A
A BOUCHE
In heraldry, A bouche refers to a shape of shield. Basically rectangular, it is distinguished by the presence of a notch at the dexter chief position.
ABASED
In heraldry, abased describes something borne lower than usual and also describes a bird represented as having the ends of the wings turned downward towards the point of the shield.
ABATEMENT
In heraldry an abatement is a mark of dishonour on an escutcheon.
ABYSS
In heraldry, the abyss is the center of an escutcheon.
ACCIDENT
In heraldry, an accident is a point or mark which may be retained or omitted in a coat of arms.
ACCOLLEE
In heraldry, accollee means placed side by side; also, entwined about the neck.
ACCOSTED
In heraldry, accosted means supported on both sides by other charges and also, side by side.
ACCRUED
In heraldry, accrued means grown to maturity.
ACHIEVEMENT
In heraldry, an achievment means any complete heraldic composition.
ADDITION
In heraldry, an addition is something added to a coat of arms, as a mark of honour the opposite of an abatement.
ADDORSED
In heraldry, addorsed means set or turned back to back; pointing backwards.
ADUMBRATION
In heraldry, adumbration is the shadow or outlines of a figure.
AFFRONTE
In heraldry, affronte means face to face, or front to front.
AILETTE
In heraldry, an ailette (or emerass) is a small escutcheon which was fixed to the shoulders of armed knights. They were made of steel and introduced during the reign of Edward I, forming the origin of the modern epaulette.
ALANT
In heraldry, an alant is a mastiff with short ears.
ALERION
Alerion is a name sometimes given by early Heralds to the heraldic eagle, which, when balzoned under this title, was also sometimes drawn without legs or beak.
ALLERION
In heraldry an allerion is an eagle without a beak or feet, with expanded wings.
ALLOCAMELUS
In heraldry, the allocamelus is a device representing a mythical creature which is part camel and part ass. The device was first borne on the arms of the Eastland Company, and later in the 19th century by the Russia Company.
ALLUSIVE ARMS
See “Canting Arms”
AMBULANT
In heraldry, ambulant means in the act of walking.
AMETHYST
In heraldry, amethyst is a purple colour in a nobleman’s escutcheon, or coat of arms.
ANCHOR
In heraldry the anchor is an emblem of hope.
ANCHORED
In heraldry, anchored describes something as having the extremities turned back, like the flukes of an anchor.
ANIME
In heraldry, anime describes the eyes of a rapacious animal as being of a different tincture from the animal itself.
ANNODATED
In heraldry, annodated means curved somewhat in the form of the letter S.
ANNULET
In heraldry, an annulet is a small circle, like a link of chain mail borne as a charge. In modern heraldry it represents the difference of the fifth son or brother.
ANNULETEE
In heraldry, annuletee means ending in annulets.
ANSERATED
In heraldry, anserated describes something, a cross for example, as having the extremities terminate in the heads of eagles, lions, etc.
APPAUME
In heraldry, appaume describes a hand open, erect and extended so as to show the palm to the spectator.
AQUILATED
In heraldry, aquilated means adorned with eagles’ heads.
ARCHED
In heraldry, arched means bent or bowed.
ARCHY
In heraldry, archy means bent or bowed.
ARGENT
In heraldry, argent is the white colour in coats of arms, intended to represent silver, or, figuratively, purity, innocence, beauty, or gentleness. It is represented in engraving by a plain white surface.
ARMED
In heraldry, the term armed describes beasts and birds of prey as having their natural weapons – horns, a beak, talons, &c.
ARMS
In heraldry, arms are the ensigns armorial of a family, consisting of figures and colours borne in shields, banners, &c., as marks of dignity and distinction, and descending from father to son.
ARMS OF ALLIANCE
In heraldry, arms of alliance are arms which come into a man’s posession by matrimonial alliances, as the arms of his wife, which are impaled with his own, and those of heiresses which he, in like manner, quarters.
ARMS OF COMMUNITY
In heraldry, arms of community are the heraldic arms borne by Corporate and other Bodies and Communities, such as cities, colleges &c.
ARRONDIE
In heraldry, arrondie means curved, rounded.
ASCENDANT
In heraldry, ascendent means issuing upwards, like a flower for example.
ASHEN KEYS
In heraldry, ashen keys is the name given to the seed-vessels of the ash tree when represented upon an escutcheon.
ASPECT
In heraldry, aspect means position.
ASPECTANT
In heraldry, aspectant means facing each other.
ASPERSED
In heraldry, aspersed means having an indefinite number of small charges scattered or strewed over the surface.
ASSUMPTIVE ARMS
In heraldry, assumptive arms were originally arms which a person had a right to assume, in consequence of an exploit; now the term is applied to those arms assumed without the sanction of the Heralds’ College.
AT GAZE
In heraldry, at gaze describes figures of the stag, hart, buck or hind represented with the face turned directly to the front on an escutcheon.
AT SPEED
In heraldry, at speed describes figures of the stag, hart, buck or hind represented as though running very fast.
ATTIRED
In heraldry, attired describes a stag provided with antlers.
AUGMENTATION
In heraldry an augmentation is an additional charge to a coat of arms, given as a mark of honour.
AVELLANE
In heraldry, avellane describes something such as a cross in the form of four unhusked filberts.
AYLET
See “Cornish Chough”
AZURE
In heraldry, azure is a blue colour, represented in engraving by horizontal parallel lines.
B
BADELAIRE
In heraldry a badelaire is a broad-bladed sword, or scimitar, slightly curved.
BADGE
In heraldry, a badge, or cognizance is a distinctive mark somewhat similar to a crest, though not placed on a wreath, nor worn on the helmet. 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.
BADGE OF ULSTER
See “Red Hand”
BAGUE
In heraldry a bague is a gem or finger ring.
BAGWYN
In heraldry, a bagwyn is an imaginary beast like the heraldic antelope, but having the tail of a horse, and long horns curved over the ears.
BAILLONNE
In heraldry, baillonne describes animal embellishments when they have a baton in their mouth.
BALLET
In heraldry, a ballet is a bearing in coats of arms, representing one or more balls, which are denominated bezants, plates, etc., according to their colour.
BAR
In heraldry a bar is an ordinary formed after the manner of a fesse, 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 a fesse. Bars are mostly two in a field, sometimes three or more.
BARDED
In heraldry, barded means having horse-trappings.
BARDINGS
In heraldry, bardings are horse-trappings, often enriched with armorial blazonry.
BARRULET
In heraldry a barrulet is a diminutive of the bar, of which it is one-fourth the thickness, that is a twentieth part of the field.
BARRULY
In heraldry, barruly describes the field when traversed by barrulets or small bars.
BARRY
In heraldry, the term barry denotes that the field is horizontally divided into a certain even number of equal parts.
BARRY BENDY
In heraldry, barry bendy describes a field divided by lines drawn bendwise and also by lines drawn horizontally.
BARRY PILY
In heraldry, barry pily denotes that the field is divided into an even number of pieces by piles placed horizontally across the shield.
BARS GEMEL
In heraldry, bars gemel are two barrulets placed near and parallel to each other.
BARWISE
In heraldry the term barwise means horizontally.
BASE
In heraldry, the base is the lower part of the field (the pointed part of the shield).
