Heraldry

Properly, heraldry is the science of a herald's duties. But more commonly the term is used to describe the knowledge of the forms, terms and laws which pertain to the use of armorial bearings or "coats of arms". In this section you will find comprehensive details of the bearings to be found upon coats of arms, and the terms used to describe heraldic devices and their significance.

A

A BOUCHE

Inheraldry, A bouche refers to a shape ofshield. Basically rectangular, it is distinguished by the presence of a notch (lancerest) at thedexterchiefposition.

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ABASED

Inheraldry, abased describes something borne lower than usual and also describes abirdrepresented as having the ends of the wings turned downward towards the point of theshield.

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ABATEMENT

Inheraldryan abatement is a mark of dishonour on anescutcheon.

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ABYSS

Inheraldry, the abyss is the centre of anescutcheon.

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ACCIDENT

Inheraldry, an accident is a point or mark which may be retained or omitted in a coat of arms.

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ACCOLLEE

Inheraldry, accollee means placed side by side; also, entwined about theneck.

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ACCOSTED

Inheraldry, accosted means supported on both sides by other charges and also, side by side.

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ACCRUED

Inheraldry, accrued means grown to maturity.

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ACHIEVEMENT

Inheraldry, an achievement means anycompleteheraldiccomposition.

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ADDITION

Inheraldry, an addition is something added to a coat of arms, as a mark of honour the opposite of anabatement.

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ADDORSED

Inheraldry, addorsed means set or turned back to back; pointing backwards.

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ADUMBRATION

Inheraldry, adumbration is the shadow or outlines of a figure.

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AFFRONTE

Inheraldry, affronte means face to face, or front to front.

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AILETTE

Inheraldry, an ailette (or emerass) is a smallescutcheonwhich was fixed to the shoulders of armedknights. They were made ofsteeland introduced during the reign ofEdward I, forming the origin of the modernepaulette.

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ALANT

Inheraldry, an alant is amastiffwith short ears.

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ALERION

Alerion (allerion) is a name sometimes given by early Heralds to the heraldiceagle, which, when blazoned under thistitle, was also sometimes drawn without legs orbeak.

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ALLOCAMELUS

Inheraldry, the allocamelus is a device representing a mythical creature which is partcameland partass. The device was first borne on the arms of the Eastland Company, and later in the 19th century by the Russia Company.

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AMBULANT

Inheraldry, ambulant means in the act of walking.

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AMETHYST

Inheraldry, amethyst is a purple colour in a nobleman'sescutcheon, or coat of arms.

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ANCHOR

Inheraldrythe anchor is an emblem of hope.

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ANCHORED

Inheraldry, anchored describes something as having the extremities turned back, like the flukes of ananchor.

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ANIME

Inheraldry, anime describes the eyes of a rapaciousanimalas being of a differenttincturefrom theanimalitself.

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ANNODATED

Inheraldry, annodated means curved somewhat in the form of the letter S.

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ANNULET

Inheraldry, an annulet is a small circle, like a link ofchainmailborne as a charge. In modernheraldrythe annulet is acadency markrepresenting the fifth son orbrother.

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ANNULETEE

Inheraldry, annuletee means ending in annulets.

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ANSERATED

Inheraldry, anserated describes something, a cross for example, as having the extremities terminate in the heads of eagles,lions, etc.

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ANTIQUE CROWN

Inheraldry, an antique crown is a crown with fivetriangularpoints rising from the rim.

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APPAUME

Inheraldry, appaume describes a hand open, erect and extended so as to show the palm to the spectator.

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AQUILATED

Inheraldry, aquilated means adorned with eagles' heads.

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ARCHED

Inheraldry, arched means bent or bowed.

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ARCHY

Inheraldry, archy means bent or bowed.

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ARGENT

Inheraldry, argent is the white colour in coats of arms, intended to representsilver, or, figuratively, purity, innocence, beauty, or gentleness. It is represented inengravingby a plain white surface.

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ARMED

Inheraldry, the term armed describes beasts and birds of prey as having their natural weapons - horns, abeak, talons, &c in a different colour to the rest of theirbody.

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ARMIGER

Inheraldry, an armiger is someone, a rank below that of aknight, who is entitled to a coat of arms. Originally an armiger was the person who carried a knight'sarmour.

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ARMS

Inheraldry, arms are the ensigns armorial of a family, consisting of figures and colours borne in shields, banners, &c., as marks ofdignityand distinction, and descending from father to son.

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ARMS OF ALLIANCE

Inheraldry, arms of alliance are arms which come into a man's possession by matrimonial alliances, as the arms of his wife, which are impaled with his own, and those of heiresses which he, in likemanner, quarters.

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ARMS OF COMMUNITY

Inheraldry, arms of community are the heraldic arms borne by Corporate and other Bodies and Communities, such as cities, colleges &c.

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ARRONDIE

Inheraldry, arrondie means curved, rounded.

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ASCENDANT

Inheraldry, ascendant means issuing upwards, like aflowerfor example.

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ASHEN KEYS

Inheraldry, ashen keys is the name given to the seed-vessels of theashtree when represented upon anescutcheon.

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ASPECT

Inheraldry, aspect means position.

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ASPECTANT

Inheraldry, aspectant means facing each other.

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ASPERSED

Inheraldry, aspersed means having an indefinite number of small charges scattered or strewed over the surface.

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ASSUMPTIVE ARMS

Inheraldry, assumptive arms were originally arms which a person had a right toassume, in consequence of an exploit; now the term is applied to those arms assumed without the sanction of the Heralds' College.

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AT GAZE

Inheraldry, at gaze describes figures of thestag,hart,buckor hind represented with the face turned directly to the front on anescutcheon.

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AT SPEED

Inheraldry, at speed describes figures of thestag,hart,buckor hind represented as though running very fast.

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ATTIRED

Inheraldry, attired describes astagprovided withantlers.

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AUGMENTATION

Inheraldryan augmentation is an additional charge to a coat of arms, given as a mark of honour.

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AURIFLAMME

Inheraldry, an auriflamme is a blue flag bearing three goldenfleur-de-lys.

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AVELLANE

Inheraldry, avellane describes something such as a cross in the form of four unhusked filberts.

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AZURE

Inheraldry, azure is a blue colour, represented inengravingby horizontal parallel lines.

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B

BADELAIRE

Inheraldrya badelaire is a broad-bladedsword, orscimitar, slightly curved.

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BADGE

Inheraldry, a badge, or cognisance is a distinctive mark somewhat similar to acrest, though not placed on awreath, nor worn on thehelmet. They were rather supplemental bearings quite independent of the charge of the original arms, and were borne on the banners, ensigns, caparisons, and even on the breasts, and more frequently on the sleeves of servants and followers.

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BAGUE

Inheraldrya bague is agemor finger ring.

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BAGWYN

Inheraldry, a bagwyn is an imaginary beast like the heraldicantelope, but having the tail of ahorse, and long horns curved over the ears.

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BAILLONNE

Inheraldry, baillonne describesanimalembellishments when they have abatonin theirmouth.

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BALLET

Inheraldry, a ballet is a bearing in coats of arms, representing one or more balls, which are denominated bezants, plates, etc., according to their colour.

