Our Name Explained

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Customers often ask us what "Black-A-Moor" means, so we have carried out a little research, and can tell you that the name is said to have originated from the time of the crusades in the 11th and 12th centuries when coloured men were regarded as infidels, barbaric and cruel, and the Turks or 'Moors' were regarded as the enemies of Christianity.

BUT, the above man's head is what is called an Armorial. When the Nortons of Norton Conyers (See our "Nearby Attractions" Page) first adopted crested and mantled helmets remains a little uncertain, and the earliest record is in Thomas Wall's Book of Arms and Crests, which was compiled at some time in his career as a herald, from 1521 to 1536.

Wall's description, in modern English is :- "A man's head with curly hair, all of silver, and the mantling and crest wreath in the principal tinctures of the Norton Arms, argent and azure".

This is clearly the Norton's Blackamoor, a "moryan" with a black face and hair instead of Wall's silver head. This description refers to John Norton, of Norton Conyers, husband to Anne, the daughter and heir to William Sutcliffe of Rilston, and father to the formidable Yorkshire rebel 'Old' Richard Norton.

If you click here , you will be taken to another Web Site which may well both educate and amuse you !