Pall (Period)

Pall inverted (Accepted)

The pall is an heraldic ordinary, a Y-shaped form joining the points of the shield with its center.  Its width is one-third to one-fifth that of the shield.  The pall is a peculiarly Scots ordinary, found in the arms of Cunningham, 1542 [Lindsay].  Like the cross, the pall has no diminutives; it is often found inverted in Society heraldry.

Shakefork (Period)

Pallium (Disallowed)

Other special terms include the “shakefork”, a pall humetty.  There is also the “pallium”, a pall whose lower limb is couped and fringed; in period it was often used in archepiscopal arms (e.g., Henry de Lowndres, Archbishop of Dublin, 1215 [Michael Heenon, Coats of Arms of Magna Carta Barons, 1965, p.9]), and is therefore a disallowed charge in the Society.   Unlike most ordinaries, no difference is granted between a pall (throughout) and any of the truncated palls.

It’s permitted for a pall’s limbs to be treated in the same manner as those of the cross:  e.g., a “pall patonce” or a “pall formy”.  The “pall nowy” is considered a step from period practice.  For related charges, see fork, triskelion.

The Baron of Carolingia bears:  Azure, a pall wavy and in chief a laurel wreath Or.

The Shire of Trivium bears:  Gules, on a pall Or three laurel wreaths sable.

Morgan Blackshield bears:  Pean, a pall Or.

Michael Gerard Curtememoire bears:  Potenty argent and sable, a pall gules.

Dan of Hamildoon bears:  Azure, a shakefork inverted Or.