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BAR

Inheraldrya bar is an ordinary formed after themannerof afesse, but occupying only a fifth of the field, and not confined to any particular part of it, except when there is only one bar, when it is put in the place of afesse. Bars are mostly two in a field, sometimes three or more.

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BARDED

Inheraldry, barded means having horse-trappings.

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BARDINGS

Inheraldry, bardings are horse-trappings, often enriched with armorialblazonry.

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BARRULET

Inheraldrya barrulet is adiminutiveof the bar, of which it is one-fourth the thickness, that is a twentieth part of the field.

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BARRULY

Inheraldry, barruly describes the field when traversed by barrulets or small bars.

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BARRY

Inheraldry, the term barry denotes that the field is horizontally divided into acertaineven number of equal parts.

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BARRY BENDY

Inheraldry, barry bendy describes a field divided by lines drawnbendwiseand also by lines drawn horizontally.

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BARRY PILY

Inheraldry, barry pily denotes that the field is divided into an even number of pieces bypilesplaced horizontally across theshield.

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BARS GEMEL

Inheraldry, bars gemel are two barrulets placed near and parallel to each other (gemel).

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BARWISE

Inheraldrythe term barwise means horizontally.

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BASE

Inheraldry, the base is the lower part of the field (the pointed part of theshield).

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BATON

Inheraldry, a baton is an ordinary with its ends cut off, bornesinisteras a mark ofbastardy, and containing one quarter inbreadthof the bendsinister.

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BEARING

Inheraldry, a bearing is any single emblem or charge in anescutcheonor coat of arms.

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BELT

Inheraldry, a belt is atokenorbadgeof knightly rank.

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BEND

Inheraldry, a bend is one of theninehonourable ordinaries, consisting of abeltdrawn diagonally from thedexterchiefto thesinisterbase, and occupying one third of the field.

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BEND SINISTER

Inheraldry, a bend sinister is an honourable ordinary drawn from thesinisterchiefto thedexterbase.

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BENDLET

Inheraldrya bendlet is a derivative of the bend, being one-half the width of the bend.

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BENDWISE

Inheraldry, bendwise means Diagonally.

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BENDY

Inheraldry, ashieldor its charge is described as bendy when it is divided into an even number of bends.

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BEQUE

Inheraldry, beque means beaked. The term is used specifically of abirdwhich has itsbeakcoloureddifferently to the rest of itsbody.

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BEVILE

Inheraldry, a bevile (orbevel) is achiefbrokenor opening like a carpenter'sbevel.

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BEVILED

Inheraldry, beviled (or bevelled) describes a partition line of ashieldwhich is notched with an angle like that enclosed by a carpenter'sbevel.

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BEZANT

Inheraldry, a bezant is a circle in or (gold), representing thegoldcoin called a bezant.

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BICAPITATED

Inheraldry, bicapitated means having two heads, like aneaglewith two heads and onebody.

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BICORPORATE

Inheraldry, bicorporate describes something as being double-bodied, for example alionhaving one head and two bodies.

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BILLET

Inheraldrya billet is a bearing in the form of arectangle, supposed to represent a piece of paper folded in the form of a letter. Its proportions are two squares.

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BLAZON

A blazon is a heraldicshieldor banner.

A blazon is a description of a heraldic coat of arms, armorial bearing etc in the technical language ofheraldry.

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BLAZONRY

Blazonry is a general term for heraldic emblems, the bearings on coats of arms.

Blazonry is the art of describing and explaining coats of arms and armourial bearings.

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BLUE MANTLE

The blue mantle is one of the four pursuivants of the English college of arms - so called from the colour of his official robes.

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BORDURE

Inheraldrya bordure is a border one fifth the width of theshield, surrounding the field. It is usually plain, but may be charged.

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BOREYNE

Inheraldry, the boreyne is a mythical creature with thebodyof adog, the horns of aram, a spinedfinon its back, abarbedtongueand a mane.

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BOTONEE

Inheraldry, botonee means having the extremeties ornamented with buds orbuttons, usually arranged in atrefoil, for example in a cross botonee.

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BOTTONY

Inheraldry, bottony describes a bud-like projection, of which in general three are together. They may be seen in the cross bottony, which is a cross each of the four extremities of which terminates in bud-like prominences.

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BOUGET

Inheraldry, a bouget is a charge representing aleathervessel for carrying water.

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BRACED

Inheraldry, the term braced means interlaced.

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BREYS

Inheraldry, a breys is charge representing aninstrumentused in breaking horses. The charge is to be found on the arms of Sir Reginald Bray.

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BRICK

Inheraldry, a brick is a charge resembling abillet, but showing its thickness inperspective.

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BRISURE

Inheraldrya brisure is acadency markor difference.

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BROUCHANT

Inheraldry, brouchant means placed over, as when one charge overlies another.

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C

CABLEE

Inheraldry, cablee refers to a cross in a coat-of-armscomposedof two cable-ends.

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CABOSHED

Inheraldry, caboshed describe the showing of the full face, but nothing of theneckof the head of a beast in an armorial bearing.

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CADENCY

Inheraldry, cadency is the status or descent of member of a younger branch of a family.

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CADENCY MARK

Inheraldry, a cadency mark is a bearing indicating the position of thebeareras the older or younger son, or as a descendant of an older or younger son, differentiating between the head of the family and other members in the male line of the same family.

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CADET

Inheraldry, a cadet is a junior member or branch of a family.

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CALVARY CROSS

Inheraldry, a calvary cross is along crossmounted upon three steps.

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CAMPANED

Inheraldry, campaned describes an armorial bearing furnished withcampanes(bells).

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CAMPANES

Inheraldrycampanes are bells.

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CANTING ARMS

Inheraldry, canting arms (also known as allusive arms or punning arms) are bearings in the nature of arebusalluding to the name of thebearer. Thus, the Castletons bear threecastles, andPopeAdrian IV(Nicholas Breakspeare) bore abrokenspear on his coat of arms. Canting arms were respected until the reign ofJames I, after that they fell into disrepute.

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CANTON

Inheraldrya canton is a division of ashieldoccupying one third part of thechief, usually on thedexterside, formed by aperpendicularline from the top of theshield, meeting a horizontal line from the side.

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CANTONED

Inheraldry, the term cantoned refers to having a charge in each of the four corners. The term is said of a cross on ashield, and also of theshielditself.

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CAP OF MAINTENANCE

Inheraldry, the cap of maintenance or chapeau is avelvetcap, usuallycrimsonin colour, with a broaderminebrimor anermineturned-up flap ending in two points at the back. The cap of maintenance is used inEnglandonly by peers and inScotlandonly byfeudalbarons.

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CARBUNCLE

Inheraldrya carbuncle is a charge or bearing representing the precious stone. It has eight sceptres or staves radiating from acommoncentre.

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CARTOUCHE

Inheraldry, cartouche refers to a shape ofshield. This is the plain ovally shapedshield, and is in reality a deformity of theshield, rather than a trueshieldshape.

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CHAPLET

Inheraldrya chaplet is agarlandofleaves, with four flowers amongst them at equal distances.

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CHAPOURNET

Inheraldry, a chapournet is a chaperonnet or littlehood, borne in a coat of arms to signify that thechiefis divided by a bow-shaped line.

