CROWN AND CORONETS.
| The crown of the king of England. | Coronet of the prince of Wales |
| Of a princess of England | Of a marquis | ||
| Of a royal duke | Of an earl | ||
| Of a duke | Of a viscount |
| Coronet of a baron |
DANCETTE. A zig-zag figure with spaces between the points, much larger than in the indented.
Ex. Argent, a pale, dancette vert.
DEBRUISED. Any animal that has an ordinary placed upon it is said to be debruised.
Ex. Argent, a lion rampant guardant gules, debruised by a fess azure.
DECRESSANT, or DECRESCENT. A moon in its wane, whose horns are turned to the sinister side of the escutcheon.
Ex. Azure, a moon decrescent, proper.
DEMI, or DEMY. This particle is always joined to a substantive, and signifies half; as, a demi-lion, i.e. half a lion.
DETRIMENT. The moon is said to be in its detriment when it is eclipsed.
Ex. Argent, the moon in her detriment sable.
DEXTER. A word used in Heraldry to signify the right side of any thing.
DIADEM, a circle of gold with points rising from it, worn by ancient kings as the token of royalty. The diadem of most of the monarchs of Europe, as represented in ancient statuary, stained glass, and paintings, resembles the annexed engraving; the kings of England, from the Conquest to Henry VII., all wore a diadem of this shape.
DIAMOND. The hardest and most valuable of precious stones; it was formerly used by English heralds to denote black or sable in blazoning the arms of the nobility.
DIFFERENCE. The term given to a certain figure added to coats of arms to distinguish one family from another, and to show how distant younger branches are from the elder or principal branch. See [p. 13.]
DIMINUTION. A word sometimes used instead of difference.
DISPLAYED. A bird whose wings are expanded and legs spread is said to be displayed.
Ex. Argent, an eagle displayed sable.
DORMANT. The French word for sleeping, used to denote the posture of a lion, or any other beast reposing. See [LION].
DOUBLINGS. The lining of robes of state, as also the rows of fur set on the mantles of peers.
DOUBLE TRESSURE. Two Tressures, or orles, one within the other.
DOVETAILED. A term borrowed from carpentry to show tinctures joined together by reversed wedges, which, being shaped like doves' tails, are by joiners called dovetailing.
Ex. Quarterly per pale dove-tailed, or and gules.
DRAGON.. An imaginary monster; a mixture of beast, bird, and reptile. It is frequently borne in crests and charges.
Ex. Argent, a dragon proper, tail nowed.
DRAGON'S HEAD. Part of a celestial constellation, used by ancient English heralds to denote tenne when emblazoning the arms of sovereigns; this style of heraldry has become obsolete.
DRAGON'S TAIL. Part of the same constellation; formerly used to denote sanguine.
DUKE. The highest degree of British peerage next to the prince of Wales. This title is derived from the Latin word dux: the title of Duke was known in other parts of Europe long before it was introduced into England. The first person that was created a duke in this country was Edward the Black Prince, who was created duke of Cornwall by his father Edward the third. The title has since that time belonged to the first born son of the monarch of England. A duke formerly possessed great authority over the province that formed his dukedom, and had large estates annexed to his title to support its dignity. At the present time dukes are created by patent, and their dukedom is merely nominal, neither power nor possessions being annexed to the title.
EAGLE. Aquila in Ornithology. In Heraldry the eagle is accounted one of the most noble bearings, and ought to be given only to such as greatly excel in the virtues of generosity and courage, or for having done some singular service to their sovereign.
EAGLET is a diminutive of eagle, properly signifying a young eagle. In Heraldry, when several eagles are on the same escutcheon, they are termed eaglets.
EARL. The third degree of British peerage. Under the Danish and Saxon kings this was the highest title known in England conferred upon a subject. It was formerly the custom upon creating an earl to assign him, for the support of his state, the third penny from the fines and profits of the sheriff's court, issuing out of the pleas of the shire whence the earl took his title; as, formerly, there was no count or earl but had a county or shire for his earldom. When the number of earls was increased, they took their titles from towns and villages. An earl is now created by patent.
EARL-MARSHAL OF ENGLAND. A very ancient, and formerly a very important, officer, who had several courts under his jurisdiction, as the Court of Chivalry, the Court of Honour. He still presides over the Heralds' College, and nominally over the Marshalsea Court. The title of Earl Marshal of England is now, and has been for some ages, hereditary in the noble family of the Howards.
EASTERN CROWN. A crown with rays proceeding from a circle, called by heralds an Eastern crown, is found in ancient achievements. The annexed cut shows its form.
EMBATTLED. A line, formed like the battlements on a wall or tower, is said to be embattled or crenelle. When the line is used to form one of the ordinaries, it is said to be embattled. See the lines, [p. 11.]
Ex. Gules, a bend sinister embattled, argent.
EMBATTLED GRADY. Where the battlements gradually rise one above another.
Ex. Argent, a fess gules, embattled grady. See the lines [p. 11.]
EMBOWED. Any thing bent or curved, like a bow.
Ex. Gules, a dolphin naiant embowed or.
EMERALD. The name of a precious stone formerly substituted for vert in emblazoning the arms of the nobility of England.
EN ARRIÈRE. An expression borrowed from the French, to signify any creature borne with its back to view.
Ex. Argent, an eagle proper en arrière.
ENDORSE. The smallest diminutive of the pale.
Ex. Argent, a pale between endorses gules.
ENGRAILED. Any object being edged with small semi-circles, the points turning outwards, is said to be engrailed.
Ex. Argent, a pale azure engrailed.
ENHANCED. A term applied to bearings placed above their usual situation.
Ex. Argent, three bendlets, enhanced gules.
ENSIGNED. This word, in heraldic description, means ornamented.
Ex. Argent, a man's heart gules, ensigned with a celestial crown or.
ERASED. Signifies any thing torn or plucked off from the part to which nature affixed it; generally applied to the head and limbs of man or beast.
Ex. Argent, a leg erased at the midst of the thigh gules.
ERECT. This is said of any animal or parts of animals, naturally horizontal, being placed in a perpendicular direction.
Ex. Argent, a boar's head erect, and erased.
ERMINE. A white fur with black spots, represented as in the annexed example.
ERMINES. This fur is represented by white spots on a black field.
ERMINOIS. A fur, the field, or, the spots or tufts, sable, as in the annexed example.
ESCALOP. The shell of a sea-fish, used to decorate the palmers on their way to and from Palestine; frequently used as a charge in Heraldry.
