Note 24 — Chapter II
Reading edition
King Richard II. had two badges: the Sun in splendour, and the White Hart. The former is shown on the mainsail of the vessel in which he returned from Ireland, in an illumination to a manuscript account of Richard, by a gentleman of his suite (Harl. MS. 1319). It is also mentioned by the poet Gower. The Sun in splendour, encircled with a cloud distilling drops of rain, is a charge in the arms of the Distillers’ Company. I may add that the Three Crowns appear in the arms of the Skinners’ Company, which according to Strype were granted in the 4th year of Edward VI.