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CHARGE

Inheraldry, to charge is to depict heraldic bearings upon something. Thus to charge ashieldis to depict the heraldic bearings upon theshield.

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CHAUSSE

Inheraldry, a chausse denotes a section in base: the line by which it is formed proceeding from the extremity of the base, and ascending to the side of theescutcheon, where it meets about thefesse point.

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CHECKY

Inheraldry, the term checky means divided into small alternating squares of two tinctures. The term is used of both the field and of an armorial bearing.

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CHESS-ROOK

Inheraldry, a chess-rook is a bearing on a coat of arms representing therookorcastlepiece from the game ofchess.

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CHEVRON

Inheraldrya chevron is one of theninehonourable ordinaries, consisting of two broad bands of the width of the bar, issuing, respectively from thedexterandsinisterbasesof the field andconjoinedat its centre. The ordinary chevron is supposed to reprsent two rafters meeting at the top.

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CHEVRONEL

Inheraldry, a chevronel is a bearing like achevron, but of only half its width.

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CHEVRONWISE

Inheraldrychevronwise means in themannerof achevron, For example the field may be divided chevronwise.

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CHIEF

Inheraldry, the chief or chief point is the head or principal part of theescutcheon. It contains the upper third of the field, and is determined by one line, either drawn straight orcrenelle, orindented. The chief is in turn divided into three areas. The right side being thedexter chief, the middle the middle chief and the left side the sinister chief. Sometimes one chief is borne upon another, which is called surmounting, and is usually expressed by a line drawn across the uppermost part of the chief. When a chief is charged with anything it is said to be on chief, but when a thing is borne on the top of theescutcheonit is said to be borne in chief.

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CLE

Inheraldrycle describes an heraldic bearing charged with another bearing of the same figure, and of the colour of the field, so large that only a narrow border of the first bearing remains visible.

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CLECHE

Inheraldry, a cleche is a kind of cross, charged with a similar cross of the same figure, but of the same colour as the field.

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COAT OF ARMS

Coat of arms is a translation of the French cotte d'armes, which was a garment of light material worn over thearmourin the 15th and 16th centuries. This was often charged with the heraldic bearings of the wearer, and the term came to mean a person's heraldic bearings.

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COCKATRICE

Inheraldrya cockatrice is a representation of the mythical cockatrice, a reptile with the head, wings, and legs of abird, and tail of aserpent.

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COMBATANT

Inheraldrycombatant describes two bearings in the position offighting- set face to face, eachrampant.

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COMPONY

Inheraldry, compony describes a bearing divided into squares of alternate tinctures in a single row.

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CONFRONTE

Inheraldry, confronte means facing one-another or full-faced.

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CONJOINED

Inheraldry, conjoined or conjunct describes two or more bearings that are joined together or touching.

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CONTOURNE

Inheraldry, contourne describes bearings turned a different way to usual, for example animals turned toward thesinisterside.

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CORBIE

Inheraldrya corbie is araven,crow, orchough, used as a charge.

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CORDED

Inheraldry, corded describes somethingboundabout, or wound, with cords.

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CORNISH CHOUGH

Inheraldrya Cornish chough (aylet or sea wallow) is abirdrepresented in black, with red feet, and a redbeak.

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COTTICE

Inheraldry, a cottice, cottise or cotise is adiminutiveof the bend, containing one-quarter itsarea. When a single cottice is used alone it is called a cost.

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COTTICED

Inheraldrythe term cotticed (cottised) describes a bend set between two cottices.

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COUCHANT

Inheraldry, couchant describes a beast lying down with its head raised, which distinguishes the posture of couchant from that of dormant, or sleeping. The term is applied to both beasts of prey, such aslionsand beasts ofchasesuch asdeer.

Alioncouchant is emblematic of sovereignty.

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COUCHE

Inheraldry, couche refers to a suspendedshield, generally represented hanging by the sinister-chief angle. Shields couche are often used in Seals.

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COUCHED

Inheraldry, the term couched describes something that is usually erect lying on its side. Thus, achevroncouched is one which emerges from one side of theescutcheonand has its apex on the opposite side, or at thefesse point.

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COUNTER-COUCHANT

Inheraldry, counter-couchant means lying down, with their heads in opposite directions; it is said of animals borne in a coat of arms.

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COUNTER-COURANT

Inheraldry, counter-courant means running in opposite directions; it is said of animals borne in a coast of arms.

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COUNTER-PALY

Inheraldry, counter-paly describes somethingpaly, and then divided fesswise, so that each vertical piece is cut into two, having the colours used alternately orcounterchanged.

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COUNTER-SALIENT

Inheraldry, counter-salient describes two figures leaping from each other.

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COUNTERCHANGED

Inheraldrycounterchanged means having the tinctures exchanged mutually; thus, if the field is dividedpalewise, or andazure, and a cross is bornecounterchanged, that part of the cross which comes on theazureside will be or, and that on the or side will beazure.

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COUNTERFLORY

Inheraldrythe term counterflory describes an ordinary adorned with flowers (usually fleurs-de-lis) so divided that the tops appear on one side and the bottoms on the others.

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COUNTERPASSANT

Inheraldry, counterpassant describes two animalspassantin opposite directions.

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COUNTERPOINTE

Inheraldry, counterpointe is an epithet applied to two chevrons which meet with their points in the centre of theescutcheonor opposite to each other.

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COUPE

Inheraldry, coupe or coupy means cut off smoothly, as distinguished fromerased(torn off) and is especially used to describe the way the head or limb of ananimalis displayed, thus one may enocunter thephrase'lioncoupe'.

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COUPED

Inheraldry, couped means cut off smoothly, as distinguished fromerasedand is especially used to describe the way the head or limb of ananimalis displayed.

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COUPLE-CLOSE

Inheraldry, the couple-close is adiminutiveof thechevron, containing one quarter of its surface. Couple- closes are generally borne one on each side of achevron, and the blazoning may then be either achevronbetween twocouple-closes orchevroncotticed.

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COURANT

Inheraldry, courant describes ananimalwhen running.

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COWARD

Inheraldry, the term coward is applied to alionborne in theescutcheonwith its tail doubled between its legs.

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CRAMPONEE

Inheraldry, cramponee describes a cross furnished with acrampor square piece at the end.

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CRESCENT

Inheraldry, a crescent is displayed with the horns directed upward and is often used as acadency markto distinguish a second son and his descendants.

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CREST

Inheraldry, a crest is a bearing worn, not upon theshield, but usually above it, or separately as anornamentfor plate, liveries, and the like. It is a relic of the ancient cognisance.

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CRINED

Inheraldry, crined describes a figure as having the hair of a differenttincturefrom the rest of thebody.

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CROISSANTE

Inheraldry, croissante describes a cross terminated with crescents at the ends.

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CROSS BOTTONY

Inheraldry, a cross bottony is a cross having eacharmterminating in three rounded lobes, forming a sort oftrefoil.

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CROSS CALVARY

Inheraldry, a cross calvary is a cross, set upon three steps.

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CROSS FORKED

Inheraldry, cross forked describes a cross, the ends of whose arms are divided into two sharp points, also known as a cross double fitche.A cross forked of three points is a cross, each of whose arms terminates in three sharp points.

