Obrázky na stránke
PDF
ePub
[merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][graphic][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][merged small][subsumed][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][graphic][subsumed][merged small][merged small][merged small][subsumed][subsumed][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][graphic][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small]

dexter side of the escutcheon is opposite to the left haud, and the sinister side to the right hand of the person that looks on it.

Distinctions of houses.-These distinctions inform us how the bearer of each is descended from the same family; they also denote the subordinate degrees in each house from the original ancestors, viz.

First house. For the heir or first son the label; second son the crescent; third son the mullet; fourth son the martlet; fifth son the annulet; sixth son the fleur-de-lis.

Second house. The crescent, with the label on it, for the first son of the second son. The crescent on the crescent for the second son of the second son of the first house, &c. See Plate 84.

By the tinctures or colours is meant that variety of hue of arms common both to shields and their charges: the colours generally used are red, blue, sable, vert, purpure. Note, yellow and white, termed or and argent, are metals; these colours are represented in engravings by dots and lines, as in Plate 84.

Or is expressed by dots.
Argent is plain.

Gules, by perpendicular lines.
Azure, by horizontal lines.

[blocks in formation]

Crescent, or half-moon, having its horns turned upwards.

Increscent, differs from the crescent, by having its horns turned to the dexter side.

Decrescent, is the reverse of the increscent, haying its horns turned to the sinister side.

Rose, is represented, in heraldry, full blown, with fine green barbs, and seeded in the middle.

Annulet, or ring, and by some authors supposed to be rings of mail.

Chess-rook. This piece is used in the game of

Sable, by perpendicular and horizontal lines chess. erossing each other.

Vert, by diagonal lines from the dexter chief to the sinister base point.

Purpure, by diagonal lines from the sinister chief to the dexter base point.

Furs.-There are different kinds, and represent the hairy skins of certain animals, prepared for the linings of robes of state; and anciently shields were covered with furred skins; they are used in coats of arms, viz.

Ermine, is black spots on a white field. Ermines, is a field black with white spots. Erminois, is a field gold with black spots. Vair, is white and blue, represented by figures of small escutcheons arranged in a line, so that the base argent is opposite to the base azure.

Potent-counter-potent, is a field covered with figures like crutch heads. See Plate 84.

Charges, are whatsoever bearings or figures are borne in the field of a coat of arms.

Rampant, signifies the lion standing erect on one of the hind legs.

Rampant-gardant, is a lion standing on his hind Jeg, looking full-faced.

Rampant regardant, standing upon his hinder Jeg, looking back towards his tail.

Passant: this term is to express the lion in a walking position.

Sejant, for the lion sitting, as the example. Saliant, is when the lion is leaping or springing forward, as the example.

Couchant, is a lion lying at rest, with the head

erect.

Passant-gardant, for a beast, when walking, with its head looking full-faced.

Couped, cut off smooth and even, as the example.

Erased, signifying torn or plucked off, as the example,

Demy, is the half of any charge, as the example, a demy lion.

Dormant, for sleeping with its head resting on its fore paws.

Partition lines, by which is understood a shield

Star, in heraldry, is termed an estoile, having six waved points.

Trefoil, or three-leaved grass.
Quatrefoil, or four-leaved grass.
Cinquefoil, or five-leaved grass.
Mascle, is in shape like the lozenge, but is al-
ways perforated as the example.

Fountain, an heraldric term for a roundle barry wavy of six argents and azure.

Billet, a small parallelogram, supposed to be letters made up in the form of the example.

Rustre, is a lozenge pierced round in the middle. Gutte, in heraldry, signifies drops of any thing liquid, and, according to their colour, are termed as follow: if

[blocks in formation]

Sable, Gutte poix.

Fess, an ordinary composed of two horizontal lines drawn across the centre of the shield. Chevron, an ordinary, in form like tworafters of a house, or a pair of compasses extended.

Bend, an ordinary, drawn diagonally from the dexter chief to the sinister base, and takes up onethird of the field.

