Origin of Coat of Arms
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 CURTANA. The pointless sword of mercy is the principal in dignity of the three swords that are borne naked before the British monarchs at their coronation. CROWN AND CORONETS.
DANCETTE. A zig-zag figure with spaces between the points, much larger than in the indented.  Ex. Argent, a pale, dancette vert. DEBRUISED. Any animal that has an ordinary placed upon it is said to be debruised.  Ex. Argent, a lion rampant guardant gules, debruised by a fess azure.
DECRESSANT, or DECRESCENT. A moon in its wane, whose horns are turned to the sinister side of the escutcheon.  Ex. Azure, a moon decrescent, proper. DEMI, or DEMY. This particle is always joined to a substantive, and signifies half; as, a demi-lion, i.e. half a lion. DETRIMENT. The moon is said to be in its detriment when it is eclipsed.  Ex. Argent, the moon in her detriment sable. DEXTER. A word used in Heraldry to signify the right side of any thing. 
DIADEM, a circle of gold with points rising from it, worn by ancient kings as the token of royalty. The diadem of most of the monarchs of Europe, as represented in ancient statuary, stained glass, and paintings, resembles the annexed engraving; the kings of England, from the Conquest to Henry VII., all wore a diadem of this shape. DIAMOND. The hardest and most valuable of precious stones; it was formerly used by English heralds to denote black or sable in blazoning the arms of the nobility. DIFFERENCE. The term given to a certain figure added to coats of arms to distinguish one family from another, and to show how distant younger branches are from the elder or principal branch DIMINUTION. A word sometimes used instead of difference. DISPLAYED. A bird whose wings are expanded and legs spread is said to be displayed.  Ex. Argent, an eagle displayed sable. DORMANT. The French word for sleeping, used to denote the posture of a lion, or any other beast reposing. See LION. DOUBLINGS. The lining of robes of state, as also the rows of fur set on the mantles of peers.  DOUBLE TRESSURE. Two Tressures, or orles, one within the other. DOVETAILED. A term borrowed from carpentry to show tinctures joined together by reversed wedges, which, being shaped like doves' tails, are by joiners called dovetailing.  Ex. Quarterly per pale dove-tailed, or and gules. DRAGON.. An imaginary monster; a mixture of beast, bird, and reptile. It is frequently borne in crests and charges.  Ex. Argent, a dragon proper, tail nowed. DRAGON'S HEAD. Part of a celestial constellation, used by ancient English heralds to denote tenne when emblazoning the arms of sovereigns; this style of heraldry has become obsolete. DRAGON'S TAIL. Part of the same constellation; formerly used to denote sanguine. DUKE. The highest degree of British peerage next to the prince of Wales. This title is derived from the Latin word dux: the title of Duke was known in other parts of Europe long before it was introduced into England. The first person that was created a duke in this country was Edward the Black Prince, who was created duke of Cornwall by his father Edward the third. The title has since that time belonged to the first born son of the monarch of England. A duke formerly possessed great authority over the province that formed his dukedom, and had large estates annexed to his title to support its dignity. At the present time dukes are created by patent, and their dukedom is merely nominal, neither power nor possessions being annexed to the title. EAGLE. Aquila in Ornithology. In Heraldry the eagle is accounted one of the most noble bearings, and ought to be given only to such as greatly excel in the virtues of generosity and courage, or for having done some singular service to their sovereign. EAGLET is a diminutive of eagle, properly signifying a young eagle. In Heraldry, when several eagles are on the same escutcheon, they are termed eaglets. EARL. The third degree of British peerage. Under the Danish and Saxon kings this was the highest title known in England conferred upon a subject. It was formerly the custom upon creating an earl to assign him, for the support of his state, the third penny from the fines and profits of the sheriff's court, issuing out of the pleas of the shire whence the earl took his title; as, formerly, there was no count or earl but had a county or shire for his earldom. When the number of earls was increased, they took their titles from towns and villages. An earl is now created by patent. EARL-MARSHAL OF ENGLAND. A very ancient, and formerly a very important, officer, who had several courts under his jurisdiction, as the Court of Chivalry, the Court of Honor. He still presides over the Heralds' College, and nominally over the Marshalsea Court. The title of Earl Marshal of England is now, and has been for some ages, hereditary in the noble family of the Howards. 