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CROSS HUMETTY

Inheraldry, a cross humetty is a cross with the arms cut so they do not reach the edges of theshield.

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CROSS MOLINE

Inheraldry, a cross moline is a cross eacharmof which is divided at the end into two rounded branches or divisions. The cross moline is thecadency markfor the eighth son.

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CROSS PATEE

Inheraldry, the cross patee is a cross of four equal length arms thattapertowards the centre of the cross.

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CROSS POTENT

Inheraldry, a cross potent is a cross comprised of four potents (crutchheads).

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CROSS-CROSSLET

Inheraldrya cross-crosslet is a cross having the three upper ends crossed, so as to from three small crosses.

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CUBIT-ARM

Inheraldry, a cubit-arm is anarmcut off at the elbow, represented as part of acrest.

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CURVAL

Inheraldry, curval means bowed, bent or curved.

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CYGNET-ROYAL

Inheraldry, a cygnet-royal is a depiction of aswangorgedwith a ducalcoronet, having achainattached thereto, and reflexed over the back.

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D

DANCETTE

Inheraldry, dancette means deeplyindentedor having largeteeth. thus afessedancette has only threeteethin the whole width of theescutcheon.

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DEBASED

Inheraldry, debased means turned upside down from its proper position or inverted or reversed.

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DEBRUISED

Inheraldry, debruised means surmounted by an ordinary. The term may be applied for example to alionas being debruised when a bend or other ordinary is placed over it. It is used as asymbolof illegitimacy.

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DECRESCENT

Inheraldry, a decrescent is acrescentdepicted with the horns directed towards thesinister.

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DEGRADED

Inheraldry, degraded describes a cross furnished with steps, particularly a cross whose extremities finishes in steps growing larger as they leave the centre.

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DEXTER

Inheraldry, dexter is the right-hand side of ashield, i.e., towards the right hand of its wearer. To a spectator in front, as in a pictorial representation, this is the left side.

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DEXTER BASE

Inheraldry, the dexter base is a point in thedexterlower part or base of theshield.

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DEXTER CHIEF

Inheraldry, the dexter chief ordexterpoint is a point in thedexterupper corner of theshield, being in thedexterextremity of thechief.

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DIADEM

Inheraldry, a diadem is anarchrising from the rim of a crown (also sometimes, but rarely of acoronet), and uniting with others over its centre.

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DIAPERING

Inheraldry, diapering is a system of decorating plain surfaces in various ways with decorative designs and patterns, which unlike charges are not required to obey the laws of tinctures.

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DIMIDATION

Inheraldry, dimidation is atypeofmarshallingin which the two coats of arms are combined by the dividing theshieldwith a vertical line at the centre, with thedexterhalf of one coat of arms and thesinisterhalf of the other appearing joined at the middle, rather than fully distinct in the case ofimpalement.

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DIMIDIATE

Inheraldry, dimidiate means to represent the half of or to halve.

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DISARMED

Inheraldry, disarmed refers to a beast orbirddepicted without claws, andteethor abeak.

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DISCLOSED

Inheraldry, disclosed describes fowls represented with their wings expanded, but with the points downwards.

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DISPLAYED

Inheraldrythe term displayed is applied to abirdof prey, especially aneagle, depicted with its wings expanded (what is vulgarly known as 'spread eagle').

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DORMANT

Inheraldrydormant describes ananimaldepicted in a sleeping posture with its head resting upon its forepaws, as distinct fromcouchantwhere theanimalhas its head erect.

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DOUBLE QUATREFOIL

Inheraldry, the double quatrefoil is thecadency markfor theninthson.

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DOUBLING

Inheraldrythe doubling is the lining of the mantle borne about theshieldorescutcheon.

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DRAGONNEE

Inheraldry, a dragonnee is a mythical beast comprised of an upper part resembling alionand the under part the wings and tail of adragon.

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E

EAGLE

Inheraldry, the eagle is symbolic offortitude.

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EMBATTLED

Inheraldry, the term embattled refers to something having its edgebrokenlike battlements. The term is applied to a bearing such as a fess, bend, or the like.

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EMBORDERED

Inheraldry, embordered refers to having a border of the same colour, metal orfuras the field.

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EMBOWED

Inheraldry, embowed refers to a charge which is bent.

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ENARCHED

Inheraldry, enarched describes a bend or other ordinary bent into acurve.

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ENDORSE

Inheraldryan endorse is asubordinary, resembling the pale, but of one quarter of its width.

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ENFILED

Inheraldry, enfiled describes anobjecthaving some otherobject, such as the head of a man or beast, impaled upon it. For example aswordmay be said to be enfiled of the thing which it pierces.

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ENGOULED

Inheraldry, the term engouled (engoulee) means partly swallowed and describes anobjectdisappearing into the jaws of anything, for example aninfantengouled by aserpent. The term is also applied to an ordinary, when its two ends to issue from the mouths oflions, or the like, for example a bend engouled.

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ENGRAILED

Inheraldry, engrailed describes somethingindentedwith smallconcavecurves, as the edge of abordure, bend, or the like.

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ENHANCED

Inheraldry, the term enhanced refers to any ordinary borne higher up than its usual position.

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ENMANCHE

Inheraldry, the term enmanche describes something resembling, or covered with, a sleeve. It is said of thechiefwhen lines are drawn from the middle point of the upper edge upper edge to the sides.

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ERASED

Inheraldry, erased (eradicated) describes something represented with jagged and uneven edges, as is if it has been torn off as distinct fromcoupewhich means cut off cleanly. The term is particularly used to describe the depiction of a head of a beast. If the charge is a small tree branch, appearing as though torn off, it is described as slipped, while a large tree branch depicted the same way is described as snagged, though a tree ripped up by the roots is erased.

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ERMINE

Inheraldry, ermine is afurrepresented by anargentfield, tufted with black. Ermines is the reverse of ermine, being black, spotted or timbered withargent. Erminois is the same as ermine, except that or is substituted forargent.

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ESCALLOP

Inheraldry, an escalop is a representation of a scallop-shell. It was originally worn as a sign that the wearer had made a pilgrimage to theshrineofSt Jamesat Compotella, inSpain. Later it was worn to indicate that thebeareror his ancestors had been at the Crusades or had made longpilgrimages.

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ESCALLOPED

Inheraldry, escaloped (escallopee) describes anescutcheoncovered with overlapping curved lines resembling the outline of a scallop-shell.

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ESCARBUNCLE

Inheraldry, an escarbuncle is a shield-boss developed into a decorative structural metal-work.

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ESCARTELLY

Inheraldry, escartelly refers to a form of ornamentation consisting of one third being notched in a rectangular shape. For example, escartelly may describe an ornamental line of divisionper fesse.

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ESCROL

Inheraldry, an escrol is a long strip orscrollresembling aribbonor a band ofparchment, or the like. They were anciently placed above theshield, and supporting thecrest. In modernheraldry, an escrol is a similarribbonon which the motto is inscribed.

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ESCUTCHEON

Inheraldry, the escutcheon is the surface, usually ashield, upon which bearings are marshalled and displayed. The surface of the escutcheon is called the field, the upper part is called thechief, and the lower part the base That side of the escutcheon which is on the right hand of theknightwho bears theshieldon hisarmis calleddexter, and the other sidesinister.

