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Title: The Manual of Heraldry; Fifth Edition

Being a Concise Description of the Several Terms Used, and Containing a Dictionary of Every Designation in the Science

Author: Anonymous

Release Date: July 12, 2005 [eBook #16273]

Language: English

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THE

MANUAL OF HERALDRY:

BEING

A CONCISE DESCRIPTION

OF

THE SEVERAL TERMS USED,

AND CONTAINING

A Dictionary of every Designation in the Science.

ILLUSTRATED BY

FOUR HUNDRED ENGRAVINGS ON WOOD.

FIFTH EDITION.

LONDON:

ARTHUR HALL, VIRTUE & CO.

25, PATERNOSTER ROW.

Click picture to enlarge.

LONDON:

R. CLAY, PRINTER, BREAD STREET HILL.

MANUAL OF HERALDRY.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER I.

ORIGIN OF COATS OF ARMS.

Heraldry is the science which teaches how to blazon or describe in proper terms armorial bearings and their accessories.

Many volumes have been written on the origin of Heraldry and even on the antiquity of separate charges contained in an escutcheon: it would be filling the pages of an elementary work on Heraldry to little purpose to enter upon an inquiry as to the exact period of the introduction of an art that has existed in some degree in all countries whose inhabitants have emerged from barbarism to civilization. In all ages men have made use of figures of living creatures, trees, flowers, and inanimate objects, as symbolical signs to distinguish themselves in war, or denote the bravery and courage of their chief or nation.

The allegorical designs emblazoned on the standards, shields, and armour of the Greeks and Romans—the White Horse of the Saxons, the Raven of the Danes, and the Lion of the Normans, may all be termed [Page 2] heraldic devices; but according to the opinions of Camden, Spelman, and other high authorities, hereditary arms of families were first introduced at the commencement of the twelfth century. When numerous armies engaged in the expeditions to the Holy Land, consisting of the troops of twenty different nations, they were obliged to adopt some ensign or mark in order to marshal the vassals under the banners of the various leaders. The regulation of the symbols whereby the Sovereigns and Lords of Europe should be distinguished, all of whom were ardent in maintaining the honour of the several nations to which they belonged, was a matter of great nicety, and it was properly entrusted to the Heralds who invented signs of honour which could not be construed into offence, and made general regulations for their display on the banners and shields of the chiefs of the different nations. The ornaments and regulations were sanctioned by the sovereigns engaged in the Crusade, and hence the origin of the present system of Heraldry, which prevails with trifling variations in every kingdom of Europe.

The passion for military fame which prevailed at this period led to the introduction of mock battles, called Tournaments. Here the Knights appeared with the Heraldic honours conferred upon them for deeds of prowess in actual battle. All were emulous of such distinctions. The subordinate followers appeared with the distinctive arms of their Lord, with the addition of some mark denoting inferiority. These marks of honour at first were merely pieces of stuff of various colours cut into strips and sewn on the surcoat or garment worn over armour, to protect it from the effect of exposure to the atmosphere. These strips were disposed in various ways, and gave the idea of the chief, bend, chevron, &c. [Page 3] Figures of animals and other objects were gradually introduced; and as none could legally claim or use those honourable distinctions unless they were granted by the Kings of Arms, those Heraldic sovereigns formed a code of laws for the regulation of titles and insignia of honour, which the Sovereigns and Knights of Europe have bound themselves to protect; and those rules constitute the science of Heraldry which forms the subject of the following pages.

CHAP. II.

VARIOUS SORTS OF ARMS.

Arms are not only granted to individuals and families, but also to cities, corporate bodies, and learned societies. They may therefore be classed as follows:—

Arms of DOMINION, PRETENSION, CONCESSION.
COMMUNITY, PATRONAGE, FAMILY.
ALLIANCE, AND SUCCESSION.

Arms of Dominion or Sovereignty are properly the arms of the kings or sovereigns of the territories they govern, which are also regarded as the arms of the State. Thus the Lions of England and the Russian Eagle are the arms of the Kings of England and the Emperors of Russia, and cannot properly be altered by a change of dynasty.

Arms of Pretension are those of kingdoms, provinces, or territories to which a prince or lord has some claim, and which he adds to his own, though the kingdoms or territories are governed by a foreign king or lord: thus the Kings of England for many ages quartered the arms of France in their escutcheon as the descendants of Edward III., who claimed that kingdom, in right of his mother, a French princess.

Arms of Concession are arms granted by sovereigns as the reward of virtue, valour, or extraordinary service. All arms granted to subjects were originally [Page 5] conceded by the Sovereign.

Arms of Community are those of bishoprics, cities, universities, academies, societies, and corporate bodies.

Arms of Patronage are such as governors of provinces, lords of manors, add to their family arms as a token of their superiority, right, and jurisdiction.

Arms of Family, or paternal arms, are such as are hereditary and belong to one particular family, which none others have a right to assume, nor can they do so without rendering themselves guilty of a breach of the laws of honour punishable by the Earl Marshal and the Kings at Arms. The assumption of arms has however become so common that little notice is taken of it at the present time.

Arms of Alliance are those gained by marriage.

Arms of Succession are such as are taken up by those who inherit certain estates by bequest, entail, or donation.

SHIELDS, TINCTURES, FURS, &c.

The Shield contains the field or ground whereon are represented the charges or figures that form a coat of arms. These were painted on the shield before they were placed on banners, standards, and coat armour; and wherever they appear at the present time they are painted on a plane or superficies resembling a shield.

Shields in Heraldic language are called Escutcheons or Scutcheons, from the Latin word scutum. The forms of the shield or field upon which arms are emblazoned are varied according to the taste of the painter. The Norman pointed shield is generally used in Heraldic paintings in ecclesiastical [Page 6] buildings: the escutcheons of maiden ladies and widows are painted on a lozenge-shaped shield. Armorists distinguish several points in the escutcheon in order to determine exactly the position of the bearings or charges. They are denoted in the annexed diagram, by the first nine letters of the alphabet ranged in the following manner:

A, the dexter chief.
B, the precise middle chief.
C, the sinister chief.
D, the honour point.
E, the fess point.
F, the nombril point.
G, the dexter base.
H, the precise middle base.
 I, the sinister base.

The dexter side of the escutcheon answers to the left hand, and the sinister side to the right hand of the person that looks at it.

TINCTURES.

By the term Tincture is meant that variable hue which is given to shields and their bearings; they are divided into colours and furs.

The colours or metals used in emblazoning arms are—

These colours are denoted in engravings by various lines or dots, as follows:

OR, which signifies gold, and in colour yellow, is expressed by dots.

ARGENT signifies silver or white: it is left quite plain.

GULES signifies red: it is expressed by lines drawn from the chief to the base of the shield.

AZURE signifies blue: it is represented by lines drawn from the dexter to the sinister side of the shield, parallel to the chief.

VERT signifies green: it is represented by slanting lines, drawn from the dexter to the sinister side of the shield.

PURPURE, or purple, is expressed by diagonal lines, drawn from the sinister to the dexter side of the shield.

