Calygreyhound

The calygreyhound is a mythical creature, that appears on Medieval heraldry. The de Vere family, who were the Earls of Oxford, used the calygreyhound in their coat of arms in the 15th and 16th centuries. [Cite journal | date =2003-04-01 | title =Fabulous Beasts in Tudor Heraldry | periodical =Dragonlore | publisher =The Journal of The College of Dracology | issue =31
pages =4 | url =http://www.dragonlore.co.uk/magazines/issue31.pdf | accessdate =2008-10-08] The calygreyhound was fairly unique to the de Veres, [cite web |url=http://www.pvv.ntnu.no/~bcd/rolemaster/novi/her-list.txt |title=ENCYCLOPEDIA OF NOVI: HERALDRY |first=Lowell R. |last=Matthews |accessdate=2008-10-08] and unlike most heraldic monsters, it made no attempt to seem realistic. A similar monster is the caretyne. [cite news |url=http://www.americancollegeofheraldry.org/TANAPR04.htm |title=Proportions |first=Anthony |last=Wood |work=The Armiger's News |date=April 2004 |accessdate=2008-10-08]

Description

The calygreyhound is described consistently as having the head of a wildcat,Cite journal | date =July 1955 | title =Memorabilia | periodical =Notes and Queries | publisher =Oxford University Press | url =http://nq.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/issue_pdf/frontmatter_pdf/CC/jul.pdf | accessdate =2008-10-08] the torso of a deer or antelope,cite web |url=http://www.unknownexplorers.com/calygreyhound.php |title=Unknown Explorers - Calygreyhound |publisher=Unknownexplorers.com |accessdate=2008-10-08] the claws of an eagle on its forefeet, ox hooves, antlers or horns, the hind legs of a lion or ox, and its tail like a lion or poodle. It is said to represent speed. It is generally accepted that the calygreyhound is simply a figment of the artist's imagination, but some parts of it are based on reality. When it is depicted, it does not have a consistent position. [cite web |url=http://heralds.westkingdom.org/Templates/Beasts/ |title=SCA - West Kingdom College of Heralds - Heraldic Templates |publisher=West Kingdom College |accessdate=2008-10-08]

References