Stafford knot

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Stafford knot
badge
Information
FamilyStafford family

The Stafford knot, more commonly known as the Staffordshire knot, is a distinctive three-looped knot that is the traditional symbol of the English county of Staffordshire and of its county town, Stafford. It is a particular representation of the simple overhand knot, the most basic knot of all.[1][2]

Origins

One legend of its origin, generally considered

medieval period, being probably either a heraldic symbol of early Mercia or a Celtic Christian symbol brought to Staffordshire by missionary monks from Lindisfarne
.

The earliest known appearance of the knot in association with the Stafford family was on the 15th-century seal of Lady Joan de Stafford, Lady Wake (daughter of

Hugh de Stafford, 2nd Earl of Stafford), who adapted the Wake knot for her use. The seal, on which four knots appear tied on a string around her coat of arms, is now in the British Museum.[4][5] After Lady Wake died childless in 1443, her nephew Humphrey de Stafford, 6th Earl of Stafford inherited her personal property. Humphrey, who was made the Duke of Buckingham the following year, incorporated his aunt's adaptation of the Wake knot as a cordon around his seal, although he used three knots and not four.[4]

The knot appears on a drawing of the standard of Sir Henry de Stafford, which was flown c. 1475. In a visitation of Stafford in 1583, the town's arms were recorded for the first time as or a chevron gules, a Stafford knot argent. These arms, which represent the traditional Stafford arms with the addition of the knot, is still the flag of Staffordshire (albeit with the knot changed from white to gold).[4][1][6]

Future earls of Stafford retained the knot for use on heraldic badges, although the exact date of use is unknown. Early heraldic badges are poorly recorded, however, and many had multiple badges. In 1720, the Earl of Stafford used 18 badges, including the Stafford knot, all enclosed in a circle of Stafford knots.[2][4] The design closely matches the early design of the pretzel, which was made to represent arms crossed in prayer. In the 19th century, it became a symbol of Staffordshire pottery.[7] This "Staffordshire knot" was also used as a surgical suture in the 19th century. It was discarded by some as too dangerous, as the knot could slip if not tied correctly, and indeed, its use led to multiple deaths by haemorrhage.[8][9]

Usage

The flag of the historic county of Staffordshire
The Stafford family heraldic flag, blazoned with eleven Stafford knots
Flag of the city of Brisbane

The knot appears prominently on the flag of the historic county of Staffordshire, as well as on the banner of Staffordshire County Council. The motto of the county council — "the knot unites" — refers to the Stafford knot. It also appears on the coat of arms of the Borough of Stafford.[1] The knot appears on the logos of both Staffordshire University and Keele University, as well as on many school badges. Stoke-on-Trent based professional football team Port Vale use the knot on their club badge, as do fellow Staffordshire clubs Chasetown, Hanley Town, Hednesford Town, Lichfield City, Newcastle Town, Tamworth and Stafford Rangers.

The Stafford knot was the badge of the

Sir Thomas Brisbane entered the British Army as an Ensign in 1789 – and thus the eponymous city of Brisbane in Queensland, Australia, has the Stafford knot on its arms. The knot formed part of the insignia of the North Staffordshire Regiment, South Staffordshire Regiment, Staffordshire Regiment and currently is the arm badge of the Mercian Regiment. It is also used as the badge of the Staffordshire Police
force and Staffordshire fire and rescue service. Staffordshire wing of the Air Training Corps also uses the knot on its crest.

The

batwing
. It is given this nickname due to the resemblance to the original knot shape.

In an article published in the

Gravelly Hill Interchange as "like a cross between a plate of spaghetti and an unsuccessful attempt at a Staffordshire knot", with the headline above the article on the newspaper's front page, written by sub-editor Alan Eaglesfield, reading "Spaghetti Junction".[11][12][13]

References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Stafford knot.
  1. ^ a b c d "The history of The Stafford Knot". BBC. 8 December 2009. Retrieved 14 May 2018.
  2. ^
    ISBN 9789810224691
    . Retrieved 14 May 2018.
  3. ^ "Knot found in hoard jewels : Express & Star". Archived from the original on 2009-10-21. Retrieved 2009-11-12.
  4. ^ a b c d Pape, T. (28 June 1918). "The Stafford Knot". Transactions and Annual Report of the North Staffordshire Field Club. LIII. J. & C. Mort, Limited: 31=33. Retrieved 14 May 2018.
  5. ^ Hope, Sir William Henry St John (1913). Heraldry for Craftsmen & Designers. Macmillan. p. 188. Retrieved 14 May 2018.
  6. ^ Cherry, John Law (1890). Stafford in Olden Times: Being a Reprint of Articles Published in "The Staffordshire Advertiser," with Illustrations. J. & C. Mort. p. 149. Retrieved 14 May 2018.
  7. ^ "Three-looped Staffordshire knot has a history". Daily Herald. 29 May 2017. Retrieved 14 May 2018.
  8. ^ The American Journal of Obstetrics and Diseases of Women and Children. W.A. Townsend & Adams. 1888. p. 879. Retrieved 14 May 2018.
  9. ^ Bryant, Joseph Decatur (1906). Operative Surgery. D. Appleton. p. 84. Retrieved 14 May 2018. Staffordshire Knot.
  10. ^ "The Smiler - the new world first roller coaster coming to Alton Towers Resort in 2013". Archived from the original on 2013-02-15. Retrieved 2013-08-21.
  11. ISBN 978-0192192677
    .
  12. ^ "Spaghetti Junction myth is untangled". Birmingham Mail. Retrieved 31 July 2014.
  13. ISBN 978-1846680601
    . Retrieved 23 June 2012.
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