(Conjectural origin of the Pile, p. [63])
CHAPTER IX.
Historical Arms—Augmentations.
(Badge of Pelham.)
| “In perpetuum per gloriam vivere intelliguntur.” Justinian. |
By Historical Arms I mean those coats which, upon the testimony either of record or tradition, have been acquired by an act of the original bearer, and which exhibit some trophy or circumstance connected therewith to the eye of the spectator. Augmentations are marks of honour, granted by the sovereign, and superadded to the paternal arms; and borne, for the most part, upon a canton or inescocheon, sometimes upon a chief, fesse, or quarter. This class of arms, the most interesting in the whole range of heraldry, has been subdivided into eight kinds; viz. 1, Those derived from acts of valour; 2, From acts of loyalty; 3, From royal and other advantageous alliances; 4, From favour and services; 5, From situation; 6, From profession, &c.; 7, From tenure and office; and 8, From memorable circumstances and events.[198]