Herald's Corner

Farewell, see you over there

2013-07-26T14:12:00.003+10:00

To anyone who comes across this blog, please note that it has been reborn as Fiat Vox, with a greater range of topics being covered therein, as well as the heraldry found here. Most of the more interesting posts from this blog are being converted and carried across to my new blog. Once they're all transferred, this one will likely be shut down. I thank you for your attention.

Chivalry: Nine vertues of Chivalrie

2011-07-25T23:01:00.001+10:00

John Ferne's 1586 Glory of Generositie (part of The Blazon of Gentrie) gives the following 'Nine vertues of Chivalrie'.

Torq. I was never daintie of my cunning : of these nine vertues, foure of them beene called spirituall, and five temporall, the foure vertues spirituall be these.

1 He shall honor his father and his mother.
2 He shall not oppresse the poore.
3 He shall shew mercie where mercie is due.
4 He shall fight for the defence of the sacrifice of the great God of heaven.

Now follow the five vertues temporall.

1 He shall not turne his backe to his enemie, with intent to flie.
2 He shall truly hold his promise to his friend, as to his foe.
3 He shall be free of his hospitallitie.
4 He shall defend maidens right.
5 He shall uphold the cause of the widow.

Tinctures in Period: Purpure

2011-07-22T15:34:00.003+10:00

Purple or Violet, known in Blazon as Purpure.

Boke of Saint Albans (1486)

St Albans refers to a tincture called 'brusk', which I include under Purpure as it is presented under the same stone, Amethyst, as is given in other sources.

Tercius lapis

And this stone is calde brusk colore in armys

The thirde stone is calde an Ametisce a dusketli stone brusk hit is calde in armys. The vertue ther of is : that he the wich berith in his Cotearmur that stone. fortunable of victori in his kinges batayll shall be. the wich stone is reserved to the virtutys crowne that was fortunable and victoriows in his kyngs batail of heven whan they faught with Lucifer.

Workes of Armorie (1572)

Violet, termed Purpure, is compared to Mercurie, and to the Amatiste.

The Amatiste his force or vertue avayleth agaynst dronkennesse, it keepeth a man wakyng, and dryveth awaye ill thoughtes, and sharpeneth the understanding also.

In the second table of tinctures, purpure is not included in the list of four colours, with the following note:

Purpure, may bee addedd to make the 5.coloure, but it is rare in use with us.

The Blazon of Gentrie (1586)

The last of the 7 tinctures detailed by Ferne.

The 7. cullor is composed of white, blew, & red, and is called purpre, it signifieth in

1 - Planets. - Mercury.
2 - Precious stones. - Amethist, Opall, and Hyacinth.
3 - Vertues. - Temperancie and prudence.
4 - Celestiall signes. - Sagittarius and Pisces.
5 - Months. - November and February.
6 - Days of the week. - Wednesday.
7 - Ages of Man. - The age of gray heares, called canasenectus.
8 - Flowres. - The Violet.
9 - Elements. - Water and earth.
10- Sesons of the yeer - Winter.
11 - Complexions. - Flegmatique with some choller.
12 - Numbers. - 7. 12.
13 - Mettailes. - Tinne.

Purpure is the only tincture to be given a complexion of a combination of two, rather than a single humour on its own.

In the angelic system given later in the book, Purple is given to Vertues, with the virtue Knightly of governement.

The Elements of Armories (1610)

The rankings of tinctures given by Bolton hold Purpure as one of the lowest, with Upton placing it fifth, after Gules, Leigh and Scohier relegating it to seventh and last, after Vert or Sable respectively, and Bolton's own throne of colours placing it last, sharing the fourth tier with Vert.

Display of Heraldrie (1611)

Purpure is a Colour that consisteth of much Red, and of a small quantitie of Blacke [...] Cassaneus having formerly handled those former six Colours, viz. White, Blacke, Red, Yellow, Greene, and Blew, saith, that of them all (being compunded and mixed together according to proportion), this Purpure Colour is raised. This Colour usually hath no other name in Blazon.

