Fig. 281.
Fig. 282.
Spear.—Is usually described as a tilting spear, and when its shaft is without swell as a javelin. It is regarded as the emblem of manhood, as the distaff is the symbol of womanhood. As usually depicted, without the vamplate, it appears as in Fig. 281; but there is no reason against representing the plate in addition if it is thought desirable. Although the tilting spear was most frequently used with the blunted head, the coronel or roc, it is almost always represented heraldically with a sharp spear point. The shaft is sometimes parti-coloured, or else grooved into flutings as it was in actual use. In some cases these grooves were so large and deep as to result in a form of the girder principle by which great lightness and strength were obtained. The Arms of Shakespeare, granted in 1546, are: Or on a bend Sable a spear Gold.
Spurs.—As the peculiar symbol of knighthood are naturally of frequent occurrence as charges. They are given star-shaped rowels unless the more ancient form with a single point is intended, and it is then blazoned a Prick Spur.
“The Spurs ben given to a knight to signify diligence and swiftness.”
Sruttle.—Another name for winnowing fan (Fig. 282).
Fig. 283.