EASTERN CROWN. A crown with rays proceeding from a circle, called by heralds an Eastern crown, is found in ancient achievements. The annexed cut shows its form. EMBATTLED. A line, formed like the battlements on a wall or tower, is said to be embattled or crenelle. When the line is used to form one of the ordinaries, it is said to be embattled.  Ex. Gules, a bend sinister embattled, argent. EMBATTLED GRADY. Where the battlements gradually rise one above another.  Ex. Argent, a fess gules, embattled grady. EMBOWED. Any thing bent or curved, like a bow.  Ex. Gules, a dolphin naiant embowed or. EMERALD. The name of a precious stone formerly substituted for vert in emblazoning the arms of the nobility of England. EN ARRIÈRE. An expression borrowed from the French, to signify any creature borne with its back to view.  Ex. Argent, an eagle proper en arrière. ENDORSE. The smallest diminutive of the pale.  Ex. Argent, a pale between endorses gules. ENGRAILED. Any object being edged with small semi-circles, the points turning outwards, is said to be engrailed. 
Ex. Argent, a pale azure engrailed. ENHANCED. A term applied to bearings placed above their usual situation.  Ex. Argent, three bendlets, enhanced gules. ENSIGNED. This word, in heraldic description, means ornamented.  Ex. Argent, a man's heart gules, ensigned with a celestial crown or. ERASED. Signifies any thing torn or plucked off from the part to which nature affixed it; generally applied to the head and limbs of man or beast.  Ex. Argent, a leg erased at the midst of the thigh gules. ERECT. This is said of any animal or parts of animals, naturally horizontal, being placed in a perpendicular direction.  Ex. Argent, a boar's head erect, and erased. 
ERMINE. A white fur with black spots, represented
as in the annexed example. ERMINES. This fur is represented by white spots on a black field.  ERMINOIS. A fur, the field, or, the spots or tufts, sable, as in the annexed example.  ESCALOP. The shell of a sea-fish, used to decorate the palmers on their way to and from Palestine; frequently used as a charge in Heraldry. 
ESCUTCHEON. This word is sometimes used to express the whole coat of arms, sometimes only the field upon which the arms are painted. It more generally denotes the painted shields used at funerals. The field, if the husband is dead and wife survives, is black on the dexter side only; if the wife is deceased, it is black on the sinister side; if both, it is black all over. The example shows that this is the escutcheon of a deceased baron, whose lady survives.
ESCUTCHEON OF PRETENCE. A small escutcheon, on
which a man bears the coat of arms of his wife,
being an heiress.  Ex. Argent, a chevron or, between three crosslets sable, on the fess point surtout the chevron an escutcheon of pretence gules, three quatrefoils argent. ESQUIRE. The degree below a knight and above a gentleman. Those to whom this title is due by right, are all the younger sons of noblemen and their heirs male for ever, the four esquires of the king's body, the eldest sons of baronets, of all knights and of their heirs male: those who bear superior offices, as magistrates, high sheriffs, mayors, and aldermen, have it during their continuance in office and no longer.  ETOILE. The French word for a star. It differs from the mullet in the number of points, and four of the points being rayant. FESS. An honorable ordinary occupying the third part of the shield between the center and the base.  Ex. Argent, a fess gules. 
FESS POINT. The exact center of the escutcheon, as seen in the annexed example. See the escutcheon lettered at where this point is marked with the letter E. FIELD. The whole surface of the shield or escutcheon: it is the ground upon which the colors, tinctures, furs, ordinaries, and charges, are represented. FIGURED. Those bearings which are depicted with a human face, are said to be figured.  Ex. Gules, three bezants figured. FILLET. The only diminutive belonging to the chief; its width is one-fourth of the chief, and is always placed at the base of it. FIMBRIATED. An ordinary having a border of a different tincture is said to be fimbriated.  Ex. Azure, a bend gules, fimbriated argent. FITCHY. Is from the French word fiché, fixed. It is generally applied to crosses which have their lower branch pointed, so that it could be fixed in the ground. FLANCHES. Are formed of two curved lines placed opposite each other.  Ex. Azure, a flanche argent. FLANK. That part of an escutcheon between the chief and the base. 