ESCUTCHEON. This word is sometimes used to express the whole coat of arms, sometimes only the field upon which the arms are painted. It more generally denotes the painted shields used at funerals. The field, if the husband is dead and wife survives, is black on the dexter side only; if the wife is deceased, it is black on the sinister side; if both, it is black all over. The example shows that this is the escutcheon of a deceased baron, whose lady survives.
ESCUTCHEON OF PRETENCE. A small escutcheon, on which a man bears the coat of arms of his wife, being an heiress.
See [p. 40].
Ex. Argent, a chevron or, between three crosslets sable, on the fess point surtout the chevron an escutcheon of pretence gules, three quatrefoils argent.
ESQUIRE. The degree below a knight and above a gentleman. Those to whom this title is due by right, are all the younger sons of noblemen and their heirs male for ever, the four esquires of the king's body, the eldest sons of baronets, of all knights and of their heirs male: those who bear superior offices, as magistrates, high sheriffs, mayors, and aldermen, have it during their continuance in office and no longer. For the helmet of an esquire, see [page 84].
ETOILE. The French word for a star. It differs from the mullet in the number of points, and four of the points being rayant.
FESS. An honourable ordinary occupying the third part of the shield between the centre and the base.
Ex. Argent, a fess gules.
FESS POINT. The exact centre of the escutcheon, as seen in the annexed example. See the escutcheon lettered at [p. 6]., where this point is marked with the letter [E].
FIELD. The whole surface of the shield or escutcheon: it is the ground upon which the colours, tinctures, furs, ordinaries, and charges, are represented.
FIGURED. Those bearings which are depicted with a human face, are said to be figured.
Ex. Gules, three bezants figured.
FILLET. The only diminutive belonging to the chief; its width is one-fourth of the chief, and is always placed at the base of it. See [CHIEF], p. 18.
FIMBRIATED. An ordinary having a border of a different tincture is said to be fimbriated.
Ex. Azure, a bend gules, fimbriated argent.
FITCHY. Is from the French word fiché, fixed. It is generally applied to crosses which have their lower branch pointed, so that it could be fixed in the ground. See [CROSS FITCHY].
FLANCHES. Are formed of two curved lines placed opposite each other.
Ex. Azure, a flanche argent.
FLANK. That part of an escutcheon between the chief and the base.
Ex. Argent, three mullets gules, accompanied with seven cross crosslets fitchy sable—three in chief, one in fess, two in flanks, one in base.
FLASQUES. A subordinate ordinary formed by curved lines placed opposite each other, but not so near as in flanches.
Ex. Azure, a flasque argent.
FLEUR-DE-LIS. Supposed to represent the garden-lily. It is the bearing of the Bourbons of France, but is frequently introduced in English charges.
FLORY. Signifies flowered or adorned with the fleur-de-lis. See [FLORY COUNTER-FLORY], and [CROSS-FLORY].
FRET. Two laths interlaced with a mascle.
Ex. Azure, a fret argent.
FRETTY. This word denotes a field covered with fretwork or laths interlacing each other.
Ex. Gules, fretty argent.
THE FUSIL. Is longer than the lozenge: the upper and lower ends are more acute.
Ex. Or, a fusil purpure.
GALLEY. An ancient vessel propelled by oars; frequently used in shields of naval officers.
GAMBE. An obsolete French word, signifying a leg, and is still used in Heraldry, for the leg of a lion or other creature borne in coats of arms.
GARBE. The heraldic term for a sheaf of any kind of corn.
Ex. Argent, a garbe proper.
GARTER. One of the diminutives of the bend, being half the size.
Ex. Or, a garter vert.
GARTER. The insignia of the most noble order of the knights of the garter. It is formed of blue velvet edged with gold wire, and lined with white satin; on the velvet is embroidered the motto of the order. See [KNIGHT].
GAUNTLET. Armour for the hand.
GAZE. An intent look. This is said of a deer standing still, and turning its head to look earnestly at any object.
Ex. Argent, a stag at gaze proper.
GEMELS. This word signifies double. The example contains two double bars, which in heraldic language would be called two bars gemels.
GOLPS. Roundlets of a purple tincture. The colour is not stated, as the name denotes the colour.
GORGED. Any animals, particularly birds, that have collars round the neck, are said to be gorged.
Ex. A swan's head erased at the neck, ducally gorged or.
GRIFFIN or GRYPHON. A chimerical animal, half bird, half beast.
GUIDON. A small semi-oval flag used in funeral processions. It is generally charged with the paternal arms of the deceased.
GULES. Signifies red. It is represented in engraving by lines running parallel with each other, from the chief to the base, as in the example.
GUTTY. A term derived from the Latin word gutta, a drop. A field bearing drops, as in the example, is called gutty.
GYRON. A triangular figure formed by two lines from one of the angles of the shield to the centre. The gyron may be drawn in any part of the shield, but it is generally placed as in the annexed example.
GYRONNY. When the field is covered with gyrons, their points uniting in the centre.
Ex. Gyronny of eight pieces, azure, argent, and gules.
HABERGEON. A coat of mail: it is also called a corslet and cuirass.
Ex. Argent, an habergeon proper.
HABITED. Clothed figures, either as charges or supporters, are said to be habited.
HARPY. A chimerical animal, having the head and breast of a woman, and the body and legs of a bird.
HAURIENT. A fish, in a perpendicular direction, with its head upwards.
Ex. Argent, a salmon proper haurient.
HELMET. An ancient piece of defensive armour for the head; it covered the face, leaving an aperture in the front, secured by bars: this was called the visor. The helmet is now placed over a coat of arms; and by the metal from which it is made, the form, and position, denotes the rank of the person whose arms are emblazoned beneath it.
The helmets of sovereigns are formed of burnished gold; those of princes and peers, of every degree, silver figured with gold; knights, esquires, and gentlemen, polished steel.
The helmets of the king, the royal family, and peers, are open-faced and grated: the number of bars served formerly to distinguish the bearer's quality. The helmets of knights are open-faced, without bars. Esquires and gentlemen are known by the close helmet.
The position of the helmet is a mark of distinction. The direct front view of the grated helmet belongs to sovereign princes and dukes.
The grated helmet in profile is common to all degrees of peerage under a duke.
The helmet without bars, with the beaver open, standing directly fronting the spectator, denotes a knight.
The closed helmet seen in profile is appropriated to esquires and gentlemen.
See [CREST], [BEAVER], [MANTLING].