Pale, an ordinary, which is placed perpendicular in the centre of the shield.

Chief, an ordinary, which always occupies the upper part of the shield, and contains in depth the third of the field.

Cross, an ordinary, composed of four lines, four perpendicular, and two transverse.

Saltire, an ordinary, in form like the cross of St. Andrew.

Bend-sinister, which is placed diagonally from the sinister chief to the dexter base of the shield. Quarter, an ordinary, formed of two lines, one perpendicular, the other horizontal, taking up onefourth of the field, as the example.

Canton, an ordinary, in form like the quarter, but the size is only the third part of the chief.

Pile, an ordinary, like the foot of the pile that is driven into the ground to make the foundation of a building in swampy ground.

Elanches, are composed of two circular lines, and are always borne double, as the example. Flory, a cross, the ends terminating in fleursde-lis.

Moline, a cross, which turns round both ways at the extremities, like a hook.

Pattee, a cross, smail in the centre, and widening to the ends, which are very broad.

Croslet, a cross, crossed again at the extremities at a small distance from each of the ends.

Lozenge, a four-cornered figure, like a pane of glass in old casements, supposed to be a physical composition given for colds, and was invented to distinguish eminent physicians.

Mullet, consists of five points, andpierced in the centre, and is supposed to represent a spur rowel. Mill-rind, a cross, in form like the mill-ink which carries the millstone, and is perforated in the centre.

Water-boujet, anciently used as a vessel by soldiers for carrying water in long marches.

Helmets, were formerly worn as a defensive weapon to cover the bearer's head: a helmet is now placed over a coat of arms as its chief ornament, and a mark of gentility. The

First is a side-faced helmet of steel, with the vizor fhut, for an esquire.

Second is a full faced helmet of steel, with the vizor open, for knights or baronets.

Third is a side-faced helmet of steel, the bars and ornaments gold, for the dobility.

Fourth is a full faced helmet, with bars all gold, for the sovereign and princes of the blood royal. Close, signifies the wings of a bird are down, and close to the body.

Rising. This term is for a bird when in a position as if preparing to fly.

Displayed, signifies the wings of an eagle to be expanded, as the example.

Volant, a term for any bird represented flying. Tripping, a term for a stag, antelope, or hind, when walking.

Courant, for a stag, or horse, or greyhound, running.

At gaze, is a term for a stag or hind; when looking full-faced, is termed at gaze.

Lodged, signifies the stag to be at rest on the ground.

Inverted, is for two wings conjoined, and the points of the wings downwards.

Erect, is for two wings conjoined, and the points erect, or upwards.

Hauriant. This term is for a fish when erect, paleways, as putting its head above water.

Naiant, for a fish, when borne horizontally across the shield, as swimming.

Cockatrice, a chimerical figure used in heraldry; its beak, wings, legs, comb, wattles, and spurs, partake of the fowl; and its body and tail of the snake. Wyvern. This, like the former, is chimerical, and differs from the cockatrice in its head having no comb, wattles, or fpurs.

Dragon. This is an heraldic figure, as drawn by heralds. See the example.

Tiger. This, like the former, is of heraldic creation; being so different from the tiger of nature, it is termed the heraldic tiger.

Checky, is a shield or bearing, covered with small squares of different colours alternately.

Gyronny, is a shield divided into six or eight triangular parts of different colours, and the points all meeting in the centre of the shield.

Paly, is a shield divided into four, six, or more equal parts, by perpendicular lines, consisting of two colours.

Barry, is a shield divided into four, six, or more equal parts, by horizontal lines of two colours.

Bachelor-The arms of a bachelor, whilst he remains such, he may quarter his paternal coat with other coats, if they belong to him, but he may not impale it tili he is married.

Married man---A married man is to conjoin the coat armours of himself and wife in one escutcheon paleways; the man's on the dexter side of the shield, and the woman's ou the sinister side.