In his table of the names used for the tinctures and their order, Guillim gives Purpure the seventh place, as Purpure. Amethyst. Mercury.

Staves - Introduction to the Herald's Staff

2011-07-22T13:05:00.000+10:00

5.9. Any herald on official business may carry a small white stave to indicate they ought not be interrupted.

9.2.3. When announcing a multi-field, multi-herald tourney a herald’s white stave may be raised when speaking to assist in prevention of overlapping calls.

These are quotes from the Lochac College of Heralds official policy. It is rather brief on the point, giving it as simply a method of stopping interruptions during calls. However, there are a great many uses for the herald's staff, and they are currently greatly under-used by heralds in my experience.

The most useful area of heraldry in which a staff can serve well is in tourney heraldry. At the start of a bout, the marshal indicates each fighter as they're introduced, and each fighter usually indicates the other with their weapon. If carrying a staff, the herald can join in on this. At the end of the bout, one fighter is again indicated, the victor, and if carrying a staff, the herald can help with this. Also, the staff can be raised to call for attention. In a multi-field environment, this attention is, as indicated in the Lochac policy, quite useful from the other heralds present. In a single-field environment, raising a shining white staff can raise the visibility of the herald, particularly if it's crowded.

Outside of tourney heraldry, a staff has some other very important uses for a duty herald. Firstly, it increases the visual impact of a herald in their tabard, adding to the style and pageantry of the event, which is, after all, one of the important roles of the herald. Secondly, it gives the the herald's hand something to do, rather than fidgeting or scratching (though, be careful not to drop it too often once you inevitably start twirling your staff).

Finally, when making an announcement in a hall, or calling for the beginning of court, a stout staff banged on the floor before your 'Oyez' makes it slightly more likely to get attention, and on top of that, adds an interesting note of class.

In later articles, I will show some period illustrations of herald's staves, and show how I believe they should be constructed.

Arrangements - Crossing the Line

2011-07-09T19:36:00.001+10:00

In the period heraldry texts I've been reading, there are a few examples of devices with charges crossing the lines of ordinaries. I've shown one, which I'll re-cover here, but there are a number of interesting examples.

Hee beareth Or, a Lyon rampannt d'Ermine, debrused with two Barruletes, & fret with the thirde Sable.

This example from Bossewell's Workes of Armorie (1572) is more an example of layered overall charges, rather than simply crossing over the lines of an ordinary, but is worth mention here.

The fielde is sable, an Eagle displaide with two heades d'Or. debrused with a barre d'Ermyne.

The second example from Bossewell, this device which is blazoned as a simple surmounted or debruised is given the extra twist of having the wings come over the bar.

R. hath to hys creste, on a Pillowe d'Ermine, an arme extended oute of a Crowne, sleves and ruffes d'Or, holding in an hande propre, a ball d'Argente.

The third example from Bossewell is from a crest, rather than the arms itself. It is blazoned with the term 'on', even though the arm extends off the edge of the pillow.

Ferne's 1586 The Blazon of Gentrie gives two examples of this. The first reads thusly:

The next coate I will blaze my selfe : the scutcheon is Verte in cheefe crenelle Ar. a file B.

In the tricking of this blazon, Ar. is Argent, and B. is Azure. The file has contrast to the chief embattled, but not to the field, by Society standards.

Or: on a chefe Gules, a right arme extended purpure, portant un fanon Ermynes, brochant sur le toute.

This blazon of Ferne's second example is rather tricky, as it mixes together English and French. As best as I can translate, "brochant sur le toute" is similar to "surmounting the field."

He beareth Or, out of the middest of a Fesse Sable a Lion Rampand, Naissant Gules, Armed and Languend Azure.

Guillim, in his 1611 Display of Heraldrie, attributes these arms to Sir Henry Emme, Knight of the Garter under Edward III of England. James Parker's Glossary also references these arms, in the entry for Naissant, stating

Or, a demi-lion rampant gules, naissant from a fesse sable. Sir Henry EAME, or ESME, K.G., temp. ED. III.

