Roundels. (1) Wooden platters decorated with painting and gilding; 16th century. (2) Small round shields borne by soldiers in the 14th and 15th centuries. (3) Arch. The bead or astragal moulding.
Roundle, Her. A circular figure in Heraldry, of which there are many kinds: as the Bezant, Plate, Torteau, &c. (q.v.). In modern Heraldry a roundle gules is called Torteau; azure, Hurt; sable, Pellet or Ogress; vert, Pomme; purpure, Golpe. (See also Fountain, Annulet.)
Roussant, Her. About to fly.
Rowan-tree, Scotch. The mountain ash.
Rowel. The wheel of a spur.
Rowel Lights, Chr. Lights in a church, let up and down by a pulley, especially a star-like light made to move at the Epiphany, when the coming of the wise men was acted as a religious play. Any small hoop or ring movable on the place that holds it is a “rowel.”
Rowell or Ricel, O. E. A vessel mentioned, but not described, in Church records (of Walberswick, Suffolk), to be used twice in the year; “whereby, and the great quantity of Wax and Frankincense, a ceremonial Imitation of the Birth and Burial of our Saviour seems to have been celebrated.” (Gardner, T., Historical Account.)
Royal. (1) Paper: 21 inches by 19. (2) Artillery. A very small mortar. (3) Sailing. The upper sail above the top-gallant. (4) O. E. A Rial (q.v.), a coin of the value of ten shillings.
Royal Blue (Fr. bleu du roi). A vitreous pigment used in porcelain painting, resulting in a rich, deep blue colour. It is prepared from smalt.
Rubelite. A precious stone not much used for jewellery. It is a species of tourmaline, red and pink in colour.