Symond ffyske, Lord of the Manor of Stadhaugh* held lands in Laxfield Parish and was grandson of Daniel Fisc (according to Herald’s visitations). He bore for his arms, chequy, argent and gules, upon a pale, sable, three mullets pierced, or. These arms, with a crest added, were confirmed to Nicholas Ffiske, professor in Physic, of Stadhaugh, in Laxfield. In Burke’s Armory, the arms are described as follows: “ffyske (Studhaw and Hardings, co. Suffolk) Chequy, argent and gules, on a pale, sable, three mullets or. Crest, on the top of a triangle an estoile.”
The pedigree was entered at the Herald’s College in 1633, when the representative of the family gave his direct ancestors for four generations, without the collaterals. The arms were confirmed in the same year to Nicholas ffiske, professor in physic. A description of the terms used in the blazonry of the arms of ffiske taken from Porney’s Heraldry, is as follows:
The Field Chequy. Chequy is made up of small squares of two colours spread alternately over a Field: this is always composed of metal and colours, and is the most noble and most ancient Figure borne in Armoury, and ought to be given to none but valient warriors.
Argent and gules. Argent (silver) of itself is used in Heraldry to signify Purity, Innocence, Beauty, and Gentleness, and if it is compounded with Gules, denotes Boldness. Gules (red) denotes martial prowess, boldness, and hardiness.
On a pale Sable. The pale is an ordinary, consisting of two perpendicular lines, drawn from the top to the bottom of the Escutcheon, and contains the third middle part of the field. It is called pale because it is like the Pallisade used about Fortifications, and formerly used for the enclosing of Camps; for which reason every soldier was obliged to carry one, and to fix it according as the lines were drawn for the Security of the Camp.The Pale denotes Strength and Firmness, and has been bestowed for impaling cities. Sable (black) of itself signifies Constance, Learning, and Grief, and Ancient Heralds will have it; that if it is compounded with Argent and Gules: Fame and Respect.
Three Mullets pierced or. Mullet is derived from from a French word which signifies the Rowel of a Spur, and should consist of five points only. (or = gold).
The Wreath. is a sort of Roll, made by the convolution of two different colours, and on which Crests are frequently placed. The colours of the Wreath are most usually taken from the principal metal and colours contained in the coat of arms.
Heraldry, a relic of the feudal ages, took its rise from the times of the Holy Wars. It is cherished in England where Armorial bearings are considered the appendage of a gentleman, and evidence for the respectable position of a family. Though at first assumed at pleasure, they came, in time, under some regulation, and the Herald’s College was created in the fifteenth century. The heralds visitations in different parts of the kingdom commenced in the sixteenth century, when those who were esquires and gentlemen had to show by what authority or right they bore coat-armour.
From Chapter 1 of Fiske Family Papers by Henry ffiske, 1901
The motto is evidently taken from Virgil’s Aeneid, the ninth book, written c. 20 BC. In the 640th and 641st lines of this book you will find: “macte nova virtute puer: sic itur ad astra.” The translation of the complete phrase is “Blessings on your young courage boy, that’s the way to the stars”. The Fiske motto omits the words young and boy.
*This is the earliest reference I have found to Symond or Simon being ‘Lord of the Manor’ of Studhaugh. My personal feeling is that this might not have been the case, I have not seen any other contemporary documentary evidence to support this and it may be that Nicholas ffyske, as part of his application to be awarded the historic coat of arms by the College of Heralds in 1633 may have embellished the historical facts in order to improve his case. Unfortunately this has been picked up and misquoted subsequently (Fiske and Fisk Family by F. Clifton Pierce being the worst offender) which has led to him being widely and erroneously described as ‘Lord Simon’.
