A hatchment was a memorial board of a deceased armiger's coat of arms that was traditionally hung outside the family home during the period of mourning.
They were usually made of a diamond shaped wooden base which had canvas stretched across with the coat of arms painted on. A black background meant that it related to a spinster, widow or widower. Whereas a married man had the right half of the background white and a married woman the left hand side. Popular in the 17th Century, their use declined during the latter half of the 19th century. Many were transferred to parish churches were they can still be found.
