Coat of Arms

The Cushings of Norfolk were entitled to bear arms for many successive generations through their holding the manors of Chosely, Hardingham, etc. The original arms of the Cushing family were undoubtedly "gules an eagle displayed argent". These were the arms of Roger Cossyn, William Cusseyn and others until John. From this all the others have been derived. Later, by a marriage with an heiress, the arms were quartered. In the year 1563, in which the marriage is given of John Oldham, Shimpling, of Norfolk, with Elizabeth, daughter and heir of Francis Cushin of Hingham, Norfolk, the Cushing Arms are described as follows: — "Gules, an eagle displayed argent; quarter ing, gules, three right hands torn from the wrists, a canton chequery or and az."

From this all the others have been derived. Later, by a marriage with an heiress, the arms were quartered. So far, it has been impossible to identify the family from which this quartering was derived. The marriage probably occurred some time about 1500. In the Heraldic Visitation of the County of Norfolk, England, made in the year 1563, in which the marriage is given of John Oldham, Shimpling, of Norfolk, with Elizabeth, daughter and heir of Francis Cushing of Hingham, Norfolk, the Cushing arms are described as follows :-" Gules, an eagle displayed argent; quartering, gules three right hands torn from the wrists, a canton chequery or and az." Based on this description, which is obviously slightly indefinite as regards the position of the hands, we have the following form.

First, that given as a frontispiece to this volume and considered by the writer as most authoritative. This is the form advocated by the late H. G. Somerby of England as the result of several years research in the records and deeds of Norfolk County, and it is quoted in the Register of the New England Historical and Genealogical Society. As to the position of the hand behind the canton, when not otherwise expressly specified three hands would be placed two in chief and one in base, and a canton used to be placed on a shield without altering in the least the arrangement of the original emblem.

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