
The Tudor Royal Arms were placed above the main entrance to the keep at St Mawes, with the Latin text, Dieu et Mon Droit, below. Above the crest is the statement:
Semper Honos / Henrice Tuus / Laudesque Manebunt.
(Henry, your honour and praises will remain forever.)
This is one of four texts composed by the poet, antiquary and royal chaplain, John Leland (c. 1503–1552) at the request of Thomas Treffry of Fowey (a detail mentioned in Leland’s Itinerary).


On the opposite side, above the door leading from the keep to the forward bastion is another Royal Coast of Arms. Either side are two Tritons:
Semper Vivet A(n)i(m)a Re/gis Henrici Octavi / Qui An(no) 34 Sui Reg/ni Hoc Fecit Fieri.
(May the soul of King Henry Eighth, who had this built in the 34th year of his reign, live forever.)
Henry came to the throne in 1509, and this places the completion of the castle in 1543. (It was started in 1540.)

Another text is placed above the crest on the west bastion, celebrating Henry’s son, Edward (who is proclaimed on the eastern bastion as Duke of Cornwall, a title given at his baptism in 1537).
Edwardus Fama Referat Factisque Parentem.
(May Edward resemble his father in fame and deeds.)
Further texts are placed on the south (Henry, king of England, France and Ireland) and east (Edward) bastions.