Seal of the 5th Duke of Grafton

This seal from the Plum and Posey collection dates to June 1845. The wax seal impression was probably the first taken from the newly finished official seal for the recently inherited 5th Duke of Grafton; Henry FitzRoy. FitzRoy; meaning ‘Son of the King’ is descended from King Charles II through his mistress Barbara Villiers, Duchess of Cleveland.

Generally there was anywhere from a 6 month to 2 year wait for a custom seal from the date of order, depending of course on the engraver. This seal was most likely ordered the previous October; shortly after the death of his father on the 28th of September 1844.

The motto on the crest reads in Latin: “Et Decus Et Pretium Recti”

Which translates to ‘Both the ornament and the reward of virtue’ or ‘Both the glory and rewards of the right’

The most notable of the Dukes of Grafton was; Augustus Henry FitzRoy, 3rd Duke of Grafton, Prime Minister 1768-70 At 33 he was the youngest up to that point to have achieved the Office of Prime Minister.

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