BATON
In heraldry, a baton is an ordinary with its ends cut off, borne sinister as a mark of bastardy, and containing one quarter in breadth of the bend sinister.
BEARING
In heraldry, a bearing is any single emblem or charge in an escutcheon or coat of arms.
BELT
In heraldry, a belt is a token or badge of knightly rank.
BEND
In heraldry, a bend is one of the nine honorable ordinaries, consisting of a belt drawn diagonally from the dexter chief to the sinister base, and occupying one third of the field.
BEND SINISTER
In heraldry, a bend sinister is an honourable ordinary drawn from the sinister chief to the dexter base.
BENDLET
In heraldry a bendlet is a derivative of the bend, being one-half the width of the bend.
BENDWISE
In heraldry, bendwise means Diagonally.
BENDY
In heraldry, a shield or its charge is described as bendy when it is divided into an even number of bends.
BEQUE
In heraldry, beque means beaked. The term is used specifically of a bird which has its beak coloured differently to the rest of its body.
BEVELLED
See “Beviled”
BEVILE
In heraldry, a bevile (or bevel) is a chief broken or opening like a carpenter’s bevel.
BEVILED
In heraldry, beviled (or bevelled) describes a partion line of a shield which is notched with an angle like that enclosed by a carpenter’s bevel.
BEZANT
In heraldry, a bezant is a circle in or (gold), representing the gold coin called a bezant.
BICAPITATED
In heraldry, bicapitated means having two heads, like an eagle with two heads and one body.
BICORPORATE
In heraldry, bicorporate describes something as being double-bodied, for example a lion having one head and two bodies.
BILLET
In heraldry a billet is a bearing in the form of a rectangle, supposed to represent a piece of paper folded in the form of a letter. Its proportions are two squares.
BLOODY HAND
See “Red Hand”
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.
BORDURE
In heraldry a bordure is a border one fifth the width of the shield, surrounding the field. It is usually plain, but may be charged.
BOTTONY
In heraldry, 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 extremeties of which terminates in bud-like prominences.
BOUGET
In heraldry, a bouget is a charge representing a leather vessel for carrying water.
BRACED
In heraldry, the term braced means interlaced.
BREYS
In heraldry, a breys is charge representing an instrument used in breaking horses. The charge is to be found on the arms of Sir Reginald Bray.
BRICK
In heraldry, a brick is a charge resembling a billet, but showing its thickness in perspective.
BRISURE
In heraldry a brisure is a mark of cadency or difference.
BROUCHANT
In heraldry, brouchant means placed over, as when obe charge overlies another.
C
CABLEE
In heraldry, cablee refers to a cross in a coat-of-arms composed of two cable-ends.
CABOSHED
In heraldry, caboshed describe the showing of the full face, but nothing of the neck of the head of a beast in an armourial bearing.
CADET
In heraldry, a cadet is a junior member or branch of a family.
CAMPANED
In heraldry, campaned describes an armourial bearing furnished with campanes (bells).
CAMPANES
In heraldry campanes are bells.
CANTING ARMS
In heraldry, canting arms (also known as allusive arms or punning arms) are bearings in the nature of a rebus alluding to the name of the bearer. Thus, the Castletons bear three castles, and Pope Adrian IV (Nicholas Breakspeare) bore a broken spear on his coat of arms. Canting arms were respected until the reign of James I, after that they fell into disrepute.
CANTON
In heraldry a canton is a division of a shield occupying one third part of the chief, usually on the dexter side, formed by a perpendicular line from the top of the shield, meeting a horizontal line from the side.
CANTONED
In heraldry, the term cantoned refers to having a charge in each of the four corners. The term is said of a cross on a shield, and also of the shield itself.
CARBUNCLE
In heraldry a carbuncle is a charge or bearing representin the precious stone. It has eight scepters or staves radiating from a common center.
CARTOUCHE
In heraldry, cartouche refers to a shape of shield. This is the plain ovalar shaped shield.
CHAPOURNET
In heraldry, a chapournet is a chaperonnet or little hood, borne in a coat of arms to signify that the chief is divided by a bow-shaped line.
CHAUSSE
In heraldry, 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 the escutcheon, where it meets about the fesse point.
CHECKY
In heraldry, 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.
CHESS-ROOK
In heraldry, a chess-rook is a bearing on a coat of arms representing the rook or castle piece from the game of chess.
CHEVRON
In heraldry a chevron is one of the nine honorable ordinaries, consisting of two broad bands of the width of the bar, issuing, respectively from the dexter and sinister bases of the field and conjoined at its center.
CHEVRONEL
In heraldry, a chevronel is a bearing like a chevron, but of only half its width.
CHEVRONWISE
In heraldry chevronwise means in the manner of a chevron, For example the field may be divided chevronwise.
CHIEF
In heraldry, the chief or chief point is the head or principal part of the escutcheon. It contains the upper third of the field, and is determined by one line, either drawn straight or crenelle, or indented. Sometimes one chief is borne upon another, which is called sumounting, 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 the escutcheon it is said to be borne in chief.
CLE
In heraldry cle 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.
CLECHE
In heraldry, a cleche is a kind of cross, charged with a similar cross of the same figure, but of the same colour as the field.
COAT OF ARMS
Coat of arms is a translation of the French cotte d’armes, which was a garment of light material worn over the armour in 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.
COCKATRICE
In heraldry a cockatrice is a representation of the mythical cockatrice, a reptile with the head, wings, and legs of a bird, and tail of a serpent.
COMBATANT
In heraldry combatant describes two bearings in the position of fighting – set face to face, each rampant.
COMPONY
In heraldry, compony describes a bearing divided into squares of alternate tinctures in a single row.
CONFRONTE
In heraldry, confronte means facing one-another or full-faced.
CONJOINED
In heraldry, conjoined or conjunct describes two or more bearings that are joined together or touching.
CONJUNCT
See “Conjoined”
CONTOURNE
In heraldry, contourne describes bearings turned a different way to usual, for example animals turned toward the sinister side.
CORBIE
In heraldry a corbie is a raven, crow, or chough, used as a charge.
CORDED
In heraldry, corded describes something bound about, or wound, with cords.
CORNISH CHOUGH
In heraldry a Cornish chough (aylet or sea wallow) is a bird represented in black, with red feet, and a red beak.
COTTICE
In heraldry, a cottice or cotise is a diminutive of the bend, containing one-quarter its area. When a single cottice is used alone it is called a cost.
COTTICED
In heraldry the term cotticed describes a bend set between two cottices.
COUCHANT
In heraldry, 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 as lions and beasts of chase such as deer.
COUCHE
In heraldry, couche refers to a suspended shield, generally represented hanging by the sinister-chief angle. Shields couche are often used in Seals.
COUCHED
In heraldry, the term couched describes something that is usually erect lying on its side. Thus, a chevron couched is one which emerges from one side of the escutcheon and has its apex on the opposite side, or at the fesse point.
COUNTER-COUCHANT
In heraldry, counter-couchant means lying down, with their heads in opposite directions; it is said of animals borne in a coat of arms.
COUNTER-COURANT
In heraldry, counter-courant means running in opposite directions; it is said of animals borne in a coast of arms.