HERALD. An officer at arms, whose business it is to declare war, proclaim peace, marshal all the solemnities at the coronation; baptisms, marriages, and funerals of the sovereign and nobility; and to ascertain and blazon coats of arms.
The principal herald is Garter-King-at-Arms. It is his office to regulate the solemnities, and emblazon the arms of the sovereign, knights, and officers of the most noble order of the Garter. Garter-King-at-Arms likewise presides over all heraldic ceremonies of the Court. His crown of gold is formed with oak leaves, one shorter than the other, springing from a circlet of gold, having engraved upon it the words "MISERERE MEI DEUS." His tabard, as principal herald, is of crimson velvet, splendidly embroidered with the arms of England.
Clarencieux and Norroy are called provincial kings-at-arms, the former regulating all things connected with Heraldry in the provinces south of the Trent; the latter in the provinces north of the Trent. They have likewise crowns; and though the office of herald is not of so much importance now as it was formerly, it is still considered a post of great honour and emolument.
There are eight heralds that are not kings-at-arms. Their tabards are of silk, embroidered with the royal arms. They are called York, Lancaster, Somerset, Richmond, Chester, and Windsor. George the First created a new herald called Hanover, and another called Gloucester.
The kings-at-arms, heralds, and pursuivants, form the Heralds' College, by whom all matters connected with the coats of arms of every gentleman in the kingdom are arranged and determined.
HILTED. The handle of a sword tinctured.
Ex. Argent, a sword proper couped, hilted or.
HONOUR POINT. That part of the shield between the precise middle chief and the fess point. In the annexed example the large dot in the centre shows the fess point; the point within the letter D, the honour point.
See [p. 6].
HORNED. This term is used to denote that the horn of a unicorn is of a different tincture from his body.
Ex. Azure, three unicorns' heads proper, erased, horned or.
HUMETTY. A term used to denote an ordinary, parts of which are couped or cut off, so that it does not touch the edges of the shield.
Ex. Argent, a fess humetty gules, between three mullets sable.
HURTS. Blue roundlets: the colour is expressed in the name; therefore the tincture is not otherwise named in emblazoning a coat of arms.
IMBUED. Weapons spotted with blood are said to be imbued. The example shows a spearhead imbued.
IMPALED. Two coats of arms, conjoined paleways, in one shield.
Ex. Argent, a fess gules, impaled with argent, a bend azure. See [p. 38].
INCRESCENT. The new moon, with her horns turned towards the dexter side of the shield.
Ex. Azure, a moon increscent argent.
INDENTED. A serrated figure, much smaller than the dancette.
Ex. Or, a chief gules, indented.
INESCUTCHEON. The name given to small escutcheons forming a bearing of a coat of arms.
Ex. Argent, three inescutcheons gules.
INVECTED. A line formed with small semicircles, with the points turned inward. Any ordinary drawn with this line is called invected.
Ex. Argent, a bend gules, invected between two hurts.
ISSUANT, or ISSUING. Rays or other charges proceeding from any part of the escutcheon. See [RAY].
KNIGHT. A title of honour conferred upon a subject for eminent services performed in war. In the course of time, knights that had gained riches and high titles formed societies under the control and direction of their monarchs in every part of Europe. The limits of this work will only permit us to notice the orders of knighthood introduced into England.
The KNIGHTS-BACHELORS were the earliest order of knighthood in England. The title was conferred for services in war. It was merely personal, and, like the knighthood conferred upon individuals at the present time, did not descend to their posterity.
KNIGHTS-BANNERET. This ancient and honourable order has become extinct. It obtained the title of banneret from the knights having the right of having a square banner borne before them on the field of battle, and at jousts and tournaments. Sir W. Segar gives the following account of the creation of a knight-banneret:—"It is a military order, and can only be conferred upon persons that have performed some heroic act in the field. When this action is known to the king, or general of the army, he commands the attendance of the gallant warrior, who is led, between two knights, into the presence of the king or general with his pennon of arms in his hand, and there the heralds proclaim his merit, and declare him fit to become a knight-banneret, and thenceforth to display a banner in the field. Then the king or general causes the point of the pennon to be cut off to make it square; it is then placed at the top of his lance, and the new-made knight returns to his tent, the trumpets sounding before him." Knights-banneret were certainly created in the reign of Edward I., but how long before that time it is impossible to tell.
KNIGHTS OF THE GARTER. This is considered the most honourable order of knighthood in Europe: it was founded by Edward III. in 1349; the fraternity consists of twenty-six knights, to which are added the princes of the blood royal. The king of England is the sovereign of the order; their officers are a prelate, chancellor, registrar, and king-at-arms.
The college of the order is in Windsor Castle, with the chapel of St. George and the chapter-house. These buildings were erected by the royal founder expressly for the accommodation of the knights of the garter.
The garter is considered the principal ensign of this order: it is worn on the left leg below the knee; it is formed of blue velvet, edged with gold: on the velvet is embroidered the motto of the order, HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE.
The collar is of gold, weighing thirty ounces troy weight, and contains twenty-six garters enamelled proper, in each a rose gules between; the garters are connected by knots. The George is attached to this collar: it represents St. George (the patron Saint of the order) attacking the dragon; it is of gold enamelled, and may be enriched with jewels at the pleasure of the possessor.
THE KNIGHTS OF ST. PATRICK. This illustrious Irish order was founded by George III., 1783. It consists of the sovereign, a grand master, the princes of the blood royal, and thirteen knights. The lord-lieutenant for the time being is grand master. The device on the jewel of this order is argent, a cross saltier gules surmounted with a trefoil vert, charged with three imperial crowns or, the whole inclosed in a circle of gold, bearing the motto QUIS SEPARABIT. MDCCLXXXIII. An engraving of this jewel will be found on the sinister side of the [title-page].
THE KNIGHTS OF THE THISTLE. The most ancient order of the Thistle was founded by James V. of Scotland, 1540, and revived by James II., king of Great Britain, 1687, incorporated by Queen Anne, whose statutes were confirmed by George I. The order consists of the sovereign and twelve brethren or knights. Their motto is the national motto, NEMO ME IMPUNE LACESSET; their badge or jewel, St. Andrew, supporting a cross, surrounded with rays of gold, an engraving of which will be found on the dexter side of the [title-page].
KNIGHT AND BARONET. A degree of honour next to a baron, created by King James I. to induce the English gentry to settle in the province of Ulster. The title is knight and baronet; it is hereditary: the arms are distinguished by an augmentation of a human hand gules, generally borne on an escutcheon in the centre of the shield.
