.H. Muir]

Very interesting; but I suspect the simpler answer to the head as the crest lies in the pun on words...a Moor's head. Usually crests are intended to send a quick and clear visual message, and often plays on words are employed in heraldry.

Allan Muir

[Carol Muir Fauster, Clan Muir HC Regional South Midwest USA]

Hello, Allen!
Thanks for the reply! I was hoping to hear from someone in regards to some of the data I found.
Only thing that makes me think it is more than a pun is that I had found a history of the Muirs that mentioned the awarding of the stars and head after serving in the Crusades under Richard Lionheart. I wish I had the article here in Texas=I did not think I would be here very long this time. Since it was in battle against the Saracens, the head couped was more of an award and a comemoration of the service rendered and action in battle(s), or so the tale went. The stars were also awarded for knightly valor and service. There were Irish lands given for the service (and I think a title) and this led to having enough income for lands later being acquired in Scotland for the progeny of the original arms holder, as the story went. Some of the progeny's later family members then turn up on Rolls circa 1290-1300. Some were "de la More, some= other forms of More, Mure.
So, it is hard to say whether the More/Muir arms/crest around the Crusades time was for service and battle feats against the Moors/Saracens and came to be a "quick and clear visual message" or, as you say, maybe they came did come as a pun. Since More was the name of the knight in the article, then they changed to Muir in Scotland, it could go either way possibly. I would still not want to rule out the old historical and legendary customs mentioned above regarding enemy heads being trophies that also got put on the arms =as they are for the ancient O'Mordha. In fact, the 3 heads on the O'Mordha arms are possibly not even be Moor heads but from the older knightly feats= as blazoned " a dexter hand lying fessways couped at the wrist holding a sword pierced through 3 gory heads all proper" versus the later Crusade era's arms/crest mentioning the "Savage's head/Moor's/Saracen's?? And the listing of the O'Mordha (de Mora, Moore, More) as having sprung from the Red Branch Knights. There was also a crescent moon which has some sort of significance and is found on older Muir arms; one remains on a stone, I think, on the Caldwell Muirs' old homestead??
Fascinating in any case and maybe we will get the final answer with some more research???
History and heraldry are very interesting and it seems many of us are finallly finding things on our Clans and families. For example, recently I have found some family tree data and arms for others of my ancestors in the Chievre/Chevers/Shivers line as far back as 960 AD, Flanders, near Bayeux and who knew Matilda of Flanders and William of Normandy. Seems the sons of this Roger Chievre came to England with William the Conqueror (their names are on the Battle Abbey Honour Rolls) and were at Hastings, and for service, they were awarded a barony and several good sized lands in Devon. Then, with "Strongbow," aka the Earl of Pembroke, some went to Ireland and had lands and castles there until chased off by Cromwell. One of the 2 brothers thus banished by Cromwell came in 1654-55 to Virginia, and so forth. It was this Shivers line that eventually led to a marriage by a granddaughter to my Muir side of the family. I learned some more about Scottish history by this research and was also surprised to learn just how many Flemings came to Scotland way back when and continued to present. It didn't hit me until then that the Scottish surname "Fleming" (amongst others)was common for "a reason"!! Wake up, Carol and smell the haggis!! Ha! Ha!
It was fun to learn so much history and see old arms, etc. I have good faith we will get the "skinny" on the Muir arms/crest both in Ireland and Scotland --that is to say, before the marriage of Gilcrest had his wife's family arms added to them. I hope we can explore this some more, would you be interested?? Thanks so much for replying! Hoping you and the family are well, and blessings to all from Texas tonight, Slainte! Carol

[David J Moir, HC-NZ]

I like your approach. You have covered a lot of ground. I have explored all this, and am aware of most of what you have given, but I also have some revolutionary theories that I will explore as an essay in a book that is in MS form not for discussion at present. Nevertheless, you mention a crescent moon. In the forms of English cadency in middle ages, a crescent was given in a coat of arms to indicate which son he was. Offhand I cannot recall which one the crescent was, but a first son displayed a toothed bar across the top of arms. The were other indicators, such as a martlet, a fleur de lis, etc. Look up "Cadency" under "Heraldry" in Wiki. Beware that in early medieval times, scottish cadency may have been the same as english. By late 1300s my impression is that Scots had developed their own systems of differencing. I suggest that in the chilling freezing temperatures of US winters, you curl up in a blanket in front of a roaring fire, with hot toddy, get out your paints, and begin designing arms. Just a hobby.
Regards Dave Moir

[Carol Muir Fauster, Clan Muir HC Regional South Midwest USA]

Dear David, Thanks for the reply! I apologize for the delay in answering but my poor computer was back in the shop for the third time! I just got it home today! As it is late, I am only able to make short answers to all the dear ones who have e-mailed me on my regular e-mail or written me here. I am also trying to get things together for a trip to Kansas in the week ahead. I guess that WILL, indeed, allow me to enjoy some cold temperatures, but no fireplace! I have often pondered what I would put on arms-if I ever had any. I do like to paint and draw, etc. I know ladies have shields more diamond shaped. I also remember somethings about the cadency situation you mention, but I have packed the papers I had on this away for the moving up North. I know what you meant, though, and look forward to refreshing my memory. I think the 2 Muir branches I was studying, one being Caldwell, might also have been involved in which used the crescent. May we speak more on this in the coming days when my brain is functional? Ha! Again, so good to hear from you! Thanks for all the info and goodwill! Warmest regards! Carol

[David J Moir, HC-NZ]

Carol...if you are going to Kansas, is this the destination where you have old info stored. I was thinking of that scottish poetry you said had reference to a More who had done well at the Crusades was provided with lands in Ireland, and who then gained parcels of lands in Scotland where he settled members of his family.... or this is my recollection. Would be interested in the extract, or the author and reference so I could look it up. There are excellent references here in Wellington NZ. When you move, wish you well. Dave Moir

[Carol Muir Fauster, Clan Muir HC Regional South Midwest USA]

Good morning. Yes, in Kansas there should be with my main Muir data the poem I found. I looked for it again via internet here in Texas since it was once posted on the net, but apparently the site had run its course and the author had removed it. I believe he was from the Caldwell side and that he lived in your neck of the woods. George or David Muir??? I will get up to Kansas and find that copy for all our sakes!! I know when I looked up his name awhile back he was on the internet list and I think owned a restaurant or something in the Australian-New Zealand area, but no e-mail address that he answered when I tried to contact him. Would love to hear the references you mentioned. Again, a great day to you! Carol

[David J Moir, HC-NZ]

By references, I mean a dedicated genealogical library run by the National Library in Wellington. At Auckland Public Library and in Dunedin Public Library there are also dedicated genealogical libraries. All of these have thousands of books and resources. Mind blowing. Added to all the time.
The George Muir you recall was descendant of Muir of Caldwell. He died a couple of years ago. His ran a fishing boat, now captained by his son. His wife ran a seafood restaurant and managed the whole business side. I don't know if they continue an interest in their ancestry. This is a really busy family.