COUNTER-PALY
In heraldry, counter-paly describes something paly, and then divided fesswise, so that each vertical piece is cut into two, having the colours used alternately or counterchanged.
COUNTER-SALIENT
In heraldry, counter-salient describes two figures leaping from each other.
COUNTERCHANGED
In heraldry counterchanged means having the tinctures exchanged mutually; thus, if the field is divided palewise, or and azure, and a cross is borne counterchanged, that part of the cross which comes on the azure side will be or, and that on the or side will be azure.
COUNTERFLORY
In heraldry the 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.
COUNTERPASSANT
In heraldry, counterpassant describes two animals passant in opposite directions.
COUNTERPOINTE
In heraldry, counterpointe is an epithet applied to two chevrons which meet with their points in the centre of the escutcheon or opposite to each other.
COUPED
In heraldry, couped means cut off smoothly, as distinguished from erased and is especially used to describe the way the head or limb of an animal is displayed.
COUPLE-CLOSE
In heraldry, the couple-close is a diminutive of the chevron, containing one quarter of its surface. Couple- closes are generally borne one on each side of a chevron, and the blazoning may then be either a chevron between two couple-closes or chevron cotticed.
COURANT
In heraldry, courant describes an animal when running.
COWARD
In heraldry, the term coward is applied to a lion borne in the escutcheon with its tail doubled between its legs.
CRAMPONEE
In heraldry, cramponee describes a cross furnished with a cramp or square piece at the end.
CRESCENT
In heraldry, a crescent is displayed with the horns directed upward and is often used as a mark of cadency to distinguish a second son and his descendants.
CREST
In heraldry, a crest is a bearing worn, not upon the shield, but usually above it, or separately as an ornament for plate, liveries, and the like. It is a relic of the ancient cognizance.
CRINED
In heraldry, crined describes a figure as having the hair of a different tincture from the rest of the body.
CROISSANTE
In heraldry, croissante describes a cross terminated with crescents at the ends.
CROSS BOTTONY
In heraldry, a cross bottony is a cross having each arm terminating in three rounded lobes, forming a sort of trefoil.
CROSS CALVARY
In heraldry, a cross calvary is a cross, set upon three steps.
CROSS FORKED
In heraldry, 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.
CROSS MOLINE
In heraldry, a cross moline is a cross each arm of which is divided at the end into two rounded branches or divisions.
CROSS-CROSSLET
In heraldry a cross-crosslet is a cross having the three upper ends crossed, so as to from three small crosses.
CUBIT-ARM
In heraldry, a cubit-arm is an arm cut off at the elbow, represented as part of a crest.
CURVAL
In heraldry, curval means bowed, bent or curved curved.
CYGNET-ROYAL
In heraldry, a cygnet-royal is a depiction of a swan gorged with a ducal coronet, having a chain attached thereto, and reflexed over the back.
D
DANCETTE
In heraldry, dancette means deeply indented or having large teeth, thus a fesse dancette has only three teeth in the whole width of the escutcheon.
DEBASED
In heraldry, debased means turned upside down from its proper position or inverted or reversed.
DEBRUISED
In heraldry, debruised means surmounted by an ordinary. The term may be applied for example to a lion as being debruised when a bend or other ordinary is placed over it. It is used as a symbol of illegitimacy.
DECRESCENT
In heraldry, a decrescent is a crescent depicted with the horns directed towards the sinister.
DEGRADED
In heraldry, degraded describes a cross furnished with steps, particularly a cross whose extremities finishes in steps growing larger as they leave the center.
DEXTER
In heraldry, dexter is the right-hand side of a shield, i. e., towards the right hand of its wearer. To a spectator in front, as in a pictorial representation, this is the left side.
DEXTER BASE
In heraldry, the dexter base is a point in the dexter lower part or base of the shield.
DEXTER CHIEF
In heraldry, the dexter chief or dexter point is a point in the dexter upper corner of the shield, being in the dexter extremity of the chief.
DIADEM
In heraldry, a diadem is an arch rising from the rim of a crown (also sometimes, but rarely of a coronet), and uniting with others over its center.
DIAPERING
In heraldry, 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.
DIMIDIATE
In heraldry, dimidiate means to represent the half of or to halve.
DISARMED
In heraldry, disarmed refers to a beast or bird depicted without claws, and teeth or a beak.
DISCLOSED
In heraldry, disclosed describes fowls represented with their wings expanded, but with the points downwards.
DISPLAYED
In heraldry the term displayed is applied to a bird of prey, especially an eagle, depicted with its wings expanded.
DORMANT
In heraldry dormant describes a sleeping posture.
DOUBLING
In heraldry the doubling is the lining of the mantle borne about the shield or escutcheon.
DRAGONNEE
In heraldry, a dragonnee is a mythical beast comprised of an upper part resembling a lion and the under part the wings and tail of a dragon.
E
EMBATTLED
In heraldry, the term embattled refers to something having its edge broken like battlements. The term is applied to a bearing such as a fess, bend, or the like.
EMBORDERED
In heraldry, embordered refers to having a border of the same colour, metal or fur as the field.
ENARCHED
In heraldry, enarched describes a bend or other ordinary bent into a curve.
ENDORSE
In heraldry an endorse is a subordinary, resembling the pale, but of one quarter of its width.
ENFILED
In heraldry, enfiled describes an object having some other object, such as the head of a man or beast, impaled upon it. For example a sword may be said to be enfiled of the thing which it pierces.
ENGOULED
In heraldry, the term engouled (engoulee) means partly swallowed and describes an object disappearing into the jaws of anything, for example an infant engouled by a serpent. The term is also applied to an ordinary, when its two ends to issue from the mouths of lions, or the like, for example a bend engouled.
ENGOULEE
See “Engouled”
ENGRAILED
In heraldry, engrailed describes something indented with small concave curves, as the edge of a bordure, bend, or the like.
ENMANCHE
In heraldry, the term enmanche describes something resembling, or covered with, a sleeve. It is said of the chief when lines are drawn from the middle point of the upper edge upper edge to the sides.
ERASED
In heraldry, erased describes something represented with jagged and uneven edges, as is if it has been torn off. The term is particularly used to describe the depiction of a head of a beast.
ERMINE
In heraldry, ermine is a fur represented by an argent field, tufted with black. Ermines is the reverse of ermine, being black, spotted or timbered with argent. Erminois is the same as ermine, except that or is substituted for argent.
ESCALLOP
In heraldry, an escalop is a representation of a scallop-shell. It was originally worn as a sign that the wearer had made a pilgrimage to the shrine of St James at Compotella, in Spain. Later it was worn to indicate that the bearer or his ancestors had been at the Crusades or had made long pilgrimages.
ESCALLOPED
In heraldry, escaloped (escallopee) describes an escutcheon covered with overlapping curved lines resembling the outline of a scallop-shell.
ESCALLOPEE
See “Escalloped”
ESCARBUNCLE
In heraldry, an escarbuncle is a shield-boss developed into a decorative structral metal-work.
ESCARTELLY
In heraldry, 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 division per fesse.
ESCROL
In heraldry, an escrol is a long strip or scroll resembling a ribbon or a band of parchment, or the like. They were anciently placed above the shield, and supporting the crest. In modern heraldry, an escrol is a similar ribbon on which the motto is inscribed.
