The history behind the name
Awfyn, pronounced Or-fin, comes from the Germanic word meaning Chaser or Wolf, the name has developed over the years to become Alphyn but I prefer the older, more traditional spelling. An Awfyn is a rare heraldic creature. It is much like a heraldic tiger, but stockier and with tufts of hair covering its body, and also has a thick mane and long thin tongue. Another notable characteristic is its knotted tail, reminiscent of Celtic Design and similar to that of the griffin. Sometimes it is depicted as having an eagle's or dragon's talons on its forelegs, other times they are cloven, like a goat's. Occasionally all four feet are depicted as having the claws of a lion. In English heraldry, the Awfyn was used as a heraldic badge of the Lords de la Warr, and also appeared on the guidon held by the knight in the Milleflour Tapestry in Somerset.
In England's first printed book, William Caxton's "Game and Playe of the Chesse" the chessmen now known as bishops are described instead as Awfyns, representing judges: "The Awfyns ought to be made and formed in manere of Juges syttynge in a chayer wyth a book open to fore their eyen."
I chose this creature for my affix due to my love of mythology and folk lore, a dog type creature seemed very apt. English Shepherds are rule abiding dogs, who watch over their family, stock and land making sure all is safe much in the same way a judge would do and perhaps in the way an Awfyn would watch over the other chess pieces.
In England's first printed book, William Caxton's "Game and Playe of the Chesse" the chessmen now known as bishops are described instead as Awfyns, representing judges: "The Awfyns ought to be made and formed in manere of Juges syttynge in a chayer wyth a book open to fore their eyen."
I chose this creature for my affix due to my love of mythology and folk lore, a dog type creature seemed very apt. English Shepherds are rule abiding dogs, who watch over their family, stock and land making sure all is safe much in the same way a judge would do and perhaps in the way an Awfyn would watch over the other chess pieces.
please click the pictures to find the original sources.