Search Results for: coronet

Crown; Coronet

Crown (Accepted/Reserved)

A crown is a circlet of metal, often bejewelled, worn on the head of a monarch as an emblem of sovereignty. As an heraldic charge, it was first seen in the attributed arms of St. Edmund the Martyr, c.1282 [ANA2 349].

Similar to the crown is the “coronet”; indistinguishable in form, the alternative term is used in blazons to denote the bearer is less than sovereign. There is neither artistic nor heraldic difference between a crown and a coronet.

There are a number of varieties of crown. The standard Society form is indented, usually showing three points; it was sometimes misblazoned a “crown dancetty” in early Society blazons. This type of crown may be used when the blazon doesn’t specify an exact form.

Ducal coronet (Period/Reserved), comital coronet (Accepted/Reserved)

Pearled coronet (Period/Reserved), eastern (or antique) crown (Period/Reserved)

In period heraldic art, starting in the late 15^th Century, exact forms of coronets began to be used to mark rank in a full armorial achievement; however, they did not do so when used as charges on the shield. In the Society, three forms of coronets can mark rank on the shield, as well as in the achievement. Specifically, the ducal coronet, with trilobed fleurons (usually called “strawberry leaves”) around its rim, and the Society-defined comital coronet (or county coronet), with an embattled rim, are reserved to Royal Peers of those ranks. These forms of coronet are regulated not only as charges on the shield, but as regalia as well.

As viscomital and baronial coronets of rank date to no earlier than the Stuarts, they are not defined for Society armory per se; however, the pearled coronet is found in 16^th Century Scots and French achievements [e.g., Lindsay, 1542], and may be used by Society Viscounties and Court Baronies. (The exact number of pearls is left unblazoned, but Society artists generally use twelve for Viscounties and six for Court Baronies, following the Stuart definitions.) As regalia, the exact forms of viscomital and baronial coronets are regulated by the individual Kingdoms.

Mural coronet (Period/Reserved), ancient crown (Accepted/Reserved)

Saxon crown (Accepted/Reserved), crown vallary (Period/Reserved)

Other forms of crown are the “eastern crown”, also called an “antique crown”, in the arms of Grant of that Ilk, late 16^th C. [Lord Crawford’s Armorial, fo.114]; the “mural coronet” (from Latin mur, “wall”), drawn with masoning, and sometimes turrets, dating to at least 1572 [Bossewell II.77º]; and the “crown vallary” (from the Latin vallare, “to fortify”), the projections meant to resemble a defensive palisade, dating to at least 1581 [de Bara 189].

Society armory also has examples of coronets which, though found in modern heraldry texts, have not yet been dated to period. These include the “ancient crown”, also called a “crown flory”; and the “Saxon crown”.

In Society armory, the use of a crown or coronet is reserved to Kingdoms, Principalities, Royal Peers, and Court Baronies; it is required in the arms of Kingdoms.

For related charges, see jewelry. See also wreath.

The King of the West bears: Or, a crown dancetty of three voided within a laurel wreath vert.

The King of the East bears: Purpure, within a laurel wreath vert fimbriated Or, an eastern crown of three grand points tipped with pearls and two lesser points, all Or.

Arrowyn of Emerald Moor bears: Sable, a mullet of eight points, each point terminating in a shamrock, in chief a crown fleury Or, all within a bordure potenty quarterly argent and vert.

Steffen Albert Rheinbauer bears: Azure, a sinister gauntlet clenched aversant bendwise sustaining a rose slipped and leaved bendwise sinister argent, in chief a mural coronet, all within an orle of chain Or.

Wreath

Torse in annulo (Period)

Laurel wreath (Period/Reserved)

A wreath is a circlet worn on the head. In mundane heraldry, the term refers to the twisted band of cloth holding a fighter’s mantling onto his helmet. Such a charge is called a “torse” in Society heraldry, and is normally shown as a full circle (i.e., in annulo), as found in the arms of de Torquato, c.1550 [BSB Cod.Icon 270:823].

The term “wreath” in Society heraldry refers to a circlet of foliage, usually with leaves alone, but sometimes with flowers. (This would be termed a “chaplet” in mundane blazonry, more on which below.) Laurel wreaths are the most common form in Society heraldry, being required in (and reserved to) the arms of each territorial branch. They are also a period charge, found in the arms of von Lenberg, 1605 [Siebmacher 90]. In mundane armory, laurel wreaths were almost always drawn in an annular form (full circle), but we also find examples drawn in a penannular form (with a small opening to chief); Society armory typically uses the penannular form.

Other foliage may likewise be used to make wreaths, so long as they can be distinguished from the reserved laurel wreath. The oak wreath is found in the canting arms of Schöneiche, 1605 [Siebmacher 50]; Society armory also has examples of holly wreaths and rosemary wreaths.