There is some difference in the surnames, giving three versions between two sources, and the Parker version lacks the blue claws and tongue. As far as I can see, there are two registrations for the naissant arrangement in Society heraldry, both from the 1980s.

Tinctures in Period: Vert

2011-07-09T12:01:00.004+10:00

Green, known in Blazon as Vert.

Boke of Saint Albans (1486)

Secundus lapis

The secunde stone is cald Smaragdus a gravely stone signifiying vert in armys.

The secunde stone is calde Smaragdus a graveli stone. & vert it is calde in armys. The vertu ther of is : that the gentylman the wich in his cote armure it berith kene and hardy in his kyngs batell shall be. the wiche stone is reserved in tharchangelles crowne that was kene and hardy in his kyngis bataile of heven whan thei faught with lucifer.

Workes of Armorie (1572)

Greene, termed Vert, is compared to Venus, and to the Emeraude or Smaradge.

The Smaradge passeth both the leave and boughe of anye tree or plante, his colour is so freshe and greene, and in this poynite triumpheth all alone, neyther ys the Sunne by his sunne Beames any left or hynderance to this his shewe. There is no greater refection to the eyes, than the sight of this excellent Gemme.

The Blazon of Gentrie (1586)

The sixt cullor is greene, and is called Vert, it signifieth in

1 - Planets. - Venus.
2 - Precious stones. - Smaragd or Emeraud.
3 - Vertues. - Loyalty in love, curtesy & affabilitie.
4 - Celestiall signes. - Gemini and Virgo
5 - Months. - May and August.
6 - Days of the week. - Friday.
7 - Ages of Man. - Lusty green youth from 20. till 30. yeeres.
8 - Flowres. - All maner of verdures or green things.
9 - Elements. - Water.
10- Sesons of the yeer - Spring time.
11 - Complexions. - Flegmatique.
12 - Numbers. - 6.
13 - Mettailes. - Quicksilver.

In the angelic system given later in the book, Vert is given to Archangels, with the virtue Keene & hardy in battaile.

The Elements of Armories (1610)

Upton and Leigh place Vert sixth on their orderings of tinctures, after Purpure or Sable respectively, while Scohier places it fifth, after Azure. In his own throne of colours, Bolton places it sixth, sharing the fourth and lowest tier with Purpure.

Display of Heraldrie (1611)

This Colour is Greene, which consisteth of more Blacke, and of lesse Red [...] This color is blazoned Vert, and is called in Latine Viridis, à vigore, in regard of the strength, freshnesse and livelinesse thereof; and therefore best resembleth youth, in that most vegitables, so long as they flourish, are beautified with this verdure, and is a colour most wholsome and pleasant to the eie, except it be in a young Gentlewomans face.

What a lovely image Guillim presents us with, a young woman with green in her face...

In his table of the names used for the tinctures and their order, Guillim gives Vert the sixth place, as Vert. Emerald. Venus.

Tinctures in Period: Sable

2011-07-09T10:46:00.004+10:00

Black, known in Blazon as Sable.

Boke of Saint Albans (1486)

Octavus lapis

This stone is blake and it is called Sabull

The . viii . stonn is a Dyamond a blake stone . Sable it is calde in armys . The vertue therof is . what gentilman that in his Cotearmure thatt stone berith : durabull & unfaynt in his kyngys batayll he shall be . The wich stone was reserved in the cherubyns crowne that was durable & unfaynt in his kyngys batayll of heven . whan thay faught with Lucifer

Workes of Armorie (1572)

Blacke, termed Sable, is compared to Saturne, and to the Diamonde.

Diascorides sayth, that it is called the Stone of reconciliacion and love: for (sayth he) That woman that hath withdrawne her love from her husbande, by this, is brought to love him anewe: yea it goeth further: for it is saide to give proofe, whether she be chaste or no. For if she be say they, she shall whilest she is in sleape embrace her husbande, through the workyng of this Stone, yf not, she shall flye, and go backe from him. Sir Thomas Eliot in his Dictionarie, saith, that Adamas is the Diomonde, and that Magnes the lode Stone, that hath vertue to drawe Iron unto hym, is of some unproperlye called the Adamant.

