In the early 15th century, the French king reduced the number of fleur-de-lys from around 9 to three, and Henry IV of England followed suit.

 

An heraldic antelope and a swan have been attributed to Henry IV and an antelope and a lion to him and his son Henry V.

 

 

Antelopes, lions and panthers have all been associated with Henry VI. To Edward IV are accorded two white lions, a lion and a hart and a lion and a black bull.

 

Richard III has two white boars, and a lion and a boar. It is not until the reign of Henry VII that there is good contemporary evidence for the more or less consistent use of supporters by the sovereign.

 

Henry VII's grandfather, Owen Tudor, used a red dragon garnished with gold as a badge, claiming descent from Cadwalader, the last native ruler of Britain, to whom a dragon was attributed. It is not surprising, therefore, to find that Henry greatly favoured this beast.