Chaplets of roses (German and English) (Period/Reserved)

Mundane blazon uses the term “chaplet” to denote a circle of foliage; when the unmodified term “chaplet” is used, it refers to a closed annular wreath of flowers (typically roses). The classic heraldic chaplet dates from 1298, in the arms of FitzWilliam [ANA2 230]; it has four flowers in cross. Four is the usual number of flowers for the heraldic chaplet in England; chaplets with six flowers are found in German heraldry, such as in the canting arms of Rossenhart, c.1450 [Ingeram 24; also the arms of Thastner, mid-16th C., NW 45]. These chaplets were drawn with no foliage, being essentially annulets overlain with roses, but there are period examples of chaplets with both roses and leaves, as in the arms of von Houwald, early 16th C. [BSB Cod.Icon 392d:624]. The illustrations show a chaplet of roses in the German style and in the English style.

The chaplet may also be called a “garland” for canting purposes, as in the arms of Garlond, 1347 [DBA4 459]. In the early days of the Society, a “garland” would have many flowers conjoined in annulo with little or no foliage; a “rose chaplet” would have four roses in cross; a “rose wreath” would have multiple roses, separated by rose leaves. This distinction (such as it was) between chaplets, garlands, and flowered wreaths is granted no heraldic difference, and indeed is often ignored by artists.

Chaplet of thorn (Period)

Joscelyn (Period)

There are special terms for some types of wreaths and chaplets. A “chaplet graminy” is made of grass, with no flowers; it’s found in the arms of Goodall, 1612 [Parker 102]. A “chaplet of thorn” is woven of thorny branches, as shown on the head of Christ crucified; it’s found in the canting arms of Thornton, c.1525 [DBA2 486]. A “joscelyn” is a torse with four hawk’s bells, radiating from the outer edge; some sources [e.g., Franklyn 188] say the bells are in cross by default, but period examples of its use show the bells in saltire, as in the canting arms of Thomas Joselyn, mid-16th C. [BSB Cod.Icon 291:102. Cf. also Josellyn, of Essex, c.1520; DBA4 458].

In Society armory, rose wreaths (chaplets, garlands, &c) are reserved to the arms of Queens, Princesses, and Royal Peers. Tradition grants rose wreaths (many flowers) to Queens, and rose chaplets (four flowers) to Princesses; but this is not mandatory, has never been strictly adhered to, and is left to the bearer’s discretion.

For related charges, see crown, slip.

The Society for Creative Anachronism bears: Or, a laurel wreath vert.

The Order of the Rose bears: A wreath of roses.

The Order of the Laurel bears: A laurel wreath.

The Baron of South Downs bears: Per pale sable and azure, a laurel wreath argent.

Noe College bears: Sable, three laurel wreaths Or.

The Order of the Coill’s Bells, of the Barony of Nottinghill Coill, bears: A joscelyn wreathed Or and vert with six bells Or.

Rosemary of Talmont bears: Azure, a rosemary wreath proper between three mullets of six points argent.

Corwin Blackthorn bears: Or, a chaplet of thorns sable.

Diana Wynn bears: Vert, an oak wreath fructed argent.

Ismenia Joslyn Wyndameer bears: Azure, on a pile bendwise inverted throughout argent a torse in annulo azure and Or.

Trillium

Trillium (Accepted)

The trillium is a flower native to North America, with three large white petals atop a whorl of three sepals (hence its name). As a New World flower, the trillium’s use was long considered a step from period practice. However, as its form is similar to the charge known as the tierce-feuille, in the arms of von Buderich, c.1370 [Gelre 93], the trillium is now accepted without stigma.

The trillium is shown affronty by default, with a petal to base; it has no proper tincture in Society armory.

The King of Ealdormere bears: Gules, a trillium flower affronty argent, barbed vert, within a laurel wreath, in chief a coronet argent.

Seamus a’ Chnuic Ghuirm bears: Argent, a trillium purpure barbed vert and seeded Or.

Lilion de Ardmacha bears: Per bend argent and vert, two trilliums counterchanged.

Sword: claymore

Claymore (Accepted)

The “claymore” (Scots Gaelic claidheamh mór) is the traditional great sword of Scotland. In the Society, the claymore is drawn as the actual 16^th C. artifact [Stone 181], with angled quillons terminating in trefoils. The modern heraldic stylization, with a basket hilt [Parker 566], is a post-period form.

Duncan MacGregor bears: Gules, a cross and overall in saltire two claymores inverted, all conjoined Or.

Deaton Claymore bears: Vert, two claymores in saltire surmounted by a third inverted proper, enfiling a ducal coronet Or.

