HERALDIC TERMS

HERALDIC LESSONS

**LESSON TWO**
**GLOSSARY OF TERMS**
**Note: These will be alphabetical after we complete the list.**
**We have a LOT to enter still :-(**
TERM	LAY DESCRIPTION
BLAZON	VERBAL DESCRIPTION OF A DEVICE OR ARMS, USUALLY GIVEN IN FRENCH
ANIMAL POSITIONS	SEE LESSON FOUR FOR DETAILS OF THESE TERMS
CHARGES	PICTURES OF ANIMALS, THINGS ETC THAT MAKE UP THE ACTUAL DEVICE
DEVICE	THE ARMS OR FINISHED SHEILD IS CALLED A PERSONAL DEVICE
ARMS	THE DEVICE OR IDENTITY SHEILD OF A PERSON.
BEAR ARMS	TO BE ABLE TO DISPLAY YOUR ARMS IN COMBAT IN MOST MODERN RECREATION GROUPS IT MUST BE "AWARDED BY THE CROWN" GIVING YOU THE RIGHT TO BEAR ARMS
COAT OF ARMS	A COAT OF ARMS IS THE COMPLETE CREST WITH THE SHEILD OR ARMS IN THE CENTER SURROUNDED BY VARIOUS SUPPORTERS AND OTHER AWARDS. THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A "FAMILY" COAT OF ARMS AS ARMS ARE AWARDED TO AN INDIVIDUAL. THEY CAN BE PASSED DOWN UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS BUT THE HEIRS TO THE ARMS USUALLY ADD THINGS TO PERSONALIZE THEM. THE VARIOUS ELEMENTS FOUND ON A COAT OF ARMS ARE AWARDS AND EACH HAS A MEANING
SUPPORTERS	CHARGES THAT HOLD UP OR "SUPPORT" THE SHEILD OR ARMS
CREST	THE CHARGE ABOVE THE COAT OF ARMS
MANTLE	DRAPED OVER THE ARMS ACCOMPANIED BY A HELMET, USUALLY DENOTING KNIGHTHOOD
MOTTO	A RIBBON STATING THE MOTTO OF THE BEARER