THE HANDBOOK TO ENGLISH HERALDRY docx

CHAPTER I
CHAPTER II
CHAPTER III
CHAPTER IV
CHAPTER V
CHAPTER VI
CHAPTER VII
CHAPTER VIII
CHAPTER IX
CHAPTER X
CHAPTER XI
CHAPTER XII
CHAPTER XIII
CHAPTER XIV
CHAPTER XV
CHAPTER XVI
CHAPTER XVII
CHAPTER XVIII
CHAPTER XIX
CHAPTER XX
CHAPTER XXI
CHAPTER XXII
CHAPTER XXIII
CHAPTER I
CHAPTER II
CHAPTER III
Chapter V.
CHAPTER IV
CHAPTER V
1
CHAPTER VI

CHAPTER VII
CHAPTER VIII
Chapter X.
CHAPTER IX
CHAPTER X
Chapter XVII.
CHAPTER XI
CHAPTER XII
CHAPTER XIII
CHAPTER XIV
CHAPTER XV
Chapter XVIII.
CHAPTER XVI
CHAPTER XVII
CHAPTER XVIII
CHAPTER XIX
CHAPTER XX
CHAPTER XXI
CHAPTER XXII
CHAPTER XXIII
Handbook to English Heraldry, by Charles Boutell
Project Gutenberg's The Handbook to English Heraldry, by Charles Boutell This eBook is for the use of
anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or
re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at
www.gutenberg.org
Title: The Handbook to English Heraldry
Author: Charles Boutell
Editor: A. C. Fox-Davies
Illustrator: R. B. Utting
Release Date: October 24, 2007 [EBook #23186]

Language: NU
Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE HANDBOOK TO ENGLISH HERALDRY
***
Produced by Louise Hope, Jeannie Howse, Ted Garvin and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at

[Illustration: Seal of Sir RICHARD DE BEAUCHAMP, K.G., Fifth Earl of WARWICK: died A.D. 1439. No.
448. See pages 208, 321.]
Handbook to English Heraldry, by Charles Boutell 2
[Illustration: Seal of Sir THOMAS DE BEAUCHAMP, K.G., Third Earl of WARWICK: died A.D. 1369.
Date of the Seal, 1344. No. 446. See No. 447, page 320, also see page 321.]
"To describe emblazoned Shields." MILTON
THE HANDBOOK TO ENGLISH HERALDRY
by
CHARLES BOUTELL, M.A.
Author of "The Monumental Brasses of England," Editor and Part Author of "Arms and Armour in Antiquity
and The Middle Ages," etc.
with
NEARLY FIVE HUNDRED ILLUSTRATIONS Drawn and Engraved on Wood by Mr. R. B. UTTING and
Others
ELEVENTH EDITION
Thoroughly Revised with an Additional Chapter by A. C. FOX-DAVIES of Lincoln's Inn Barrister-At-Law
[Illustration: ROYAL ARMS (1340-1405)]
LONDON: REEVES & TURNER 1914
Printed by BALLANTYNE, HANSON & CO. at the Ballantyne Press, Edinburgh
PREFACE
TO THE ELEVENTH EDITION
This standard work of reference has been revised throughout, and enlarged by the addition of an extra chapter
on Peerage Dignities.
A. C. FOX-DAVIES.

LINCOLN'S INN, November 1913.
PREFACE
TO THE TENTH EDITION
In the revision of this well-known work I have held my hand, rather than the contrary, trying to bear always in
mind that it was the hand-book of Mr. Charles Boutell and not a production of my own. My alterations have
been concerned chiefly in bringing the volume up to date, a necessity imposed by the creation of new orders
of knighthood, and change of Sovereign. I have certainly omitted a few remarks which I have thought might
be the cause of leading students of the science astray: I have altered ambiguous wording to emphasise the real,
and I have no doubt the originally intended meaning. But in many points which, being deductions, are
naturally matters of opinion, I have left herein various expressions of Mr. Boutell's opinion, with which I can
hardly say I personally altogether agree or would myself put forward. I hold that it is no part of an editor's
Handbook to English Heraldry, by Charles Boutell 3
duty to air his own opinions under the protection or repute of another's name, and herein I have inserted
nothing for which my own opinion is the only authority.
A. C. FOX-DAVIES.
LINCOLN'S INN, June 1908.
[Illustration: No. 2 St. Edward. No. 1 St. George. No. 3 St. Edmund.]
AUTHOR'S PREFACE
This Volume, specially prepared for the use of students at an early period of their study of English Heraldry,
commends itself also to those inquirers who may desire to obtain some general information on the same
subject, without having any intention to devote to Heraldry much either of their time or of their serious regard.
The success, no less extraordinary than gratifying, of my larger work on Heraldry, led me to hope that a not
less favourable reception might be extended to a simpler and much shorter essay, more decidedly elementary
in its aim and character, and yet as far as possible within its limits complete. Such a treatise I have
endeavoured to produce in this Volume.
Inseparably associated with the History of our Country, and more particularly when our national History
becomes the Biography of eminent Englishmen, English Heraldry has the strongest claims upon the attention
not only of all Historians, but also of all who desire to become familiar with their writings. In like manner,
Heraldry may be studied with no less of advantage than of satisfaction by all Artists, whether Architects,
Sculptors, Painters, or Engravers. Nor is it too much to assert that some knowledge of Heraldry, in