The Blazon of Gentrie (1586)

Ferne continues on form with his table of the significance of colours.

The 5. cullor is black called Sable, & signifieth in

1 - Planets. - Saturne.
2 - Precious stones. - Diamond, Agate, or Chelydoin.
3 - Vertues. - Prudence, Constancie.
4 - Celestiall signes. - Capricornus and Aquarius.
5 - Months. - December, January.
6 - Days of the week. - Saturday.
7 - Ages of Man. - Decrepit or crooked old age.
8 - Flowres. - The Aubifaine.
9 - Elements. - Earth.
10- Sesons of the yeer - Winter.
11 - Complexions. - Melancholic.
12 - Numbers. - 5. 8.
13 - Mettailes. - Iron and leade.

In the angelic system given later in the book, Sable is given to Cherubins, with the virtue Unfaint and durable.

The Elements of Armories (1610)

There is quite a range of rankings for Sable in the orderings of tinctures: Upton places it last of all, while Leigh has it fifth, after Azure, and Scohier places it sixth, superior only to Purpure. Bolton's own throne of colours considers Sable much higher, being placed third, sharing the second tier of the throne with Argent.

Display of Heraldrie (1611)

Guillim considers black as being one of the two Simple colours, opposing white and making the creation of all other colours

Blacke is a color contrary to White, having little participation of light [...] Whereby it is apparent that blacke is of lesse perfection then white. This colour is called in blazon Sable of the latine word Sabulum, which signifieth , gross, sand or gravell, in respect of the heavy and earthy substance, wherein it aboundeth above all others. And this colour is reputed farre inferior in dignity to white, and is likened to darkeness [...] Note that the rest of those speciall colours before mentioned, besides white and blacke, are called Colres medii, that they have their primary Essence from these, either by an equall or unevenfor concorporation or mixture of these two together: and in regard of these two extremes from which they have their being, cannot properly be called Colores, nifi per participationem.

In his table of the names used for the tinctures and their order, Guillim gives Sable the fifth place, as Sable. Diamond. Saturne.

Charges - Fret Engrailed

2011-07-09T01:15:00.001+10:00

This particularly spiky arrangement is from Guillim's 1611 Display of Heraldrie. It's blazoned as Gules, a Frette Engrailed Ermine, though the emblazon given is rather lacking in any ermine spots.

A warning, however. If you use this on your device, don't have it carved on your chair. I accept no responsibility for any injuries received if you disregard this.

Charges - Harpey

2011-07-09T00:02:00.001+10:00

The Field is Azure, an Harpey displaied, Crined, Crowned, and Armed, Or. These are the Armes of the noble City of Norenberga, which according to some Authors is sitituate in the very Center of the vast and spacious Country of Germany. The Harpey (saith Upton) should be given to such persons as have committed manslaughter, to the end that by the often view of their Ensignes they might be moved to bewaile the foulnesse of their offence.

This is rather a good entry in the competition for 'charges which should never be shown displayed' by John Guillim in his 1611 Display of Heraldrie.

Charges - Fiber

2011-07-08T23:17:00.003+10:00

R. beareth Verte, a Fiber, Argent. This beaste, Animal est emphibion, because he can live bothe on the lande and in the water, and maketh houses or dennes, arraied with wonderfull crafte, in the brinckes of Rivers, and waters, as Plinie saithe. He is also named Castor, à castrando. For he geldeth him selfe, when he perceiveth that he is persued of the hunter, and bitinge of his stones, which are marveilously good in medicines, layeth them in the sighte of the hunter, knowinge by nature, that he is hunted for the same, and so he escapeth deathe. The whiche Cicero in Scauriana affirmeth: sayinge, that he ransometh him with that parte of his bodyfor whiche he is moste pursued. Juvenall also saithe, that he geldeth him selfe, for the desire he hath to escape. This beast in shape is wonderfull, for his tayle onely is fishe, and all the other deale of his body hathe the fourme of a litle hounde. His hynder feete be as it were feete of an hounde, wherewith especially he goeth on the lande : and his twoo forefeete bene as it were the feet of a Goose, and therewith he chiefely swimmeth in the water. In runninge his is very slowe, Ob ventrem tumidum, & ad terram dendentem. His skinne is full pretious, and properly white.