An heiress. When an heiress is married, her arms are not be impaled with her husband's, but are to be borne on an escutcheon of pretence, placed in the centre of the shield.-Note, the escutcheon of pretence disp ays his pretension to her estate; and if the husband has issue by her, the heir of those two inheritors shall bear the hereditary coats of father and mother quarterly.

Quarterly.-Is an arms divided into four parts by a perpendicular and horizontal line crossing each other, in the centre of the shield, into four equal parts, termed quarters.

Maid-The arms of a maid are to be placed in a lozenge; and if her father bore any difference in his coat the same is to be continued; for by the mark of cadency of her father's will be denoted what branch she is from.

Widow. The arms of a widow are to be impaled with the arms of her late husband; her husband on the dexter side, and hers on the sinister side, upon a lozenge, as the example.

Knight of the garter and his lady-When a knight of the garter is married, his wife's arms must be placed in a distinct shield, because his arms are surrounded with the ensign of that order; for though the husband may give his equal share of the shield and hereditary honour, yet he cannot share his temporary order of knighthood with

her.

Commoner and his lady.—The arms of a commoner married to a lady of quality: he is not to impale her arms with his own; they are to be set aside of one another in separate shields, as the lady still retains her title and rank. See the example, pl. 84.

Of common charges borne in coats-of-arms.—It has been already observed, that in all ages men have made use of the representation of living creatures, and other symbolical signs, to distinguish themselves in war; and that these marks, which were promiscuously used for hieroglyphics, emblems, and personal devices, gave the first notion of beraldry. But nothing shows the extent of human fancy more, than the great variety of these marks of distinction, since they are composed of all sorts of figures, some natural, others artificial, and many chimerical; in allusion, it is to be supposed, to the state, quality, or inclination of the bearer.

Hence it is, that the sun, moon, stars, comets, meteors, &c. have been introduced to denote glory, grandeur, power, &c. Lions, leopards, tigers, serpents, stags, &c. have been employed to signify courage, strength, prudence, swiftness, &c.

The application to certain exercises, such as war, hunting, music, &c. has furnished lances, swords, pikes, arms, fiddles, &c. Architecture,

columns, cheverons, &c.; and the other arts several things that relate to them.

Human bodies, or distinct parts of them, also clothes, and ornaments, have, for some particular intention, found place in armoury; trees, plants, fruits, and flowers, have likewise been admitted to denote the rarities, advantages, and singularities, of different countries.

The relation of some creatures, figures, &c. to particular names, has been likewise a very fruitful source of variety in arms. Thus the family of Coningsby bears three coneys; of Arundel, six swallows; of Urson, a bear; of Lucie, three pikes; in Latin tres lucios pisces; of Starkey, a stork; of Castleman, a castle triple-to vered; of Shuttleworth, three weaver's shuttles, &c.

Besides these natural and artificial figures, there are chimerical or imaginary ones used in heraldry, the result of fancy and caprice; such as centaurs, hydras, phenixes, griffons, dragons, &c. Which great variety of figures shows the impossibility of comprehending all common charges in a work of this nature; therefore such only shall be treated of as are most frequently borne in coats-of

arms.

1. Among the multitude of natural figures which are used in coats-of-arms, those most usually borne are, for the sake of brevity as well as perspicuity, distributed into the following classes, viz. Celestial figures; as, the sun, moon, stars, &c. and their parts. Effigies of men, women, &c. and their parts. Beasts; as, lions, stags, foxes, boars, &c. and their parts. Birds; as, eagles, swans, storks, pelicans, &c. and their parts. Fishes; as, dolphins, whales, sturgeons, trouts, &c. and their parts. Reptiles and insects; as, tortoises, serpents, grasshoppers, &c. and their parts. Vegetables; as, trees, plants, flowers, herbs, &c. and their parts. Stones; as, diamonds, rubies, pebbles, rocks, &c.

