The Manual of Heraldry - LightNovelsOnl.com
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CALTROP. An iron instrument made to annoy an enemy's cavalry. They were formed of iron, being four spikes conjoined in such a manner that one was always upwards. It is found in many ancient coats of arms.
[Ill.u.s.tration: Caltrop]
Ex. Argent, a caltrop proper.
CANTON. The French word for corner. It is a small square figure, generally placed at the dexter chief of the s.h.i.+eld, as in the annexed example.
[Ill.u.s.tration: Canton]
CELESTIAL CROWN. Distinguished from any other crown by the stars on the points or rays that proceed from the circlet.
[Ill.u.s.tration: Celestial crown]
CHAPEAU. Cap of maintenance or dignity, borne only by sovereign princes. It is formed of crimson or scarlet velvet, lined with ermine.
[Ill.u.s.tration: Chapeau]
CHAPLET. An ancient ornament for the head, granted to gallant knights for acts of courtesy. It is frequently borne as a charge in a s.h.i.+eld of arms, and always tinted in its natural colours. [Ill.u.s.tration: Chaplet]
Ex. Argent, a chaplet proper.
CHARGE. The figures or bearings contained in an escutcheon.
CHECKY. The field covered with alternate squares of metal and fur.
[Ill.u.s.tration: Checky]
Ex. Checky, sable and argent.
CHEVRON. This ordinary is supposed to represent the rafters of the gable of a house.
[Ill.u.s.tration: Chevron]
Ex. Or, a chevron gules.
CHEVRONEL. The diminutive of the chevron, being one half its size.
[Ill.u.s.tration: Chevronel]
Ex. Argent, two chevronels gules.
CHIEF. One of the honourable ordinaries. It is placed on the upper part of the s.h.i.+eld and contains a third part of it. The letters show the points in the chief. A is the dexter chief; B, the precise middle chief; C, the sinister chief.
[Ill.u.s.tration: Chief]
CHIMERICAL FIGURES. Imaginary figures, such as griffins, dragons, harpies, &c.: all of them will be found under their proper names.
CINQUE FOIL. Five leaves conjoined in the centre.
[Ill.u.s.tration: Cinque foil]
CIVIC CAP. A cap of dignity borne by mayors of cities or corporate bodies: it is formed of sables garnished with ermine.
[Ill.u.s.tration: Civic cap]
CLARION. A horn or trumpet borne in this shape in English and German coat-armour.
[Ill.u.s.tration: Clarion]
Ex. Azure, three clarions or.
CLENCHED. The fingers pressed towards the palm of the hand.
[Ill.u.s.tration: Clenched]
Ex. Azure, a dexter arm vambraced couped, the fist clenched proper.
CLOSE. A bird with its wings closed.
[Ill.u.s.tration: Close]
CLOSET. A diminutive of the bar, being only one half its width.
[Ill.u.s.tration: Closet]
Ex. Or, two closets azure.
CLOSEGIRT. A figure whose dress is fastened round the waist.
[Ill.u.s.tration: Closegirt]
Ex. Gules, an angel erect with wings expanded or, dress closegirt.
COAT ARMOUR, or Surcoat. A loose garment worn over the armour of a knight; hence the term coat of arms. On this garment were emblazoned the armorial bearings of the wearer.
[Ill.u.s.tration: Coat Armour]
c.o.c.kATRICE. A chimerical animal, a c.o.c.k with a dragon's tail and wings.
[Ill.u.s.tration: c.o.c.katrice]
COLLARED. Having a collar. Dogs and inferior animals are sometimes collared: the supporters and charges are generally said to be gorged.
See GORGED.
COMBATANT. A French word for fighting. See LION.
COMPLEMENT. The Heraldic term for the full moon. When this figure is introduced as a charge in a coat of arms, it is called a moon in her complement.
COMPONY. A term applied to a bordure, pale, bend, or any other ordinary, made up of squares of alternate metal and colour.
