Armorial Bearings

Armorial Bearings. Though strictly speaking this is a far more correct and a more comprehensive term, it is frequently used to denote what is popularly understood by the word arms, or by coat-of-arms. The greater or less antiquity of armorial bearings has occasioned much dispute, but it would be safe to say that the actually primeval state and origin of heraldic insignia is to be found in the totemism of half-civilised tribes. The badges of the Scottish clans still existing, and the family badges which prior to the reign of Elizabeth were of such very common usage in England, point more clearly to this than do the armorial bearings of the present day, which are supposed to be the outward and visible sign of the gentility of the bearer, either by birth or patent. AEschylus in his poems affords us evidence that even in his day the shields of the warriors bore emblematical designs or devices, and Virgil likewise. On the other hand it is held that such designs, and those upon the banners, were either meaningless ornament and decoration, or only regulated by the fancy of the artist or the requirements of the shape of the shield. And though they may have been used for the purposes of identification and distinction, certain is it that they had but small resemblance to and but little in common with the earliest examples of coats-of-arms as we now understand them. The various arms ascribed to the different Saxon kings and to the earlier Welsh princes, upon which argument is often based, there can be but little doubt are the inventions of a later date; and the late J. R. Planche, Esq., Somerset Herald, maintained, and his theory is very generally accepted, that there is no contemporary or reliable evidence of properly heraldic armorial bearings prior to the twelfth century, during which, however, they became hereditary, and their use very general. At first mention is only made of devises or cognoissances, but as their most frequent use was upon the standards and shields of the warriors, these devices were soon termed arms, and from being embroidered upon the surcoat of silk worn over the hauberk or coat of mail, the designation of coat-of-arms, by which they are now known, is derived. The armorial bearings of a commoner at the present day consist of the escutcheon and the charge upon it, which together constitute the coat-of-arms proper; this is surmounted by the helmet, and pendent from this last is the Lambrequin. A few very old families possess no crest, but in the large majority of cases either a coronet, a chapeau, or a wreath (usually this last, another name for which is the torse) is placed upon the lambrequin, and on this is the crest. Crests were of later adoption than coats-of-arms, and mottoes are comparatively a recent innovation. These, unlike the arms and crest, which are most strictly hereditary, can be assumed and changed at will. Though it is a form of emblazoning rather falling into disuse, the whole may be displayed upon a mantle, which, with the helmet, will vary according to the rank of the bearer. Some baronets and a few others have been granted the right to bear supporters. These are the figures placed one on either side of and outside the escutcheon, and are otherwise one of the distinguishing marks of a peer, who also carries the coronet of his degree. Knights, other than knights bachelors, encircle their shield with the motto and the collar, and pendent from this the badge of the order to which they belong. Women are not allowed to make use of a crest or of a motto, and may only bear the arms to which they are entitled upon a lozenge, though a peeress will surmount this by her coronet, and will use supporters. The colours of the livery and of the carriages of a family should be regulated by their coat-of-arms, though this rule is too often disregarded. Owing to the advertisements of bogus heraldic offices, of late years armorial bearings have been largely assumed most unwarrantably, and thereby brought into some disrepute: and no one has any right whatsoever to assume or in any manner display such insignia, unless clear male descent has been proved from some person who has received a grant of arms, or to whom arms have been allowed and recorded by the Heralds College (otherwise known as the College of Arms) in England, the Lyon Office in Scotland, or the Ulster Office in Ireland, the officials of which are the only authorities whatsoever upon such matters. Everyone using armorial bearings in England and Scotland (Ireland is exempt) is required to pay an annual licence of one guinea, or of double that amount if the said armorial bearings are painted upon or in any way affixed to a carriage.