WEALTHY MERCHANT ....... COAT of ARMS
CHRISTOPHER HARLING was born on the 29th of April 1677. His Father Christopher was Yeoman of Chapelhouses which takes its name from the old Chantry of St Columba. This anciently stood some 150 yards to the east of the medieval 'Devils Bridge' which spans the River Lune at Kirkby Lonsdale. The Chantry with its Holy Well has long disappeared, but some of the mullions of its windows could be seen until fairly recently in part of the yard wall at Chapel House Farm.
Really, nothing is known of Christopher's early days in Kirkby Lonsdale, we presume he was well educated, possibly he attended Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School in Kirkby Lonsdale or maybe he had a private tutor, we just don't know. But we do know he became an extremely wealthy London merchant trading in Haberdashery. He was in fact a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Haberdashers from about 1707 until his death in 1748.
I have singled him out for inclusion in these pages because of a link with the tomb of that valiant knight Sir Robert Harling. The Sable (black) Unicorn, seen on my drawing (left), is to be found on a shield on Sir Robert Harling's memorial, Circa (1420) in East Harling Parish Church, Norfolk. This same shield of arms is also to be seen above a memorial commemorating the death in 1748 of Christopher Harling Gent. in Kirkby Lonsdale Parish Church. I must say at this point that I am not suggesting here that Christopher is descended from Sir Robert, that would be impossible because Sir Robert's line died out centuries ago. What I am suggesting is that Christopher was aware of this fact and knew that the ancient arms of the Harling Sable Unicorn was lying dormant and that he, now a gentleman, reclaimed them.
In medieval times coats of arms consisted of the shield alone, crests coming into fashion much later, Christopher adopted a crest, and for this device he chose a white Swan sitting on a wreath with extended wings, the swan with a collar and chain. Heraldically his coat of arms is blazoned: Argent, a Unicorn Sejant Sable , armed and unguled Or. Crest. A Swan at rest wings expanded Proper, collared and chained Or.
Really, nothing is known of Christopher's early days in Kirkby Lonsdale, we presume he was well educated, possibly he attended Queen Elizabeth's Grammar School in Kirkby Lonsdale or maybe he had a private tutor, we just don't know. But we do know he became an extremely wealthy London merchant trading in Haberdashery. He was in fact a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Haberdashers from about 1707 until his death in 1748.
I have singled him out for inclusion in these pages because of a link with the tomb of that valiant knight Sir Robert Harling. The Sable (black) Unicorn, seen on my drawing (left), is to be found on a shield on Sir Robert Harling's memorial, Circa (1420) in East Harling Parish Church, Norfolk. This same shield of arms is also to be seen above a memorial commemorating the death in 1748 of Christopher Harling Gent. in Kirkby Lonsdale Parish Church. I must say at this point that I am not suggesting here that Christopher is descended from Sir Robert, that would be impossible because Sir Robert's line died out centuries ago. What I am suggesting is that Christopher was aware of this fact and knew that the ancient arms of the Harling Sable Unicorn was lying dormant and that he, now a gentleman, reclaimed them.
In medieval times coats of arms consisted of the shield alone, crests coming into fashion much later, Christopher adopted a crest, and for this device he chose a white Swan sitting on a wreath with extended wings, the swan with a collar and chain. Heraldically his coat of arms is blazoned: Argent, a Unicorn Sejant Sable , armed and unguled Or. Crest. A Swan at rest wings expanded Proper, collared and chained Or.
Haberdashers
Christopher registered his coat of arms with the Worshipful Company of Haberdashers as was the custom. Liverymen of all the ancient Guilds during this period were certainly wealthy and aspired to become recognised as gentlemen of coat armour. I would think that Christopher would have been particularly proud to bear the ancient Harling Unicorn.
Christopher's will dated 1745, was made in the Parish of St. James in the Liberty of Westminister. The principal benefactor was his only child, William Harling Esq., who was to inherit his property and lands at Chapelhouses, Kirkby Lonsdale and other places. His wife Mary was to receive £20, plus all the houshold goods and thereafter £30 per year for life. After many bequests to friends and the poor the considerable residue was William's along with his fathers coat of arms.
Rev. William Harling M.A. Esq.
William had been educated at Westminster School and Trinity College, Cambridge University. He took the degree of BA in 1741, and that of MA 1745. In 1749 he was instituted Rector of Kilkhampton Parish Church in Cornwall, having been presented by John, Earl Granville. William never married, consequently his coat of arms bearing the Harling Sable Unicorn, as seen on William's bookplates, once again fell into abeyance on his death in 1763. His will was administered by an old family friend the Rev. Tobias Croft, Vicar of Kirkby Lonsdale. William's property and lands along with all his valuable books etc. were sold, the proceeds being distributed amongst his servants; friends; many charities; to the poor of Kilkhampton and to the poor of parishes in and around Kirkby Lonsdale. Indeed he left a considerable sum of money, and many people benefited.
Below: 1. & 2. Christopher's Coat of Arms and Memorial ........ 3. William's Bookplate