These charges have, as well as ordinaries, divers attributes or epithets, which express their qualities, positions, and dispositions. Thus the sun is said to be in his glory, eclipsed, &c. The moon, in her complement, increscent, &c. Animals are said to be rampant, passant, &c. Birds have also their denominations, such as close, displayed, &c. Fishes are described to be hauriant, naiant, &c. It is only therefore necessary to notice here, that lions are termed lioncels if more than two in the field, and eagles eaglets.

It must be observed also, that trees and plants are sometimes said to be trunked, eradicated, fructuated or raguled, according as they are represented in arms.

2. Of artificial figures borne in coats-of-arms, the following classes may be distinguished. Warlike instruments; as, swords, arrows, battering-rams, gauntlets, helmets, spears, pole axes, &c. Ornaments used in royal and religious ceremonies; as, crowns, coronets, mitres, wreaths, crosiers, &c. Architecture; as, towers, castles, arches, columns, plummets, battlements, churches, portcullisses, &c. Navigation; as, ships, anchors, rudders, pendants, sails, oars, masts, flags, galleys, lighters, &c.

All these bearings have different epithets, serving either to express their position, disposition, or make: viz. swords are said to be erect, pommeled, hilted, &c.; arrows, armed, feathered, &c.; towers, covered, embattled, &c.; and so on of all

others.

3. Chimerical figures form the last and oddest

kind of bearings in coats of arms, as under the name of chimerical heralds rank all figures of things which have no real existence, but are mere fabulous and fantastical inventions. These charges, griffons, martlets, and unicorns excepted, are so uncommon in British coats, that we have not thought it necessary to give examples of them. Instances occur, however, of angels, cherubims, tritons, centaurs, martlets, griffons, unicorns, dragons, mermaids, satyrs, wiverns, harpies, cockatrices, phenixes, &c. and all these, like the foregoing charzes, are subject to various positions and dispositions, which, from the principles already laid down, will be plainly understood.

To the forementioned figures may be added the montegre, an imaginary creature, supposed to have the body of a tiger with a satyr's head and horns; also those which have a real existence, but are said to be endowed with extravagant and ima❤ ginary qualities, viz. the salamander, beaver, camelion, &c.

It is an established rule among the heralds, that in blazoning, animals are always to be interpreted in the best sense; that is, according to their most noble and generous qualities, and so as may redound most to the honour of the bearers.

Thus the fox, being repeated witty, and withal given to filching for his prey; if this be the charge of an escutcheon, we are to conceive the quality represented to be his wit and cunning, not his theft.

Guillim adds, that all savage beasts are to be figured in their fiercest action; as, a lion erected, his mouth wide open, his claws extended, &c. thus formed, he is said to be rampant. A leopard or wolf is to be pourtrayed going, as it were, pedetentim; which form of action, saith Chassanæus, fits their natural disposition, and is termed passant. The gentler kinds are to be set forth in their noblest and most advantageous action; as, a horse running or vaulting, a grey-hound coursing, a deer tripping, a lamb going with smooth and easy pace, &c.

Every animal is to be moving or looking to the right side of the shield; and it is a general rule, that the right foot be placed foremost, because the right side is reckoned the beginning of motion: add, that the upper part is nobler than the lower; so that things constrained either to look up or down, ought rather to be designed looking upwards. It must be noted, that notwithstanding these solemn precepts of Guillim, and the other masters of armoury, we find by experience that there are lions passant, couchant, and dormant, as well as rampant, and that most animals in arma look down, and not up.

Birds are esteemned a more honourable bearing than fish; and wild and ravenous birds than tame ones.

Of the external ornaments of escutcheons.-The ornaments that accompany or surround escutcheons denote the birth, dignity, or office, of the person to whom the coat of arms appertaineth; and obtains both among the laity and clergy. The chief of which are as follow:

Crowns. The first crowns were only diadems, bands, or fillets; afterwards they were composed of branches of divers trees, and then flowers were added to them. Among the Greeks, the crowns given to those who carried the prize at the Isthmian games were of pine; at the Olympic of laurel; and at the Nemean of smallage. The Romans had various crowns to reward martial ex-`

« PredošláPokračovať »