Besant. A golden “Roundle” or disc, flat like a coin: [No. 151], and [No. 140].
Billet. An oblong figure of any tincture: Billetée—strewn with “Billets”: Nos. [130], [146].
Bird. Many Birds appear in blazon, and they are represented both in heraldic tinctures and “proper”—in their natural aspect. (See [Chapters VIII.] and [IX.])
Bird-bolt. An arrow with a blunt head.
Bishop. The Bishops are “by Divine permission,” and are styled “Right Reverend Father in God,” and “My Lord Bishop.” The Bishops of England and Wales are not Peers but are all “spiritual lords” of Parliament, some of the junior Bishops, however, having no seats. The Suffragan Bishops are merely assistant Bishops, and are not Lords of Parliament. The heraldic insignia of Bishops consist of a mitre and pastoral staff; they impale their official and personal arms, as do the Archbishops; and, like them also, they bear no crests, but they ensign their shields with a mitre.
Blasted. Leafless, withered.
Blazon. Heraldry: Armorial Compositions. “To blazon” is to describe or to represent any armorial Figure, Device, or Composition in an heraldic manner. Blazoning—Describing in heraldic language: also, representing in an heraldic manner. Blazonry—the representation of any heraldic Figure, Device, or Composition. But the distinction is in practice usually made to employ the word “emblazon” in cases of representation.
Boar. In Heraldry occasionally termed Sanglier.
Bordure. A Subordinary: Nos. [139], [140]. Also, an important “Difference.” (See [Chapters XII.] and [XIII.])
Botoneé, Botoneé Fitcheé. Varieties of the heraldic Cross: Nos. [103], [110]. This Cross is also termed Trefleé.