consequence of its singular and comprehensive utility, ought to be estimated as a necessary element of a
liberal education. In confirmation of my own views, I am tempted to quote the following passage from M.
GOURDON DE GENOUILLAC'S introduction to his excellent "Grammaire Héraldique," published at
Paris: "Le blason," says M. de Genouillac, "est une langue qui s'est conservée dans sa pureté primitive
depuis les siècles, langue dont la connaissance, est indispensable aux familles nobles, qui y trouvent un signe
d'alliance ou de reconnaissance, aux numismates, aux antiquaires, aux archéologues, enfin à tous les artistes,
gens de lettres, &c.; cependant cette langue est presque inconnue, et la plupart des personnes qui possedent le
droit de porter des armoiries seraient fort en peine de les expliquer selon les termes techniques!" Heraldry,
indeed, I believe to be a study worthy to be universally regarded with affectionate respect, as it certainly is
eminently qualified to inspire such a sentiment in every class of student.
In this spirit I have here treated the elements of the Heraldry of England, confident that, of those who may
accompany me as far as I shall lead them, very many will not be content to stop where I shall take leave of
them. Thus much I promise my companions I will be to them a faithful guide. They may trust to my
accuracy. I have made no statement, have adduced no example, nor have I exhibited any illustration, except
upon authority. I myself like and admire what is real and true in Heraldry; and it is by the attractiveness of
truth and reality that I desire to win for Heraldry fresh friends, and to secure for it firm friendships.
It will be understood that from the authority, the practice, and the associations of the early Heraldry of the best
and most artistic eras, I seek to derive a Heraldry which we may rightly consider to be our own, and which we
may transmit with honour to our successors. I do not suggest the adoption, for present use, of an obsolete
system. But, while I earnestly repudiate the acceptance and the maintenance amongst ourselves of a most
degenerate substitute for a noble Science, I do aspire to aid in restoring HERALDRY to its becoming rank,
and consequently to its early popularity, now in our own times. This is to revive the fine old Heraldry of the
past, to give to it a fresh animation, and to apply it under existing conditions to existing uses and
requirements: not, to adjust ourselves to the circumstances of its first development, and to reproduce as
copyists its original expressions. It is not by any means a necessary condition of a consistent revival of early
Handbook to English Heraldry, by Charles Boutell 4
Heraldry, that our revived Heraldry should admit no deviation from original usage or precedent. So long as we
are thoroughly animated by the spirit of the early Heralds, we may lead our Heraldry onwards with the
advance of time. It is for us, indeed, to prepare a Heraldry for the future, no less than to revive true Heraldry
in the time now present. We may rightly modify, therefore, and adapt many things, in order to establish a true

conformity between our Heraldry and the circumstances of our own era: for example, with advantage as well
as propriety we may, in a great measure, substitute Badges for Crests; and we shall do well to adopt a style of
drawing which will be perfectly heraldic, without being positively unnatural.
The greater number of my Illustrations have been engraved only in outline, with the twofold object of my
being thus enabled to increase the number of the examples, and to adapt the engravings themselves to the
reception of colour. It will be very desirable for students to blazon the illustrations, or the majority of them, in
their proper tinctures: and those who are thoroughly in earnest will not fail to form their own collections of
additional examples, which, as a matter of course, they will seek to obtain from original authorities. With the
exception of a few examples, my Illustrations, considerably over 400, have all been executed expressly for
this work; and they all have been engraved by Mr. R. B. UTTING. The chief exceptions are thirteen admirable
woodcuts of Scottish Seals, all of them good illustrations of Heraldry south of the Tweed, originally engraved
for Laing's noble quarto upon "The Ancient Seals of Scotland," published in Edinburgh. Scottish Heraldry,
I must add, as in any particulars of law and practice it may differ from our Heraldry on this side of the Tweed,
I have left in the able hands of the Heralds of the North: at the same time, however, the Heraldry of which I
have been treating has so much that is equally at home on either side of "the Border," that I have never
hesitated to look for my examples and authorities to both the fair realms which now form one Great Britain.
C. B.
[Signature]
CONTENTS
Page
PREFACE TO PRESENT EDITION vii
AUTHOR'S PREFACE ix
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS xix
Handbook to English Heraldry, by Charles Boutell 5
CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTORY Early Popularity of Heraldry in England Origin of English Heraldry; Definition;
Characteristics; Development; Early Uses; Not connected with Earlier Systems Ancient Heraldry Past and
Present Treatment of the Subject 1
CHAPTER I 6
CHAPTER II