Ex. Argent, three mullets gules,
accompanied with seven cross crosslets
fitchy sable—three in chief,
one in fess, two in flanks, one in
base. FLASQUES. A subordinate ordinary formed by curved lines placed opposite each other, but not so near as in flanches.  Ex. Azure, a flasque argent.  FLEUR-DE-LIS. Supposed to represent the garden-lily. It is the bearing of the Bourbons of France, but is frequently introduced in English charges. FLORY. Signifies flowered or adorned with the fleur-de-lis. See FLORY COUNTER-FLORY, and CROSS-FLORY. FRET. Two laths interlaced with a mascle.  Ex. Azure, a fret argent. FRETTY. This word denotes a field covered with fretwork or laths interlacing each other.  Ex. Gules, fretty argent. THE FUSIL. Is longer than the lozenge: the upper and lower ends are more acute.  Ex. Or, a fusil purpure.  GALLEY. An ancient vessel propelled by oars; frequently used in shields of naval officers.  GAMBE. An obsolete French word, signifying a leg, and is still used in Heraldry, for the leg of a lion or other creature borne in coats of arms. GARBE. The heraldic term for a sheaf of any kind of corn.  Ex. Argent, a garbe proper. GARTER. One of the diminutives of the bend, being half the size.  Ex. Or, a garter vert. 
GARTER. The insignia of the most noble order of the knights of the garter. It is formed of blue velvet edged with gold wire, and lined with white satin; on the velvet is embroidered the motto of the order. See KNIGHT.  GAUNTLET. Armor for the hand. GAZE. An intent look. This is said of a deer standing still, and turning its head to look earnestly at any object.  Ex. Argent, a stag at gaze proper. 
GEMELS. This word signifies double.
The example contains two double bars,
which in heraldic language would be
called two bars gemels. GOLPS. Roundlets of a purple tincture. The color is not stated, as the name denotes the color. GORGED. Any animals, particularly birds, that have collars round the neck, are said to be gorged.  Ex. A swan's head erased at the neck, ducally gorged or.  GRIFFIN or GRYPHON. A chimerical animal, half bird, half beast. 
GUIDON. A small semi-oval flag used in funeral processions. It is generally charged with the paternal arms of the deceased.  GULES. Signifies red. It is represented in engraving by lines running parallel with each other, from the chief to the base, as in the example.  GUTTY. A term derived from the Latin word gutta, a drop. A field bearing drops, as in the example, is called gutty. 
GYRON. A triangular figure formed by two lines from one of the angles of the shield to the center. The gyron may be drawn in any part of the shield, but it is generally placed as in the annexed example. GYRONNY. When the field is covered with gyrons, their points uniting in the center.  Ex. Gyronny of eight pieces, azure, argent, and gules. HABERGEON. A coat of mail: it is also called a corslet and cuirass.  Ex. Argent, an habergeon proper. HABITED. Clothed figures, either as charges or supporters, are said to be habited.  HARPY. A chimerical animal, having the head and breast of a woman, and the body and legs of a bird. HAURIENT. A fish, in a perpendicular direction, with its head upwards.  Ex. Argent, a salmon proper haurient. HELMET. An ancient piece of defensive armor for the head; it covered the face, leaving an aperture in the front, secured by bars: this was called the visor. The helmet is now placed over a coat of arms; and by the metal from which it is made, the form, and position, denotes the rank of the person whose arms are emblazoned beneath it. The helmets of sovereigns are formed of burnished gold; those of princes and peers, of every degree, silver figured with gold; knights, esquires, and gentlemen, polished steel. The helmets of the king, the royal family, and peers, are open-faced and grated: the number of bars served formerly to distinguish the bearer's quality. The helmets of knights are open-faced, without bars. Esquires and gentlemen are known by the close helmet.  The position of the helmet is a mark of distinction. The direct front view of the grated helmet belongs to sovereign princes and dukes.  The grated helmet in profile is common to all degrees of peerage under a duke.  The helmet without bars, with the beaver open, standing directly fronting the spectator, denotes a knight. 
