Flaunches (Period)

Flaunches (singular “flank”) are heraldic ordinaries, issuing from the corners of the chief, and proceeding in circular arcs to base.  Their origin is obscure:  they’re said to represent the gaps in a lady’s sideless surcoat.

Flaunches always occur in pairs; there are no single flaunches.  They were sometimes charged in period, the earliest instances dating to c.1460, with the arms of Greyby [Hope 62].  Flaunches may therefore be charged in Society heraldry.

Some texts consider flaunches to be sub-ordinaries, but Society heraldry doesn’t recognize that distinction.  Flaunches do share the restrictions on other single-sided ordinaries, however:  they may not be voided, cotised, or fimbriated.  There are no diminutives of flaunches in Society heraldry, nor may they be borne enhanced.

Karen de Wyvern bears:  Erminois, a pair of flaunches purpure.

Chad MacBean bears:  Sable, flaunches argent.

Kat’ryna Neblaga Volchkova bears:  Vair, flaunches gules.