EARLY HERALDIC AUTHORITIES Seals; Monumental Effigies, &c.; Rolls of Arms, Official Heraldic
Records, &c Earliest Heraldic Shields and Banners Allusive Quality of Early Armory Attributed Arms
10
CHAPTER II 7
CHAPTER III
The English Heraldry that is now in existence First Debasement of Heraldry Later Debasement Revival
of English Heraldry Heraldic Art 20
CHAPTER III 8
CHAPTER IV
GRAMMAR OF HERALDRY: Section I Language Nomenclature Style and Forms of Expression
Blazon The Shield: its Parts, Points, Divisions, Dividing Lines, Varieties of Form, and Heraldic Treatment
29
CHAPTER IV 9
CHAPTER V
GRAMMAR OF HERALDRY: Section II Tinctures: Metals, Colours, Furs Varied Fields Law of
Tinctures Counter-changing Diaper Disposition Blazoning Emblazoning in Tinctures 40
CHAPTER V 10
CHAPTER VI
GRAMMAR OF HERALDRY: Section III The Ordinaries: Chief: Fesse: Bar: Pale: Cross; its Heraldic
Varieties: Bend: Saltire: Chevron: and Pile 49
CHAPTER VI 11
CHAPTER VII
GRAMMAR OF HERALDRY: Section IV The Subordinaries: Canton or Quarter: Inescutcheon: Oile:
Tressure: Bordure: Flanches: Lozenge, Mascle, Rustre: Fusil: Billet: Gyron: Frette The Roundles 64
CHAPTER VII 12
CHAPTER VIII
GRAMMAR OF HERALDRY: Section V Miscellaneous Charges: Human Beings: Animals: Birds: Fish:
Reptiles and Insects: Imaginary Beings: Natural Objects: Various Artificial Figures and Devices Appropriate
Descriptive Epithets 73
CHAPTER VIII 13

CHAPTER IX
GRAMMAR OF HERALDRY: Section VI The Lion and the Eagle in Heraldry 83
CHAPTER IX 14
CHAPTER X
GRAMMAR OF HERALDRY: Section VII Glossary of Titles, Names, and Terms 100
CHAPTER X 15
CHAPTER XI
MARSHALLING: Aggroupment: Combination: Quartering: Dimidiation: Impalement: Escutcheon of
Pretence: Marshalling the Arms of Widowers, Widows, and others: Official Arms; and the Accessories of
Shields 158
CHAPTER XI 16
CHAPTER XII
CADENCY: Marks of Cadency are temporary, or permanent: the Label: the Bordure: the Bendlet, Barrulet,
and Canton: Change of Tincture: Secondary Charges: Single Small Charges: Differences of Illegitimacy:
Cadency of Crests, Badges, &c.: Modern Cadency 176
CHAPTER XII 17
CHAPTER XIII
DIFFERENCING: Differencing to denote Feudal Alliance or Dependency: Differencing without any
Alliance Augmentation Abatement 194
CHAPTER XIII 18
CHAPTER XIV
CRESTS 209
CHAPTER XIV 19
CHAPTER XV
BADGES 220
CHAPTER XV 20
CHAPTER XVI
SUPPORTERS 237
CHAPTER XVI 21
CHAPTER XVII

FLAGS: The Pennon: the Banner: the Standard: the Royal Standard: the "Union Jack": Ensigns: Military
Standards and Colours: Blazoning: Hoisting and Displaying Flags 246
CHAPTER XVII 22
CHAPTER XVIII
THE ROYAL HERALDRY OF ENGLAND AND SCOTLAND: Shields of Arms of the Reigning
Sovereigns of England, of Scotland, of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland: Crests: Supporters:
Mottoes: Crowns: Banners: Armorial Insignia of the late Prince Consort; of the Prince and Princess of Wales;
of the other Princes and Princesses 258
CHAPTER XVIII 23
CHAPTER XIX
ORDERS OF KNIGHTHOOD AND INSIGNIA OF HONOUR: Feudal Knighthood Orders of
Knighthood: Knights of St. John: Knights Templars: the Order of the Garter; of the Thistle; of St. Patrick; of
the Bath; of St. Michael and St. George; of the Star of India The Order of Merit The Royal Victorian
Order The Imperial Service Order The Victoria Cross The Albert Medal Naval and Military Medals
Foreign Insignia bestowed on British Subjects 273
CHAPTER XIX 24
CHAPTER XX
PRECEDENCE GENEALOGIES 295
CHAPTER XX 25