ESCUTCHEON
In heraldry, the escutcheon is the surface, usually a shield, upon which bearings are marshaled and displayed. The surface of the escutcheon is called the field, the upper part is called the chief, and the lower part the base That side of the escutcheon which is on the right hand of the knight who bears the shield on his arm is called dexter, and the other side sinister.
ESSORANT
In heraldry, essorant describes a charge of a bird borne on an escutcheon standing, but with the wings spread, as if it is about to fly.
ESTOILE
In heraldry, an estoile is a six-pointed star whose rays are wavy, instead of straight like those of a mullet.
F
FEATHERED
In heraldry, the term feathered is applied to an arrow when the feathers are of a tincture different from that of the shaft.
FER-DE-MOLINE
See “Mill-Rind”
FESSE
In heraldry, a fesse is one of the nine honorable ordinaries, consisting of a belt drawn horizontaly across the middle of the shield and occupying one third of the field.
FESSE POINT
In heraldry, the fesse point is the exact center of the escutcheon.
FIELD
In heraldry, the field is the whole surface of an escutcheon.
FILLET
In heraldry, a fillet is an ordinary equaling in breadth one quarter of the chief, to the lowest portion of which it corresponds in position.
FIMBRIATED
In heraldry, fimbriated describes an ordinary or subordinary which has a very narrow border of another tincture.
FITCHEE
In heraldry, fitchee describes something sharpened to a point or pointed, for example a cross fitchee.
FLANCH
In heraldry, a flanch is a bearing consisting of a segment of 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.
FLEUR-DE-LYS
The fleur-de-Lys (flower of lily) is an heraldic representation of an iris or garden lily. It was the armorial bearing of the Kings of France from 1147 and was also borne by some English families. The Fleur-de-Lys is a cadency mark for the sixth son.
FLEURY
In heraldry, the term fleury describes something being finished at the ends with fleurs-de-lis. The term is particularly applied to a cross so decorated.
FLIGHTED
In heraldry, flighted is a term describing feathered arrows.
FLORETTY
In heraldry, floretty means decorated with fleur-de-Lys, for example dancetty floretty, refers to an ornamental line of division with is comprised of large teeth, each of which is topped with a fleur-de-Lys.
FLORID
In heraldry, florid refers to a shape of shield. The florid shield is an ornate, flowing design with curves and indents to the dexter and sinister sides.
FLOTANT
In heraldry, flotant describes something, such a s abanner, represented as flying or streaming in the air.
FLOURISHED
In heraldry, the term flourished means adorned with trefoils, fleur-de-lys, &c. For example a flourished cross is one where the arms terminate in a trefoil, or a fleur-de-lys.
FOOT-CLOTH
A foot-cloth was the coat or housing worn by a horse and which bore the knights arms.
FOURCHEE
In heraldry, 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.
FRACTED
In heraldry, fracted describes an ordinary having a part displaced, as if broken.
FRASIER
In heraldry, the frasier or strawbery leaf is charge comprised of a five-lobed leaf.
FRET
In heraldry a fret is a charge consisting of two narrow bendlets placed in saltire, and interlaced with a mascle. It was supposed to represent the meshes of a fishing-net. Being borne by the family of Harrington it 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 more frets are borne in the same arms they must be couped, unless each occupies an entire quarter.
FRETTED
In heraldry, the term fretted describes charges and ordinaries that are interlaced one with another.
FRETTY
In heraldry, fretty is a sub-ordinary consisting of an interwoven lattice covering the field.
FRUCTED
In heraldry, the term fructed is applied to a tree or plant represented on the escutcheon as bearing fruit.
FUSIL
In heraldry, a fusil is a bearing of a rhomboidal figure named from its shape, which resembles that of a spindle. It differs from a lozenge in being longer in proportion to its width.
FYLFOT
A fylfot is a peculiar cruciform figure with a supposed mystic significance found in military and ecclesiastical decorations in England and the East, and as a heraldic charge.
G
GARB
In heraldry a garb is a sheaf of grain (wheat, unless otherwise specified).
GEMEL
In heraldry, gemel means coupled or paired.
GENTLEMAN
In heraldry, a gentleman is a man who bears arms, but has no title.
GIRON
In heraldry, a giron or gyron is a charge consisting of the lower half of a diagonally divided quarter, usually in the top left corner of the shield.
GOBONATED
In heraldry, gobonated refers to a border, pale, bend or other charge divided into equal parts forming squares.
GONFALON
A gonfalon was an ensign or standard, the term usually being applied to an ensign having two or three streamers or tails, fixed on a frame made to turn like a ship’s vane, or, as in the case of the Papal gonfalon, suspended from a pole similar to a sail from a mast.
GORE
In heraldry, a gore is one of the abatements. It is made of two curved lines, meeting in an acute angle in the fesse point. It is usually on the sinister side, and of the tincture called tenne. Like the other abatements it is a modern fancy and not actually used.
GORGED
In heraldry, the term gorged describes a figure bearing a coronet or ring about the neck.
GOUTTES
In heraldry, the gouttes is a sub-ordinary representing a droplet.
GUARDANT
In heraldry, guardant describes a beast represented with its head turned towards the spectator, but not the body.
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.
GUSSET
In heraldry, a gusset in a coast of arms is an abatement or mark of dishonour. It is formed by a line drawn from the dexter or sinister chief point one third across the shield, and then descending perpendicularly to the base. It may be on either the dexter or sinister side of the shield; on the former it is an abatement for adultery; on the latter for drunkeness.
GUTTY
In heraldry, gutty means charged or sprinkled with drops.
GUZE
In heraldry, guze is a roundlet of the tincture sanguine, which is blazoned without mention of the tincture.
GYRON
In heraldry, a gyron is a subordinary of triangular form having one of its angles at the fesse point and the opposite side at the edge of the escutcheon. When there is only one gyron on the shield it is bounded by two lines drawn from the fesse point, one horizontally to the dexter side, and one to the dexter chief corner.
GYRONNY
In heraldry, the term gyrony describes an escutcheon covered with gyrons, or divided so as to form several gyrons.
H
HATCHMENT
In heraldry, hatchment is a sort of panel, 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 in England as a means of giving public notification of the death of the deceased, and information about his or her rank, whether married, widower, widow, etc.
HAURIENT
In heraldry, haurient is said of a depiction of a fish which is in pale, with the head in chief as if rising for air.
HEATER CURVED
In heraldry, heater curved refers to a shape of shield. The heater curved shield has a flat top and sides which curve to a point at the base, giving a squat, almost square shaped shield.
HEATER POINTED
In heraldry, heater pointed refers to a shape of shield. The heater pointed shield has a flat top and sides which taper to a point at the base.
HELMET
In heraldry, 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 burnished gold, affronty, i.e. full-faced, with six bars, or grilles, and lined with crimson. 2. The helmets of nobles (dukes, marquesses, earls, viscounts, and barons), were to be composed of silver or polished steel, with five gold bars, and lined with crimson. According to some authorities they should be placed neither affronty nor in profile, but between those positions; but there seem to be conflicting directions, and the practice varied. 3. Baronets’ and knights’ helmet were to be affronty and open, but supplied with a visor. They are supposed to be formed of steel ornamented with gilding, and usually lined with crimson. 4. The helmets of esquires and private gentlemen were to be placed in profile, with the visor or beaver closed; to be of steel, but enriched with gold. These are drawn after various patterns however, the only point being that the visor should be closed, whence they are termed close helmets.