KNIGHT AND BARONET OF NOVA SCOTIA. A new creation during the reign of George I. to induce capitalists to settle in that part of North America. The title is hereditary: the arms are argent, St. Andrew's Cross gules surtout, an escutcheon or, with a lion rampant gules within a double tressure of the same, surmounted by a king's crown as a crest.
KNIGHTS OF THE BATH. An ancient and honourable military order of knighthood. The date of its origin is too remote to be traced with certainty: by some authors it is said to have been instituted in Normandy before the Conquest; it was re-established in England by Henry IV., and revived by George I. The chapel of this order is Henry VII.'s chapel in Westminster Abbey: the Dean of Westminster for the time being is always dean of the order of the Bath. The number of the knights is according to the pleasure of the sovereign. At the close of the late war the Prince Regent, afterwards George IV., remodelled this order of knighthood; and to enable himself to bestow marks of honour upon the naval and military officers that had distinguished themselves on the ocean and in the field, he divided the order into three classes: first, all the noblemen that were Knights of the Bath were henceforth to be called Knights Grand Crosses of the Bath, which was also the title of the commanders of fleets and armies that were rewarded by being admitted into the highest class of this noble order.
The second class are called Knights Commanders of the Bath; a great number of naval and military officers above the rank of captains in the navy and majors in the army are admitted into this class.
The third class is styled Companions of the Order of the Bath, and is open to officers of inferior rank.
The Knights Grand Crosses of the Bath attach the initials K.G.C.B. to their names and titles.
The Knights Commanders use the initials K.C.B.
The Companions are known by the initials C.B.
LABEL. The noblest of abatements serving as a difference between the eldest and the junior sons. See [DIFFERENCE].
LANGUED. A term derived from the French word langue, tongue. It signifies in Heraldry that the tongue of a bird or beast is of a different tincture from the body.
LION. The strength, courage, and majestic deportment of this noble animal, has gained him the regal titles of monarch of the forest and king of beasts. Ancient heralds selected the figure of the lion as symbolic of command, strength, power, courage, and other qualities attributed to that animal. Armorists have introduced lions to denote the attributes of majesty, might, and clemency, subduing those that resist, and sparing those that yield to authority. The lion has been depicted in every attitude which could by any means be construed into a compliment to the person the sovereign delighted to honour, by raising him to a rank that enabled him to bear arms. Was it a warrior, who, though victorious, was still engaged in struggling with the foes of his sovereign, the lion rampant was considered a proper emblem of the hero. The warrior having overcome his enemies in the field, yet retaining his military command for the safety and honour of his country, was typified by the lion statant gardant. We might easily find examples to show the propriety of the emblem for all the positions of the lion introduced as charges in coats of arms; but the two given will be sufficient: the rest may easily be imagined by the intelligent reader. The following are the most usual positions in which the lion appears in shields of arms:—
When the lions' heads are placed in the same position as in rampant gardant and regardant, they are then said to be passant gardant and regardant.
| Sejant. | Couchant. | Dormant. |
Thus far the lion is drawn in natural positions; these are considered the most honourable, as they have never been properly inserted in arms but for persons of high authority and pre-eminent courage and virtue. There are a great many deviations from the above, which are marks of great honour. It is considered that a lion cannot bear a rival in the field; therefore if two or more lions are introduced they are supposed to be lion's whelps, or in Heraldic terms lioncels.
Two lioncels addorsed or back to back.
Lioncels combatant.
Lion rampant double-headed.
An incorporated lion gardant in the fess point.
There are a great number of ways of introducing this charge: many of them will be seen under the proper words that describe their condition: such as the word debruised, where the lion is confined by the fess passing over it; demi-lion or half lion; but the examples here given will be sufficient to explain their positions, active or passive. If no mention is made of the tincture it is always supposed that they are proper, that is, to be coloured like nature: they are introduced in arms of every metal and tincture known in Heraldry.
LODGED. A stag sitting on the ground with its head erect, is said to be lodged.
LOZENGE. An angular figure, known as diamond-shaped, to distinguish it from the square.
Ex. Or, a lozenge vert.
LOZENGY. Covered with lozenges.
Ex. Lozengy gules and argent.
LUNA. The moon: it formerly signified argent in emblazoning the arms of sovereigns.
MANCHE. An ancient sleeve with long hangings to it.
Ex. Argent, a manche, gules.
MANED. When the manes of horses, unicorns, &c. are of a different tincture from their bodies they are said to be maned.
MANTLE. A long robe or cloak of state.
MANTLING. The flowing drapery forming the scroll-work displayed on either side of the helmet from beneath the wreath, representing the ancient covering of the helmet, used to protect it from stains or rust. When the mantling incloses the escutcheon, supporters, &c., it represents the robe of honour worn by the party whose shield it envelopes. This mantle is always described as doubled, that is, lined throughout with one of the furs, as ermine, pean, vary. For examples of mantling, see the arms and crests of England, Scotland, and Ireland.
MARQUIS. The second order of nobility in England, next in rank to a duke.
MARSHAL. A title of honour. See [EARL MARSHAL].
TO MARSHAL. To place persons in due order, according to their precedency, in public processions, such as coronations, proclamations of peace or war, funerals, &c.
MARSHALLING ARMS. The disposing of several coats of arms belonging to distinct families in the same escutcheon, together with their ornaments, parts, and appurtenances.
MARTLET. An imaginary bird said to be without legs; it is used both as a charge and a difference.
Ex. Argent, a martlet, gules.
MASCLE. An open lozenge-shaped figure, one of the subordinate ordinaries.
Ex. Argent, a mascle, vert.
MEMBERED. A term used to express the beak and legs of a bird when they are of a different tincture from its body.
MERCURY. The name of the planet, used by ancient heralds to describe purple in blazoning the arms of sovereigns.
METAL. The two metals used in Heraldry are gold and silver, called or and argent. It is against the rules of Heraldry to place metal upon metal, or colour upon colour, unless for special reasons. Therefore, if the field be of any colour, the bearing must be of one of the metals, and on the contrary, if the field be of one of the metals, the bearing must be of some colour.
MILLRIND. The iron placed in the centre of a grindstone to protect the hole in the centre from the action of the axis; it is a charge frequently borne on escutcheons of persons connected with agriculture.
Ex. Argent, a millrind, gules.
