The Griffin Motif
The mythical beast seen on the village sign of Belchamp Walter is genrally referred to a a "griffin". It is more like that of a Wyvern. The symbol and depiction can be seen not only on the village sign but on the gate posts of Belchamp Hall and in the Church. It was also used as a symbol for Griffin Farming
The original question I had was whether the motif on the Village Sign is a dragon or a griffin. A griffin is the combination of the head of an eagle and and the body of a lion, it would have a beak.
The creast below shows an interesting combination which is not explained anywhere that I can find. I do have a theory about this.
Above is a detail of a crest taken from a stained glass window in St. Mary the Virgin, Belchamp Walter.
Interpretation of the coats of arms - in the Chancel of St.Mary's
My theory is that the stained glass panel was originally in the Medieval Belchamp Hall. Although the stained glass is now in the Church and bears the inscription that it was inserted by John Mayne St. Clere in the 1890's, the glass is possibly earlier. The Elizabethan manor house could have been occupied by a relative of the Tyrell family to whom the crest belongs.
Above is the Millenium Sign that was commissioned for the village for the 2000 celebrations. The motif of the Raymond Family was used in its design.
