Quill pen (Period)

Reed pen (Period)

A pen is a tool for writing or drawing with ink.  The most common form of pen in heraldry is the “quill pen”, sometimes misleadingly (and wrongly) blazoned simply a “quill”; it’s found in the canting arms of Coupens c.1312 [ANA2 514].  The quill pen is the default form of pen for Society use; the illustration is taken from Bossewell, 1572 [III.4v].  But other types of pen are also found in Society armory, most notably the “reed pen” or “calamus”; this is simply a tubular reed with a split point at one end.  It’s similar to the pens found in the arms of Hales, c.1520 [Woodcock & Robinson pl.13].

Pens are palewise by default, with points to base.  For related charges, see feather.  See also quill of yarn.

The Chronicler bears:  Per pale sable and argent, two quills conjoined in pile counterchanged, a chief gules.

Elizabeth Bellclerke bears:  Azure, in fess three quill pens bendwise sinister argent.

Catharine Hawkwod da Barbiano bears:  Or, six quill pens azure.

Thomas Megatherium of Castle Leviathan bears:  Per pale purpure and sable, a reed pen palewise Or surmounted by an anvil argent.