Pheon.—The head of a dart, the so-called broad arrow of Government stores. It usually has its inner edges engrailed, but this is not essential any more than are the rigidly straight lines with which it is generally drawn. There are many other forms in early use that are much more satisfactory, such as Fig. 275, which is from an early sixteenth century MS. The pheon is understood to be point downwards as in the example, unless it is otherwise described.
Fig. 275.
Roundels.—Circular charges whose names differ according to their tincture. Thus a roundel or is supposed to be a flat piece of gold and is called a Bezant after Byzantium. A roundel arg. is a Plate; a roundel gules is a Torteau; the Hurt is azure; the Pellet or Ogress is sable; the Pomme is vert. Ancient armorists also mention Golpes, which are purpure; Guzes, sanguine; and Oranges, tenné; but these are not actually used in English heraldry. Another roundel, called a Fountain, is barry-wavey arg. and az., and is further alluded to under its name (Fig. 250). The use of the heraldic names of the various roundels is not obligatory, however, their description by tinctures, like other charges, being equally correct. They are frequently themselves charged and may be of ermine or other fur, and be treated in every way as other flat spaces. Their treatment in relief or otherwise is largely a matter of taste, and whether a roundel be treated as flat or globular must depend on the character of the surrounding work. The frequently made suggestion that bezants and plates, being derived from flat objects, should always be flat, while others should always be globular, would often be awkward if carried out in practice, especially in sculpture; and even if the derivations be correct, a roundel as a circular object without other qualification is just as conceivable as a roundel derived from a coin. Suitability to the general design seems to be the governing factor here as elsewhere.
Fig. 276.
Fig. 277.
Portcullis.—A strong grille for the protection of a fortified gateway. It was made of heavy beams securely clamped together and shod with iron, and is represented with the chains on either side by which it was suspended. The example (Fig. 276) is from the Chartulary of Westminster Abbey, where it forms part of the painted decoration of the MS. as one of the favourite badges of Henry VII. It has given a name to one of the pursuivants of arms, and as part of the armorials of the city of Westminster is one of the most familiar charges.
Quatrefoil (Fig. 277).—A four-leaved charge, derived from clover or from a four-petalled flower.