SABLE, or black, is expressed by horizontal and perpendicular lines crossing each other.

TENNE, which is tawny, or orange colour, is marked by diagonal lines drawn from the sinister to the dexter side of the shield, traversed by perpendicular lines from the chief.

SANGUINE is dark red, or murrey colour; it is represented by diagonal lines crossing each other.

In addition to the foregoing tinctures, there are nine roundlets or balls used in Armory, the names of which are sufficient to denote their colour without expressing the same.

	BEZANT, Or.		PLATE, Argent.
	HURTS, [Page 9]Azure.		TORTEAUX, Gules.

	GOLPE, Purpure.		PELLET, Sable.
	ORANGE, Tenne.		GUZES, Sanguine.
	POMEIS, Vert.

FURS.

Furs are used to ornament garments of state and denote dignity: ther are used in Heraldry, not only for the lining of mantles and other ornaments of the shield, but also as bearings on escutcheons.

WHITE, represented by a plain shield, like argent.

ERMINE—white powdered with black tufts.

ERMINES—field sable, powdering argent.

ERMINOIS—field or, powdering sable.

PEAN—field sable; powdering or.

ERMYNITES—Argent, powdered sable, with the addition of a single red hair on each side the sable tufts. This fur is seldom seen in English heraldry; and it is impossible to give an example without using colour.

VAIR—argent and azure. It is represented by small bells, part reversed, ranged in lines in such a manner, that the base argent is opposite to the base azure.

COUNTER-VAIR, is when the bells are placed base against base, and point against point.

POTENT—an obsolete word for a crutch: it is so called in Chaucer's description of Old Age.

"So eld she was that she ne went
A foote, but it were by potent."

The field is filled with small potents, ranged in lines, azure and argent.

POTENT COUNTER-POTENT.
The heads of the crutches or potents touch each other in the centre of the shield.

CHAP. III.

LINES USED IN PARTING THE FIELD.

Escutcheons that have more than one tincture are divided by lines; the straight lines are either perpendicular |, horizontal —, diagonal line dexter \, and diagonal line sinister /.

Curved and angular lines are numerous, and each has an Heraldic name expressive of its form. The names and figures of those most commonly used by English armorists are as follow:—

Engrailed

Invected

Wavy, or undé

Embattled, or crenelle

Nebule

Indented

Dancette

Angled

Bevilled

Escartelle

Nowy, or franché

Dove-tailed

Embattled grady:
sometimes called
battled embattled

Potent

Double arched

Arched or enarched

Urdée

Radient

If a shield is divided into four equal parts, it is said to be quartered: this may be done two ways, viz.—

QUARTERED PER CROSS—The shield is divided into four parts, called quarters, by an horizontal and perpendicular line, crossing each other in the centre of the field, each of which is numbered.

QUARTERED PER SALTIER, which is made by two diagonal lines, dexter and sinister, crossing each other in the centre of the field.

The Escutcheon is sometimes divided into a great number of parts, in order to place in it the arms of several families to which one is allied; this is called a genealogical achievement. The compartments are called QUARTERINGS.

DIFFERENCES.

All members of the same family claim the same bearings in their coats of arms; and to distinguish the principal bearer from his descendants or relatives, it was necessary to invent some sign so that the degree of consanguinity might be known. These signs are called DIFFERENCES. During the Crusades, the only difference consisted in the bordure or border, which, as the name implies, was a border or edging running round the edge of the shield. The colour and form of this border served to distinguish the leaders of the different bands that served under one duke or chieftain. The same difference might be used to denote a diversity between particular persons descended from one family. At the present time they are not used to denote a difference, but as one of the ordinaries to a coat of arms. The annexed example exhibits the arms of the Monastery of Bermondsey. Party per pale, azure and gules; a bordure, argent. This bordure is plain; but they may be formed by any of the foregoing lines.

The annexed example is or, a bordure engrailed, gules.

The differences used by armorists at the present time are nine in number. They not only distinguish the sons of one family, but also denote the subordinate degrees in each house.

The Heir, or first son, the LABEL
Second Son, the CRESCENT
Third Son, the MULLET
Fourth Son, the MARTLET
Fifth Son, the ANNULET
Sixth Son, the FLEUR-DE-LIS

Seventh Son, [Page 15]the ROSE
Eighth Son, the CROSS MOLINE
Ninth Son, the DOUBLE QUATREFOIL

Should either of the nine brothers have male children, the eldest child would place the label on the difference that distinguished his father; the second son would place the crescent upon it; the third the mullet; continuing the same order for as many sons as he may have.

The label only, is used in the arms of the royal family as a difference; but the points of the label are charged with different figures to distinguish the second and succeeding sons. The arms of the sons of King George III. were thus distinguished: the shield of the arms of the Prince of Wales by a label; the Duke of York's by the label, the center point of which was charged with a red cross; that of the Duke of Clarence by a label, the dexter and sinister points of which were charged with an anchor, the center point with the red cross; each of the succeeding sons were differenced by charges on the points of the labels.

All the figures denoting differences are also used as perfect charges on the shield; but their size and situation will sufficiently determine whether the figure is used as a perfect coat of arms, or is introduced as a difference or dimunition.

Sisters have no differences in their coats of arms. They are permitted to bear the arms of their father, as the eldest son does after his father's decease.

Guillim, Leigh, and other ancient armorists mention divers figures, which, they assert, were formerly added to coats of arms as marks of degradation for slander, cowardice, murder, and other crimes, and to them they give the name of abatements of honour; others have called them blots in the escutcheon: but as no instance can be produced of such dishonourable marks having been borne in a coat of arms, they may justly be considered as chimerical, or at any rate obsolete, and unworthy of consideration at the present time. Porney pithily observes, "that arms being marks of honour, they cannot admit of any note of infamy, nor would any one bear them if they were so branded. It is true, a man may be degraded for divers crimes, particularly high treason; but in such cases the escutcheon is reversed, trod upon, and torn in pieces, to denote a total extinction and suppression of the honour and dignity of the person to whom it belonged."

The only abatement used in heraldry is the baton: this denotes illegitimacy. It is borne in the escutcheons of the dukes that assume the royal arms as the illegitimate descendants of King Charles the Second.

CHAP. IV.

HONOURABLE ORDINARIES.

Honourable ordinaries are the original marks of distinction bestowed by sovereigns on subjects that have become eminent for their services, either in the council or the field of battle. Volumes have been written upon the origin and form of the honourable ordinaries. These long and tedious inquiries can only be interesting to antiquaries: it is sufficient for the tyro in heraldry to know that they are merely broad lines or bands of various colours, which have different names, according to the place they occupy in the shield; ancient armorists admit but nine honourable ordinaries—the chief, the pale, the bend, the bend sinister, the fess, the bar, the chevron, the cross, and the saltier.

The chief is an ordinary terminated by an horizontal line, which, if it is of any other form but straight, its form must be expressed; it is placed in the upper part of the escutcheon, and occupies one third of the field.

Ex. Argent, on a chief, gules, two mullets, sable.

