Note 1270 — CHARLES I 1625-1649 PART III—THE ADMINISTRATION

It is possible, too, that the present navy button and cap badge may be traced back, in inception, to the parliamentary régime. Northumberland’s seal consisted merely of his arms (reverse), with (obverse) a figure on horseback with a background of sea and ships; and although earlier Lords Admirals—Southampton, Lincoln, and Buckingham—had used the anchor, none of them had combined the coronet, anchor, and wreath. Warwick’s was one which differs only in the relative proportions of the details from the button and badge now in use, except that the anchor is now fouled. If it is only a coincidence it is a curious one. Popham, Blake, and Deane employed a modification of Warwick’s seal, omitting the crown; and the Navy Office adopted another, consisting of three anchors, a large centre one with a smaller on each side, and ‘The Seale of the Navye Office’ round the edge, so that the device selected by Warwick seems, in one form or another, to have been soon widely used and continued. A reproduction of this Navy Office Seal is used on the binding, and at the foot of the Preface, of the present volume.