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ESSORANT

Inheraldry, essorant describes a charge of abirdborne on anescutcheonstanding, but with the wings spread, as if it is about tofly.

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ESTOILE

Inheraldry, an estoile is a six-pointedstarwhose rays are wavy, instead of straight like those of amullet.

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F

FEATHERED

Inheraldry, the term feathered is applied to anarrowwhen the feathers are of atincturedifferent from that of the shaft.

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FESSE

Inheraldry, a fesse is one of theninehonourable ordinaries, consisting of abeltdrawn horizontally across the middle of theshieldand occupying one third of the field.

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FESSE POINT

Inheraldry, the fesse point is the exact centre of theescutcheonorshield.

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FIELD

Inheraldry, the field is the whole surface of anescutcheonorshield.

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FILLET

Inheraldry, a fillet is an ordinary equalling inbreadthone quarter of thechief, to the lowest portion of which it corresponds in position.

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FIMBRIATED

Inheraldry, fimbriated describes an ordinary orsubordinarywhich has a very narrow border of anothertincture.

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FITCHEE

Inheraldry, fitchee describes something sharpened to a point or pointed, for example a cross fitchee.

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FLANCH

Inheraldry, a flanch is a bearing consisting of asegmentof a circle encroaching on the field from the side.Flanches are always depicted in pairs. A pair of flanches being considered one of the subordinaries.

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FLEUR-DE-LYS

The fleur-de-Lys (floweroflily) is an heraldic representation of anirisor gardenlily. It was the armorial bearing of the Kings ofFrancefrom 1147 and was also borne by some English families. The Fleur-de-Lys is acadency markfor thesixthson.

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FLEURY

Inheraldry, the term fleury describes something being finished at the ends with fleurs-de-lis. The term is particularly applied to a cross so decorated.

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FLIGHTED

Inheraldry, flighted is a term describingfeatheredarrows.

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FLORETTY

Inheraldry, floretty means decorated withfleur-de-Lys, for example dancetty floretty, refers to an ornamental line of division with is comprised of largeteeth, each of which is topped with afleur-de-Lys.

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FLORID

Inheraldry, florid refers to a shape ofshield. The floridshieldis an ornate, flowing design with curves and indents to thedexterandsinistersides.

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FLOTANT

Inheraldry, flotant describes something, such as a banner, represented as flying or streaming in the air.

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FLOURISHED

Inheraldry, the term flourished means adorned with trefoils,fleur-de-lys, &c. For example a flourished cross is one where the arms terminate in atrefoil, or afleur-de-lys.

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FOOT-CLOTH

A foot-cloth was the coat orhousingworn by ahorseand which bore theknightsarms.

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FOURCHEE

Inheraldry, fourchee describes an ordinary, particularly a cross, having the ends forked or branched, and the ends of the branches terminating abruptly as if cut off.

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FRACTED

Inheraldry, fracted describes an ordinary having a part displaced, as ifbroken.

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FRASIER

Inheraldry, the frasier orstrawberryleaf is charge comprised of a five-lobed leaf.

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FRET

Inheraldrya fret is a charge consisting of two narrow bendlets placed insaltire, and interlaced with amascle. It was supposed to represent the meshes of a fishing-net. Being borne by the family ofHarringtonit is also sometimes called a Harrington's knot; and riddle-makers have also seen a connection between the Herring-town and the net. Whatever may be the origin, the term fret, or rather frette, occurs frequently in the ancient rolls, but in many cases probably only a single fret is intended. When two or morefrets are borne in the same arms they must becouped, unless each occupies anentirequarter.

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FRETTED

Inheraldry, the term fretted describes charges and ordinaries that are interlaced one with another.

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FRETTY

Inheraldry, fretty is a sub-ordinary consisting of an interwovenlatticecovering the field.

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FRUCTED

Inheraldry, the term fructed is applied to a tree or plant represented on theescutcheonas bearingfruit.

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FUSIL

Inheraldry, a fusil is a bearing of a rhomboidal figure named from its shape, which resembles that of aspindle. It differs from alozengein being longer inproportionto its width.

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FYLFOT

A fylfot is a peculiar cruciform figure with a supposedmysticsignificance found in military and ecclesiastical decorations inEnglandand the East, and as a heraldic charge.

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G

GARB

Inheraldrya garb is asheafofgrain(wheat, unless otherwise specified).

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GEMEL

Inheraldry, gemel means coupled or paired, such as pairs of bars across ashield.

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GENTLEMAN

Inheraldry, a gentleman is a man who bears arms, but has notitle.

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GIRON

Inheraldry, a giron orgyronis a charge consisting of the lower half of a diagonally divided quarter, usually in the top left corner of theshield.

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GOBONATED

Inheraldry, gobonated refers to a border, pale, bend or other charge divided into equal parts forming squares.

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GONFALON

A gonfalon was anensignor standard, the term usually being applied to anensignhaving two or three streamers or tails, fixed on a frame made to turn like a ship'svane, or, as in the case of thePapalgonfalon, suspended from apolesimilar to asailfrom a mast.

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Inheraldry, a gore is one of the abatements. It is made of two curved lines, meeting in anacuteangle in thefesse point. It is usually on thesinisterside, and of thetincturecalledtenne. The gore is traditionally held to denote acoward, and like the other abatements it is a modern (that is post Mediaeval) fancy and not actually used.

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GORGED

Inheraldry, the term gorged describes a figure bearing acoronetor ring about theneck.

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GOUTTE

Inheraldry, a goutte is a sub-ordinary representing a droplet.

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GUARDANT

Inheraldry, guardant or gardant describes a beast represented with its head turned towards the spectator, full-faced.

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GULES

Gules is the heraldic name for the colour red. It ranks highest among the colours. It is indicated in seals and engraved figures of escutcheons by parallel vertical lines. Because of its heraldic connection. the word gules is used poetically for a red colour or that which is red. Gules ranks after the metals or andargent, and has the highest place among colours.

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GUSSET

Inheraldry, a gusset in a coast of arms is anabatementor mark of dishonour. It is formed by a line drawn from thedexterorsinisterchiefpoint one third across theshield, and then descending perpendicularly to the base. It may be on either thedexterorsinisterside of theshield; on the former it is anabatementforadultery; on the latter fordrunkenness.

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GUTTY

Inheraldry, gutty means charged or sprinkled with drops.

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GUZE

Inheraldry, guze is a roundlet of thetincturesanguine, which is blazoned without mention of thetincture.

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GYRON

Inheraldry, a gyron is asubordinaryoftriangularform having one of its angles at thefesse pointand the opposite side at the edge of theescutcheon. When there is only one gyron on theshieldit is bounded by two lines drawn from thefesse point, one horizontally to thedexterside, and one to thedexterchiefcorner.

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GYRONNY

Inheraldry, the term gyrony describes anescutcheoncovered with gyrons, or divided so as to form several gyrons.

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H

HATCHMENT

Inheraldry, hatchment is a sort ofpanel, upon which the arms of a deceased person are temporarily displayed. It is usually on the walls of his dwelling and is lozenge-shaped or square, but is hung cornerwise. It was once used inEnglandas a means of giving public notification of the death of the deceased, and information about his or her rank, whether married, widower, widow, etc.