Any of the lines before described may be used to form the chief.

Ex. Argent, a chief, azure, indented.

The chief has a diminutive called a fillet; it must never be more than one fourth the breadth of the chief.

Ex. Or, a chief, purpure, in the lower part a fillet, azure.

This ordinary may be charged with a variety of figures, which are always named after the tincture of the chief.

It may be necessary to inform the reader that, in describing a coat of arms, the general colour of the shield or the field is first described, then the honourable ordinaries, their tinctures, then the object with which they are charged. We shall have to remark more particularly on the order of describing ordinaries, tinctures, and charges on coats of arms, when we treat of the rules of heraldry; but the student might have been confused if this brief direction had been omitted, as we shall have to describe every shield of arms in the same order.

The pale is an honourable ordinary, consisting of two perpendicular lines drawn from the top to the base of the escutcheon, and contains one third of the width of the field.

Ex. Azure, a pale, or.

The pale may be formed of any of the lines before [Page 19] described; it is then called a pale engrailed, a pale dancette, &c.

The pale has a diminutive called the pallet, which is one half the width of the pale.

Ex. Argent, a pallet, gules.

The pale has another diminutive one fourth its size; it is called an endorse.

Ex. Argent, a pale between two endorses, gules.

The pale and the pallet may receive any charge; but the endorse is never to be charged with any thing.

THE BEND.

The bend is an honourable ordinary, formed by two diagonal lines drawn from the dexter chief to the sinister base, and contains the fifth part of the field if uncharged; but if charged with other figures, the third part of the field.

Ex. Argent, a bend, vert.

The bend has four diminutives, viz. the garter which [Page 20] is half the breadth of the bend.

Ex. Argent, a garter, gules.

The cotice which is the fourth part of the bend. Cotices generally accompany the bend in pairs; thus a bend between two cotices is said to be cotised.

Ex. Gules, a bend, argent, coticed of the same.

The riband, which is one third less than the garter and the bendlet, must never occupy more than one sixth of the field.

Ex. Argent, a riband vert.

Ex. Gules, two bendlets, engrailed, argent.

The bend sinister is the same breadth as the bend dexter, and is drawn from the sinister to the dexter side of the shield.

Ex. Argent, a bend sinister, purpure.

The scarpe is the diminutive of the bend sinister, and is half its size.

Ex. Argent, a scarpe, purpure.

The baton is the fourth part of the bend, and, as before mentioned, it is a mark of illegitimacy, and seldom used in Heraldry, but by the illegitimate descendants of royalty.

Ex. Gules, a baton, sable, garnished, or.

THE FESS AND BAR.

The fess is formed by two horizontal lines drawn above and below the centre of the shield. The fess contains in breadth one third of the field.

Ex. Argent, a fess, azure.

The bar is formed in the same manner as the fess, but it only occupies the fifth part of the field. It differs from the fess, that ordinary being always placed in the [Page 22] centre of the field; but the bar may be placed in any part of it, and there may be more than one bar in an escutcheon.

Ex. Gules, two bars, argent.

The closet is a diminutive of the bar, and is half its width.

Ex. Argent, two closets, azure.

The barrulet is half the width of the closet.

Ex. Gules, two barrulets, argent.

The annexed example is to illustrate the word gemels, which is frequently used to describe double bars. The word gemels is a corruption of the French word jumelles, which signifies double.

Ex. Azure, two bars, gemels, argent.

When the shield contains a number of bars of metal [Page 23] and colour alternate, exceeding five, it is called barry of so many pieces, expressing their numbers.

Ex. Barry of seven pieces, argent and azure.

THE CHEVRON.

The figure of the chevron has been described as representing the gable of a roof. It is a very ancient ordinary, and the less it is charged with other figures the more ancient and honourable it appears.

Ex. Argent, a chevron, gules.

The diminutives of the chevron, according to English Heraldry, are the chevronel, which is half the breadth of the chevron.

Ex. Argent, two chevronels, gules.

And the couple-close, which is half the chevronel.

Ex. Gules, three couple-closes interlaced in base, or.

Braced is sometimes used for interlaced. See the word [Page 24] BRACED in the Dictionary.

THE CROSS.

This, as its name imports, was the distinguishing badge of the Crusaders, in its simplest form. It was merely two pieces of list or riband of the same length, crossing each other at right angles. The colour of the riband or list denoted the nation to which the Crusader belonged. The cross is an honourable ordinary, occupying one fifth of the shield when not charged, but if charged, one third.

Ex. Or, a cross, gules.

When the cross became the distinguishing badge of different leaders in the Crusades, the simple form given in the preceding example was not generally adopted. Some bordered the red list with a narrow white edge, others terminated the arms of the cross with short pieces of the same colour, placed transversely, making each arm of the cross have the appearance of a short crutch; the ends of these crutches meeting in a point, make the cross potent. There is so great a variety of crosses used in Heraldry that it would be impossible to describe them within the limits of this introduction to Heraldry. The reader will find a great number of those most used in English Heraldry described and illustrated in the Dictionary. He of course will understand, if a coat of arms comes under his notice where this ordinary is described as a cross engrailed, a cross invected, [Page 25] that the form of the cross is the same as that in the last example, but that the lines forming it are engrailed, invected, &c. Small crosses borne as charges are called crosslets.

See the words CROSS, CROSSLETS, in the Dictionary.

THE SALTIER.

The saltier was formed by making two pieces of riband cross diagonally, having the appearance of the letter X, or, speaking heraldically, the bend and bend sinister crossing each other in the centre of the shield. The saltier, if uncharged, occupies one-fifth of the field; if charged, one-third.

Ex. Gules, a saltier, argent.

Like the cross, the saltier may be borne engrailed, wavy, and the termination of the arms of the saltier varied; but there are not so many examples of the variation of the form in the saltier as in the cross.

CHAP. V.

SUBORDINATE ORDINARIES.

In order more particularly to distinguish the subordinates in an army (the chieftains of different countries alone being entitled to the preceding marks of honour), other figures were invented by ancient armorists, and by them termed subordinate ordinaries. Their names and forms are as follows:—

The gyron is a triangular figure formed by drawing a line from the dexter angle of the chief of the shield to the fess point, and an horizontal line from that point to the dexter side of the shield.

The field is said to be gyrony when it is covered with gyrons.

Ex. Gyrony of eight pieces, argent and gules.

The canton is a square part of the escutcheon, usually occupying about one-eighth of the field; it is placed over the chief at the dexter side of the shield: it may be charged, and when this is the case, its size may be increased. The canton represents the banner of the ancient Knights [Page 27] Banneret. The canton in the example is marked A.

See KNIGHTS BANNERET in the Dictionary.

The lozenge is formed by four equal and parallel lines but not rectangular, two of its opposite angles being acute, and two obtuse.

Ex. Argent, a lozenge, vert.

The fusil is narrower than the lozenge, the angles at the chief and base being more acute, and the others more obtuse.

Ex. Argent, a fusil, purpure.

The mascle is in the shape of a lozenge but perforated through its whole extent except a narrow border.