The closed helmet seen in profile is
appropriated to esquires and gentlemen. HERALD. An officer at arms, whose business it is to declare war, proclaim peace, marshal all the solemnities at the coronation; baptisms, marriages, and funerals of the sovereign and nobility; and to ascertain and blazon coats of arms. The principal herald is Garter-King-at-Arms. It is his office to regulate the solemnities, and emblazon the arms of the sovereign, knights, and officers of the most noble order of the Garter. Garter-King-at-Arms likewise presides over all heraldic ceremonies of the Court. His crown of gold is formed with oak leaves, one shorter than the other, springing from a circlet of gold, having engraved upon it the words "MISERERE MEI DEUS." His tabard, as principal herald, is of crimson velvet, splendidly embroidered with the arms of England. Clarencieux and Norroy are called provincial kings-at-arms, the former regulating all things connected with Heraldry in the provinces south of the Trent; the latter in the provinces north of the Trent. They have likewise crowns; and though the office of herald is not of so much importance now as it was formerly, it is still considered a post of great honor and emolument. There are eight heralds that are not kings-at-arms. Their tabards are of silk, embroidered with the royal arms. They are called York, Lancaster, Somerset, Richmond, Chester, and Windsor. George the First created a new herald called Hanover, and another called Gloucester. The kings-at-arms, heralds, and pursuivants, form the Heralds' College, by whom all matters connected with the coats of arms of every gentleman in the kingdom are arranged and determined.
HILTED. The handle of a sword tinctured.
Ex. Argent, a sword proper couped, hilted or. 
HONOR
POINT. That part of the shield
between the precise middle chief and
the fess point. In the annexed example
the large dot in the center shows the fess point; the point within
the letter D, the honor point. HORNED. This term is used to denote that the horn of a unicorn is of a different tincture from his body.  Ex. Azure, three unicorns' heads proper, erased, horned or. HUMETTY. A term used to denote an ordinary, parts of which are couped or cut off, so that it does not touch the edges of the shield.  Ex. Argent, a fess humetty gules, between three mullets sable. 
HURTS. Blue roundlets: the color is expressed in the name; therefore the tincture is not otherwise named in emblazoning a coat of arms.  IMBUED. Weapons spotted with blood are said to be imbued. The example shows a spearhead imbued. IMPALED. Two coats of arms, conjoined paleways, in one shield. 
Ex. Argent, a fess gules, impaled with
argent, a bend azure. INCRESCENT. The new moon, with her horns turned towards the dexter side of the shield.  Ex. Azure, a moon increscent argent. INDENTED. A serrated figure, much smaller than the dancette.  Ex. Or, a chief gules, indented. INESCUTCHEON. The name given to small escutcheons forming a bearing of a coat of arms.  Ex. Argent, three inescutcheons gules. INVECTED. A line formed with small semicircles, with the points turned inward. Any ordinary drawn with this line is called invected.  Ex. Argent, a bend gules, invected between two hurts. ISSUANT, or ISSUING. Rays or other charges proceeding from any part of the escutcheon. See RAY. KNIGHT. A title of honor conferred upon a subject for eminent services performed in war. In the course of time, knights that had gained riches and high titles formed societies under the control and direction of their monarchs in every part of Europe. The limits of this work will only permit us to notice the orders of knighthood introduced into England. The KNIGHTS-BACHELORS were the earliest order of knighthood in England. The title was conferred for services in war. It was merely personal, and, like the knighthood conferred upon individuals at the present time, did not descend to their posterity.  KNIGHTS-BANNERET. This ancient and honorable order has become extinct. It obtained the title of banneret from the knights having the right of having a square banner borne before them on the field of battle, and at jousts and tournaments. Sir W. Segar gives the following account of the creation of a knight-banneret:—"It is a military order, and can only be conferred upon persons that have performed some heroic act in the field. When this action is known to the king, or general of the army, he commands the attendance of the gallant warrior, who is led, between two knights, into the presence of the king or general with his pennon of arms in his hand, and there the heralds proclaim his merit, and declare him fit to become a knight-banneret, and thenceforth to display a banner in the field. Then the king or general causes the point of the