Glossary of Heraldic Terms

In heraldric memoranda and sketches of arms in trick, the letter A is employed to signify the metal Argent and is often perferred over ar. Which might be mistaken for az. or for Or.

Refers to a shape of shield.  Basically rectangular, it is distinguished by the presence of a notch (lance rest) at the dexter chief position.  May also be referred to as a Jousting or Tournament Shield.

The word Abacot is an interesting example of how an error in proof reading invented a word.

Apparently the word originated in a misprint of Edward Hall’s Chronicle of 1548 and was then picked up and used by others who thought it was, in fact, a real word.

In 1882, James Murray of the Oxford English Dictionary made the case that the original word was supposed to be bycoket which was taken to originate from an Old French term for a small fort built upon a hill.  The bycoket was in fact a form of headdress which was peaked both in front and behind.

Oddly enough, since other heraldry source books have included the word Abacot as a word for a cap worn by the Kings of England, the student of heraldry may have the occasion to stumble upon the word used in that context by authors who thought they were using an actual word.

The French word is abaisse and is generally used in heraldry instead of the English word abased. When the fess, or any other ordinary properly placed above the fess point of the shield, is brought below it, that ordinary is said to be abaisse.

This term is used when a chevron, fesse, or other ordinary, is borne lower than its usual situation. Charges, however, when placed low down in the shield are said to be in base.

Any figure added to coats of arms tending to lower the dignity or station of the bearer.  Thus, the baton sinister, denoting illegitimacy, is an abatement.  Abatements have also been called Rebatements.

This is not a good thing to have as they are marks of disgrace attached to arms on account of some dishonourable act of the bearer.

Broken chevrons, and beasts turned towards the sinister, are said by some heraldic circles to have been given as abatements.

In the middle fess point.  Also called “Abyss” by some English armorists.

In heraldry, Abouttés is the position of charges joined by the ends, united in the center of the shield.

When a charge is entirely hidden by another charge or ordinary being placed upon it, the concealed item is said to be absconded.  In all manners the absconded charge is considered to be present and is emblazoned as if it were.The most common source of absconded charges is likely from Augmentations received after the original coat of arms was awarded.   Augmentations are awarded by the sovereign to distinguish the bearer for some exceptional service to the crown.

Any artistic element of a coat of arms which does not change the nature of those arms is referred to as an Accident.

Historically a good deal of latitude was given to heraldic artists in their depiction of a particular coat of arms.   Minor differences in how a charge was drawn, its exact position or attitude all had a good deal of “wiggle room” so long as the depicted arms would still be accurately described with the same blazon.

A comprehensive term applying to marks of difference and the like, as well as any artistic interpretations of the arms in emblazon which do not substantively alter the nature or blazon of the arms.  An additional mark on a coat of arms, which may be retained or eliminated without altering its essential character.

In heraldry, accollee means placed side by side; also, entwined about the neck.

Between. For example, accompanied by four crescents, would mean between four crescents.

When a charge or ordinary is surrounded or placed between a number of other charges, it is said to be accompanied by those charges.

In the case of ordinaries there may be “natural” places for the accompanying charges to go, if the charges are to be placed in those “natural” positions, the position need not be mentioned in the blazon.  For example, if a chevron is accompanied by two charges above and one charge below, that arrangement is deemed to be “natural” so the specific position of the charges might not be blazoned.  When making your own blazons, it is always better to error on the side of too much information instead of crafting a blazon which might not properly describe your arms.

Horned but only used when the horns are of a different tincture from the rest of the beast.

Supported on both sides by other charges and also, side by side.

Said of a lion or wild beat in a resting posture, the same posture as Sejant.

Full-grown. Applied to trees.

The coat of arms (helmet, crest, mantling, motto) fully emblazoned according to the rules of heraldry.  The lozenge-shaped achievements that are displayed on the outside of the houses of person decreased are commonly called hatchments.

An achievement in heraldry is a complete display of arms, crest and other accessories. An achievement is made up of six items.

1. The shield -The shield is the part of the achievement most people think in heraldry. It carries the special devices or objects, called charges, which make that particular coat-of-arms distinct from any other. The shield often appears by itself without any other parts of an achievement.

2. The helmet – This appears above the shield, and its typing position indicates the rank of the owner.

3. The mantling or lambrequin – This sweeps round from the top of the helmet and drapes each side of the shield. It is said that this is a representation of the mantle worn by a knight in warm climates for protection from the sun on the metal.

4.The wreath or torse – A piece of twisted silk which covers the joint of the helmet and the crest.

5. The crest – This was originally the object which knights used to wear attached to their helmets particularly at jousts.

6. Mottos – They usually occur on a scroll normally placed beneath the shield or over the crest.

Appear not to be distinguishable from serpents and snakes, except as regards size. They are represented as notced, embowed, or erect. When not otherwise described they would be represented fesswise, but curling.

In heraldry, an addition is something added to a coat of arms, as a mark of honour the opposite of an abatement.

Any animals set back to back or facing away from each other. As with combatant, charges addorsed can only appear in pairs.