Ex. Gules, a mascle, argent.

The fret is formed by two lines interlaced in saltier with a mascle.

Ex. Azure, a fret, argent.

Fretty is when the shield is covered with lines[Page 28] crossing each other diagonally and interlaced.

Ex. Gules, fretty of ten pieces, argent.

At the present time it is not usual to name the number of pieces, but merely the word fretty.

The pile is formed like a wedge, and may be borne wavy, engrailed, &c.; it issues generally from the chief, and extends towards the base, but it may be borne in bend or issue from the base.

See PILE and IN PILE in Dictionary.

Ex. Argent, a pile, azure.

The inescutcheon is a small escutcheon borne within the shield.

Ex. Argent, a pale, gules, over all an inescutcheon or, a mullet sable.

An orle is a perforated inescutcheon, and usually takes the shape of the shield whereon it is placed.

Ex. Azure, an orle, argent.

The flanche is formed by two curved lines nearly [Page 29] touching each other in the centre of the shield.

Ex. Azure, a flanche, argent.

In the flasque the curved lines do not approach so near each other.

Ex. Azure, a flasque, argent.

In the voider the lines are still wider apart; this ordinary occupies nearly the whole of the field: it may be charged.

Ex. Azure, a voider, argent.

The tressure is a border at some distance from the edge of the field, half the breadth of an orle: the tressure may be double or treble.

Ex. Or, a double tressure, gules.

Tressures are generally ornamented, or borne flory or [Page 30] counter flory as in the annexed example.

Ex. Argent, a double tressure, flory and counter-flory, gules.

CHARGES BORNE IN COATS OF ARMS.

At first when the Feudal System prevailed, not only in England, but other parts of Europe, none but military chieftains bore Coats of Arms. And as few persons held land under the Crown but by military tenure, that is, under the obligation of attending in person with a certain number of vassals and retainers when their services were required by the king for the defence of the state, heraldic honours were confined to the nobility, who were the great landholders of the kingdom. When they granted any portion of their territory to their knights and followers as rewards for deeds of prowess in the field or other services, the new possessors of the land retained the arms of their patrons with a slight difference to denote their subordinate degree. The ingenuity of the armorist was not then taxed to find a multitude of devices to distinguish every family. And when chivalry became the prevailing pursuit of all that sought honour and distinction by deeds of arms and gallant courtesy, the knights assumed the privilege that warriors in all ages have used; viz. that of choosing any device they pleased to ornament the crests of their helmets in the field of battle, or in the mock combat of the tournament: the knight was known and named from the device used as his crest. Thus the heralds, in introducing him to the judges of the field, or to the lady that bestowed [Page 31] the prizes, called him the Knight of the Swan, the Knight of the Lion, without mentioning any other title. And knights whose fame for gallantry and prowess was firmly established, had their crests painted over their coats of arms. In two or three generations the bearer of the arms established his right to a new crest, and the heralds, to preserve the memory of the ancient honour of the family, introduced the old crest into the coat of arms, either as a charge upon the principal ordinary, or on an unoccupied part of the field. This will in some measure account for the variety of animals and parts of animals found in shields of arms. When the sovereigns of Europe, to decrease the power of the great barons, bestowed estates and titles not only for deeds of arms, but wisdom in council, superior learning, and other qualities which the original bearers of arms thought beneath their notice, the heralds were obliged to invent new symbols in emblazoning the arms of the modern nobility; and when arms were granted to civic and commercial corporations, and to private individuals who had no claim to military honours, we can easily conceive that the ingenuity of the armorists was severely tested, and excuse the apparent confusion that prevailed in granting arms after the War of the Roses. Sir William Dugdale, in his treatise entitled "Ancient Usage in bearing Arms", states that, "Many errors have been and are still committed in granting coats of arms to such persons as have not advanced themselves by the sword, being such as rise by their judgment or skill in arts, affairs, and trades"; with good reason affirming that the latter should however only be allowed "notes or marks of honour fit for their calling, and to show forth the manner of their rising, and not be set off with those representations which in their nature are only proper for martial [Page 32] men."

It would be utterly impossible to give either a graphic or written description of all the charges in a book of this size or even in one ten times as large. The sun, moon, stars, comets, meteors, have been introduced to denote glory, grandeur, power, &c.; lions, leopards, tigers, serpents, stags, have been employed to signify courage, strength, prudence, swiftness, &c.

The application to certain exercises, such as war, hunting, music, fishing, has furnished lances, swords, armour, musical instruments, architecture, columns, chevrons, builders' tools, &c. Human bodies, or distinct parts of them, are frequently used as charges. Trees, plants, fruits, and flowers have also been admitted to denote the rarities, advantages, and singularities of different countries.

The relation of some creatures, figures, &c. to particular names has been a fruitful source for variety of arms. Thus, the family of Coningsby bears three conies; of Arundel, six swallows; of Corbet, a raven; of Urson, a bear; of Camel, a camel; of Starky, a stork; of Castleman, a castle triple-towered; of Shuttleworth, three weaver's shuttles. Hundreds of other names might be given, but the before-mentioned will be sufficient to show the reader the origin of many singular charges in coats of arms.

Not only were natural and artificial figures used, but the lack of information on Zoology and other branches of Natural History led to the introduction of fabulous animals, such as dragons, griffins, harpies, wiverns, &c. A great number of charges, indeed most of them that require explanation, will be found in the Dictionary of Heraldic Terms, which will prevent the necessity of describing them more at large in this part of the book.

THE EXTERNAL ORNAMENTS OF ESCUTCHEONS.

The ornaments that accompany or surround escutcheons were introduced to denote the birth, dignity, or office of the person to whom the coat of arms belongs. We shall merely give the names of the various objects in this place, and refer the reader to the different words in the Dictionary. Over regal escutcheons are placed the crown which pertains to the nation over which the sovereign presides. The crown is generally surmounted with a crest: as in the arms of the kings of England, the crown is surmounted by a lion statant, guardant, crowned.

Over the Papal arms is placed a tiara or triple crown, without a crest.

Above the arms of archbishops and bishops the mitre is placed instead of a crest.

Coronets are worn by all princes and peers. They vary in form according to the rank of the nobleman. A full description will be found in the Dictionary of the coronets of the prince of Wales, royal dukes, dukes, marquises, earls, viscounts, and barons.

Helmets are placed over arms, and show the rank of the person to whom the arms belong: 1st, by the metal of which they are made; 2dly, by their form; 3dly, by their position. See the word HELMET in the Dictionary.

Mantlings were the ancient coverings of helmets to preserve them and the bearers from the injuries of the weather. It is probable that they were highly ornamented with scroll-work of gold and silver, and their borders or edges cast into fanciful shapes. They are now formed into scroll-work proceeding from the sides of the helmet, and are great ornaments to an escutcheon. See a more full description under the word MANTLING.

CHAPEAUX.

A chapeau is an ancient hat or rather cap of dignity worn by dukes. They were formed of scarlet velvet and turned up with fur. They are frequently used instead of a wreath under the crests of noblemen and even gentlemen.

