To all and singular to whom these presents shall come Sir Edward Walker, Knight, Garter principal king of arms of English Men sends greeting.
It hath been an ancient custom and to this day continued that all estates and degrees of Men have been and are distinguished by each other by public marks or signs commonly called arms, such being outward demonstrations of the inward worth of the bearers achieved by their valour in time of war, or by their virtuous endeavours in time of peace. In which respect whereas John Cridland or Spaxton in the Country of Somerset, Esquire, son of Thomas Cridland and grandson of John Cridland of the same place, where that family hath for many years lived in good esteem and repute is a person who hath always been faithful to his Majesty and to his royal father King Charles 1st of ever blessed memory and is at the present a Sergeant Major in a regiment of foot under command of Colonel George Stawell, so he may justly merit to have such arms assigned to him as may be lawfully borne by him and his posterity. For ever know ye, therefore, that the said Sir Edward Walker, Knight, Garter principal king of arms by the power and authority annexed to my office by the statutes of the Most Noble Order of the Garter, and confirmed unto me by letters patent under the great seal of England, do by these presents give grant and assign unto the said John Cridland, and Francis and Henry Cridland songs of Francis Cridland of Elworthy in the said County of Somerset and nephews to the said John Cridland, & to every one of them, and to the heirs and descendants of their bodyes respectively for ever the coat of arms and crest hereafter mentioned, vizt.
Ermine on a Cheife Embattled gules, three roses argent seeded or and for their crest upon a helmet proper mantles gules double argent and wreath of their colors a gryphon head Erased argent with a chaplet gules as in the margin hereof is more lively depicted, the which arms and crest they the said John Francis and Henry Cridland and the heirs and descendants of their & either of their bodies respectively and lawfully begotten, for ever (bearing their due and proper differences) may and shall at all times and on all occasions use, bear or set forth in shield, coat, armour, pennon, seal or otherwise according to the laws and practises of arms without let or interruption of any person or persons whomsoever.
In witness whereof I have hereunto this day subscribed my name and addixed the seal of my office the First day of June in the 19th Yeare of the Reigne of Our Sovereigne Lord Charles the Second by the Grace of God King of England Scotland France & Ireland Defender of the Faith &c Annoque Dni 1667
Motto: SUAVITER ET FORTITER
"This draft is based on a previous one held by my father Leonard Edwin Cridland from c 1925. In 1999 it was corrected by C.E.A.Cheesman Esq, Rouge Dragon Pursuivant of the College of Arms London EC4V 4BT. He had located the record of the original text, reference R23/284, for his corrections and also referred to a pencil note on it quoting 'The original Patent (1843) now in possn. of John Cridland Esq of Spring Grove House Miverton co Somerset'.
Basil Humphrey Cridland, 27 February 2000"