E-text prepared by Robert Connal, Wallace McLean, Lesley Halamek, and the
Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team
(https://www.pgdp.net)
Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this
file which includes the original illustrations.
See 16273-h.htm or 16273-h.zip:
(https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/6/2/7/16273/16273-h/16273-h.htm)
or
(https://www.gutenberg.org/dirs/1/6/2/7/16273/16273-h.zip)
+-----------------------------------------------------------------+
| Transcriber's Note: The following changes have been made to |
| inconsistent spelling in the original text: Chap. IV.: 'scarpe' |
| for 'scrape'; and, in the dictionary: SEMÉ/semé for SEME/seme. |
+-----------------------------------------------------------------+
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.
London:
R. Clay, Printer, Bread Street Hill.
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
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. 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 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, &c., 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.
[Illustration: Escutcheon]
[Illustration: Lozenge]
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 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:
[Illustration]
|-----------------|
| A B C | A, the dexter chief.
| | B, the precise middle chief.
| D | C, the sinister chief.
| | D, the honour point.
| E | E, the fess point.
| | F, the nombril point.
| F | G, the dexter base.
| | H, the precise middle base.
| G H I | 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--
yellow,
white,
red,
blue,
black,
green,
purple,
orange,
murrey.
These colours are denoted in engravings by various lines or dots, as
follows:
[Illustration: OR]
OR, which signifies _gold_, and in colour yellow, is expressed by
dots.
[Illustration: ARGENT]
ARGENT signifies _silver_ or _white_: it is left quite plain.
[Illustration: GULES]
GULES signifies _red_: it is expressed by lines drawn from the chief
to the base of the shield.
[Illustration: AZURE]
AZURE signifies _blue_: it is represented by lines drawn from the
dexter to the sinister side of the shield, parallel to the chief.
[Illustration: VERT]
VERT signifies _green_: it is represented by slanting lines, drawn
from the dexter to the sinister side of the shield.
[Illustration: PURPURE]
PURPURE, or _purple_, is expressed by diagonal lines, drawn from the
sinister to the dexter side of the shield.
[Illustration: SABLE]
SABLE, or _black_, is expressed by horizontal and perpendicular
lines crossing each other.
[Illustration: TENNE]
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.
[Illustration: SANGUINE]
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.
[Illustration: BEZANT]
BEZANT, _Or_.
[Illustration: HURTS]
HURTS, _Azure_.
[Illustration: PLATE]
PLATE, _Argent_.
[Illustration: TORTEAUX]
TORTEAUX, _gules_.
[Illustration: GOLPE]
GOLPE, _purpure_.
[Illustration: ORANGE]
ORANGE, _tenne_.
[Illustration: POMEIS]
POMEIS, _vert_.
[Illustration: PELLET]
PELLET, _sable_.
[Illustration: GUZES]
GUZES, _sanguine_.
FURS.
_Furs_ are used to ornament garments of state and denote dignity: they
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.
[Illustration: ERMINE]
ERMINE--white powdered with black tufts.
[Illustration: ERMINES]
ERMINES--field sable, powdering argent.
[Illustration: ERMINOIS]
ERMINOIS--field or, powdering sable.
[Illustration: PEAN]
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.
[Illustration: VAIR]
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.
[Illustration: COUNTER-VAIR]
COUNTER-VAIR, is when the bells are placed base against base, and
point against point.
[Illustration: POTENT]
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.
[Illustration: POTENT COUNTER-POTENT.]
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
[Illustration: Engrailed]
Invected
[Illustration: Invected]
Wavy, or undé
[Illustration: Wavy]
Embattled, or crenelle
[Illustration: Embattled]
Nebule
[Illustration: Nebule]
Indented
[Illustration: Indented]
Dancette
[Illustration: Dancette]
Angled
[Illustration: Angled]
Bevilled
[Illustration: Bevilled]
Escartelle
[Illustration: Escartelle]
Nowy, or franché
[Illustration: Nowy]
Dove-tailed
[Illustration: Dove-tailed]
Embattled grady: sometimes called battled embattled
[Illustration: Embattled grady]
Potent
[Illustration: Potent]
Double arched
[Illustration: Double arched]
Arched or enarched
[Illustration: Arched]
Urdée
[Illustration: Urdée]
Radient
[Illustration: Radient]
If a shield is divided into four equal parts, it is said to be
quartered: this may be done two ways, viz.--
[Illustration: Quartered per cross]
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.
[Illustration: Quartered per Saltier]
QUARTERED PER SALTIER, which is made by two diagonal lines, dexter and
sinister, crossing each other in the centre of the field.
[Illustration: Quarterings]
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 coat
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.
[Illustration: Monastery of Bermondsey arms.]
[Illustration: or, a bordure engrailed, gules]
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
[Illustration: Label]
Second Son, the CRESCENT
[Illustration: Crescent]
Third Son, the MULLET
[Illustration: Mullet]
Fourth Son, the MARTLET
[Illustration: Martlet]
Fifth Son, the ANNULET
[Illustration: Annulet]
Sixth Son, the FLEUR-DE-LIS
[Illustration: Fleur-de-Lis]
Seventh Son, the ROSE
[Illustration: Rose]
Eighth Son, the CROSS MOLINE
[Illustration: Cross Moline]
Ninth Son, the DOUBLE QUATREFOIL
[Illustration: 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 centre 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 centre 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 diminution.
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.