Spur

Spur with leathers (Period)

Prickspur (Accepted)

A spur is a pointed piece of metal worn on a rider’s heel to urge the horse forward. The default form of spur is the roweled spur, with a six-pointed mullet attached to a U-shaped frame and buckle. It’s a period charge, found in the canting arms (Italian sperone) of Speroni, c.1555 [BSB Cod.Icon 275:65], and as the crest of Matela, c.1540 [Nobreza xxixº].

In mundane armory, the spur is frequently drawn with leather straps; in Society armory, these are left to the artist’s license. While some sources give the spur’s default orientation as having the rowel to base, the majority [Franklyn 312; Guide 215] put the rowel to chief, and this is the Society’s default for the spur as well.

Society armory also has the “prickspur”, which has no rowel, but simply comes to a point. Its default orientation is the same as for the roweled spur, with the point to chief, and no difference is counted between the types. See also stirrup.

Harrys Rob of Wamphray bears: Vert, a chevron between three winged spurs argent.

Taliesynne Nycheymwrh yr Anghyfannedd bears: Quarterly sable and gules, on a unicorn rampant contourny argent gorged of a pearled coronet sable, a prickspur Or fimbriated sable.

Spool of thread

Spool of thread (Accepted)

A spool of thread is a flanged cylinder on which thread or yarn is stored. The type documented for Society armory is a spinner’s bobbin for plied thread; it was taken from the painting “Soffitto della Sala di Penelope” by Giovanni Stradano, c.1560 [Landini & Niccoli, Moda a Firenze 1540-1580, 2005, p.21]. This form of bobbin has not been found in period armory, but it serves the same basic function as the quill of yarn.

For related charges, see drop-spindle, lace bobbin. See also shuttle (weaver’s).

Ekaterina Vladimirovna bears: Or, a domestic cat sejant affronty head to dexter gules gorged with a pearled coronet argent and on a chief urdy azure three spools of thread Or.

Chrestienne Chabrier bears: Azure, a dragon’s head erased Or and on a chief invected argent, three spools of thread vert.

Skeleton

Skeleton (Period)

Fish skeleton bendwise (Period)

A skeleton is the framework of bone supporting the body’s tissues. The default skeleton is that of a full human figure; as with all other human figures, it is statant affronty by default. The human skeleton is found in the civic arms of Londonderry, 1613 [records of Chief Herald of Ireland]. Lesser portions of the human body (e.g., arms) may also be skeletonized in Society armory.

There are also period examples of “fish skeletons”, in the canting arms (German Gräten) of Gradener or Gradner, c.1460 [GATD 19]. The illustration shows a fish’s skeleton bendwise. More exotic skeletons, such as a bird’s skeleton, are deemed a step from period practice; in some cases (e.g. “dragon’s skeletons”), they have been ruled unidentifiable and thus unacceptable.

For related charges, see skull.

The Shire of Loch Báis bears: Per fess azure and sable, a laurel wreath Or sustained by a skeletal cubit arm palewise argent.

Soshka Gregor’evich Vilanov bears as a badge: A human skeleton argent crowned with a pearled coronet Or.

David Fisch bears: Sable, a fish skeleton bendwise sinister embowed argent.

Shoe

Slipper (Period)

Boot (Period)

A shoe is an item of clothing covering the human foot, to protect it or keep it warm. The generic shoe has the upper portion end at the ankle; it may be tied or buttoned in place. If without tie or button, it may also be termed a “slipper”, as in the canting arms (from Latin caliga, “footwear”) of di Calegari, mid-15^th C. [Triv 121].

Frequently, the specific type of shoe is blazoned, e.g., the “boot”, blazoned as “botys” in the arms of Byllyngedon, c.1460 [RH], where they are drawn as long boots; the “Irish broge”, a pointed-toed shoe found in the arms of Arthure, 1632 [Guillim2 299]; or the “sandal”, open footwear held in place with straps, which as a charge appears to be unique to the Society. All shoes have their toes to dexter by Society default; if blazoned “proper”, they are of brown leather.

Irish brogue (Period); sandal (Accepted)

Irish broge (Period); sandal (Accepted)

Despite Society precedent, boots in late period did have heels; and dexter and sinister boots were distinguished in period, though not in armory. For related charges, see hose, leg, sole.

Elizabeth Ryan of Rosewood bears: Lozengy sable and argent, a boot gules.

Alessandra Beatrice Desiderio bears: Per bend sinister argent and azure, two slippers counterchanged.

Christian de Guerre bears: Argent, three shoes and in chief a pearled coronet azure.

Sheep

Ram rampant (Period)

Paschal lamb passant reguardant (Period)

The sheep is a wooly, grazing beast famed for its placidity, yea, stupidity. It’s found in the arms of Schafli, c.1340 [Zurich 389].