The wreath was formed by two large skeins of silk of different colours twisted together. This was worn at the lower part of the crest, not alone as an ornament, but to protect the head from the blow of a mace or sword. In Heraldry the wreath appears like a straight line or roll of two colours generally the same as the tinctures of the shield. The crest is usually placed upon the wreath.

The crest is the highest part among the ornaments of a coat of arms. It is called crest from the Latin word crista, which signifies comb or tuft.

Crests were used as marks of honour long before the introduction of Heraldry. The helmets and crests of the Greek and Trojan warriors are beautifully described by Homer. The German heralds pay great attention to crests, and depict them as towering to a great height above the helmet. Knights who were desirous of concealing their rank, or wished particularly to distinguish themselves either in the battle field or tourney, frequently decorated their helmets with plants or flowers, chimerical figures, animals, &c.; these badges were also assumed by their descendants. The difference between crests and badges as heraldic ornaments is, that the former are always placed on a wreath, in the latter they are attached to the helmet. The scroll is a label or ribbon containing the motto: it is usually placed beneath the shield and supporters; see the word MOTTO in the Dictionary.

CHAP. VI.

MARSHALLING CHARGES ON ESCUTCHEONS BY THE RULES OF HERALDRY.

The symbolic figures of Heraldry are so well known to those acquainted with the science in every kingdom of Europe, that if an Englishman was to send a written emblazonment or description of an escutcheon to a French, German, or Spanish artist acquainted with the English language, either of them could return a properly drawn and coloured escutcheon; but a correct emblazonment would be indispensable. A single word omitted would spoil the shield.

I.

The reader has already been informed that in emblazoning an escutcheon, the colour of the field is first named; then the principal ordinary, such as the fess, the chevron, &c., naming the tincture and form of the ordinary; then proceed to describe the charges on the field, naming their situation, metal, or colour; lastly, describe the charges on the ordinary.

II.

When an honourable ordinary or some one figure is placed upon another, whether it be a fess, chevron, cross, &c., it is always to be named after the ordinary or figure over which it is placed, with either the words surtout or overall.

III.

In the blazoning such ordinaries as are plain, the bare mention of them is sufficient; but if an ordinary should be formed of any of the curved or angular lines, such as invected, indented, &c., the lines must be named.

IV.

When a principal figure possesses the centre of the field, its position is not to be expressed; it is always understood to be in the middle of the shield.

V.

When the situation of a principal bearing is not expressed, it is always understood to occupy the centre of the field. Ex. See Azure, an annulet argent, p. 48.

VI.

The number of the points of mullets must be specified if more than five: also if a mullet or any other charge is pierced, it must be mentioned.

VII.

When a ray of the sun or other single figure is borne in any other part of the escutcheon than the centre, the point it issues from must be named.

VIII.

The natural colour of trees, plants, fruits, birds, &c., is to be expressed in emblazoning by the word proper; but if they vary from their natural colour, the tincture or metals that is used must be named.

IX.

Two metals cannot come in contact: thus or, cannot be placed on argent, but must be contrasted with a tincture.

X.

When there are many figures of the same species borne in coats of arms, their number must be observed as they stand, and properly expressed. The annexed arrangements of roundlets in shields will show how they are placed and described.

The two roundlets are arranged in pale, but they may appear in chief or base; or in fess, as in No. 2.

Three roundlets, two over one; if the single roundlet had been at the top, it would have been called one over two.

Three roundlets in bend. They might also be placed in fess, chief, base, or in pale.

Four roundlets, two over two. Some armorists call them cantoned as they form a square figure.

Five roundlets; two, one, two, in saltier.

Five roundlets; one, three, one, or in cross.

Six roundlets; two, two, two, paleway.

Six roundlets; three, two, one, in pile.

There are seldom more figures than seven, but no matter the number; they are placed in the same way, commencing with the figures at the top of the shield, or in chief. If the field was strewed all over with roundlets, this would be expressed by the word semé.

Marshalling coats of arms, is the act of disposing the arms of several persons in one escutcheon, so that their relation to each other may be clearly marked.

In Heraldry, the husband and wife are called baron and femme; and when they are descended from distinct families, both their arms are placed in the same escutcheon, divided by a perpendicular line through [Page 39] the centre of the shield. As this line runs in the same direction, and occupies part of the space in the shield appropriated to the ordinary called the pale, the shield is in heraldic language said to be parted per pale. The arms of the baron (the husband) are always placed on the dexter side of the escutcheon; and the femme (the wife), on the sinister side, as in the annexed example.

Parted per pale, baron and femme, two coats; first, or, a chevron gules; second, barry of twelve pieces, azure and argent.

If a widower marries again, the arms of both his wives are placed on the sinister side, which is parted per fess; that is, parted by an horizontal line running in the direction of the fess, and occupying the same place. The arms of the first wife are placed in the upper compartment of the shield, called the chief; the arms of the second wife in the lower compartment, called the base.

Parted per pale, baron and femme, three coats;—first, gules, on a bend azure, three trefoils vert: second, parted per fess, in chief azure, a mascle or, with a label argent for difference. In base ermine, a fess, dancette gules. The same rule would apply if the husband had three or more wives; they would all be placed in the sinister division of the shield.

Where the baron marries an heiress, he does not impale his arms with hers, as in the preceding examples, but bears them in an escutcheon of pretence in the centre of the shield, showing his pretension to her lands [Page 40] in consequence of his marriage with the lady who is legally entitled to them. The escutcheon of pretence is not used by the children of such marriage; they bear the arms of their father and mother quarterly, and so transmit them to posterity. Annexed is an example of the arms of the femme on escutcheon of pretence.

Baron and femme, two coats; first, gules, a saltier argent; second, on an escutcheon of pretence, azure, a chevron, or.

If a peeress in her own right, or the daughter of a peer, marries a private gentleman, their coats of arms are not conjoined paleways, as baron and femme, but are placed upon separate shields by the side of each other; they are usually inclosed in a mantel, the shield of the baron occupying the dexter side of the mantel, that of the femme the sinister; each party has a right to all the ornaments incidental to their rank. The femme claiming the arms of her father, has a right to his supporters and coronet. The baron, who only ranks as an esquire, has no right to supporters or coronet, but exhibits the proper helmet, wreath, and crest.

The peeress, by marrying one beneath her in rank, confers no dignity on her husband, but loses none of her own. She is still addressed as "your ladyship," though her husband only ranks as a gentleman; and it is for this reason that the arms cannot be conjoined in one shield as baron and femme.

Ex. Baron and femme, two atchievements. First, azure, a pile or, crest a star of six points, argent; second, gules, a cross flory argent, surmounted by an earl's coronet: supporters, on the dexter side a stag ducally gorged and chained, on the sinister side a [Page 41] griffin gorged and chained; motto, Honour and Truth.

In the arms of the femme joined to the paternal coat of the baron, the proper differences by which they were borne by the father of the lady must be inserted.

If the arms of the baron has a bordure, that must be omitted on the sinister side of the shield.

