18th century carved giltwood Armorial from the Fishmongers Hall

A finely carved giltwood armorial created to mark the election of Richard Shrapnell as Prime Warden of the Company of Fishmongers. He held the position from 1778 – 1780.

The Fishmongers Livery Company is one of the oldest livery companies and dates back to 1272, during the reign of Edward I.

This armorial was most probably sold in the early 1830’s at an auction of items no longer required when the second Fishmongers Hall was demolished. The first having burnt down in the Great Fire of London. The building was demolished as London Bridge had been moved further upstream, and so it was decided a new building would be built near the bridge.  The architect, Henry Roberts, won a competition to design the building which commenced in 1831 and was completed in 1834. The building still stands today.

Circa 1778

Further Research

With assistance from the Fishmongers’ Company Head of Collection & Projects, it has been established that this particular armorial representation was created to mark the election of Richard Shrapnell as Prime Warden of the Worshipful Company of Fishmongers; he held the position from 1778-80.

It has also been confirmed that his arms had, set on a field of gold (or) a fess wavy azure (blue) between, in chief (i.e. above the fess), two broken spears and, in base (i.e. below the fess), a silver and blue fountain (alternatively described heraldically as a roundel barry wavy argent and azure).

Although these arms have not yet been found in official records as granted by the College of Arms, there is anecdotal evidence and online genealogical evidence that they have been used in this form by the Shrapnell family in earlier times.

The family is now widespread, though not large, and confusion is introduced by different spelling of the name. The variant “Shrapnel” is associated with the famous 18^th Century General Henry Shrapnel whose name is still linked with an artillery shell and its fragments. However, the related family of “Shrapnell” is primarily associated with Wiltshire, and particularly Trowbridge and Bradford-upon-Avon (near Bath), but also Gloucestershire, particularly Dursley and Berkeley (between Gloucester and Bristol). Those in Trowbridge, where they are recognised as early Benefactors of the town, appear to have been successful clothiers, working also in London, and those in Gloucestershire were surgeons, notably at the time of, and working directly with, Edward Jenner, the vaccination pioneer.

Exactly where this Richard Shrapnell fits in to the wider family is not yet clear but the wealth and success of the family of late 17^th Century James Shrapnell, whose descendants, James and Edward Shrapnell, worked the fine cloth mill in Trowbridge during the mid-18^th Century, suggest this family as potential candidates.

My sincere thanks are to Antony Willenbruch for the additional information received.