Looped tress of hair (Period)

A tress of hair is a plaited length of human hair, knotted at the ends. It’s a period charge, found in the canting arms (Italian trecce) of de Trecio, c.1550 [BSB Cod.Icon 270:825], and in the badge of Zouche, c.1520 [Walden 163].  The illustration shows a simple looped tress, as in the badge of Zouche; the arms of de Trecio show the tress with the ends of the loop crossed in base, which fact is blazoned.  See also knot.

Katja the Forthright bears as a badge:  A looped tress of hair Or surmounted by a single-sided comb sable.

Eleanor a la Tresse bears:  Per bend vert and gules, a tress of hair bendwise Or between a cross of Toulouse and an open book argent.