Are you glad you're not a beaver in period? John Bossewell doesn't have a good life ahead for you...

Charges - Towers and Castles

2011-07-08T22:27:00.001+10:00

In SCA heraldry, the terms tower and castle are often used interchangeably, or with a castle being similar to two or more castles joined by a wall. However in Display of Heraldrie (1611), Guillim gives these examples:

The first device given is blazoned thusly:

Hee beareth Argent, a Towre triple towred Sable, chained transverse the Port Or, by the name of Oldcastle.

This is similar to the tower used in SCA heraldry, though the 'chained transverse the port' is an nice addition.

The other example is blazoned as follows, and then the distinction is further explained.

He beareth Or, a Castle triple-towred Gules, the Port displaied of the Field, Leaved Argent. Note, that when the Architecture or Masonrie extendeth it selfe all over the Field from the one side of the Escocheon to the other, then it must bee named a castle. But if it be thus Turretted and environed by the Field, then must it be blazoned (as above) a Towre triple-towred, or a Tower with so many Turrets. The Gate must bee conceived to be transparent, so as the Field doth manifestly shew it selfe thorow the same: and all the Port should have Or, if the conceited shadow representing the thicknesse thereof, did not extenuate a great part of the same.

Unfortunately, the facsimile of the book that I'm working from is not coloured, so it is more difficult to tell which part is meant by 'leaved'.

Arrangements - Debrused and Fret

2011-07-08T21:30:00.003+10:00

Occasionally when looking through period heraldry texts, one comes across charges in interesting arrangements not often seen in SCA heraldry. One such is 'debrused and fret'.

Hee beareth Or, a Lyon rampannt d'Ermine, debrused with two Barruletes, & fret with the thirde Sable.

Another notable feature of this device, from Bossewell's 1572 Workes of Armorie, is a living charge of complicated shape with an attractive

Augmentations - The Bordure

2011-07-08T20:57:00.002+10:00

The incorporation of the sovereign's arms into one's own heraldry was used in period, and is still used in the Society, as a display of great honour bestowed on an individual. The most common forms are by placing it on either a canton, a small square or rectangle in the dexter chief corner of the shield, or an inestucheon, a smaller shield placed somewhere on the shield.

However, in Display of Heraldrie (1611), Guillim gives an example of another method: the bordure.

He beareth Argent a bordure quarterly, as followeth: The first, Gules enury of three Lioncels passant guardant, Or. The second, azure, verdoy, of as many Flowers de Lices, Or. The third as the second : The fourth as the first. Such a Bordure did Henry Courtney Earle of Devon, and Marquesse of Exceter, beare, (who lived in the time of King Henrie the Eighth) environing the Royall Armes of England, which he received as an augmentation of honour.

This form of augmentation would adapt well to some SCA kingdoms. For example, the populace badge of Lochac would fit quite well, being quarterly with a cross, and four charges on the cross. Caid, on the other hand is very well-suited to a canton, being a single charge on a coloured field (however, a bordure semy of the Caidan cross would be quite good).

Tinctures in Period: Azure

2011-07-08T19:34:00.004+10:00

Blue, known in Blazon as Azure.

Boke of Saint Albans (1486)

Septimus lapis

A blue stone it is & it is cald asure in armys

The . vii . stone is calde a Saphyre a blew stone Asure hit is calde in armys . The vertue therof is . the gentilman that in his Cotearmure berith that stone : wyse and vertues in his werkyng in his kyngs batayll shall be . the wich is reserved to tronus crowne that was wyse and vertues in his kyngys batayll of hevyn whan they faught with Lucifer

Workes of Armorie (1572)

Blue, termed Azure, is compared to Jupiter, and to the Saphire.