MITRE. A sacerdotal ornament for the head, worn by Roman Catholic archbishops and bishops on solemn occasions. Certain English abbots formerly wore mitres, and they are frequently found as charges in the arms of abbeys and monasteries. The annexed is a representation of the mitre of the archbishops and bishops of the church of England, borne as a mark of distinction over the arms of the see, or over their paternal achievements, when impaled with the arms of their see. The prelates of the Protestant Church of England never wear mitres.
The Bishops of Durham were formerly princes of the Palatinate of Durham, and wore a ducal coronet surmounted by a mitre. They still retain the coronet and mitre as an heraldic distinction, borne over the arms of the bishopric.
MORION. A steel cap or helmet formerly worn by foot soldiers below the rank of gentlemen.
MOTTO. A word or short sentence inserted in a scroll, which is generally placed beneath the escutcheon; in some instances it is placed above the crest. The motto frequently alludes to the name of the bearer of the arms, as the motto of the Right Honourable Lord Fortescue—FORTE SCUTUM SALUS DUCUM, a strong shield is the safety of commanders. Sometimes the motto is the watchword or war-cry in the battle where the original bearer won the honours that are retained by his descendants. Generally the motto is founded upon the piety, loyalty, valour, fortitude, &c. of the persons to whom arms were granted.
MOUND. A globe encircled with a band and surmounted with a cross; it is an ensign of royalty, signifying dominion.
MULLET. From the French word molette, the rowel of a spur: it is generally drawn with five points, as in the annexed example: when more points are used they are named.
Ex. Azure, a mullet or.
MURAILE. A French term for walled.
MURREY. A word used by ancient armorists instead of sanguine.
NAIANT. A French term for swimming. This term is used in Heraldry when a fish is drawn in an horizontal position.
Ex. Argent, a salmon proper, naiant, its head towards the sinister side of the shield.
NAISSANT. A French word signifying coming out. It is used when a lion or any other animal appears to be rising out of the centre of an ordinary.
Ex. Or, from the midst of a fess, gules, a lion rampant naissant.
NEBULÉ, or NEBULY. A French word, signifying cloudy, represented by a curved line, thus—
NOBILITY. Under this denomination are comprehended—dukes, marquises, earls, viscounts, and barons only. Archbishops and bishops are included in the rank of clergy.
NOMBRIL POINT. That part of the shield below the fess point. See [page 6], letter F.
NORROY. The name of one of the Kings-at-Arms.
See [King-At-Arms].
NOWED. This word signifies tied or knotted, and is applied to serpents, wiverns, or any animals whose tails are twisted and enfolded like a knot.
Ex. Argent, a serpent nowed proper.
OGRESSES. Black roundlets.
OR. The French word for gold. This tincture is denoted in engraving by small points.
Ex. Or, a bend gules.
ORANGES. Roundlets tinctured tenne.
ORDINARY. A term used to denote the simple forms which were first used as heraldic distinctions, and therefore called honourable ordinaries, as conferring more honour than later inventions. They are the chief, pale, bend, bend sinister, fess, bar, chevron, cross, and cross saltier. There are thirteen subordinate ordinaries. The form, size, and place that the honourable and subordinate ordinaries occupy in an achievement are all described in the Manual, and in this Dictionary under their different names.
ORLE. A subordinate ordinary composed of double lines going round the shield at some distance from its edge; it is half the width of the bordure.
OVER ALL. This expression describes a figure borne over another and obscuring part of it.
Ex. Quarterly or and gules, over all a bend vair.
PALE. One of the honourable ordinaries formed by two perpendicular lines drawn from the base to the chief. The pale occupies one third of the shield.
Ex. Azure, a pale or.
PALL. A scarf in the shape of the letter Y, forming part of the vesture of a Roman Catholic prelate. It is introduced as the principal bearing of the archbishops of Canterbury, Armagh, and Dublin.
Ex. Azure, on a pall argent, four crosses fitchy sable, in chief a cross pattee of the second.
PALLET. A diminutive of the pale.
PALY. A field divided by perpendicular lines into several equal parts of metal and tincture interchangeably disposed.
Ex. Paly of four, argent and gules.
PARTY or PARTED signifies divided, and applies to the several parts of an escutcheon parted by a line, which always runs in the direction of one or more of the honourable ordinaries, as may be seen in the following examples:—
PARTED PER PALE AND PER BEND SINISTER Counterchanged, or and gules..
PARTED PER PALE AND PER CHEVRON Gules and or, counter changed.
PARTY PER FESS. A shield parted in the centre by an horizontal line through the fess point.
Ex. Party per fess, engrailed, argent and gules.
PARTY PER PALE. This signifies a shield parted by a perpendicular line down the centre, so that one shield may contain two coats of arms.
Ex. Parted per pale, gules and argent.
PASCHAL LAMB, or HOLY LAMB.
Ex. Argent, a lamb passant, carrying a banner charged with a cross.
PASSANT. Passing or walking. See [LION PASSANT] and [PASSANT GUARDANT].
PATONCE. See [CROSS].
PATTE. A cross small in the centre, wide at the ends. See [CROSS].
PATRIARCHAL CROSS. Cross used by patriarchs in the Greek church. See [CROSS].
PEARL. A precious stone, used by ancient heralds for argent in emblazoning the arms of peers.
PEAN. The name of a fur, the field sable, the tufts or.
PEER. Name given to all persons included in the rank of nobility.
PELLETS. A name given to black roundlets.
PENDANT. A shield suspended or hanging from a branch of a tree, or from a nail. Shields of arms frequently appear drawn thus in architecture, and when described are said to be pendant.
PENNONS. Small flags borne at the end of a lance of an esquire or gentleman bearing his paternal arms. The end of the pennon was cut off upon the person being created a knight banneret. See [BANNERET]. Penoncels or Pencils were small flags decorating the helmet or the horse armour. They are now only used at funerals. The large flag in the engraving is a pennon, the smaller, penoncels or pencils.
PHEON. A missile instrument with a barbed head, thrown from a cross bow.
Ex. Argent, a pheon proper.
PIERCED OR PERFORATED. Cut through the centre.
Ex. Argent, a mullet pierced, sable, on a chief azure, three mullets pierced, of the first.
PILE. An angular figure like a wedge, formed by lines running from the dexter and sinister chief to the middle base.
Ex. Argent, a pile, purpure.
IN PILE. Arms or other charges that are placed so as to form the shape of a pile are said to be borne in pile.
Ex. Argent, three swords in pile, their points towards the base.
