Amor, Honor et Justitia

"Amor, Honor et Justitia" - Google Search shows that this motto is linked to the Bayard family in USA, the Limerick Masons Guild and the
Royal Masonic Institution for Boys - 1977 medal

(Justitia, also called Persephone, is Minerva’s name when she judges the dead in Hades).

about the "LAPHAM" coat of arms

In heraldry the simplest version of a design is the oldest and this appears to be an early variation of the arms of a Guild of Masons.

This simple chevron could even be read as a working square
derived directly from the fr. chevron, i.e. rafter of a roof.


stemma araldico in nero su bianco recante 3 torri, 2 in alto ed una in basso, separate da un compasso aperto.

those of the Masons Company, a plain chevron and three Towers.

the clear similarity in the forms of their heraldic arms: the Carpenters having three dividers or compasses around an engrailed 'chevron' (fig. no. 5),
whilst the Masons had three castles or towers around a similarly engrailed chevron on which a pair of compasses is displayed (fig. no. 6).

What is even more singular is that on an earlier form of the Carpenter's arms we see the central chevron bearing a working square and what looks remarkably like a primitive skirret with its string (fig. no. 7).


Sotto, in bianco su nero, il motto su cartiglio: "AMOR HONOR ET JUSTITIA

about the "LAPHAM" crest

a better description might be:-
an arm in armour embowed to the sinister holding a sword
I have not found an example sinister but dexter is seen in several irish or scottish arms.

lapham arms

no harm in using this as a decorative feature of a website but do read these College of Arms
pages especially Frequently Asked Questions

my source is LAPHAM, privately published by Olene Lapham in 1934


"The Coat of Arms used by John Lapham of Providence is:Arms: argent, a chevron azure, between three towers proper, and a compass.
Crest: a sinister arm in armour, holding a dagger, all proper.
Motto: Amor, Honor et Justitia."

Providence, Rhode Island, USA about 1660 to about 1682

Her drawing suggests that should be
Arms: argent, a chevron azure, between three towers gules proper, and compasses or, with red as my choice for the towers
(just what is the proper or natural colour of a tower?)

BUT I would like to examine her sources - possibly a document or seal or stone.

Do respect the rules in
A GLOSSARY OF TERMS USED IN HERALDRY by JAMES PARKER

my mother's baptism

Alison Mary Lapham

16 May 1908 to 22 December 1999

was baptised at Whitsun, 10 June 1908, in Filton Parish Church by the Rector

my maternal grandfather's obituary

Alfred Thomas Lapham
15 OCT 1872 to 30 JUL 1961

Airedale breeder

dies, aged 89.

Mr. A. T. Lapham, of Grey West House, Marsh Common, Pilning, who was an airedale breeder, has died, aged 89 in Thornbury Hospital.

He was a tailor at 132 Cheltenham Road, Bristol, for many years and lived over his shop
Before moving to Pilning, he lived at Rostellan House, Filton.

Mr. Lapham had seven children, one of whom died in a Japanese prisoner of war camp. His wife died five years ago.
from Bristol EVENING POST Friday August 4 1961

STOP PRESS

from Bristol EVENING POST Thursday

August 3 1961

I found these in an envelope posted to my mother in Bristol on August 6 1961 with this photograph.