Tail

Lion's queue (Period); fox's tail couped, tip to base (Period)

Lion’s queue (Period); fox’s tail couped, tip to base (Period)

A tail is the caudal appendage of some beast, bird, or monster, used as a separate charge in its own right.  The type of creature must be specified in the blazon; period armory has examples of lion’s tails (in the arms of Pynchebek, c.1460 [RH]) and fox’s tails (the badge of Thomas of Woodstock, d.1397 [HB 104]).  Society armory has examples of dragon’s tails and yak’s tails, among others.  Tails are palewise and erased by default; while most tails (notably lions’ queues) have the severed end to base, other tails (such as the fox’s tail) must be explicitly blazoned.

The term “queue” refers specifically to a lion’s tail.  It may be “fourchy” (forked), or “nowed” (knotted), just as though attached to the lion.  The illustration shows a lion’s queue and a fox’s tail couped, tip to base.  See also ermine spot.

Shag Fevermore bears:  Pean, a lion’s tail queue-fourchy erect Or.

Stewart Foxe bears:  Per fess argent and gules, a fox’s tail with tip to base counterchanged.

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