An analysis of the Coats of Arms
Blazon
The blazon is the textual description of a heraldic insignia, like a device or badge. The terms used often have a meaning specific to heraldry . For instance, the words for colours are all based on Old French.
For example the Baynham arms blazon is "gules a chevron between three heads" - that is, the field is red with a white chevron and three bulls heads.
The basic format is to describe the field, including how the device is divided up, any ordinaries present, the charges on that ordinary, and finally any charges which do not appear on an ordinary. If the same colour is used for multiple things, then the blazon will try and group them together.
Field
The surface of the shield upon which the charges or bearing are blazoned, or of each separate coat when the shield is quartered or impaled.
Ordinary
A charge or bearing of simple form. The ordinaries, or as they are known heraldic writers, honourable ordinaries are nine in number:
1. Chief 2. Cross 3. Pale
4. Saltire 5. Fesse 6. Pile
7. Chevron 8. Quarter 9. Bend
The ordinaries are said to originally represent clamps or fastenings of a shield. Each ordinary also has one or more .
Bend
In the beginning of heraldry the bend was a mark of cadency, but later became an honourable ordinary.
Semee
In a field means that the arms are differenced for a junior or cadet branch of the family. That is, an object scattered across.
Marks of difference or cadency
1st son = Label
A bearing closely resembling the strap with pendants which form the saddle crossed the horse's chest. It is the oldest mark of difference, but sometimes borne as a charge. As a difference it was used generally by the princes of the royal house. The number of points did not necessarily mean anything, although the label of three points was supposed to represent the heir during the lifetime of his father; five points, during the lifetime of his grandfather; seven points, while the great-grandfather still lived, etc. According to the modern system, the elder son of an elder son places a label upon a label.
2nd son = Crescent
3rd son = Mullet
4th son = martlett
5th son = anulet
6th son = fleur-de-lis
7th son = rose
8th son = cross moline
9th son = double quatrefoil
The 2nd son of a 2nd son would for example use two crescents.
Source of some of the information as follows and go to their web pages for more information.
http://www.fleurdelis.com/meanings.htm
http://cunnan.sca.org.au/wiki
College of Arms
The College of Arms is the English body within the Royal household that administers and records the registration of heraldic . The College was established by Richard III in 1483. The head of the English College is the Earl Marshal. At present, the Garter King of Arms is the title used by the chief Herald of the college, assisted by the other two Kings of Arms , Norroy and Clarenceux, together with 6 heralds and 4 pursuivants.
Scotland has its own heraldic body with Lyon King of Arms as the chief Herald. The French college was established in 1407 but after the revolution it was disbanded.
External link: www.college-of-arms.gov.uk
