300 Years ago in the Register

 In the Lyon Register for 1722, we find the arms of Sylvester Douglas of Whiteriggs.

 The Blazon reads: Quarterly first and fourth Argent a man's heart imperially crowned proper on a chief Azure three stars of the First; second and third Argent a cross counter Imbattel'd Sable all within a bordure of the First charged with eight holline leaves Vert.

Crest: a demi-savage holding in his right hand a Club Erected proper.

Motto: Fortis et Aequus. Vol 1 folio 291

Volume One, of course, has few exemplifications but there is a lovely one, with a fascinating story, in the British Museum, painted in 1729 by the astonishing Bavarian artist, Matthias Buchinger (1674-1740). As the legend at the bottom states, Matthias was "born without arms or legs". It seems he had some rudimentary hands, described as "fins" with which he was able to produce the most beautiful work, in astonishing detail. He is best known for his micrography - the creation of pictures and portraits using tiny letters, sometimes of Biblical texts. He travelled a lot and it seems this painting was executed in Aberdeen,