pennon to be cut off to make it square; it is then placed at the top of his lance, and the new-made knight returns to his tent, the trumpets sounding before him." Knights-banneret were certainly created in the reign of Edward I., but how long before that time it is impossible to tell. KNIGHTS OF THE GARTER. This is considered the most honorable order of knighthood in Europe: it was founded by Edward III. in 1349; the fraternity consists of twenty-six knights, to which are added the princes of the blood royal. The king of England is the sovereign of the order; their officers are a prelate, chancellor, registrar, and king-at-arms. The college of the order is in Windsor Castle, with the chapel of St. George and the chapter-house. These buildings were erected by the royal founder expressly for the accommodation of the knights of the garter. The garter is considered the principal ensign of this order: it is worn on the left leg below the knee; it is formed of blue velvet, edged with gold: on the velvet is embroidered the motto of the order, HONI SOIT QUI MAL Y PENSE. The collar is of gold, weighing thirty ounces troy weight, and contains twenty-six garters enamelled proper, in each a rose gules between; the garters are connected by knots. The George is attached to this collar: it represents St. George (the patron Saint of the order) attacking the dragon; it is of gold enamelled, and may be enriched with jewels at the pleasure of the possessor. THE KNIGHTS OF ST. PATRICK. This illustrious Irish order was founded by George III., 1783. It consists of the sovereign, a grand master, the princes of the blood royal, and thirteen knights. The lord-lieutenant for the time being is grand master. The device on the jewel of this order is argent, a cross saltier gules surmounted with a trefoil vert, charged with three imperial crowns or, the whole enclosed in a circle of gold, bearing the motto QUIS S EPARABIT. MDCCLXXXIII. An engraving of this jewel will be found on the sinister side of the title-page. THE KNIGHTS OF THE THISTLE. The most ancient order of the Thistle was founded by James V. of Scotland, 1540, and revived by James II., king of Great Britain, 1687, incorporated by Queen Anne, whose statutes were confirmed by George I. The order consists of the sovereign and twelve brethren or knights. Their motto is the national motto, NEMO ME I MPUNE LACESSET; their badge or jewel, St. Andrew, supporting a cross, surrounded with rays of gold, an engraving of which will be found on the dexter side of the title-page. 
KNIGHT AND BARONET. A degree of honor next to a baron, created by King James I. to induce the English gentry to settle in the province of Ulster. The title is knight and baronet; it is hereditary: the arms are distinguished by an augmentation of a human hand gules, generally borne on an escutcheon in the center of the shield. 
KNIGHT AND BARONET OF NOVA SCOTIA. A new creation during the reign of George I. to induce capitalists to settle in that part of North America. The title is hereditary: the arms are argent, St. Andrew's Cross gules surtout, an escutcheon or, with a lion rampant gules within a double tressure of the same, surmounted by a king's crown as a crest. KNIGHTS OF THE BATH. An ancient and honorable military order of knighthood. The date of its origin is too remote to be traced with certainty: by some authors it is said to have been instituted in Normandy before the Conquest; it was re-established in England by Henry IV., and revived by George I. The chapel of this order is Henry VII.'s chapel in Westminster Abbey: the Dean of Westminster for the time being is always dean of the order of the Bath. The number of the knights is according to the pleasure of the sovereign. At the close of the late war the Prince Regent, afterwards George IV., remodelled this order of knighthood; and to enable himself to bestow marks of honor upon the naval and military officers that had distinguished themselves on the ocean and in the field, he divided the order into three classes: first, all the noblemen that were Knights of the Bath were henceforth to be called Knights Grand Crosses of the Bath, which was also the title of the commanders of fleets and armies that were rewarded by being admitted into the highest class of this noble order. The second class are called Knights Commanders of the Bath; a great number of naval and military officers above the rank of captains in the navy and majors in the army are admitted into this class. The third class is styled Companions of the Order of the Bath, and is open to officers of inferior rank. The Knights Grand Crosses of the Bath attach the initials K.G.C.B. to their names and titles. The Knights Commanders use the initials K.C.B. The Companions are known by the initials C.B. 
