Goose (Period)

The goose is a water bird, noted for its foolishness and credulity; oddly, it was also a symbol of vigilance, due to the legend of the Capitoline geese saving Rome.  It’s a period charge, found in the canting coats of Barnak (“barnacle geese”) c.1410 [TJ 1312] and of von Ganse (German Gans), 1605 [Siebmacher 182].

The goose is close by default, as in the illustration.  When blazoned “enraged”, its wings are elevated and addorsed, its head is extended for a hiss:  functionally equivalent to rising.

The “duck”, a smaller relative of the goose, is also found in period armory:  the canting arms (Italian anatra) of di Anedre, mid-15^th C. [Triv 50].  It shares the same defaults as the goose.  For related charges, see swan.

The Baron of An Dubhaigeainn bears:  Azure, a duck naiant to sinister argent, billed, within a laurel wreath Or.

Mathilde Meyer bears:  Per pale azure and argent, two geese respectant enraged counterchanged.

Emma of Wolvercote bears:  Argent, three geese naiant azure.