Fig. 53. Planta genista, or broom.
Badges. Small heraldic shields, worn by servants and others, showing, in embroidered cloth or silver, a figure or device; common also “in the furniture of houses, on robes of state, on the caparisons of horses, on seals, and in the details of Gothic edifices.” (Lower, “Curiosities of Heraldry.”) Fig. [54] from the cornice of King Henry’s chantry in Westminster Abbey shows the adaptation of heraldic badges in architectural ornament. (The description is inserted under Blazon, q.v.) The Badges worn by the military followers of the feudal leaders answered the purpose of our modern uniforms. Among remarkable badges are the “Bear and ragged staff” of the Earls of Warwick, the red and white roses of Lancaster and York, the sprig of broom (Fig. [53]) of the Plantagenets.
Badgers. Brushes of badger’s hair, for blending or softening. (See Blending.)
Bagordare, Med. It. A burlesque tournament in which the combatants were attended by fools instead of heralds and esquires.
Bagpipe. This ancient and favourite instrument of the Celtic races is represented in an O. E. MS. of the 14th century. Several of the Hebrew instruments mentioned in the Bible and in the Talmud were kinds of bagpipes. So was a Greek instrument called “Magadis.” In Russia and Poland, and in the Ukraine, it used to be made of a whole goat’s skin, and was called “Kosa,” a goat. It is of high antiquity in Ireland, and a pig playing the bagpipe is represented in an illuminated Irish MS. of A. D. 1300.
Baijoire. (1) A medal or coin on the obverse or reverse of which were two faces in profile, placed one over the other. (2) An ancient silver coin of Genoa, and an ancient Dutch gold coin. The term is certainly derived from an old word Baisoire [baiser, to kiss].
Bai-Kriem, Hindoo. Literally, roasted rice; a stone employed in some of the monuments of the ancient Cambodia. (See Bien-Hoa.)
Bailey. (See Ballium.)
Bainbergs (Germ. Bein-bergen). Shin-guards or modern greaves.
Baisoire. (See Baijoire.)