Archbishops and bishops impale the paternal arms with the arms of the see over which they preside, placing the arms of the bishopric on the dexter, and their paternal arms on the sinister side of the shield; a bishop does not emblazon the arms of his wife on the same shield with that which contains the arms of the see, but on a separate shield.

Arms of augmentation are marshalled according to the direction of the College of Heralds: they are usually placed on a canton in the dexter chief of the shield; in some cases they occupy the whole of the chief. The mark of distinction denoting a baronet is usually placed on an escutcheon, on the fess point of the shield.

The rules here laid down apply to funeral atchievements, banners, &c. The only difference, as will be [Page 42] seen by the annexed examples, is, that the ground of the hatchment is black, that surrounds the arms of the deceased, whether baron or femme, and white round the arms of the survivor.

In fig. 1. the black is left on the dexter side, showing that the husband is deceased, and that his wife survives him.

Fig. 2. shows that the husband survives the wife.

Fig. 3. shows that the husband and his first wife are deceased, and that the second wife is the survivor.

Fig. 4. The shield on the dexter side of the hatchment is parted per pale; first, the arms of the bishopric; second, the paternal arms of the bishop. The shield on the dexter side is the arms of the bishop impaling those of his wife as baron and femme; the ground of the hatchment is black round the sinister [Page 43] side of this shield, showing that it is the wife that is dead.

Fig. 5. is the hatchment of a lady that has died unmarried. The arms of females of all ranks are placed in a lozenge-shaped shield.

Fig. 6. is the hatchment of the widow of a bishop; the arms are the same as those displayed at fig. 4.: here the lozenge-shaped shield is parted per pale. Baron and femme:—first, parted paleways, on the dexter side the arms of the bishopric, on the sinister side the paternal arms of the bishop. Second, the arms of the femme: the widow of a bishop has a right to exhibit the arms of the see over which her husband presided, as though his death has dissolved all connection with the see. She has a right to emblazon all that will honour her deceased husband.

For banners, pennons, guidons, cyphers, hatchments, &c., and all other matters where heraldic emblazonment is used in funeral processions, the reader is referred to the Dictionary.

CHAP. VII.

ORDER OF PRECEDENCY.

The order of precedency to be observed in England was settled by an act of parliament passed in the thirty-first year of the reign of Henry VIII. The order has been varied at different periods to accord with the alterations in the families of the reigning monarchs, and the creation of new offices. The following table shows the order of precedency at the present time, viz. the eighth year of the reign of Queen Victoria.

• The Queen.
• The Prince of Wales.
• The Queen's Children.
• Prince Albert of Saxe Cobourg and Gotha.
• The Queen's Uncles.
• The Children of the Queen's Uncles.

The following dignitaries precede all Dukes, except those of the blood royal:—

• Archbishop of Canterbury, primate of all England.
• Lord High Chancellor or Keeper.
• Archbishop of York, primate of England.
• Lord High Treasurer.
• Lord President of the Privy Council.
• Lord Privy Seal.

The following dignitaries precede all of their own [Page 45] degree:—

• The Earl Marshal.
• Lord Steward of her Majesty's household.
• Lord Chamberlain.
• Secretaries of State.
  
  
• Dukes according to the date of their patent.
• Marquises according to the date of their patent.
• Dukes' eldest Sons.
• Earls according to their patents.
• Marquises' eldest Sons.
• Dukes' younger Sons.
• Viscounts according to their patents.
• Earls' eldest Sons.
• Marquises' younger Sons.
• Bishops of London, Durham, and Winchester; all other Bishops according to their seniority of consecration.
• Barons according to their patents.
• Speaker of the House of Commons.
• Viscounts' eldest Sons.
• Earls' younger Sons.
• Barons' eldest Sons.
• Knights of the Garter, commoners.
• Privy Councillors, commoners.
• Chancellor of the Exchequer.
• Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster.
• Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench.
• Master of the Rolls.
• The Vice-Chancellor of England.
• Lord Chief Justice of the Common Pleas.
• Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer.
• Judges and Barons of the degree of the Coif, according to seniority
• Viscounts' younger Sons. [Page 46]
• Barons' younger Sons.
• Baronets.
• Knights of the Bath.
• Knights Commanders of the Bath.
• Field and Flag Officers.
• Knights Bachelors.
• Masters in Chancery.
• Doctors graduate.
• Serjeants at Law.
• Esquires of the King's Body.
• Esquires of the Knights of the Bath.
• Esquires by creation.
• Esquires by office.
• Clergymen, Barristers at Law, Officers in the Royal Navy and Army who are Gentlemen by Profession, and Gentlemen entitled to bear arms.
• Citizens.
• Burgesses.

The Lords Spiritual of Ireland rank next after the Lords Spiritual of Great Britain; the priority of signing any treaty or public instrument by the members of the government is always taken by rank of place, not by title.

The style prefixed to the titles of the peerage of Great Britain and Ireland are as follows :—

• Princes of the Blood, His Royal Highness.
• Archbishops, His Grace.
• Dukes, The Most Noble His Grace.
• Marquesses, the Most Honorable.
• Earls, Viscounts, and Barons, The Right Honorable.
• Bishops, The Right Reverend.

DICTIONARY

OF

HERALDIC TERMS

ABAISSÉ. A French word, generally used in heraldry instead of the English word abased. When the fess, or any other ordinary properly placed above the fess point of the shield, is brought below it, that ordinary is said to be abaissé.

ABATEMENT. Any figure added to coats of arms tending to lower the dignity or station of the bearer. Thus, the baton, denoting illegitimacy, is an abatement: so, also, are the differences in coats of arms showing the degrees of consanguinity.

ADDORSED. Any animals set back to back. See LION.

ALLERION. An eagle displayed, without beak or feet.

Ex. Argent, an allerion gules.

ALTERNATE. Figures or tinctures that succeed each other by turns.

AMETHYST. A precious stone of a violet colour, the name of which was formerly used instead of purpure, to denote the purple tincture when emblazoning the arms of the English nobility.

ANNULET. A small circle borne as a charge in coats of [Page 48] arms.

Ex. Azure, an annulet argent. Annulets are added to arms for a difference. See DIFFERENCES, p. 13.

ANCIENT. A small flag or ensign. The bearer of the flag was called by its name. Iago was ancient to the troops commanded by Othello.

"This is Othello's ancient, as I take it.
The same indeed, a very valiant fellow." SHAKSPEARE.     

ARCHBISHOPS. Church dignitaries of the first class. There are but two in England—the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Archbishop of York. The former is the first peer of England next to the royal family, and has the title of Grace given to him; and likewise Most Reverend Father in God. He is styled Primate of all England, and Metropolitan.

The Archbishop of York has precedence of dukes and great officers of state, except the lord chancellor. He is called His Grace and Most Reverend Father in God; and styled Primate of England and Metropolitan.

ARGENT. The French word for silver, of which metal all white fields or charges are supposed to consist.

ARMED. This word is used to express the horns, hoofs, beak, or talons of any beast or bird of prey, when borne of a different tincture from those of their bodies.

