Lizard (Period)

The lizard is a small, agile reptile with a reputation for speed.  It’s a period charge, found in the crest of the Worshipful Company of Ironmongers, 1455 [Bromley & Child 148], and in the canting arms (Portuguese lagarto) of Lagartos, c.1540 [Nobreza xxxviiº].

The lizard is statant by default, as in the illustration.  In Society armory, however, it’s frequently found tergiant.  It is also sometimes blazoned as a “natural salamander”, since it forms the basis of the usual depiction of the salamander.  The lizard’s cousin, the “newt” or “aske”, was used as the badge of Christopher Aske, 1536 [Siddons II.2 16].

Similar footed reptiles, such as the “chameleon”, have also been employed in Society armory.  Also included in this category are what may be termed the giant lizards:  the “crocodile”, the “alligator”, and the “Komodo dragon”.  These are still permitted as of this writing, but those from outside the scope of period Europe (e.g., the alligator) are deemed a step from period practice.

Emmanuelle de Chenonceaux bears:  Ermine, a lizard tergiant azure.

Vespacia Capricornica Kareliae bears:  Pily bendy Or and vert, a natural chameleon gules.

Fiona di Varanus bears:  Gules, a pale cotised Or, overall a Komodo dragon embowed in pale vert.