HERALDRY
Heraldry is the science of a herald’s duties, or more commonly the knowledge of 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 and motley bands of warriors which constituted the Christian armies. One of the oldest specimens of heraldic bearings extant is the shield at Mana of Geoffrey Plantagenet, who died in 1150. Rolls of arms in England are extant from the reigns of Henry III, Edward I, and Edward II. The use of arms on the Great Seal of England was introduced by Richard I. The bearing of coat- armour by private persons was prohibited by proclamation in the reign of Henry V. The chief courts of jurisdiction in questions of heraldry are the Heralds’ College in England, and the Lyon Court in Scotland. 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 a shield marked and coloured in a vast variety of ways, so as to be distinctive of an individual, a family, or a community. The shield or escutcheon represents the original shield used in war, and on which arms were anciently borne. The surface of the escutcheon is 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 the shield is called the chief and is the most honourable part of the shield. The upper right corner (when viewed by the bearer) is the dexter chief; the top middle of the shield is called the middle chief; and the upper left-hand corner is called the sinister chief; the centre is called the fesse point; the lower part of the shield is called the base. Colour is given in the coat of arms by means of tinctures, two of which are metals – ‘or’ and argent, that is, gold and silver – 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 comparetively uncommon. An object represented in its natural colours is said to be proper. When not given in colours or by actual gilding the tinctures are represented by points and lines in black and white. ‘Or’ is distinguished by small dots covering the part; argent is represented by leaving the space blank; azure is shown by horizontal lines; gules, by perpendicular lines; sable, by perpendicular and horizontal lines crossing each other; vert, by diagonal lines running from the darter chief to the sinister base; purpure, by diagonal lines running from the sinister chief to the dezter base. Another class of tinctures are the furs, of which the two principal are ermine and vair, and which have also their special method of representation. The figures borne on the shield may be either purely artificial and conventional, or may represent real objects, animals, plants, etc. Of the former the most common are known as ordinaries, and have the following names: Chief, Pale, Bend, Fesse, Bar, Chevron, Cross, and Saltire. The chief is a portion of the shield at 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 the dexter chief to the sinister base in the form of a belt, and also occupies the third of the field. A diminutive of the bend is the bandlet. The fesse occupies the middle third of the field horizontally. The bar is formed after the manner of a fesse, 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 a fesse. Bars are mostly two in a field, sometimes three or more. A diminutive is the barrulet. The chevron may be regarded as made of a bend darter and sinister issuing from the right and left base points of the escutcheon and meeting like two rafters. The cross is the ordinrary cross of St. George. The saltire is the equally well-known cross of St. Andrew. The shield is often divided by lines running similarly to the ordinaries; hence when divided by a perpendicular line it is said to be party per pale, when by a horizontal line party per fesse, when by diagonal line party per bend. Similarly, when it seems to bear several pales or bends or bars, it is said to be paly, bendy, or barry of so many pieces, ‘paly of six argent and gules’ for instance. Charges are the figures of natural and artificial things, 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, a lion is rampant when 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; gardant, looking full- faced; rampant gardant, erect and looking full-faced; salient, in a leaping posture. So trippant is said of the stag when trotting; lodged, of the stag when at rest on the ground; volant, of birds in general in a flying posture; rising, of a bird that is preparing to fly; displayed, of birds seen frontwise with outspread wings; naiant, of fishes when swimming; and so on. The teeth and claws of lions and other ravenous beasts are called their arms; and when these have a special tincture the animal is said to be armed of such a tincture; similarly if their tongue be of a special tincture, they are said to be langued of this tincture. Often two or more coats of arms are united together on one shield, so that the whole may be a very complicated affair. The art of arranging arms in this way is known as marshalling, and when the shield is divided up into squares for the reception of different coats, it is said to be Quartered. There are also certain exterior ornaments of the shield or escutcheon, namely, the helmet, mantling crest, wreath, motto, and supporters. The helmet, which is placed on the top of the escutcheon, varies both in form and materials. Those of sovereign princes are of gold, those of the nobility of silver, and those of gentlemen of polished steel. The fullfaced helmet, with six bars, is for the king and princes of the blood; the sidelong helmet, with five bars, is for dukes and marquises, etc.; the full-faced helmet of steel, with its beaver or vizor open, is for knights; and the sidelong helmet, with the vizor shut, for the esquire. The mantling or mantle was anciently fixed to the helmet, to which it served as a covering. Mantlings are now used like cloaks, to cover the whole achievement. The crest is placed above the helmet with the wreaths serving as a kind of support; the latter is composed of two colours wreathed or twisted together. The motto consists of the word or phrase carried in a scroll under or above the arms. Supporters were originally only ancient devices or badges, which by custom came to embelish armorial designs. They are called supporters because they hold the shield, as the lion and the unicorn in the royal arms of England.
HUMET
In heraldry, the term humet is applied to a chevron, fesse, bend, cross &c. when it is cut off or couped so that the extremeties do not reach as far as the sides of the escutcheon.
I
IMPALE
In heraldry impale means to join, as two coats of arms on one shield, palewise; hence, to join in honorable mention.
IMPALEMENT
In heraldry, impalement is the division of a shield palewise, or by a vertical line, especially for the purpose of putting side by side (impaling) the arms of husband and wife (see Arms of Alliance).
IMPRESA
In heraldry, an impresa is a device on a shield or seal, or used as a bookplate or the like.
INCENSANT
In heraldry the term incensant describes an animals when borne as raging, or with furious aspect.
INCENSED
In heraldry the term incensed describes a wild animal represented as enraged, for example an animal depicted with fire issuing from its mouth and eyes.
INCLAVE
In heraldry, inclave means resembling a series of dovetails. The term is applied to a line of division, such as the border of an ordinary.
INCRESCENT
In heraldry the term increscent is applied to a depiction of the moon represented as the new moon, with the points turned toward the dexter side.
INDENTED
In heraldry, indented refers to notched like the teeth of a saw, but smaller than dancette. The term is applied to one of the lines of partition; ordinaries are also borne indented.
INESCUTCHEON
In heraldry, an inescutcheon is a small escutcheon borne within a shield.
INTERCHANGEABLY POSED
In heraldry, interchangeably posed describes bearings placed or lying across each other, as three fish, three swords, three arrows &c. the head of each appearing between the tails, hilts, or rear-ends of the others.
INTERFRETTED
In heraldry, interfretted means interlaced. The term is applied to any bearings linked together, one within the other, as keys interlaced in the bows, or one linked into the other.
INVECTED
In heraldry, the term invected means having a border or outline composed of semicircles with the convexity outward – the opposite of engrailed.
ISSUANT
In heraldry, issuant means issuing or coming up and is used to describe a charge or bearing rising or coming out of another.
J
JESSANT
In heraldry, the term jessant describes an animal or plant springing up or emerging.
K
KITE SHAPED
In heraldry, kite shaped refers to a shape of shield. The kite shaped shield is rounded at the chiefs and tapers down the sides to a pointed base.
