HERALDRY

There are two coats-of-arms somehow linked to the Cholet family.  For one, its actual use by a member of the family is documented.  For the other, the only evidence of its existence was a fine, hand-made needle point double coat of arms.  It disappeared shortly after the death of Dorothy Ayres Cholet: only photographs of the piece taken in the late 1959's remain.  No information about its connection to the family has been found, other than that it was discovered in a box of old French family records, some dating back as far as the early 16th century. 

Photographs and drawings are presented here with what information is known.  If you have information that might help with identification or interpretation please contact me at genealogy@cholet.us.

SINGLE COAT OF ARMS

This image above was taken from the camera ready drawing made from the actual wax seal in about 1955.  There is a bit more detail, especially in the background of the shield and the unicorns, but that is understandable given the limitation in the original engraving.

The coloring shown here is only a guess about what the colors might be based on the limited information available.  I suspect that the the hues are far too vivid, and the unicorns should probably be white or silver.  I will continue to work on a better rendition.

DOUBLE COAT OF ARMS

This is the best image of the needlework piece currently available.  I am still looking for the original negatives which were made about 1955.  The inscription "Mori potius quam feodari" - or more properly "Potius Mori Quam Foedari" translates from the Latin as, literally "Better to die than be dishonored", of shortened in English to "Death before dishonor".  The inscription is of late medieval origin.  This also happens to be the motto of the coat of arms of Brittany and possibly of Anne of Brittany herself.  The structure of this piece could indicate a marriage, but I have not been able to determine anything else.