The category includes the “ram”, the male sheep, a symbol of virility, distinguished by his spiral horns, found in the canting arms of Ramsberg c.1370 [Gelre 40]; and the “lamb”, the young sheep, a symbol of meek innocence, found in the canting arms (Latin agnus) of Agnis, 1286 [DBA1 295]. Ovines are often found statant or rampant, but there doesn’t seem to be a default posture common to all; but in general, rams are more often rampant, and sheep more often statant. The illustration shows a ram rampant.

There is also the “Paschal lamb”, a reference to the Lamb of God: he bears a banner over his shoulder, and is passant by default. (He is often shown reguardant as well, as in the illustration, but that fact is always blazoned.) When blazoned “proper”, the Paschal lamb is argent, haloed Or (sometimes with a red cross on the halo), and his banner is argent with a red cross. It’s found as an heraldic charge as early as 1304, in the arms of Barbitonsor [DBA1 205].

The Society currently grants difference between sheep and goats. For related charges, see fleece, goat, musimon. See also vegetable lamb.

The King of Gleann Abhann bears: Per pale gules and sable, a ram rampant within a laurel wreath, in chief a coronet argent.

Ælfhelm se Reade bears: Vert, three sheep statant argent.

Robert MacNair bears: Erminois, three rams rampant sable.

Karl Skarpi bears: Gules, a Paschal lamb passant proper between three crosses crosslet Or.

Pot; Cauldron

Fleshpot, or posnet (Period)

Cauldron (Period)

A pot is a round vessel, usually of metal, intended to hold food. In medieval armory, the default form of pot is two-handled and three-legged; it is more fully called a “fleshpot” or (in the Randall Holme roll, c.1460) a “posnet”. This form is found as early as c.1370, in the arms of von Spanheim [Gelre 44].

Another common form of pot was the “cauldron”: more spherical in shape, with a bail handle, which may be called its defining trait. The cauldron is hung over the fire by its handle to cook food; it’s sometimes called a “cooking pot” for that reason. The cauldron is a period charge, found as early as c.1340 in the arms of Diessenhofen [Zurich 153]. In Society armory, it is sometimes drawn with a fire beneath it, or hanging from a tripod: the arms of Larrea, mid-16^th C., show a cauldron so suspended [Armeria 358].

Spouted pot (Period)

Three-footed pot (Accepted)

There is also the “spouted pot”, called a pot à verser in French, used for storing and pouring liquid. It’s found in the canting arms (German Weinkanne) of Schilling von Cannstatt, c.1450 [Scheibler 131; also Siebmacher 112]. The default form is with a single spout, facing dexter; two-spouted pots are also found, in the arms of von Stedenberg or Stettenberger, c.1450 [Ingeram 158, 269; also Siebmacher 104]. (The same French term, pot à verser, is also used for a slightly different pouring vessel, made of earthenware rather than metal. This variant, blazoned in German as a Weinkrug, is found in the arms of von Prackbach, 1605 [Siebmacher 93].)

Pipkin (Accepted)

Kettle (Accepted)

Of the various pots unique to Society armory, we find the “three-legged pot”, like the cauldron but three-footed and without a handle; the “pipkin”, a ceramic cooking vessel with three feet and a long handle, dating to the 15^th Century; and the “kettle”, a metal cookery pot, not spherical like the cauldron, but wider than it is deep, with a lifting handle on both sides. No difference is granted the various types of cookery pots.

There is also the “clay pot”, not metal but pottery: a flat-bottomed, wide-mouthed crock (much like a modern flower-pot).

Clay pot (Accepted)

For related charges, see amphora, caldera gringolada, frying pan, ink bottle (ink pot), pitcher, vase (urn). See also cat (in its curiosity).

Aubrey Ericsdatter bears: Sable, three cauldrons Or.

Agnes Berengarii de Gerona bears: Vert, five cauldrons in saltire Or.

Brekke Franksdottir bears: Sable, a cooking pot hanging from a tripod above a base in flame argent.

Roberto Valason bears: Argent, a peacock in its pride azure gorged of a pearled coronet argent between two barrulets between two spouted pots reversed vert.

William Taylor the Pure bears: Per pale purpure and vert, a bear’s leg palewise issuant from base Or, maintaining a clay pot argent.

Claire le Potter bears: Per bend sinister gules and azure, a kettle argent and a bordure Or.

Dametta of Arundel bears: Per pale purpure and sable, a gryphon segreant maintaining a chalice, on a chief argent three posnets per pale purpure and sable.

Parlane of Glenord bears: Pean, on a three-legged pot argent two dolphins haurient respectant sable.

Mons von Goarshausen bears as a badge: Issuant from a pipkin sable a flame gules.

Mistholme

heraldry, illumination, and random jottings