PLATE. One of the six roundlets; its colour is argent, but the tincture is not mentioned, as the plate is always silver.
POMEIS. Green roundlets.
POMMELLED. The pommel of the sword is the round ball or knob at the end of the hilt of a sword.
PORTCULLIS. A grating suspended by chains, used to defend the entrance to a castle.
POTENT. The ancient name of a crutch: when the field is covered with figures like small crutches it is called potent; when the heads of the crutches touch each other it is called counter potent.
Ex. Argent and azure, potent and counter potent. Some armorists call counter potent vary cuppy.
PRINCE. The only Principality in Great Britain is that of Wales. The title of Prince of Wales is usually conferred upon the eldest son of the British monarch. All other sons, grandsons, brothers, uncles, and nephews, are called princes of the blood royal. For instance, the Duke of Cambridge, the uncle of Queen Victoria, is styled His Royal Highness Prince Adolphus Frederick Duke of Cambridge.
His son is styled Prince George of Cambridge.
PRINCESS. Daughter of a sovereign. In England the eldest daughter of the monarch is called the Princess Royal; the others by their Christian names.
PROCLAMATION. A publication by the authority of the King. Proclamations of peace or war, or other matters of importance, are usually read by one of the heralds. They are addressed to the whole community under their different orders or ranks, viz. Clergy, Nobility, Gentry, Burgesses, and Commons.
PROPER. This word is used to denote that animals introduced as charges in an escutcheon appear in their natural colour. Modern writers on Heraldry consider this word superfluous, as the omission of the name of any metal or tincture is quite sufficient to make any person conclude that a lion, horse, or other animal is to be represented as it appears in nature.
PURPURE. The colour of purple, described in engraving by lines drawn diagonally from the sinister to the dexter side of the shield.
PURSUIVANTS. Four officers of the Heralds' College, whose duty it is to attend the King-at-Arms on public occasions, and preside over certain departments of the Heralds' Office.
| They are called — | Rouge Croix, Blue Mantle, Rouge Dragon, Portcullis. |
They are entitled to rank as gentlemen, but not esquires.
QUARTERED. A shield divided into four equal parts by a cross is said to be quartered. The quarter occupying the dexter chief is marked 1, or the first quarter; that occupying the sinister chief, 2; the dexter base, 3; the sinister base, 4; as in the annexed example.
QUARTERLY. This term is used to signify that the shield is quartered. In describing the royal arms of England we should say—Quarterly, first and fourth gules, three lions passant guardant, or. Second, or, a lion rampant gules, within a double tressure of the same, flory and counter flory. Third, azure, a harp or, stringed, argent.
QUARTERED OR PARTED PER SALTIER. A field divided by diagonal lines crossing each other in the centre of the field.
QUARTER FOIL. A four-leaved flower.
QUARTERINGS. An escutcheon divided into any number of squares is said to contain as many quarterings; they may be as numerous as the arms required. An escutcheon containing a number of quarterings is called a genealogical achievement.
QUADRATE. Square. See [CROSS QUADRATE].
QUARTER PIERCED. See [CROSS QUARTER PIERCED].
RADIENT. Any charge having rays or beams about it.
Ex. Azure, a pale, or, radient.
RAGULY. Any bearing that is ragged, like the trunk or limbs of a tree lopped of its branches, is said to be raguly. See [CROSS].
RAMPANT. Any beast in a fighting attitude.
See [LION RAMPANT].
RAY. A stream of light proceeding from a luminous body.
Ex. Azure, a ray of the sun issuing out of the dexter corner of the escutcheon. The lines on each side are not noticed.
REST. The figure inserted in the illustration of the word "clarion" is by some writers on Heraldry thought to represent a rest for a lance, and they give the charge that name. See [CLARION].
REGARDANT. An animal looking towards the sinister side of the shield. See [LION REGARDANT].
RIBAND. A diminutive of the bend.
Ex. Gules, a riband, or.
ROUNDLETS. Small round figures, all named from different metals and tinctures. See [p. 8].
RUBY. A precious stone, formerly used instead of gules.
SABLE. The term used in Heraldry for black.
SALIENT. An animal springing forward. See [LION SALIENT].
SALTIER. One of the honourable ordinaries, by Scottish heralds called St. Andrew's Cross.
Ex. Argent, a saltier, gules.
SANGUINE. One of the heraldic tinctures. It is a dark red or blood colour. By some armorists it is called murrey. The latter word is considered obsolete.
SAPPHIRE. The name of a precious stone, formerly used to express azure.
SARDONYX. A precious stone, formerly used to denote sanguine in emblazoning the arms of the English nobility.
SATURN. The name of a planet, used to denote sable in emblazoning the royal arms by ancient armorists.
SCEPTRE. A royal staff; an ensign of sovereignty borne in the hand. It was originally a javelin without a head. Sceptres of the present time are splendidly decorated with jewellery. The annexed engraving represents two sceptres of the kings of England: the sceptre with the dove is of gold, three feet seven inches long; the circumference of the handle is three inches, and two inches and a quarter at the end of the staff; the pomel is decorated with a fillet of table diamonds and other precious stones; the mound at the top is enriched with a band of rose diamonds; upon the mound is a small cross of Calvary, over which is a dove with its wings expanded, as the emblem of mercy.
The royal Sceptre with the Cross is of gold; the handle is plain, and the upper part wreathed; it is in length two feet nine inches, the fleur-de-lis of six leaves; the mound, and the cross above it, are richly embellished with amethysts and diamonds.
SCARPE. A diminutive of the bend sinister.
Ex. Argent, a scarpe, gules.
SCROLL. The riband below the escutcheon, on which the motto is inscribed.
SEEDED. When the seed of a rose or any other flower is of a different tint from the petal, it is called seeded. The heraldic colour of the seed in the centre of a flower is or, but, as in other proper names, the colour of the seed is not mentioned unless it is of a different tincture.
SET FOIL OR SIX FOIL. Six leaves conjoined in the centre.
SEGREANT. This term is used to describe a griffin displaying its wings as if about to fly.
Ex. A griffin rampant, segreant, gules.
SEJANT. French word for sitting. See [LION SEJANT].
SEMÉ. A French word for strewed. A field powdered or strewed with any object is said to be semé: thus a shield may be semé of fleur-de-lis, semé of hearts, &c.
SINISTER. A term used in Heraldry to signify the left side of any object. Thus a bend proceeding from the top of the left side of the shield is called a bend sinister.
SLIPPED. Torn from the stock or branch.