L
LABEL
In heraldry, a label is a barrulet, or sometimes a bendlet, with pendants, or points, usually three, especially used as a mark of cadency to distinguish an eldest or only son while his father is still living.
LANGUED
In heraldry, the term langued describes an animal as having its tongue visible.
LATTICE
In heraldry, a lattice is a border formed of perpendicular and horizontal bars, either interlaced or not.
LIONCED
In heraldry, lionced describes a cross adorned with lions’ heads, having arms terminating in lions’ heads.
LIONCEL
In heraldry, a lioncel is a small lion, especially one of several borne in the same coat of arms.
LIVER
A liver is a mythical bird foud on the arms of the city of Liverpool, 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 the bird on Liverpool’s arms is a young Cormorant – a stuffed immature Cormorant being kept in Liverpool’s city hall since time immemorial.
LODGED
In heraldry the term lodged means lying down and is used to describe beasts of the chase, as couchant is of beasts of prey.
LOZENGE
In heraldry, a lozenge is a diamond-shaped figure usually with the upper and lower angles slightly acute, borne upon a shield or escutcheon. The term also describes a form of the escutcheon used by women instead of the shield which is used by men.
LOZENGY
In heraldry, lozengy describes a field divided into lozenge-shaped compartments.
M
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 the badge of the knights of Malta.
MANCHE
In heraldry, a manche is a charge in the form of a lady’s sleeve with a long pendent lappet, as worn in the time of Henry I.
MANTLE
In heraldry, a mantle is the cloak or robe which accompanies and is represented behind the escutcheon.
MANTLING
In heraldry, mantling or lambrequin is the representation of a mantle, or the drapery behind and around a coat of arms.
MARCASSIN
In heraldry, a marcassin is a young wild boar.
MARINED
In heraldry, marined describes a figure as having the lower part of the body like a fish.
MARKS OF CADENCY
In heraldry, marks of cadency are bearings indicating the position of the bearer as the older or younger son, or as a descendant of an older or younger son.
MARSHALING
In heraldry, marshaling is the arrangement of an escutcheon to exhibit the alliances of the owner.
MARTLET
In heraldry a martlet is a bird without a beak or feet. It is generally assumed to represent a martin. As a mark of cadency it denotes the fourth son.
MASCLE
In heraldry a mascle is a lozenge voided.
MEMBERED
In heraldry the term membered describes a bird having legs of a different tincture from that of the body.
MILL-RIND
In heraldry, a mill-rind or Fer-de-Moline is a figure supposed to represent the iron which holds a millstone by being set into its center.
MITRY
In heraldry, mitry refers to a bordure charged with eight mitres.
MOLET
See “Mullet”
MORNE
In heraldry, the term morne describes a lion represented without teeth, tongue, or claws.
MOUNT
In heraldry, a mount is a representation of a mound or hill covered with grass and occupying the bottom or base of the shield. It is usually represented as bearing a tree. Whendepicted in green it is called a mount-vert.
MULLET
In heraldry, a mullet or molet is a star, usually five pointed and pierced. When used as a difference it indicates the third son.
N
NAIANT
In heraldry the term naiant describes a figure of a fish when its is swimming.
NAISSANT
In heraldry, naissant describes a living creature isuing out of the middle of a fesse or other ordinary.
NATANT
In heraldry, the term natant means placed horizontally across the field, as if swimming toward the dexter side. The term is applied to all sorts of fishes except the flying fish.
NAVEL-POINT
See “Nombril”
NEBULE
In heraldry, the term nebule describes an heraldic line bounding an ordinary or subordinary, and composed of successive short curves supposed to resemble a cloud.
NEBULY
In heraldry, the term nebuly describes a line or a decoration composed of successive short curves or waves (nebules) supposed to resemble a cloud.
NISSANT
In heraldry, nissant refers to a beast having only the forepart shown above a horizontal division of a shield.
NOMBRIL
In heraldry, the nombril or navel-point is a point halfway between the fesse point and the middle base point of an escutcheon.
NOWED
In heraldry, nowed means knotted or tied in a knot, and is sometimes applied to a suitable representation of a serpent.
NOWYED
In heraldry, nowyed refers to a projection not in the centre of a cross, but in one of its projections.
O
ONDE
See “Unde”
OPINICUS
In heraldry, an opinicus is an imaginary animal borne as a charge, having wings, an eagle’s head, and a short tail. It is sometimes represented without wings.
OR
In heraldry, or is the yellow or gold colour, represented in drawing or engraving by small dots.
ORDINARY
In heraldry an ordinary is a charge or bearing of simple form, one of nine or ten which are in constant use. The bend, chevron, chief, cross, fesse, pale, and saltire are uniformly admitted as ordinaries. Some authorities also include the bar, bend sinister, pile, and others.
ORIFLAMME
The oriflamme was the ancient royal banner of France; originally the banner of the abbey of St Denis, near Paris, which received many important grants from the early French kings. Its colour was purple with a tinge of azure and gold. It became the banner of the monarchy in the reign of Philip I. The oriflamme borne at Agincourt was, 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.
ORLE
In heraldry, an orle is a bearing, in the form of a fillet, round the shield, within, but at some distance from, the border. The term is also applied to the wreath, or chaplet, surmounting or encircling the helmet of a knight and bearing the crest.
OVERT
In heraldry, overt describes the wings of a bird, &c. when spread open on either side of the head, as if taking flight.
P
PALE
In heraldry, a pale is the first and simplest kind of ordinary. It is bounded by two vertical lines at equal distances from the sides of the escutcheon, of which it encloses one third.
PALEWISE
In heraldry, palewise means in the manner of a pale or pales, that is by perpendicular lines or divisions for example to divide an escutcheon palewise.
PALL
In heraldry a pall is a figure resembling the Roman Catholic pallium, or pall, and having the form of the letter Y. It consists of half a pale issuing from the base, and cojoined in the fesse point with half a saltire from the dexter and the sinister chief.
PALLET
In heraldry a pallet is a diminutive of the pale, being a perpendicular band upon an escutcheon, one half the breadth of the pale.
PALLETED
In heraldry, palletted means cojoined by a pallet; for example a chevron palletted.
PALY
In heraldry, paly means divided into four or more equal parts by perpendicular lines, and of two different tinctures disposed alternately.
PALY BENDY
In heraldry, paly bendy describes a field divided by lines drawn bendwise and also by lines drawn vertically.
PANACHE
In heraldry, a panache is a plume of feathers, generally ostrich feathers, set upright and borne as a crest. 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’.
PARTY
In heraldry, party means parted or divided, as in the direction or form of one of the ordinaries; for example an escutcheon party per pale.
PASSANT
In heraldry, passant means walking and is said of any animal on an escutcheon, which is represented as walking with the dexter paw raised.
PATEE
In heraldry, patee describes a cross narrow at the inner end, and very broad at the other end, or having its arms of that shape.
PATONCE
In heraldry, patonce describes a cross which has the arms growing broader and floriated toward the end.
PATRIARCHAL CROSS
In heraldry a patriarchal cross is a cross, the shaft of which is intersected by two transverse beams, the upper one being the smaller.
PAVILION
In heraldry, a pavilion is a covering in the form of a tent investing the amouries of soverigns.