LABEL. The noblest of abatements serving as a difference between the eldest and the junior sons. See DIFFERENCE. LANGUED. A term derived from the French word langue, tongue. It signifies in Heraldry that the tongue of a bird or beast is of a different tincture from the body. LION. The strength, courage, and majestic deportment of this noble animal, has gained him the regal titles of monarch of the forest and king of beasts. Ancient heralds selected the figure of the lion as symbolic of command, strength, power, courage, and other qualities attributed to that animal. Armorists have introduced lions to denote the attributes of majesty, might, and clemency, subduing those that resist, and sparing those that yield to authority. The lion has been depicted in every attitude which could by any means be construed into a compliment to the person the sovereign delighted to honor, by raising him to a rank that enabled him to bear arms. Was it a warrior, who, though victorious, was still engaged in struggling with the foes of his sovereign, the lion rampant was considered a proper emblem of the hero. The warrior having overcome his enemies in the field, yet retaining his military command for the safety and honor of his country, was typified by the lion statant gardant. We might easily find examples to show the propriety of the emblem for all the positions of the lion introduced as charges in coats of arms; but the two given will be sufficient: the rest may easily be imagined by the intelligent reader. The following are the most usual positions in which the lion appears in shields of arms:—       When the lions' heads are placed in the same position as in rampant gardant and regardant, they are then said to be passant gardant and regardant.
Thus far the lion is drawn in natural positions; these are considered the most honorable, as they have never been properly inserted in arms but for persons of high authority and pre-eminent courage and virtue. There are a great many deviations from the above, which are marks of great honor. It is considered that a lion cannot bear a rival in the field; therefore if two or more lions are introduced they are supposed to be lion's whelps, or in Heraldic terms lioncels.  Two lioncels addorsed or back to back.  Lioncels combatant.  Lion rampant double-headed.  An incorporated lion gardant in the fess point. There are a great number of ways of introducing this charge: many of them will be seen under the proper words that describe their condition: such as the word debruised, where the lion is confined by the fess passing over it; demi-lion or half lion; but the examples here given will be sufficient to explain their positions, active or passive. If no mention is made of the tincture it is always supposed that they are proper, that is, to be colored like nature: they are introduced in arms of every metal and tincture known in Heraldry.  LODGED. A stag sitting on the ground with its head erect, is said to be lodged. LOZENGE. An angular figure, known as diamond-shaped, to distinguish it from the square.  Ex. Or, a lozenge vert. LOZENGY. Covered with lozenges.  Ex. Lozengy gules and argent. LUNA. The moon: it formerly signified argent in emblazoning the arms of sovereigns. MANCHE. An ancient sleeve with long hangings to it.  Ex. Argent, a manche, gules. MANED. When the manes of horses, unicorns, &c. are of a different tincture from their bodies they are said to be maned. MANTLE. A long robe or cloak of state. MANTLING. The flowing drapery forming the scroll-work displayed on either side of the helmet from beneath the wreath, representing the ancient covering of the helmet, used to protect it from stains or rust. When the mantling incloses the escutcheon, supporters, &c., it represents the robe of honor worn by the party whose shield it envelopes. This mantle is always described as doubled, that is, lined throughout with one of the furs, as ermine, pean, vary. For examples of mantling, see the arms and crests of England, Scotland, and Ireland. MARQUIS. The second order of nobility in England, next in rank to a duke. MARSHAL. A title of honor. See EARL MARSHAL. TO MARSHAL. To place persons in due order, according to their precedency, in public processions, such as coronations, proclamations of peace or war, funerals, &c. MARSHALLING ARMS. The disposing of several coats of arms belonging to distinct families in the same escutcheon, together with their ornaments, parts, and appurtenances. MARTLET. An imaginary bird said to be without legs; it is used both as a charge and a difference.  Ex. Argent, a martlet, gules. MASCLE. An open lozenge-shaped figure, one of the subordinate ordinaries.  Ex. Argent, a mascle, vert. MEMBERED. A term used to express the beak and legs of a bird when they are of a different tincture from its body. MERCURY. The name of the planet, used by ancient heralds to describe purple in blazoning the arms of sovereigns. METAL. The two metals used in Heraldry are gold and silver, called or and argent. It is against the rules of Heraldry to place metal upon metal, or color upon color, unless for special reasons. Therefore, if the field be of any color, the bearing must be of one of the metals, and on the contrary, if the field be of one of the metals, the bearing must be of some color. MILLRIND. The iron placed in the center of a grindstone to protect the hole in the center from the action of the axis; it is a charge frequently borne on escutcheons of persons connected with agriculture.  Ex. Argent, a millrind, gules. 