Ex. Azure, three laurel leaves slipped, argent.
SOL. A planet, formerly used to denote or, in emblazoning royal arms. It is the Latin name for the sun.
SOL, or THE SUN IN ITS SPLENDOUR. The sun is said to be in its splendour when it is figured (that is, delineated with a human face) and surrounded with rays. Sometimes this figure is called a sun in its glory.
Ex. Azure, a sun in its splendour.
STANDARD. A large square flag bearing the whole of the achievements of the monarch or nobleman, as seen in the royal standard of England. The royal standard, when placed before the pavilion of the monarch either at a tournay or in an encampment, was eleven yards long and three yards broad.
The length of the standard when borne in the field denoted the rank of the leader: that of a duke was seven yards long; a peer of lower degree raised a standard five yards in length; that of a knight banneret was only four. In modern times standards of peers or knights banneret are seldom displayed but in funeral processions. The standard is then long and narrow, and pointed at the end; that of a duke is about fifteen feet in length, peers of lower degree about twelve.
The flag borne as the ensign of a regiment of cavalry is called a standard. The flags of foot soldiers are called colours.
STAR. This celestial figure is always represented as argent, and is supposed to have six rays or points; if they have more points the number must be named. See [ETOILE].
STATANT. An animal standing still with all its legs on the ground. See [LION STATANT].
SUPPORTERS are figures standing on the scroll, placed on each side of the shield as if to support it. Supporters in English Heraldry are granted only to persons included in the rank of nobility or to knights banneret by favour of the sovereign.
The origin of this addition to the external ornaments of the escutcheon may be traced to the practice which originally prevailed in the regulation of tournaments. Some days prior to the tournament taking place, each knight desirous of entering the lists was required to hang up his shield, upon which his arms were emblazoned, at the place appointed by the prince or nobleman that proclaimed the tournament, that they might be examined by the heralds, to prevent unqualified persons entering the lists. Each shield thus exhibited was guarded or supported by the servants of the knight to whom it belonged, and to disguise their livery these guardians of the shield assumed the appearance of savages, Moors, lions, griffins, and various other animals.
In after times, on the creation of a peer, the Heralds selected the supporters they deemed most appropriate, having some allusion either to the deeds, name, title, arms, or motto of the newly-created peer.
SURMOUNTED. A figure or bearing having another over it.
Ex. Gules, a sword erect in pale, argent, surmounted by two keys, saltier, or.
SURTOUT. The French word for "over all." See [ESCUTCHEON OF PRETENCE] and [OVER ALL].
TALBOT. A dog formerly used for hunting. It is formed something between a hound and a beagle, with a large snout, and long, round, thick ears.
Ex. Argent, a talbot's head erased, semé of billets.
TENNE, or TAWNEY. One of the tinctures used in emblazoning arms. It signifies orange colour, and is represented in engraving by lines drawn diagonally from the sinister to the dexter side of the shield, traversed by perpendicular lines from the base to the chief.
TIARA. The Pope's mitre, with its triple crowns.
TINCTURE. A term used in Heraldry to express colour.
TOPAZ. The name of a precious stone, formerly used instead of or, in emblazoning the arms of the English nobility.
TORTEAUX. Red roundlets.
Ex. Argent, three torteaux in bend, sinister.
TOURNAMENTS were combats of honour, in which persons of noble birth entered the lists to gain reputation in feats of arms. The name is derived from tourner, to turn, from the horsemen turning frequently as they rode round the enclosure, and during the course of the engagement. The design of tournaments was to train the nobility to the use of arms; none, therefore, were admitted to these sports but persons of noble birth, who could prove their descent, at least, by three generations. They were also required to be men of unspotted honour and integrity.
It was customary for princes, on some public festivity or rejoicing, to appoint a day for these entertainments, and give public notice to the knights in their own territories, as well as in the neighbouring states.
The knights generally made their appearance four days before the combat. They endeavoured to excel each other in the splendour of their equipage and dress, and in the excellence and beauty of their horses, which were adorned with the most costly caparisons. Their armorial ensigns were displayed with great pomp during three days, that all who viewed them might judge if they were worthy of entering the lists. The field where the tournament was to be held was railed in with pales. This place was called the lists. A king was appointed to preside over the sports, as were also judges to examine the knights' armour and arms, and to see that no unfair advantage was taken. A number of other officers were appointed, which our space will not allow us to mention.
A short distance from the lists were the galleries and pavilions for the spectators; the most splendid was that fitted up for the lady who presided as queen of the tournament and her attendants, all splendidly attired. The most noble and most beautiful ladies of the court crowded to these martial entertainments to inspire the combatants with ardour, by giving them some token or favour, such as a scarf, veil, or bracelet, with which the knight adorned his helmet or spear.
Their arms were lances of light wood, without iron at the top; swords without edge or point; in some instances wooden swords were used. The knights were formed into two parties, and entered the lists by different barriers, riding round the lists several times to pay their respects to their sovereign and the ladies. At length the heralds sounded to arms; the quadrils, or troop, took their stations; when the charge was sounded, the knights rushed against each other with the utmost impetuosity. The clashing of swords, the sounding shields, the war-cry of the knights, who shouted the name of their ladye-love in the midst of the mimic strife, greatly excited the spectators, who, in return, cheered and encouraged the combatants. When the knights were brave and determined, the contest lasted some hours; the vanquished, that is, those who were thrown from their horses, withdrew from the lists as quietly as possible, leaving the field to their successful opponents. The victory was decided by the number of knights unhorsed. The prizes to the victors were adjudged and delivered by the queen and the ladies. This authority of the fair sex contributed greatly to polish the manners of the nobility and gentry of the middle ages, who were anxious to court the favour of those who were the distributors of public honours.
Sometimes this entertainment was followed by jousts. Two cavaliers, out of gallantry, would break a lance in honour of the ladies. These were followed by others until the lists were again cleared for the tournament. The difference between tournaments and jousts was, that the former were in the nature of battles, the latter of duels.
When the sports were over, the heralds and pursuivants declared the names and titles of the knights, and proclaimed the heraldic ornaments which the emperor, king, or prince that presided at the tournament granted to those whom he pleased to reward or favour.