Here is an Example:

The shadow of a charge, apart from the charge itself, painted the same color as the field upon which it is placed, hut of a darker tint, or, perhaps, in outline only. The term belongs rather to the romance of heraldry than to its practice, and is imagined by the writers to have been adopted by families who, having lost their possessions, and consequently being unable to maintain their dignity, chose rather to bear their hereditary arms adumbrated than to relinquish them altogether. When figured by a black line the bearing is said to be entailed.

Showing full face or front.

Affrontee is said of an animal or being that is turned to face toward the viewer. This is the presumed position of a human or human-like being, but may be used among beasts.

Confronting or Respecting are phrases sometimes used in this connection.

The opposite would be Addorsed or Combatant

The Lamb of God.

An eagle displayed, without beak or feet.

Here is an Example of Allerion

Arms based upon a pun derived from the bearer’s name or occupation.

Figures or tinctures that succeed each other by turns.

Here is the best example of I can give. It is a shield using alternate vair

In the act of walking.

In the coat of Arms we show for the surname of Jones it shows a lion ambulant.

A precious stone of a violet color, the name of which was formerly used instead of purpure, to denote the purple tincture when emblazoning the arms of the English nobility.

Curved; used of a scimitar.

Normally the word means of or in time long past or dating from a remote period. It also can mean very old; aged and a person who lived in ancient times.  But in Heraldry it means A small flag or ensign. The bearer of the flag was called by its name.

A small circle borne as a charge in coats of arms.

annulet is a small ring, it is beleived that is it derived from the links composing chain armour. It is of frequent occurrence as a charge, and generally more than one appear: the two annulets are often linked in fess, or embraced; or they may be conjunct. Three may in like manner be interlaced in triangle. When three rings are interlaced the expression gimbal rings is sometimes used, and when more, they form a chain.
The single annulet is used in the mark of cadency, assigned to the fifth son.

In the Coat of Arms for Jean de Coaraze dating back to 1354 they used annulets.

This shield is described as:
Quarterly, I and IV, Gules, an Annulet Argent (Coaraze), II and III, Or, two Cows passant in pale Gules, horned, belled and hooved Azure

The term in annulo refers the position of charges arranged in a circle or ring, like the shape of the Annulet.

May refer to either the natural antelope of the heraldic antelope, the Agacella.

Meant to imply depicted in the old style.

The blacksmith’s anvil.

An open hand, showing the palm.

For an example I have used Sir Bagdemagus, King of Gore
Arthurian Literary Character
His Arms are: Gules, three sinister gloves apaumy argent.

This is what I picture that as being:

Heraldry does not often distinguish between Apes and Monkeys, their usual depiction is quite stylized and may be difficult to recognize..  However, a variety of later crests used monkeys as elements and a number can be found as supporters.

Church dignitaries of the first class. There are but two in England-the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Archbishop of York. The former is the first peer of England next to the royal family, and has the title of Grace given to him; and likewise Most Reverend Father in God. He is styled Primate of all England, and Metropolitan.  The Archbishop of York has precedence of dukes and great officers of state, except the lord chancellor. He is called His Grace and Most Reverend Father in God; and styled Primate of England and Metropolitan.

The French word for silver, of which metal all white fields or charges are supposed to consist. This is also said to represent the Moon.

This is one of many tinctures. Tinctures are the colors, metals, and furs used in heraldry, though the depiction of charges in their natural colors or “proper” are also regarded as tinctures.

In heraldry, argent is the tincture of silver, and belongs to the class of light tinctures, called “metals”. It is very frequently depicted as white and usually considered interchangeable with it. In engravings and line drawings, regions to be tinctured argent are either left blank. Sometimes it may be indicated with the abbreviation “ar”.

This word is used to express the horns, hoofs, beak, teeth, or talons of any beast or bird of prey, when borne of a different tincture from those of their bodies. This is meaning thier natural weapons not added weapons

The application to beasts and birds of prey is because their talons are to them weapons of defence.

The romanian heraldry is a good example of this.

A person skilled in the bearings of coats of arms, and all relating to their emblazonment. Not to be confused with the Armorer who makes the armor you wear.

A word derived from the Latin arma, which signifies in heraldry a mark of honor, serving to distinguish states, cities, families, etc.

Arms are the ensigns armorial of a family, consisting of figures and colours borne in shields and banners as marks of dignity and distinction, and descending from father to son.

My main example of this would be the Royalty of England. You can see how the shield change over time, but they keep the symbols of the family lines as well.

Arms which do not comply with the Rule of Tincture.  This rule is followed so greatly that any breach of the rule is thought to be done on purpose, hence the term Arms of Enquiry, meaning that the viewer will automatically wish to inquire why the rule was broken.  The most famous example is the Argent field and Or crosses of the Arms of the Kingdom of Jerusalem, where in the usage of metal on metal was to allude to exceptionally holy nature of the domain.

Short darts feathered at the ends.

Animals placed face to face in a charge are said to be aspectant.  If they are about to attack each other, they are said to be combatant.

Arms assumed without legal authority.  Arms assumed without being sanctioned by a grant from the College of Heralds.

A man or beast rising out of the sea is said to be assurgent.

When the horns of a stag are of a different tincture to its head, it is said to be attired of the tincture.

This word signifies in heraldry a particular mark of honour, granted by the sovereign in consideration of some noble action, of by favor and either quartered with the family arms, or borne on an escutcheon, chief, or canton.

The French word for blue: it is represented in heraldic engraving by parallel lines.