MITRE. A sacerdotal ornament for the head, worn by Roman Catholic archbishops and bishops on solemn occasions. Certain English abbots formerly wore mitres, and they are frequently found as charges in the arms of abbeys and monasteries. The annexed is a representation of the mitre of the archbishops and bishops of the church of England, borne as a mark of distinction over the arms of the see, or over their paternal achievements, when impaled with the arms of their see. The prelates of the Protestant Church of England never wear mitres. 
The Bishops of Durham were formerly princes of the Palatinate of Durham, and wore a ducal coronet surmounted by a mitre. They still retain the coronet and mitre as an heraldic distinction, borne over the arms of the bishopric. MORION. A steel cap or helmet formerly worn by foot soldiers below the rank of gentlemen. MOTTO. A word or short sentence inserted in a scroll, which is generally placed beneath the escutcheon; in some instances it is placed above the crest. The motto frequently alludes to the name of the bearer of the arms, as the motto of the Right Honorable Lord Fortescue—FORTE SCUTUM SALUS DUCUM, a strong shield is the safety of commanders. Sometimes the motto is the watchword or war-cry in the battle where the original bearer won the honors that are retained by his descendants. Generally the motto is founded upon the piety, loyalty, valour, fortitude, &c. of the persons to whom arms were granted.  MOUND. A globe encircled with a band and surmounted with a cross; it is an ensign of royalty, signifying dominion. MULLET. From the French word molette, the rowel of a spur: it is generally drawn with five points, as in the annexed example: when more points are used they are named.  Ex. Azure, a mullet or. MURAILE. A French term for walled. MURREY. A word used by ancient armorists instead of sanguine. NAIANT. A French term for swimming. This term is used in Heraldry when a fish is drawn in an horizontal position.  Ex. Argent, a salmon proper, naiant, its head towards the sinister side of the shield. NAISSANT. A French word signifying coming out. It is used when a lion or any other animal appears to be rising out of the center of an ordinary.  Ex. Or, from the midst of a fess, gules, a lion rampant naissant.
NEBULÉ, or NEBULY. A French
word, signifying cloudy, represented
by a curved line, thus—
NOBILITY. Under this denomination are comprehended—dukes, marquises, earls, viscounts, and barons only. Archbishops and bishops are included in the rank of clergy. NOMBRIL POINT. That part of the shield below the fess point.