The Saphire, is a Gemme skye coloured or Blewe, like to the Skye in the most faire wether. Amongest all the kyndes of Gemmes, it is one of the noblest and most royall, and therefore mete to be morne onely upon Kynges and Princes fyngers. Nothing in the worlde doth more recreate or delight the eyes then the Smaradge, & Saphire doe. It is mervelous effectuous agaynste all venyme. Wherefore, yf thou put a Spider into a Bore, it beyng shutt, & upon the mouth thereof thou layest the true Saphire, and do kepe the Spider within the same but a very short type, the Spider beyng vanquished and overcome by the vertue thereof, dyeth sodenly. [...] The Saphire for his soveraignetie, is called of the Lapidarie, the Gemme of Gemmes. In olde tyme in was consecrated onely to Apollo.

The Blazon of Gentrie (1586)

Once more, Ferne provides a listing of all those things which Azure can be compared unto.

The 4. cullor is lighte blew, called Azur, and signifieth in

1 - Planets. - Jupiter.
2 - Precious stones. - Saphyre.
3 - Vertues. - Justice and loyalty.
4 - Celestiall signes. - Taurus and Libra.
5 - Months. - Aprill and September.
6 - Days of the week. - Thurseday.
7 - Ages of Man. - Puerillitye or childishe yeers, (from 7. til 14. yeeres.)
8 - Flowres. - Blew Lilly.
9 - Elements. - Ayer.
10- Sesons of the yeer - Spring time.
11 - Complexions. - Sanguine
12 - Numbers. - 4. 9.
13 - Mettailes. - Copper.

Yet again, a tincture is compared to the Sanguine humour, the name of the attempted murrey coloured stain.

In the angelic system given later in the book, Azure is given to Thrones, and the virtue Wise & vertuous in working.

The Elements of Armories (1610)

In the ordering of tinctures given by Upton, Azure ranks third, below the metals, while in the orders of Leigh and Scohier, it ranks fourth, below Gules. On his own 'throne of colours', he places it fifth, standing on the third tier of the throne together with Gules.

Display of Heraldrie (1611)

In Guillim's estimation, blue is a colour mostly composed of red with some white, where modern colour theory would consider that to be the combination to create a light red or even pink.

Blew is a Colour which consisteth of much Red, and of little White, and doth represent the colour of the Skie in a cleere Sunne-shining day. This in Blazon is termed Azure.

In his table of the names used for the tinctures and their order, Guillim gives Azure the fourth place, as Azure. Saphire. Iupiter.

Tinctures in Period: Gules

2011-07-08T18:31:00.004+10:00

Red, known in Blazon as Gules.

Boke of Saint Albans (1486)

Sextus lapis

And thys stone is calde gowlys in armys

The . vi . stone is calde a Ruby a redly stone . gowlys it is calde in armys . the vertue therof is . the gentylman that in his Cotearmure that stone berith hote and full of corage in his gyngys batayll shall be . the wich stone is reserved in the principatis crowne that was hote brinnyng as fire in his kyngys batayll of hevyn whan thay faught with Lucifer

Workes of Armorie (1572)

Red, termed Gules, is compared to Mars, and to the Rubye or Carbuncle.

The Carbuncle, so warreth with the eye sight, that it sheweth manyfolde reflexions. It is founde in Libia.

The Blazon of Gentrie (1586)

Yet again, we are given a great range of comparisons for the tincture of Gules, along with a diversion into the metal known as Latten, which is a catch-all term for copper alloys including brass.