PEAN
In heraldry, pean is one of the furs, the ground being sable, and the spots or tufts or (gold).
PER BEND
In heraldry, per bend refers to a diagonal division of the field from the dexter chief to the sinister base.
PER CROSS
See “Quarterly”
PER FESSE
In heraldry, per fesse refers to a horizontal division of the field into two equal parts.
PER PALE
In heraldry, per pale refers to a vertical division of the field into two equal parts.
PER PALL
In heraldry, per pall refers to a division of the field into three areas by a pall, or Y shape. One area comprises a triangle with its base at the chief, and its apex at the fesse point. The remainder of the field is divided per pale to form the other two divisions.
PER SALTIRE
In heraldry, per saltire refers to a division of the field into four equal sections by a saltire, one triangle division having its base at the chief, two others having their bases at the sides, the last division occupying the remaining area at the base of the field.
PHEON
In heraldry a pheon is a bearing representing the head of a dart or javelin, with long barbs which are engrailed on the inner edge.
PILE
In heraldry, a pile is one of the ordinaries or subordinaries having the form of a wedge, usually placed palewise, with the broadest end uppermost.
PLATE
In heraldry, a plate is a roundel of silver or tinctured argent.
POINTED
In heraldry, pointed refers to a cross which has had its extremeties cut off to points.
POMEE
In heraldry, pomee describes a cross which has the ends terminating in rounded protuberances or single balls.
POMEY
In heraldry, a pomey is a roundel figure of green colour supposed to resemble an apple.
PORTATE
In heraldry, portate describes something borne not erect, but diagonally across an escutcheon.
POSE
In heraldry, pose describes the attitude of a beast as standing still, with all the feet on the ground.
POTENT
In heraldry, potent is one of the furs; a surface composed of patches which are supposed to represent crutch heads; they are always alternately argent and azure, unless otherwise specially mentioned.
POTENTY
In heraldry, potenty describes a form of ornamentation representing crutch heads (potents).
PREYING
In heraldry, the term preying is applied to any ravenous beast or bird, standing on, and in a position for eating its prey.
PROPER
In heraldry, the term proper describes a charge represented in its natural colour.
PUNNING ARMS
See “Canting Arms”
PURFLE
In heraldry, purfle means to ornament with a bordure of ermines, furs, and the like and also, with gold studs or mountings.
PURPURE
In heraldry, purpure is the colour purple. It is represented in engraving by diagonal lines declining from the right top to the left base of the escutcheon (or from sinister chief to dexter base).
Q
QUADRATE
In heraldry, quadrate refers to a cross whose middle is composed of a square.
QUARTER
In heraldry, a quarter is one of the divisions of an escutcheon when it is divided into four portions by a horizontal and a perpendicular line meeting in the fesse point. When two coats of arms are united upon one escutcheon, as in the case of marriage, the first and fourth quarters display one shield, the second and third the other.
QUARTERING
In heraldry, quartering is the division of a shield containing different coats of arms into four or more compartments. The term also describes one of the different coats of arms arranged upon an escutcheon, denoting the descent of the bearer.
QUARTERLY
In heraldry, quarterly (per cross) describes the divsion of the field into quarters by lines drawn through it at right angles (both per pale and per fesse).
QUEUE FOURCHEE
In heraldry, queue fourchee describes an animal represented with two tails.
R
RADIANT
In heraldry, the term radiant describes a bearing giving off rays.
RAGULED
In heraldry, raguled or raguly describes a line or bearing notched in regular diagonal breaks.
RAGULY
See “Raguled”
RAME
In heraldry, rame describes the antlers of a stag depicted in a different tincture to the body.
RAMPANT
In heraldry, the term rapant is applied to a figure standing erect on one of its hind legs.
RAMPANT GARDANT
In heraldry the term rampant gardant describes a figure rampant, with the face turned to the front.
RAMPANT REGARDANT
In heraldry, the term rampant regardent describes a figure rampant, but looking backward.
RAMPANT SEJANT
In heraldry, rampant sejant describes an animal in a sitting posture with the forelegs raised.
RAVISSANT
In heraldry the term ravissant describes a figure depicted in a half-raised position, as if about to spring on prey.
RAYONNANT
In heraldry, the term rayonnant, or rayonny, means darting forth rays, as the sun when it shines out.
RAYONNY
See “Rayonnant”
REARING
In heraldry, the term rearing describes a horse or stag depicted as standing on its hind legs.
REBUS
In heraldry, a rebus is a pictorial suggestion on a coat of arms of the name of the person to whom it belongs.
RECURSANT
In heraldry the term recursant describes a figure, usually an eagle, displayed with its back toward the spectator.
RED HAND
In heraldry a red hand or bloody hand is a depiction of a red coloured human left hand held palm toward the spectator, fingers erect, borne on an escutcheon. It is the mark of a baronet of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and also the Badge of Ulster, having being assigned by James I as a badge to the baronets who were to colonise Ulster.
REGARDANT
In heraldry reghardant means looking behind or backward.
REMPLI
In heraldry, rempli describes ordinaries which have been voided and filled with another tincture.
RENVERSE
In heraldry, renverse means reversed, that is the term describes a figure set with the head downward turned contrary to the natural position.
REPASSANT
In heraldry, repassant is a term applied when two lions or other animals are borne going contary ways, one of which is passant, by walking towards the dexter side of the shield in the usual way, and the other repassant by going towards the sinister.
RESIGNANT
In heraldry, resignant means concealed, and is usually applied to a lion’s tail.
RESPECTANT
In heraldry, respectant describes animal figures placed so as to face one another.
REST
In heraldry, a rest is a peculiar figure found in some arms. The rest is of doubtful origin and import, some scholars ascribing it to a representation of a spear rest, others to a musical instrument of some kind.
RETORTED
In heraldry, the term retorted is applied to serpants wreathed one in another, or fretted in the form of a knot.
RETRAIT
In heraldry, retrait describes a charge couped at one end only.
REVERTED
In heraldry the term reverted means bent or curved twice, in opposite directions, or in the form of an S.
RIBBON
In heraldry, a ribbon is a bearing similar to the bend, but only one eighth as wide.
ROMPU
In heraldry rompu means broken. Applied to an ordinary it describes it as being cut off, or broken at the top.
ROUGE CROIX
In heraldry a rouge croix is a red cross; one of the four pursuivants of the English college of arms.
ROUGE DRAGON
In heraldry a rouge dragon is a red dragon; one of the four pursuivants of the English college of arms.
ROUNDEL
In heraldry a roundel is a circular spot; a charge in the form of a small circle.
ROUSANT
In heraldry the term rousant describes a bird in the attitude of rising.
RUSTRE
In heraldry, the rustre is a sub-ordinary consisting of a lozenge with a hole bored in the center.
S
SABLE
In heraldry, sable is he tincture black represented by vertical and horizontal lines crossing each other.
SAINT GEORGE’S CROSS
In heraldry, the Saint George’ cross is a Greek cross gules upon a field argent, the field being represented by a narrow fimbriation in the ensign, or union jack, of Great Britain.
SALIENT
In heraldry, the term salient refers to a leaping position such as for example a lion salient – a leaping lion.
