Image: LathomCrest

Description: Crest of Lathom of Lathom, Lancashire: An eagle wings extended or preying on a child proper swaddled gules in a cradle laced or. (Montague-Smith, P.W. (ed.), Debrett's Peerage, Baronetage, Knightage and Companionage, Kelly's Directories Ltd, Kingston-upon-Thames, 1968, p.344, Stanley, Earl of Derby). Sir John Stanley(c. 1350–1414) of Lathom, near Ormskirk in Lancashire, Lord Lieutenant of Ireland and titular King of Mann, married Isabel Lathom, daughter and heiress of Sir Thomas Lathom of Lathom in Lancashire, a great landowner in south-west Lancashire. The Stanley family was thus heir of the Lathoms and adopted the Lathom crest, to which is attached an ancient myth, see Collectanea Topographica et Genealogica, "On the Stanley Legend and Family of Lathom"[1]. The legend has many versions, one (given by Thomas Stanley (died circa 1568), Bishop of Sodor and Man) being that the "Lord of Lathom was issueless and aged "fowerscore" adopted an infant "swaddled and clad in a mantle of redd," which an eagle brings unhurt to her nest in Terlestowe wood, and which he names Oskell, and makes heir of Lathom, where he becomes the father of Isabel Stanley, stolen away in the first instance by her knight, and afterwards forgiven by Sir Oskell". (Collectanea Topographica et Genealogica)
Title: LathomCrest
Credit: John Parsons Earwaker (1847–1895), The History of the Ancient Parish of Sandbach, Co. Chester including the two chapelries of Holmes Chapel and Goostrey from original records. (1890)page 142
Author: Unknown authorUnknown author
Usage Terms: Public domain
License: Public domain
Attribution Required?: No