Description
From the stone beasts that guard the entrance at Hampton Court Palace to the emblems that can still be seen across the United Kingdom, the heraldic devices once beloved by the Tudors endure all around us. Henry VIII believed in the power of visual communication, wielding heraldry to establish continuity with the great houses of his royal ancestors. The beasts on the Moat Bridge are a potent example of how Henry VIII ensured that all visitors understood his indisputable birthright.
The Greyhound of Richmond is the most recent beast to feature on a coin as part of The Royal Mint’s Royal Tudor Beasts Collection. Henry VIII inherited the heraldic greyhound from Edward III and the House of Lancaster. After Henry VIII’s grandfather, Edmund Tudor, Earl of Richmond, began using a white greyhound as his supporter, the beast became known as the White Greyhound of Richmond.
Standing upright with a slim build and protruding ribcage, the greyhound on the Moat Bridge is striking. Emphasising its alertness, the head is turned at an angle with its ears pricked. The beast holds a shield shaped like those used for jousting, bearing the three lions of England passant guardant, fully facing the viewer.
Denomination: £5
Alloy: Cupro-nickel
Diameter: 38.61mm
Weight: 28.28g
Year: 2025
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