Ex. Crest, a demi-griffin armed, gules.

[Page 49] ARMORIST. A person skilled in the bearings of coats of arms, and all relating to their emblazonment.

ARMS. A word derived from the Latin arma, which signifies in Heraldry a mark of honour, serving to distinguish states, cities, families, &c.

ARROWS. Short darts feathered at the ends.

Ex. Argent, three arrows paleways, points in chief sable, feathered.

ASPECTANT. Animals placed face to face in a charge are said to be aspectant. If they are about to attack each other, they are said to be combatant.

ASSUMPTIVE. Arms assumed without being sanctioned by a grant from the College of Heralds.

ASSURGENT. A man or beast rising out of the sea is said to be assurgent.

ATCHIEVEMENT. The coat of arms fully emblazoned according to the rules of Heraldry. The lozenge-shaped atchievements that are displayed on the outside of the houses of persons deceased are commonly called Hatchments.

ATTIRED. When the horns of a stag are of a different tincture to its head, it is said to be attired.

Ex. Argent, a stag lodged, proper, attired, or

AUGMENTATION. This word signifies in Heraldry a particular mark of honour, granted by the sovereign in consideration of some noble action, or by favour; and either quartered with the family arms, or on an [Page 50] escutcheon or canton.

Ex. Ermine, on a chevron azure, three foxes' heads erased, argent. The augmentation is in a canton azure, a fleur-de-lis argent.

AZURE. The French word for blue: it is distinguished in heraldic engraving by lines running parallel to each other in an horizontal direction, as in the annexed example.

BADGE. A distinctive mark worn by servants, retainers, and followers of royalty or nobility, who, being beneath the rank of gentlemen, have no right to armorial bearings. The rose and crown is the badge of the servants, &c., of the Kings of England: they are displayed as in the annexed example.

BANDED. Anything tied with a band.

Ex. Argent. Three arrows proper, banded.

BANNER. The principal standard of a knight. The great banner borne at the funeral of a nobleman contains all the quarterings of his arms: it varies in size according to the rank of the deceased. The banner of the sovereign is five feet square; that of a prince or duke, four feet square; for all noblemen of inferior rank, three feet square.

BANNER ROLL is a small square flag containing a single escutcheon of the deceased. Thus, if there are twelve quarterings in the banner, the same number of banner rolls will be required to be borne in the funeral procession. The annexed engraving shows the banner and banner-roll.

BAR. An honourable ordinary, occupying one-fifth of the shield. It may be placed in any part of the field. It has two diminutives, the closet and barrulet.

Ex. Ermine, two bars gules.

BARBED. Bearded. It is also applied to roses.

Ex. Azure, a rose argent, barbed, and seeded proper.

BARON. The lowest title of the peerage of Great Britain.

BARON AND FEMME. Terms used in Heraldry to denote [Page 52] the arms of a man and his wife, marshalled together. See p. 38.

BARRULET. The smallest diminutive of the bar. The closet is half the bar; the barrulet half the closet.

Ex. Gules, two barrulets argent.

BARRY. A field divided transversely into several equal parts, and consisting of two different tinctures interchangeably disposed.

Ex. Barry of eight pieces, azure and argent.

BATON. BATUNE. BASTON. It is generally used as an abatement in coats of arms to denote illegitimacy.

Ex. Or, a cross gules, over all a baton argent.

BATTERING RAM. An instrument used for battering down walls before gunpowder was known in Europe: it is frequently borne as a charge in a coat of arms.

Ex. Argent, a battering ram proper.

BATTLE AXE. An ancient military weapon, frequently borne on arms as a mark of prowess.

Ex. Argent, three battle axes gules two over one.

BATTLEMENTS. Divisions or apertures on the top of castle walls or towers.

Ex. Gules, three towers embattled argent.

BEAKED. The beak of a bird being of a different tint from the body is said to be beaked.

Ex. An eagle's head erased, beaked, or.

BEAVER. That part of the helmet that defends the sight.

BELLED. Having bells.

Ex. Argent, a barrulet gules, belled with three bells proper.

BEND. One of the honourable ordinaries formed by [Page 54] two diagonal lines drawn from the dexter chief to the sinister base; it generally occupies a fifth part of the shield if uncharged, but if charged one third.

Ex. Azure, a bend argent.

BEND SINISTER. Is the reverse of the bend; it is seldom found in coats of arms, as it is reckoned an abatement.

Ex. Argent, a bend sinister gules.

IN BEND. Figures placed in a slanting direction from the dexter chief to the sinister base are said to be in bend.

Ex. Or, three torteaux in bend.

BENDLET. A diminutive of the bend, of the same shape, but only half the width of the bend.

BENDY. This word serves to denote a field divided diagonally into several bends, varying in metal and colour.

Ex. Bendy of six pieces, azure and argent.

BESANT, or BEZANT. Gold coin of Byzantium; when they appear in a coat of arms their colour is not described: a besant is always or.

BILLETS. This charge is, by some authors, supposed to represent tiles or bricks; by others that it represents a letter or billet. The name and form of the charge most accords with the latter opinion.

Ex. Argent, three billets azure, two over one.

BISHOPS. Church dignitaries: they are barons of the realm, and have precedence next to viscounts: they have the title of lords, and right reverend fathers in God.

BLAZON. To describe in proper colours, or lines representing colours, all that belongs to coats of arms. Arms may also be emblazoned by describing the charges and tinctures of a coat of arms in heraldic terms.

BLUE-MANTEL. A title of one of the pursuivants at arms. See HERALD.

BORDURE or BORDER. This was the most ancient difference in coats of arms, to distinguish different branches of the same family. It is a border round the edge of the shield. Its situation is always the same; but the inner edge may be varied.

Ex. Argent, a sinister hand couped at the wrist and erected gules, within a bordure azure.

BOTTONNY. See CROSS BOTTONNY.

BOUJET. An ancient water bucket, frequently borne in shields of arms.

Ex. Argent, a boujet proper.

BRACED. Two figures of the same form, interlacing each other.

Ex. Vert, two triangles braced, argent.

BRASED and BRAZED are words sometimes used by ancient armorists. They always describe things interlaced or braced together.

BROAD ARROW. An ancient weapon of war, thrown by an engine. It is frequently borne as a charge in coats of arms.

Ex. Argent, a broad arrow gules.

CABOCHED or CABOSHED. Beasts' heads borne without any part of the neck, and full faced.

Ex. Argent, a stag's head caboshed, proper.

CALTROP. An iron instrument made to annoy an enemy's cavalry. They were formed of iron, being four spikes conjoined in such a manner that one was always upwards. It is found in many ancient coats of arms.

Ex. Argent, a caltrop proper.

CANTON. The French word for corner. It is a small square figure, generally placed at the dexter chief of the shield, as in the annexed example.

CELESTIAL CROWN. Distinguished from any other crown by the stars on the points or rays that proceed from the circlet.

CHAPEAU. Cap of maintenance or dignity, borne only by sovereign princes. It is formed of crimson or scarlet velvet, lined with ermine.