The 3. cullor is vermillion (called Gewls) and signifieth in

1 - Planets. - Mars.
2 - Precious stones. - Carbuncle, Ruby, and Corall.
3 - Vertues. - Charity and magnanimity.
4 - Celestiall signes. - Aries & Cancer.
5 - Months. - March, June, July.
6 - Days of the week. - Tuesday.
7 - Ages of Man. - Virillity or mans age, (From thirtie yeeres, til 40.)
8 - Flowres. - Gillofer and red rose.
9 - Elements. - Fier.
10- Sesons of the yeer - Sommer, and Harvest.
11 - Complexions. - Choler.
12 - Numbers. - 3. 10.
13 - Mettailes. - Latten.

This mettaile of Latten was of such estimation with the old Romaines, before they had found the use of gold and silver (as it is still with the barbarous and unnurtured people of Ameryca, which weare the same in Earerings & Bracelets) that the Romaines did also make rings of it, which were put on the fingers of their valiant souldiours, as some marke and reward of their valoir. By the commaundement of the old lawes of Armes, none might use this cullor of vermillion (representing in robes Scarlet) except he had beene prince, or thereunto licensed by the Soveraigne.

In the angelic system given later in the book, Gewles is given to the Principallities, with the vertue Hote of courage.

The Elements of Armories (1610)

In the ordering of tinctures given by Upton, Gules ranks fourth, below Azure, while in the orders of Leigh and Scohier, it ranks third, subordinate only to the honoured metals of Or and Argent. On his own 'throne of colours', he places it fourth, after Sable, standing on the third tier with Azure.

Display of Heraldrie (1611)

Guillim gives red as the colour of an exact mix of the two simple colours, black and white.

That Colour which is said to bee exactly compounded, doth participate of the two Simples indifferently, in a just proportion, as Red ; which Scribonius thus defineth : Rubedo est color æquali simul Albedinis & nigredinis combinatione constans. This colour representeth Fire, which is the chiefest of the Elements, and the lightsomest and cleerest, and in blazoning is termed Gules.

In his table of the names used for the tinctures and their order, Guillim gives Gules the third place, as Gules. Ruby. Mars.

Tinctures in Period: Argent

2011-07-04T18:39:00.005+10:00

Silver or White, known in Blazon as Argent.

Boke of Saint Albans (1486)

ixus lapis

A shinyng stonn and is calde Silver in armys

The . ix . stone is calde Carbuncle a shynyng stone . Silver hit is calde in armys . The vertue therof is : what gentilman that in his Cotearmure this stone berith . full dowghti glorious & shynyng in his kyngys batayll he shall be The wich stone was reserved in the Serophyns crowne : that was full doughti glorius & shining in his kings batayll of hevyn whan thei faught with Lucifer

Workes of Armorie (1572)

Silver, termed Argent, is compared to The Moone, and to The Pearle.

Pearles, were the onely meate, wherewith the Jewes lived long, havinge nothing els to eate, when the Citie of Jerusalem was besieged by Tytus, as witnesseth Josephus.

The Blazon of Gentrie (1586)

As with Or, Ferne treats the reader to a thorough treatment of the varied meanings.

The 2. cullor is white, & signifieth in

1 - Planets. - The Moone.
2 - Precious stones. - Margeuerit or pearle.
3 - Vertues. - Hope & innocency.
4 - Celestiall signes. - Scorpio and Pisces.
5 - Months. - October & November
6 - Days of the week. - Monday.
7 - Ages of Man. - Infancy. (The first 7. yeeres.)
8 - Flowres. - Lily and white rose.
9 - Elements. - Water.
10- Sesons of the yeer - Autumne.
11 - Complexions. - Flegmatique.
12 - Numbers. - 10. 11.
13 - Mettailes. - Silver.

In the angelic system given later in the book, Argent is given to Seraphins, with the virtue Full doughty & glorious.

The Elements of Armories (1610)

In all three orders of tinctures, by Upton, Leigh and Scohier, silver Argent ranks second, subordinate only to golden Or, while Bolton concedes that as colours, white is superior to yellow, being the purer of the two. On his own 'throne of colours', Argent ranks second, standing on the second tier alongside Sable.

