Malmesbury Abbey Frieze
The Royal Arms above the altar of Malmesbury Abbey are flanked by heraldic symbols which, taken together, provide a reasonable theory as to its origin. They span the entire width of the nave. There is a total of 27 badges: 13 to the North (Heraldic dexter) and 14 to the south (Sinister). The badges form two groups: an inner sequence which emphasises the Tudor and Aragon alliance, and an outer, more random array of badges whose significance is less obvious. Those of the inner sequence are of significantly higher sculptural quality than the outlying symbols.
The supporters of the Arms are badly damaged but given the context may be identified as a dragon and a greyhound, introduced by Henry VII and also used by Henry VIII in the early part of his reign. Note that the supporters are reversed from the conventional positions. This echoes the description of a “Pageant” to welcome Catherine of Aragon.