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HAURIENT

Inheraldry, haurient is said of a depiction of afishwhich is in pale, with the head inchiefas if rising for air.

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HEATER

Inheraldry, a heater is a short, squattypeofshieldthat superseded the elongated orkite shapedshieldaround the time ofHenry IIIinEngland.

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HEATER CURVED

Inheraldry, heater curved refers to a shape ofheatershield. The heater curvedshieldhas a flat top and sides whichcurveto a point at the base, giving a squat, almost square shapedshield.

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HEATER POINTED

Inheraldry, heater pointed refers to a shape ofshield. The heater pointedshieldhas a flat top and sides whichtaperto a point at the base.

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HELMET

Inheraldry, the representation of a helmet over shields or coats of arms, denotes gradations of rank by modifications of the form: 1. The king's or sovereign's helmet was to be of burnishedgold, affronty, i.e. full-faced, with six bars, or grilles, and lined withcrimson. 2. The helmets of nobles (dukes, marquises, earls, viscounts, and barons), were to becomposedofsilveror polishedsteel, with fivegoldbars, and lined withcrimson. According to some authorities they should be placed neither affronty nor inprofile, but between those positions; but there seem to be conflicting directions, and the practice varied. 3. Baronets' andknights' helmet were to be affronty and open, but supplied with avisor. They are supposed to be formed ofsteelornamented withgilding, and usually lined withcrimson. 4. The helmets of esquires and private gentlemen were to be placed inprofile, with thevisororbeaverclosed; to be ofsteel, but enriched withgold. These are drawn after various patterns however, the only point being thatthevisorshould be closed, whence they are termed close helmets.

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HERALDRY

Heraldry is the science of a herald's duties, or more commonly theknowledgeof the forms, terms and laws which pertain to the use of armorial bearings or coats of arms.Badges and emblems on shields, helms, banners, etc., naturally occurred in the earliest times, and the symbols were sometimes hereditary.

The origin of heraldic arms, properly so called, is, however, to be attributed to the necessity which arose during the Crusades of distinguishing the leaders of the numerous andmotleybands of warriors which constituted theChristianarmies. One of the oldest specimens of heraldic bearings extant is theshieldat Mana of Geoffrey Plantagenet, who died in 1150. Rolls of arms inEnglandare extant from the reigns ofHenry III,Edward I, andEdward II.

The use of arms on the Great Seal ofEnglandwas introduced byRichard I. The bearing of coat-armourby private persons was prohibited by proclamation in the reign ofHenry V. Thechiefcourts of jurisdiction in questions of heraldry are the Heralds' College inEngland, and theLyonCourtinScotland. The rules of heraldry now practised at the Heralds' College are comparatively modern, and differ in some respects from those of other European courts.

A coat of arms consists of the figure of ashieldmarked andcolouredin a vast variety of ways, so as to be distinctive of anindividual, a family, or acommunity. Theshieldorescutcheonrepresents the originalshieldused in war, and on which arms were anciently borne.

The surface of theescutcheonis termed the field, and the several parts or points of it have particular names, so that the figures which the field contains may be precisely located. The top part of theshieldis called thechiefand is the most honourable part of theshield. The upper right corner (when viewed by thebearer) is thedexterchief; the top middle of theshieldis called the middlechief; and the upper left-hand corner is called thesinisterchief; the centre is called thefesse point; and the lower part of theshieldis called the base.

Colour is given in the coat of arms by means of tinctures, two of which are metals - 'or' andargent, that is,goldandsilver- the rest colours proper. These colours are, in heraldic terminology:azure, blue;gules, red;sable, black;vert, green;purpure, purple;tenney,orange;sanguine, blood-colour. The two last are comparatively uncommon. Anobjectrepresented in its natural colours is said to be proper. When not given in colours or by actualgildingthe tinctures are represented by points and lines in black and white. 'Or' is distinguished by small dots covering the part;argentis represented by leaving the spaceblank;azureis shown by horizontal lines;gules, byperpendicularlines;sable, byperpendicularand horizontal lines crossing each other;vert, by diagonal lines running from thedarterchiefto thesinisterbase;purpure, by diagonal lines running from thesinisterchiefto the dezter base. Another class of tinctures are the furs, of which the two principal areermineandvair, and which have also their special method of representation.

The figures borne on theshieldmay be either purelyartificialand conventional, or may represent real objects, animals, plants, etc. Of the former the mostcommonare known as ordinaries, and have the following names:Chief, Pale, Bend,Fesse, Bar,Chevron, Cross, andSaltire. Thechiefis a portion of theshieldat the top marked off by a horizontal line, and covers the upper third part of the field. The pale occupies the middle third part of the field perpendicularly. The bend is drawn diagonally from thedexterchiefto thesinisterbase in the form of abelt, and also occupies the third of the field. Adiminutiveof the bend is the bandlet. Thefesseoccupies the middle third of the field horizontally. The bar is formed after themannerof afesse, but occupies only a fifth of the field, and is not confined to any particular part of it, except when there is only one bar, when it is put in the place of afesse. Bars are mostly two in a field, sometimes three or more. Adiminutiveis thebarrulet. Thechevronmay be regarded as made of a benddarterandsinisterissuing from the right and left base points of theescutcheonand meeting like two rafters. The cross is the ordinary cross of St. George. Thesaltireis the equally well-known cross of St. Andrew. Theshieldis often divided by lines running similarly to the ordinaries; hence when divided by aperpendicularline it is said to be party per pale, when by a horizontal line partyper fesse, when by diagonal line partyper bend. Similarly, when it seems to bear severalpalesor bends or bars, it is said to bepaly,bendy, orbarryof so many pieces, 'palyof sixargentandgules' for instance.

Charges are the figures of natural andartificialthings, and include animals and plants, implements and objects of all sorts, and various imaginary monsters, being drawn either on the field or on one of the ordinaries.

It is a rule in heraldry that metal must not be put on metal nor colour on colour; hence, if the field, say, is 'argent', it cannot have a charge or an ordinary tinctured 'or'directly upon it.

Various technical terms describe the position of animals; thus, alionisrampantwhen he is erect standings on one of his hind legs;sejant, when sitting;couchant, when lying at rest, with the head erect;passant, in a walking position;guardantor gardant, looking full-faced;rampantguardant, erect and looking full-faced;salient, in a leaping posture. Sotrippantis said of thestagwhentrotting;lodged, of thestagwhen at rest on the ground;volant, of birds in general in a flying posture; rising, of abirdthat is preparing tofly; displayed, of birds seen frontwise with outspread wings;naiant, of fishes when swimming; and so on.

Theteethand claws oflionsand otherravenousbeasts are called their arms; and when these have a specialtincturetheanimalis said to be armed of such atincture; similarly if theirtonguebe of a specialtincture, they are said to belanguedof thistincture.

