[Ansteorra] King's College - Basic Heraldry Questions Answered

[Brent Ryder]

Howdy all,

For those who took my Basic Heraldry class, there were some questions I did
not have answers to at class time. Here is the Online Heraldic dictionary
site and the definitions of the terms I did not have at hand:

http://www04.u-page.so-net.ne.jp/ta2/saitou/ie401/index.htm

A GLOSSARY OF TERMS USED IN HERALDRY
by JAMES PARKER
FIRST PUBLISHED in 1894

Canton, (fr. canton, but also franc quartier appears to be often used in
this sense): resembles a first quarter of the shield in form, but of smaller
dimensions; its size does not appear to be fixed, but is generally about
one-third of the chief. In old French cauntel, (i.e.) canton, is used for
Quarter, q.v.
    When the word is used alone, a dexter canton is intended; it may,
however, be placed upon the sinister side, if so blazoned, and when with a
bend....

Quarter: an ordinary occupying one fourth of the field, and situated(unless
otherwise directed) in the dexter chief. The term quarter is used also in
referring to the divisions when the shield is quarterly, or when in addition
to a cross there is a charge in one of the divisions;...

Filet, (fr.): a narrow band; but the term is used irregularly. See Chief and
Cotice.

Chief, (fr. chef): the first of the Ordinaries, and occupying about
one-third one the shield from the top downward.
    The fillet is by some considered its diminutive, while others hold that
it can have none. Some English heraldic books, and most foreign, speak of
instances of two chiefs, one abased below the other in the same coat, but no
English examples are ever adduced

Barrulet, Barrelet, or Bracelet, and Barruly. The Barrulet is a diminutive
of the Bar, of which it is one-fourth, that is to say, a twentieth part of
the field; the closet being one half of the bar. It is never borne singly

Pallet, or Palet. See under Pale

Pale, (fr. pal, pl. paux, old fr. pel): considered as one of the honourable
ordinaries, and may occupy one third of the width of the shield. It has two
diminutives, the palet, which is one half, and the endorse(q.v.), which is
by some said to be one eighth of its breadth, by others one fourth.

Bendlet: a diminutive of the bend, nominally half the width of that
ordinary, though often much narrower

Scarpe, or Escarpe: a diminutive of the bend sinister, q.v.

The term saltorel is sometimes used when three or more saltires occur, but
it us hardly required. It is needless to say that must be couped; but it
should be noted that the ends are not cut at right angles to the arms, but
horizontally, and when the saltorel is engrailed the ends are left plain.

If there are any more basic heraldry questions, please ask. You may not be
the only one who does not know the answer :)

Borek

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