File:WLA vanda 1554 enamelled plaque.jpg

Enamelled gilt copper plaque with the arms of Tonge
Dated 1554. Possibly displayed originally in the church of St Mary Overy, Southwark, London, now Southwark Cathedral.

This plaque shows the arms of Sir Thomas Tonge impaling those of his wife Susanna White. Sir Thomas held important posts at the College of Arms during the reign of Henry VIII. Similar enamelled plaques were used to denote seats reserved for the Knights of the Order of the Garter at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle (see Category:Stall plates of Knights of the Garter).

A rectangular plaque bearing the arms of Sir Thomas Tonge in champlevé enamel on gilt copper. The arms of Tonge (azure a bend cotised between six martlets) impale those of his wife (or a chevron gules between three popinjays vert armed and langued gules within a bordure azure bezanty) and the whole is enclosed within a wreath. There is a French motto along the top: ESPOER EN DIEU (Hope in God) and an inscription in English beneath: The armys of the ryght worshepful Maister Tonge otherwyse called Maister Clarencivs and mesteris Susan hys wyfe.

Thomas Tonge held the offices of York Herald and Norroy King of Arms. In 1534 he was created Clarenceaux King of Arms. He died in 1536 and was buried in the Church of St. Mary Overy in Southwark, now Southwark Cathedral. His wife was Susanna White, a daughter of Richard White of Hutton, Essex. She survived her husband by nearly 30 years and was the First Lady of the Privy Chamber to Queen Mary.

Museum no. 4358-1857