CHAPLET. An ancient ornament for the head, granted to gallant knights for acts of courtesy. It is frequently borne as a charge in a shield of arms, and always tinted in its natural colours.

Ex. Argent, a chaplet proper.

CHARGE. The figures or bearings contained in an escutcheon.

CHECKY. The field covered with alternate squares of metal and fur.

Ex. Checky, sable and argent.

CHEVRON. This ordinary is supposed to represent the rafters of the gable of a house.

Ex. Or, a chevron gules.

CHEVRONEL. The diminutive of the chevron, being one half its size.

Ex. Argent, two chevronels gules.

CHIEF. One of the honourable ordinaries. It is placed on the upper part of the shield and contains a third part of it. The letters show the points in the chief. A is the dexter chief; B, the precise middle chief; C, the sinister chief.

CHIMERICAL FIGURES. Imaginary figures, such as griffins, dragons, harpies, &c.: all of them will be found under their proper names.

CINQUE FOIL. Five leaves conjoined in the centre.

CIVIC CAP. A cap of dignity borne by mayors of cities or corporate bodies: it is formed of sables garnished with ermine.

CLARION. A horn or trumpet borne in this shape in English and German coat-armour.

Ex. Azure, three clarions or.

CLENCHED. The fingers pressed towards the palm of the hand.

Ex. Azure, a dexter arm vambraced couped, the fist clenched proper.

CLOSE. A bird with its wings closed.

CLOSET.. A diminutive of the bar, being only one half its width.

Ex. Or, two closets azure. [Page 60]

CLOSEGIRT. A figure whose dress is fastened round the waist.

Ex. Gules, an angel erect with wings expanded or, dress closegirt.

COAT ARMOUR, or Surcoat. A loose garment worn over the armour of a knight; hence the term coat of arms. On this garment were emblazoned the armorial bearings of the wearer.

COCKATRICE. A chimerical animal, a cock with a dragon's tail and wings.

COLLARED. Having a collar. Dogs and inferior animals are sometimes collared: the supporters and charges are generally said to be gorged. See GORGED.

COMBATANT. A French word for fighting. See LION.

COMPLEMENT. The Heraldic term for the full moon. When this figure is introduced as a charge in a coat of arms, it is called a moon in her complement.

COMPONY. A term applied to a bordure, pale, bend, [Page 61] or any other ordinary, made up of squares of alternate metal and colour.

Ex. Argent, an inescutcheon azure, border compony, or and gules.

CONJOINED. Joined together.

Ex. Argent, three legs armed, conjoined at the fess point at the upper extremity of the thigh, flexed in a triangle, garnished and spurred, or.

CONY. An heraldic name for a young rabbit.

COTICE. One of the diminutives of the bend: cotices are generally borne on each side of the bend.

Ex. Gules, a bend argent, coticed of the same.

The cotices are frequently of a different tincture from the bend they cotice.

COUCHANT. The French word for lying down with the breast towards the earth, and the head raised. See LION COUCHANT.

COUNT. A nobleman that was deputed by the king to govern a county or shire: the title is not used in the British Peerage; his rank is equal to an earl.

COUNTER. In Heraldry implies contrariety, as in the following examples:—

COUNTER-CHANGED. The intermixture of metal with colours opposed to each other.

Ex. Per pale, or and azure, on a chevron, three mullets all counter-changed.

COUNTER SALIENT. Two animals leaping different ways from each other.

Ex. Argent, two foxes counter salient.

COUNTER PASSANT. Two animals passing the contrary way to each other.

Ex. Or, two lions passant counter passant gules, the uppermost facing the sinister side of the escutcheon, both collared sable, garnished argent.

COUNTER FLORY. Any ordinary ornamented with fleurs-de-luce: the points of the flowers run alternately in a contrary direction.

Ex. Or, a pale purpure, flory and counter flory gules.

COUPED. From the French word couper, to cut. The [Page 63] cross in the example is couped, part of it being cut off, so as not to touch the edges of the shield.

Ex. Azure, a cross couped argent.

COUPED. The head or limbs of any animal cut close is called couped.

Ex. Argent, a boar's head proper couped.

COUPLE-CLOSE. One of the diminutives of the chevron, half the size of the chevronel.

Ex. Argent, three couple-closes interlaced vert.

COURANT. Running.

Ex. Argent, a stag proper courant.

CRENELLE. The French heraldic term for embattled. See EMBATTLED.

CRESCENT. The half moon with its horns turned [Page 64] upwards.

Ex. Azure, a crescent argent.

CREST. The ornament on the upper part of the helmet in Heraldry placed over coats of arms, either with or without the helmet. By referring to the title-page of this work the crests of Great Britain will be found with all the adornments of regal helmets.

The English crest is a crown surmounted by a lion statant guardant crowned, or.

The Scottish crest is an imperial crown, surmounted by a lion sejant guardant, displaying two sceptres or.

The Irish crest is an ancient diadem surmounted by an embattled tower, a stag courant issuing from the portal.

The crest of Wales is a dragon passant guardant, gules.—The whole of these crests, with mantlings, &c., are emblazoned on the title-page of this Manual.

Crests are usually displayed upon a wreath as in the annexed example, which is a demi-lion rampant. If a crest this size had been placed upon an helmet of proportionate size it must have occupied a sixth part of this page, and the shield containing the arms to be in proportion considerably larger: in showing the crest without the helmet proportion is of little consequence. See HELMET, WREATH, and MANTLING.

CRESTED. A cock or other bird, whose comb is of a different tincture from the body, is said to be crested. See JOWLOPED.

CRINED. This is said of an animal whose hair is of a different tincture from its body.

Ex. Argent, a mermaid gules, crined or.

CROSIER. The pastoral staff of a bishop or abbot: a very frequent charge in ecclesiastical arms.

Ex. Or, a crosier gules, in bend.

CROSS. An honourable ordinary, more used as a charge in a coat of arms than any of the others. During the Crusades for the recovery of the Holy Land, the troops of the different nations that joined in the Crusade displayed crosses on their banners and arms: every soldier bore a cross upon his dress; this was composed of two pieces of list or riband of equal length, crossing each other at right angles. The soldiers of France attached their national emblem, the fleur-de-lis, to the ends of the members of the cross; hence the introduction of the cross flory. The Crusaders from the Papal dominions placed transverse pieces on each member of the plain cross, and by this means transformed it into four small crosses springing from a centre, forming what is now called the cross-crosslet. It would be impossible within the limits of this work to give an example of all the [Page 66] crosses that have been introduced as bearings in coats of arms. Berry, in his comprehensive work on Heraldry, gives nearly two hundred examples, without giving all that might be found. The following are the crosses most used in English Heraldry.

Cross		Cross potent
Cross flory		Cross crosslet
Cross bottonny		Cross pattee
Cross raguly		Cross patonce
Cross moline		Cross quadrate

Cross quarter-pierced		Cross of Calvary
Cross fitchy		Cross patriarchal

Cross potent rebated

CURTANA. The pointless swor