Often two or more coats of arms are united together on oneshield, so that the whole may be a verycomplicatedaffair. The art of arranging arms in this way is known asmarshalling, and when theshieldis divided up into squares for the reception of different coats, it is said to be Quartered.There are alsocertainexterior ornaments of theshieldorescutcheon, namely, thehelmet,mantlingcrest,wreath, motto, and supporters. Thehelmet, which is placed on the top of theescutcheon, varies both in form and materials. Those ofsovereignprinces are ofgold, those of thenobilityofsilver, and those of gentlemen of polishedsteel. The full facedhelmet, with six bars, is for the king and princes of theblood; the sidelonghelmet, with five bars, is for dukes and marquises, etc.; the full-facedhelmetofsteel, with itsbeaveror vizor open, is forknights; and the sidelonghelmet, with the vizor shut, for theesquire. Themantlingor mantle was anciently fixed to thehelmet, to which it served as a covering. Mantlings are now used like cloaks, tocoverthe whole achievement. Thecrestis placed above thehelmetwith the wreaths serving as a kind of support; the latter iscomposedof two colours wreathed or twisted together.

The motto consists of the word orphrasecarried in ascrollunder or above the arms. Supporters were originally only ancient devices or badges, which by custom came to embellish armorial designs. They are called supporters because they hold theshield, as thelionand theunicornin the royal arms ofEngland.

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Search for Pictures and Maps Related to HeraldryMore information aboutHeraldryHUMET

Inheraldry, the term humet is applied to achevron,fesse, bend, cross &c. when it is cut off orcoupedso that the extremities do not reach as far as the sides of theescutcheon.

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HURT

Inheraldry, a hurt or heurt, is anazureor blueroundel. It is supposed by some to represent a hurt or wound, and by others to represent the hurtleberry.

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HURTY

Inheraldry, hurty means sown or strewn with hurts, without regard to number.

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I

ICICLE

Inheraldry, an icicle is a charge like a drop orgouttereversed.

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IMPALE

Inheraldryimpale (empale) means to join, as two coats of arms on oneshield,palewise; hence, to join in honorable mention.

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IMPALEMENT

Inheraldry, impalement (empalement) is the division of ashieldpalewise, or by a vertical line, especially for the purpose ofmarshallingor putting side-by-side (impaling) the arms of husband and wife (seeArms of Alliance).

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IMPRESA

Inheraldry, an impresa is a device on ashieldor seal, or used as abookplateor the like.

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INCENSANT

Inheraldrythe term incensant describes an animals when borne as raging, or withfuriousaspect.

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INCENSED

Inheraldrythe term incensed describes a wildanimalrepresented as enraged, for example ananimaldepicted with fire issuing from itsmouthand eyes.

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INCLAVE

Inheraldry, inclave means resembling aseriesof dovetails. The term is applied to a line of division, such as the border of an ordinary.

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INCRESCENT

Inheraldrythe term increscent is applied to a depiction of themoonrepresented as the newmoon, with the points turned toward thedexterside.

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INDENTED

Inheraldry, indented refers to notched like theteethof a saw, but smaller thandancette. The term is applied to one of the lines of partition; ordinaries are also borne indented.

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INESCUTCHEON

Inheraldry, an inescutcheon is a smallescutcheonborne within ashield.

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INFLAMED

Inheraldry, inflamed means adorned with flames or burning.

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INTERCHANGEABLY POSED

Inheraldry, interchangeably posed describes bearings placed or lying across each other, as threefish, three swords, three arrows &c. the head of each appearing between the tails, hilts, or rear-ends of the others.

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INTERFRETTED

Inheraldry, interfretted means interlaced. The term is applied to any bearings linked together, one within the other, askeysinterlaced in the bows, or one linked into the other.

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INVECTED

Inheraldry, the term invected means having a border or outlinecomposedof semicircles with the convexity outward - the opposite ofengrailed.

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ISSUANT

Inheraldry, issuant means issuing orcomingup and is used to describe a charge or bearing rising orcomingout of another.

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J

JESSANT

Inheraldry, the term jessant describes ananimalor plant springing up or emerging.

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K

KITE SHAPED

Inheraldry, kite shaped refers to a shape ofshield. The kite shapedshieldis rounded at the chiefs and tapers down the sides to a pointed base. Kite shaped, or elongated shields are found in 15th and 16th centuryheraldry, and were used in thedaysofRichard Iand among the Barons of the Magna Carter. The kite shapedshieldwas superseded by the smallerheatershieldwhich came into use inEngland withHenry III.

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L

LABEL

Inheraldry, a label is abarrulet, or sometimes abendlet, with pendants, or points, usually three, especially used as acadency markto distinguish an eldest or only son while his father is still living. When the father died, the eldest son removed the label mark from his arms and became head of the family.

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LANGUED

Inheraldry, the term langued describes ananimalas having itstonguevisible.

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LATTICE

Inheraldry, a lattice is a border formed ofperpendicularand horizontal bars, either interlaced or not.

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LION LEOPARDE

Inheraldry, anylionnot depictedrampantis known as a lion leoparde.

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LIONCED

Inheraldry, lionced describes a cross adorned withlions' heads, having arms terminating inlions' heads.

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LIONCEL

Inheraldry, a lioncel is a smalllion, especially one of several borne in the same coat of arms.

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LIVER

A liver is a mythicalbirdfound on the arms of the city ofLiverpool, and traditionally ascribed as being the origin of the city's name, though in fact the liver was an invention after the city received its name, and it is most likely that thebirdon Liverpool's arms is a youngCormorant- a stuffed immatureCormorantbeing kept in Liverpool's city hall since time immemorial.

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LODGED

Inheraldrythe term lodged means lying down and is used to describe beasts of thechase, ascouchantis of beasts of prey.

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LONG CROSS

Inheraldry, a long cross or passion cross, is a plain cross with the horizontal bar positioned one third of the way down from the top.

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LOZENGE

Inheraldry, a lozenge is a diamond-shaped figure usually with the upper and lower angles slightlyacute, borne upon ashieldorescutcheon. The term also describes a form of theescutcheonused by women (with the exception in Englishheraldryof theSovereign) instead of theshieldwhich is used by men. The use of the lozenge in place of theshieldfor bearing the arms of a lady was introduced into Englishheraldryin thebeginningof the 14th century.

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LOZENGY

Inheraldry, lozengy describes a field divided into lozenge-shaped compartments.

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M

MAJESTY

Inheraldry, aneagledepicted wearing a crown and holding asceptreis described as aneaglein his majesty.

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MALTESE-CROSS

The Maltese-cross is a cross formed of four arrow-heads meeting at the points, the eight points symbolising the eight beatitudes. It was thebadgeof theknightsofMalta.

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MANCHE

Inheraldry, a manche is a charge in the form of a lady's sleeve with a long pendent lappet, as worn in the time ofHenry I.

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MANTLE

Inheraldry, a mantle is thecloakorrobewhich accompanies and is represented behind theescutcheon.

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MANTLING

Inheraldry, mantling orlambrequinis the representation of a mantle, or thedraperybehind and around a coat of arms.

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MARCASSIN

Inheraldry, a marcassin is a young wildboar.

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MARINED

Inheraldry, marined describes a figure as having the lower part of thebodylike afish.

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MARSHALLING

Inheraldry, marshalling is thecombinationof two or more coats of arms in the arrangement of anescutcheonto exhibit the alliances of the owners, usually the alliance between two familes joined by marriage. There are three main types of marshalling:impalement; quatering anddimidation.

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MARTLET

Inheraldrya martlet is abirdwithout abeakor feet. It is generally assumed to represent amartin. As acadency markit denotes the fourth son.

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MASCLE

Inheraldrya mascle is alozengevoided.