NORROY. The name of one of the Kings-at-Arms. NOWED. This word signifies tied or knotted, and is applied to serpents, wiverns, or any animals whose tails are twisted and enfolded like a knot.  Ex. Argent, a serpent nowed proper. OGRESSES. Black roundlets. OR. The French word for gold. This tincture is denoted in engraving by small points.  Ex. Or, a bend gules. ORANGES. Roundlets tinctured tenne. ORDINARY. A term used to denote the simple forms which were first used as heraldic distinctions, and therefore called honorable ordinaries, as conferring more honor than later inventions. They are the chief, pale, bend, bend sinister, fess, bar, chevron, cross, and cross saltier. There are thirteen subordinate ordinaries. The form, size, and place that the honorable and subordinate ordinaries occupy in an achievement are all described in the Manual, and in this Dictionary under their different names.  ORLE. A subordinate ordinary composed of double lines going round the shield at some distance from its edge; it is half the width of the bordure. OVER ALL. This expression describes a figure borne over another and obscuring part of it.  Ex. Quarterly or and gules, over all a bend vair. PALE. One of the honorable ordinaries formed by two perpendicular lines drawn from the base to the chief. The pale occupies one third of the shield.  Ex. Azure, a pale or. PALL. A scarf in the shape of the letter Y, forming part of the vesture of a Roman Catholic prelate. It is introduced as the principal bearing of the archbishops of Canterbury, Armagh, and Dublin.  Ex. Azure, on a pall argent, four crosses fitchy sable, in chief a cross pattee of the second.  PALLET. A diminutive of the pale. PALY. A field divided by perpendicular lines into several equal parts of metal and tincture interchangeably disposed.  Ex. Paly of four, argent and gules. PARTY or PARTED signifies divided, and applies to the several parts of an escutcheon parted by a line, which always runs in the direction of one or more of the honorable ordinaries, as may be seen in the following examples:—  PARTED PER PALE AND PER BEND SINISTER Counterchanged, or and gules..  PARTED PER PALE AND PER CHEVRONGules and or, counter changed. PARTY PER FESS. A shield parted in the center by an horizontal line through the fess point.  Ex. Party per fess, engrailed, argent and gules. PARTY PER PALE. This signifies a shield parted by a perpendicular line down the center, so that one shield may contain two coats of arms.  Ex. Parted per pale, gules and argent. PASCHAL LAMB, or HOLY LAMB.  Ex. Argent, a lamb passant, carrying a banner charged with a cross. PASSANT. Passing or walking. See LION PASSANT and PASSANT GUARDANT. PATONCE. See CROSS. PATTE. A cross small in the center, wide at the ends. See CROSS. PATRIARCHAL CROSS. Cross used by patriarchs in the Greek church. See CROSS. PEARL. A precious stone, used by ancient heralds for argent in emblazoning the arms of peers. PEAN. The name of a fur, the field sable, the tufts or. PEER. Name given to all persons included in the rank of nobility. PELLETS. A name given to black roundlets. PENDANT. A shield suspended or hanging from a branch of a tree, or from a nail. Shields of arms frequently appear drawn thus in architecture, and when described are said to be pendant.  PENNONS. Small flags borne at the end of a lance of an esquire or gentleman bearing his paternal arms. The end of the pennon was cut off upon the person being created a knight banneret. See BANNERET. Penoncels or Pencils were small flags decorating the helmet or the horse armor. They are now only used at funerals. The large flag in the engraving is a pennon, the smaller, penoncels or pencils. PHEON. A missile instrument with a barbed head, thrown from a cross bow.  Ex. Argent, a pheon proper. PIERCED OR PERFORATED. Cut through the center.  Ex. Argent, a mullet pierced, sable, on a chief azure, three mullets pierced, of the first. PILE. An angular figure like a wedge, formed by lines running from the dexter and sinister chief to the middle base.  Ex. Argent, a pile, purpure. IN PILE. Arms or other charges that are placed so as to form the shape of a pile are said to be borne in pile.  Ex. Argent, three swords in pile, their points towards the base. PLATE. One of the six roundlets; its color is argent, but the tincture is not mentioned, as the plate is always silver. POMEIS. Green roundlets.  POMMELLED. The pommel of the sword is the round ball or knob at the end of the hilt of a sword.  PORTCULLIS. A grating suspended by chains, used to defend the entrance to a castle. POTENT. The ancient name of a crutch: when the field is covered with figures like small crutches it is called potent; when the heads of the crutches touch each other it is called counter potent.  |
the annexed example, which is a demi-lion
rampant. If a crest this size had
been placed upon an helmet of proportionate
size it must have occupied a sixth
part of this page, and the shield containing
the arms to be in proportion considerably
larger: in showing the crest without the helmet
proportion is of little consequence. See 