SALTANT
In heraldry, the term saltant refers to a springing forward position and is applied especially to the squirrel, weasel, and rat, and also to the cat, greyhound, monkey, etc.
SALTIRE
In heraldry, a saltire is a Saint Andrew’s cross, or a cross in the form of an X, being one of the honorable ordinaries.
SARCELED
In heraldry, the term sarceled means cut through the middle.
SCARP
In heraldry a scarp is a band in the same position as the bend sinister, but only half as broad.
SEAX
In heraldry, a seax is a charge consisting of a curved sword with a notched blade.
SEJANT
In heraldry, the term sejant means sitting, and is applied to a lion or other beast.
SEME
In heraldry the term seme means sprinkled or sown and is said of field, or a charge, when strewed or covered with small charges.
SHAFTED
In heraldry the term shafted is used to describe something having a shaft. The term is applied to a spear when the head and the shaft are of different tinctures.
SHIELD
In heraldry, the shield is the escutcheon or field on which are placed the bearings in coats of arms.
SINOPLE
In heraldry, sinople refers to the tincture vert – the colour green.
SPLENDOUR
In heraldry, the term splendour is applied to the sun when represented with a human face, and environed with rays.
SPREAD EAGLE.
In heraldry, the spread eagle is a figure of an eagle with outspread wings, used as the national emblem of the USA and often used as a device on military ornaments, and the like.
SPRINGING
In heraldry, the term springing is applied to beasts of chase in a leaping position (like salient is applied to lions etc). Springing is also said of fish placed in a bend.
SQUARE
In heraldry, square refers to a shape of shield. The square shield is basically square in appearance, with an angled tapering base forming a point.
STATANT
In heraldry, statant describes a beast in a standing position.
SUBORDINARY
In heraldry, a subordinary is one of several heraldic bearings somewhat less common than an ordinary. Different writers name different bearings as subordinaries, but the bar, bend, sinister, pile, inescutcheon bordure, gyron, and quarter, are always considered subordinaries by those who do not class them as ordinaries.
SUPERCHARGE
In heraldry, supercharge describes a bearing charged upon another another bearing.
SUPPORTER
In heraldry a supporter is a figure, sometimes of a man, but commonly of some animal, placed on either side of an escutcheon, and exterior to it. Usually, both supporters of an escutcheon are similar figures.
SUR-ANCREE
In heraldry, sur-ancree is a term applied to a cross with double anchor flukes at each termination.
SURMOUNTED
In heraldry, the term surmounted describes something partly covered by another charge.
SURTOUT
In heraldry, surtout refers to an escutcheon placed upon the centre of a shield of arms; a shield of pretence.
T
TAU
In heraldry, the tau is a charge consisting of a form of cross in the shape of a T.
TENNE
In heraldry, tenne is a rarely employed tincture considered as an orange colour or bright brown. It is represented by diagonal lines from sinister to dexter, crossed by vertical lines.
TERGANT
In heraldry the term tergant describes a beat or a bird showing its back.
TIERCE
In heraldry, tierce describes an escutcheon divided into three equal parts of three different tinctures.
TIMBER
In heraldry, the timber or timbre is the crest on a coat of arms.
TIMBRE
See “Timber”
TINCTURE
In heraldry, tinctures are the colours.
TORQUED
In heraldry, the term torqued describes a dolphin haurient, which is twisted to form a figure like the letter S.
TORSE
In heraldry a torse is a wreath.
TORTEAU
In heraldry, a torteau is a roundel of a red colour.
TRANSFLUENT
In heraldry, transfluent describes a depiction of water passing or flowing through a bridge.
TRE
In heraldry, tre describes a charge as having a three-lobed extremity or extremities and also, but more rarely, ornamented with trefoils projecting from the edges, such as a bearing.
TREFLEE
In heraldry, the term treflee is applied to a cross, the arms of which end in triple leaves, representing trefoils, or a bend with trefoils issuing from the sides.
TREFOIL
In heraldry the term trefoil describes a charge representing the clover leaf.
TREILLE
In heraldry, a treille or trellis, is a lattice which difers from fretty in that the pieces do not interlace under and over, but cross each other and are nailed at the joint.
TRELLIS
See “Treille”
TRESSURE
In heraldry a tressure is a kind of border similar to the orle, but of only half the breadth of the latter.
TRIAN
In heraldry, trian describes an aspect neither passant nor afronte, but midway between those two positions.
TRIANGULAR
In heraldry, triangular refers to a shape of shield. The triangular shield is triangular in shape, differing from the heater pointed in the sides being straight, rather than curved, to the point at the base.
TRICORPORAL
In heraldry, tricorporal describes a charge represented with three bodies conjoined to one head.
TRIPARTED
In heraldry the term triparted describes a field or bearing parted into three pieces.
TRIPPANT
In heraldry the term trippant or tripping describes an animal having the right forefoot lifted, the others remaining on the ground, as if he were trotting.
TRIPPING
See “Trippant”
TRONCONEE DEMEMBRANE
In heraldry, the term tronconee demembrane is said of a cross or other bearing cut in pieces and separated, though still reserving its original form.
U
UNDE
In heraldry, unde or onde describes an ordinary or division line as being waving or wavy.
UNGULED
In heraldry, unguled describes an animal depicted with hoofs when they are of a different tincture from the body.
URDEE
In heraldry, urdee or urdy means pointed. A cross-urdee is one in which the extremeties are drawn to a sharp point instead of being cut straight.
URDY
See “Urdee”
URVANT
In heraldry, urvant means turned or bowed upwards.
V
VAIR
In heraldry, vair is one of the furs composed of several pieces, silver and blue (argent and azure), cut to represent little shields or perhaps the flower of the campanula, and opposed to each other in rows. Vair also describes a shape of shield, straight and angular, broadest at the chief, indented just below the chiefs and tapered from the dexter and sinister bases to a point at the middle base.
VERDOY
In heraldry, verdoy describes a border that is charged with leaves, fruits, flowers, etc.
VERGETTE
In heraldry a vergette is a small pale.
VERT
In heraldry, vert is the colour green, represented in a drawing or engraving by parallel lines sloping downward toward the right.
VIROLE
In heraldry, a virole is a ring surrounding a bugle or hunting horn.
VOIDED
In heraldry, voided describes a charge having the inner part cut away, or left vacant, a narrow border being left at the sides, the tincture of the field being seen in the vacant space.
VOIDER
In heraldry, a voider is one of the sub-ordinaries, a derivative of the flanch, it is less rounded and therefore smaller.
VOLANT
In heraldry, volant describes a bird represented as flying, or having the wings spread.
W
WAVED
In heraldry, waved or wavy describes a line outlining an ordinary, etc. which has undulations like waves.
WELT
In heraldry, a welt is a narrow border, as of an ordinary, but not extending around the ends.
WINGED
In heraldry, winged describes a figure as being represented with wings, or having wings, of a different tincture from the body.
WREATH
In heraldry, a wreath is an appendage to the shield, placed above it, and supporting the crest. It generally represents a twist of two cords of silk, one tinctured like the principal metal, the other like the principal colour in the arms.
WYVERN
In heraldry, a wyvern (or wivern) is a device representing a monster whose fore part is that of a dragon with legs and wings, and the hinder part is in the form of a serpent with a barbed tail.