Blanche Lyon Pursuivant
The title was then taken from the white lion of the Mortimer Earls of March, one of King Edward's favourite royal badges.Its status was then anomalous, for although John James was described as 'Our pursuivant' and was granted a salary by the Crown, he was expressly said to be with the Duke of Norfolk and in the College of Arms he was counted as an extraordinary.The title in this case clearly refers to the white lion rampant, which was at once arms, crest and badge of the House of Mowbray and which, with a crown about its neck, is now one of the Duke of Norfolk's supporters.In 1602, the office was made "extraordinary" for the appointment of Francis Thynne, before his promotion to Lancaster Herald of Arms in Ordinary that same year.[1] John Philipot was created Blanche Lyon Pursuivant of Arms Extraordinary in 1613, and William Dugdale followed in 1638.