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MELUSINE

Inheraldry, melusine is amermaidwith two tails.

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MEMBERED

Inheraldrythe term membered describes abirdhaving legs of a differenttincturefrom that of thebody.

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MILL-RIND

Inheraldry, a mill-rind or Fer-de-Moline is a figure supposed to represent theironwhich holds amillstoneby being set into its centre.

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MITRY

Inheraldry, mitry refers to abordurecharged with eight mitres.

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MORNE

Inheraldry, the term morne describes alionrepresented withoutteeth,tongue, or claws.

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MOUNT

Inheraldry, a mount is a representation of amoundor hill covered withgrassand occupying the bottom or base of theshield. It is usually represented as bearing a tree. When depicted in green it is called a mount-vert.

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MULLET

Inheraldry, a mullet or molet is astar, usually five pointed and pierced. When used as acadency markit indicates the third son.

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N

NAIANT

Inheraldrythe term naiant describes a figure of afishwhen its is swimming.

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NAISSANT

Inheraldry, naissant describes a living creature issuing out of the middle of afesseor other ordinary.

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NATANT

Inheraldry, the term natant means placed horizontally across the field, as if swimming toward thedexterside. The term is applied to all sorts of fishes except the flyingfish.

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NEBEK

Inheraldry, the nebek is a dog-like creature with a long tail and a wrinkled snout.

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NEBULE

Inheraldry, the term nebule describes an heraldic line bounding an ordinary orsubordinary, andcomposedof successive short curves supposed to resemble acloud.

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NEBULY

Inheraldry, the term nebuly describes a line or a decorationcomposedof successive short curves or waves (nebules) supposed to resemble acloud.

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NISSANT

Inheraldry, nissant refers to a beast having only the forepart shown above a horizontal division of ashield.

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NOMBRIL

Inheraldry, the nombril or navel-point is a pointhalfwaybetween thefesse pointand the middle base point of anescutcheon.

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NOWED

Inheraldry, nowed means knotted or tied in a knot, and is sometimes applied to asuitablerepresentation of aserpent.

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NOWYED

Inheraldry, nowyed refers to a projection not in the centre of a cross, but in one of itsprojections.

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O

OPINICUS

Inheraldry, an opinicus is an imaginaryanimalborne as a charge, having wings, an eagle's head, and a short tail. It is sometimes represented without wings.

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OR

Inheraldry, or is the yellow orgoldcolour, represented in drawing orengravingby small dots.

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ORDINARY

Inheraldryan ordinary is a charge or bearing of simple form, one ofnineor ten which are in constant use. The bend,chevron,chief, cross,fesse, pale, andsaltireare uniformly admitted as ordinaries. Some authorities also include the bar, bendsinister, pile, and others.

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ORIFLAMME

The oriflamme was the ancient royal banner ofFrance; originally the banner of theabbeyofSt Denis, near Paris, which received many important grants from the early French kings. Its colour was purple with a tinge ofazureandgold. It became the banner of themonarchyin the reign ofPhilip I. The oriflamme borne atAgincourtwas, according to Sir Nicolas, a rectangular red flag, split into five points. It sometimes bore upon it a salrire wavy, from the centre of which golden rays diverged.

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ORLE

Inheraldry, an orle (crest-wreath) is a bearing, in the form of afillet, round theshield, within, but at some distance from, the border. The term is also applied to thewreath, orchaplet, surmounting or encircling thehelmetof aknightand bearing thecrest. During theMiddle Agesthe orle was formed of two rolls ofsilkof the principal metal and colour in the arms, twisted together so as to show the metal and colour alternately. The orle first appears in Englishheraldryaround 1375.

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OVERT

Inheraldry, overt describes the wings of abird, &c. when spread open on either side of the head, as if taking flight.

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O

OPINICUS

Inheraldry, an opinicus is an imaginaryanimalborne as a charge, having wings, an eagle's head, and a short tail. It is sometimes represented without wings.

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OR

Inheraldry, or is the yellow orgoldcolour, represented in drawing orengravingby small dots.

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ORDINARY

Inheraldryan ordinary is a charge or bearing of simple form, one ofnineor ten which are in constant use. The bend,chevron,chief, cross,fesse, pale, andsaltireare uniformly admitted as ordinaries. Some authorities also include the bar, bendsinister, pile, and others.

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ORIFLAMME

The oriflamme was the ancient royal banner ofFrance; originally the banner of theabbeyofSt Denis, near Paris, which received many important grants from the early French kings. Its colour was purple with a tinge ofazureandgold. It became the banner of themonarchyin the reign ofPhilip I. The oriflamme borne atAgincourtwas, according to Sir Nicolas, a rectangular red flag, split into five points. It sometimes bore upon it a salrire wavy, from the centre of which golden rays diverged.

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ORLE

Inheraldry, an orle (crest-wreath) is a bearing, in the form of afillet, round theshield, within, but at some distance from, the border. The term is also applied to thewreath, orchaplet, surmounting or encircling thehelmetof aknightand bearing thecrest. During theMiddle Agesthe orle was formed of two rolls ofsilkof the principal metal and colour in the arms, twisted together so as to show the metal and colour alternately. The orle first appears in Englishheraldryaround 1375.

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OVERT

Inheraldry, overt describes the wings of abird, &c. when spread open on either side of the head, as if taking flight.

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P

PALE

Inheraldry, a pale is the first and simplest kind of ordinary. It is bounded by two vertical lines at equal distances from the sides of theescutcheon, of which it encloses one third.

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PALEWISE

Inheraldry, palewise means in themannerof a pale orpales, that is byperpendicularlines or divisions for example to divide anescutcheonpalewise.

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PALL

Inheraldrya pall is a figure resembling the Roman Catholicpallium, or pall, and having the form of the letter Y. It consists of half a pale issuing from the base, and cojoined in thefessepoint with half asaltirefrom thedexterand thesinisterchief.

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PALLET

Inheraldrya pallet is adiminutiveof the pale, being aperpendicularband upon anescutcheon, one half thebreadthof the pale.

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PALLETED

Inheraldry, palletted means cojoined by apallet; for example achevronpalletted.

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PALY

Inheraldry, paly means divided into four or more equal parts byperpendicularlines, and of two different tinctures disposed alternately.

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PALY BENDY

Inheraldry, paly bendy describes a field divided by lines drawnbendwiseand also by lines drawn vertically.

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PANACHE

Inheraldry, a panache is a plume of feathers, generallyostrichfeathers, set upright and borne as acrest. A panache sometimes consists of a single row of feathers; but usually it has two or more rows or 'heights' of feathers, rising one above the other. generally the tips of the feathers are erect, but sometimes they wave or are bent over. A panache may be charged with some device or figure 'for difference'.

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PARTY

Inheraldry, party means parted or divided, as in the direction or form of one of the ordinaries; for example anescutcheonparty per pale.

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PASSANT

Inheraldry, passant means walking and is said of anyanimalon anescutcheon, which is represented as walking with thedexterpaw raised.

Alionpassant is emblematic of resolution.

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PASSANT GARDANT

Inheraldry, passant gardant refers to a beast walking, with three feet on the ground and looking at the viewer with a full face showing.

Alionpassant gardant is emblematic of resolution and prudence.

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