[Illustration: Baton]
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.
[Illustration: Chief]
Any of the lines before described may be used to form the chief.
[Illustration: 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.
[Illustration: Fillet]
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.
[Illustration: Pale]
Ex. Azure, a pale, or.
The pale may be formed of any of the lines before 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.
[Illustration: Pallet]
Ex. Argent, a pallet, gules.
The pale has another diminutive one fourth its size; it is called an
_endorse_.
[Illustration: 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.
[Illustration: Bend]
Ex. Argent, a bend, vert.
The bend has four diminutives, viz. the _garter_ which is half the
breadth of the bend.
[Illustration: Garter]
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.
[Illustration: Cotice]
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.
[Illustration: Riband]
Ex. Argent, a riband vert.
[Illustration: Bendlet]
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.
[Illustration: bend sinister]
Ex. Argent, a bend sinister, purpure.
The _scarpe_ is the diminutive of the bend sinister, and is half its
size.
[Illustration: scarpe]
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.
[Illustration: baton]
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.
[Illustration: fess]
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 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.
[Illustration: Bar]
Ex. Gules, two bars, argent.
The _closet_ is a diminutive of the bar, and is half its width.
[Illustration: Closet]
Ex. Argent, two closets, azure.
The _barrulet_ is half the width of the closet.
[Illustration: Barrulet]
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.
[Illustration: Gemels]
Ex. Azure, two bars, gemels, argent.
When the shield contains a number of bars of metal and colour
alternate, exceeding five, it is called _barry_ of so many pieces,
expressing their numbers.
[Illustration: Barry]
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.
[Illustration: Chevron]
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.
[Illustration: Chevronels]
Ex. Argent, two chevronels, gules.
And the _couple-close_, which is half the chevronel.
[Illustration: Couple-closes]
Ex. Gules, three couple-closes interlaced in base, or.
_Braced_ is sometimes used for interlaced. See the word 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.
[Illustration: Cross]
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, &c., 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.
[Illustration: Saltier]
Ex. Gules, a saltier, argent.
Like the cross, the saltier may be borne engrailed, wavy, &c., 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:--
[Illustration: Gyron]
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.
[Illustration: Gyrony]
Ex. Gyrony of eight pieces, argent and gules.
[Illustration: Canton]
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 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.
[Illustration: Lozenge]
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.
[Illustration: Fusil]
Ex. Argent, a fusil, purpure.
The _mascle_ is in the shape of a lozenge but perforated through its
whole extent except a narrow border.
[Illustration: Mascle]
Ex. Gules, a mascle, argent.
The _fret_ is formed by two lines interlaced in saltier with a mascle.
[Illustration: Fret]
Ex. Azure, a fret, argent.
_Fretty_ is when the shield is covered with lines crossing each other
diagonally and interlaced.
[Illustration: Fretty]
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.
[Illustration: Pile]
Ex. Argent, a pile, azure.
The _inescutcheon_ is a small escutcheon borne within the shield.
[Illustration: Inescutcheon]
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.
[Illustration: Orle]
Ex. Azure, an orle, argent.
The _flanche_ is formed by two curved lines nearly touching each other
in the centre of the shield.
[Illustration: Flanche]
Ex. Azure, a flanche, argent.
In the _flasque_ the curved lines do not approach so near each other.
[Illustration: Flasque]
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.
[Illustration: Voider]
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.
[Illustration: Tressure]
Ex. Or, a double tressure, gules.
Tressures are generally ornamented, or borne flory or counter flory as
in the annexed example.
[Illustration: Ornamented double tressure]
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 the prizes, called him the Knight
of the Swan, the Knight of the Lion, &c., 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 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, &c.,
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, &c., 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. (Dictionary)
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.
[Illustration: Two roundlets in pale]
[Illustration: Two roundlets in fess]
The two roundlets are arranged in pale, but they may appear in chief
or base; or in fess, as in No. 2.
[Illustration: Three roundlets, two over one]
Three roundlets, two over one; if the single roundlet had been at the
top, it would have been called _one over two_.
[Illustration: Three roundlets in bend]
Three roundlets in bend. They might also be placed in fess, chief,
base, or in pale.
[Illustration: Four roundlets, two over two]
Four roundlets, two over two. Some armorists call them _cantoned_ as
they form a square figure.
[Illustration: Five roundlets in saltier]
Five roundlets; two, one, two, in saltier.
[Illustration: Five roundlets in cross]
Five roundlets; one, three, one, or in cross.
[Illustration: Six roundlets paleway]
Six roundlets; two, two, two, paleway.
[Illustration: Six roundlets in pile]
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
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.
[Illustration: Parted per pale, baron and femme, two coats]
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.
[Illustration: Parted per pale, baron and femme, three coats]
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 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.
[Illustration: Baron and femme, two coats]
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 griffin gorged and
chained; motto, Honour and Truth.
[Illustration: Baron and femme, two atchievements]
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 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.
[Illustration: 1]
In fig. 1. the black is left on the dexter side, showing that the
husband is deceased, and that his wife survives him.
[Illustration: 2]
Fig. 2. shows that the husband survives the wife.
[Illustration: 3]
Fig. 3. shows that the husband and his first wife are deceased, and
that the second wife is the survivor.
[Illustration: 4]
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 (sic) 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 side of this shield, showing
that it is the wife that is dead.
[Illustration: 5]
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.
[Illustration: 6]
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 (sic) 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.