Notwithstanding all the precautions to prevent the mischief that might happen at these martial exercises few were exhibited in which a great number were not wounded, some killed in the melée, others crushed by the falling of the scaffolds, or trod to death by the horses. Kings, princes, and gallant knights from every part of Europe have perished at different times while attending or taking part in those mimic battles. Successive popes thundered out their anathemas against all that encouraged this warlike and dangerous amusement. Those who perished in these sanguinary entertainments were denied the honour of Christian burial; and yet, so strong was the passion of the nobility of Europe for these martial sports, from a desire to display their grandeur, courage, and address before the ladies and the assembled multitude, that no bulls, decretals, or anathemas of the church were able to restrain them. The use of gunpowder, and the consequent inutility of armour to defend the person in battle, gradually put an end to these animating shows. The tragical death of Henry II. of France, in 1559, who was accidentally killed in a tournament, caused laws to be passed prohibiting their being held in that kingdom. They were continued in England till the beginning of the seventeenth century.
An attempt was made to revive these martial exhibitions in Scotland, a few years ago, by Lord Eglintoun, the acknowledged leader in all manly sports, elegant athletic exercises, and baronial liberality. This noble peer proclaimed a tournament to be held at Eglintoun Castle on the 28th and 29th of August, 1839. The lists were duly prepared, a covered pavilion was erected for the accommodation of the ladies, which would contain 3000 persons. In front of this pavilion was the throne of the Queen of Beauty and her attendants. Around the lists, at convenient distances, were arranged the tents or pavilions of the knights, over which floated the gonfalon, or great banner, emblazoned with the arms and motto of the knight to whom the tent was appropriated, penons and penoncils fluttered at each angle of the pavilion, and the shield was placed over the entrance. The knights vied with each other in the decoration of their pavilions; all was in accordance with ancient customs: and if the shade of Froissart had witnessed the scene, it could not have complained of modern innovation or misplaced ornament. The procession of the King of the tournament, the Queen of Beauty, with the judges, heralds, pursuivants, halberdiers, musicians, men-at-arms, as also the splendid retinues of the noble challenger and the gallant knights, presented a scene unparalleled for magnificence and heraldic emblazonment since the days of Edward IV. Every form was observed in this modern tournament; and a more interesting scene for the historian, the antiquary, and armorist, could not be exhibited. Unfortunately, the continued rain cast a gloom over this animated spectacle, which nevertheless excited the highest admiration of all who beheld it: a spectator of the scene could well imagine the enthusiasm similar ones would create in the minds of the gay and brave of former times. It is deemed necessary to briefly notice the last tournament held in Britain; as any one that requires full information on every part of heraldic ornament, processional arrangement, and technical definition, may find positive examples in the details of this gorgeous exhibition.
TRANSPOSED. Charges or bearings placed contrary to their usual situation.
Ex. Argent, a pile, azure, issuing from the chief between two others, transposed.
TREFOIL. Three-leaved grass: the shamrock of Ireland. When a flower or leaf is introduced as a charge in a shield of arms, if it is of its natural colour, or, in heraldic language, proper, the tincture is not named, but if of any other colour it must be described.
Ex. Argent, three trefoils, gules, one over two.
TRESSURE. An ordinary not so broad as an orle. It generally forms a border to the inescutcheon. Tressures are frequently borne double, and sometimes treble. They are generally ornamented flory and counter-flory. The example contains only a single tressure. The arms of Scotland exhibit an example of a double tressure flory and counter-flory, as exhibited in the shield on the [title-page] of this Manual. See [DOUBLE TRESSURE].
TRICORPORATED. Three lions rampant, conjoined, under one head, guardant, in the fess points. See [LIONS].
TRIPPING. The motion of deer, between running and walking.
Ex. Argent, a stag proper, tripping.
TURBAND. In coats of arms, where the knight was a Crusader, this figure often appears. It was the form of the sultan's turban at that period.
TURRETED. A wall or castle having small turrets. In the annexed example the square tower has circular turrets at the angles, and is therefore said to be turreted.
TUSKED. Any animal having tusks of a different tincture from its body is said to he tusked.
Ex. Argent, a boar's head, erased proper, tusked gules.
UNDY. A term used to express the word wavy by Gwillim and other ancient armorists.
Ex. Argent, a bend undy, gules.
VAIR. A kind of fur formerly used for the lining the garments of knights. It is represented in engraving by the figures of small bells ranged in lines, as in the annexed example. Unless the colour of the fur is named, vair is always argent and azure. The bend, the cross and saltier, are sometimes formed of this fur.
VAMBRACED. Armour for the arms.
Ex. Argent, three dexter arms, vambraced, couped.
VAMPLATE. A word used by ancient heralds for armour for the hand, instead of gauntlet.
VENUS. The name of the planet, used for the colour vert by ancient heralds, who emblazoned the arms of sovereigns by planets instead of metals and colours.
VERDOY. A bordure charged with eight leaves.
Ex. Vert, a bordure argent, verdoy, of trefoils.
VERT. Green. It is represented in engraving by diagonal lines drawn from the dexter to the sinister side of the shield.
VISCOUNT. A title of honour, a degree below an earl.
VOIDED. A term applied when any part of an ordinary is left open to the field.
Ex. Gules, a bend sinister, voided, argent.
VOIDER. A subordinate ordinary.
Ex. Azure, a voider, argent.
VOLANT. The French word for flying. It is used in Heraldry to express the same action.
VORANT. Swallowing or devouring: any animal, in a charge, devouring another creature.
Ex. Argent, a serpent crowned, or, vorant an infant.
VULNED. A word that signifies wounded, used in emblazonry to denote an animal wounded by another creature.
VULNING. Any creature in the act of wounding itself.
Ex. Argent, a pelican's head, erased, vulning.
WALLED. A term sometimes used in Heraldry. When an ordinary is edged or guarded by an embattled wall.
Ex. Azure, on a pale, walled on each side with three battlements argent, an endorse gules.
WAVY. Curved lines, undulating like the waves of the sea.
Ex. Argent, the lower half of the shield three bars wavy, azure.
WHITE. This word is only used to describe a plain fur. It is represented as argent.
WINGED. When the wings of a bird, or those of chimerical figures which are drawn with wings, are of a different tincture to their bodies, they are said to be winged. Thus, in the arms of the state of Venice there is a lion sejant guardant, winged or.
WINGS ERECT. Wings are called erect when their long feathers point upwards.
WINGS INVERTED. When the feathers point downwards.
WIVERN. A chimerical animal, the upper part resembling a dragon.
Ex. Argent, a wivern, wings raised.
WREATH. A chaplet of two different-coloured silks wound round each other, and placed on the top of the helmet for the crest to rest upon. In Heraldry it is usually drawn straight, as in the lower example.