Cross bottony (Period)

The “cross bottony” or “cross botonny” was an artistic variation on the cross crosslet in medieval heraldry; no distinction was made between them until late in our period (Legh, for instance, gives the crosses their separate names).  Society blazon distinguishes the two for the artist’s sake, but no heraldic difference is granted.

Mary of Greenmeads bears:  Per pale vert and argent, three crosses bottony counterchanged.

Annora verch Llwyd Bryneirian bears:  Azure, five crosses bottony two two and one and a bordure engrailed argent.

William Rufus Guthrie bears:  Per saltire sable and ermine, a cross bottony counterchanged.