Display of Heraldrie (1611)

Guillim considers white to be one of the two Simple colours, "to which black is contrary".

The colour white is resembled to the light, and the dignity thereof reckned more worthy then the blacke, by how much the light and the day is of more esteeme then darknesse and the night, whereunto blacke is likened. Furthermore white is accounted more worthy then blacke, in respect of the more worthy use thereof. For men in ancient time were accustomed to note things well and laudably performed (and esteemed worthy to be kept in memorie) with white, and contrarywise whatsoever was holden reprochful or dishonourable, was noted with blacke.

In his table of the names used for the tinctures and their order, Guillim gives Argent the second place, as Argent. Pearle. Luna.

Tinctures in Period: Or

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Gold or Yellow, known in the language of Blazon as Or (from the latin Aurum, for Gold)

Boke of Saint Albans (1486)

Primus lapis

The first stone is calde Topasion signyfiyng golde in armys.

This stone Topasion is a semy stone. and golde it is calde in armys. The vertue ther of is : that the gentilman the wiche thys stone in his cote armure berith a fare messangere in his kyngs batyll shalt be. The wich stone is reseved in the angelis crowne that was a trwe massanger and a sure in his kyngs batayll of heven whan they faught with Lucifer.

Workes of Armorie (1572)

Golde, termed Or, is compared to The Sunne, and to The Topace. Bossewell chooses to include (and even use) the planetary and gemstone systems of tincture.

Plinie saieth, that this Gemme is of grassie colour, although that in Germanie, it is founde like to Golde, and otherwhere, of that bygnes and quantitie, that Philadelphus is saide to have framed thereof and made an Image in length of foure Cubites.

The Blazon of Gentrie (1586)

Ferne gives a much more thorough treatment of the comparisons:

The I. cullor is yellow, & signifieth in

1 - Planets. - The Sun
2 - Precious stones. - Topazion & Chrysolith.
3 - Vertues. - Faith & constancy.
4 - Celestiall signes. - The Lion.
5 - Months. - July.
6 - Days of the week. - Sunday.
7 - Ages of Man. - Yong age of adolescentia. (From 14. till 20. yeeres.)
8 - Flowres. - The Marygold.
9 - Elements. - Ayre.
10- Sesons of the yeer - Spring time.
11 - Complexions. - Sanguine.
12 - Numbers. - 1. 2. 3.
13 - Mettailes. - Gold.

I find it interesting to note that Or is compared to the Sanguine complexion, whose name is occasionally used as a tincture of blood red colour.

Later in the book, he also gives comparisons of the tinctures to the orders of angels. Or is given to Angels, with the virtue of a sure messenger

The Elements of Armories (1610)

Bolton refers to three orders of tinctures, which give each their rank in precedence, by Upton, Leigh and Scohier. In all of them, golden Or is placed as the first, chief of all tinctures. However, as colours, white is taken as a degree above yellow. On his own 'throne of colours', Or ranks as the chief tincture, standing alone on the first tier.

Display of Heraldrie (1611)

Guillim sees white and black as pure colours, with red being an exact mix of the two. Between them, yellow is "compounded of much White, and a little Red, as if you should take two parts of White, and but one of Red" and commonly called GoldYellow.

And therefore such is the worthinesse of this Colour which doth resemble it, that (as Christine de Pice holdeth) none ought to beare the same in Armes, but Emperours and Kings, and such as be of the Bloud Royall, though indeed it be in use more common. And as this metall excelleth all other in value, puritie and finesse ; so ought the Bearer (as much as in him lieth) indevour to surpasse all other in Prowesse and Vertue.

In his table of the names used for the tinctures and their order, Guillim gives Or the first place, as Or. Topaze. Sol.

Welcome to the Herald's Corner

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Greetings, courteous reader.

Thank you for visiting the Herald's Corner, my new site about heraldry in the Society for Creative Anachronism. I am Lord Alexander a la Fontayne, currently serving as Cordon Rouge Herald in the fair Barony of Politarchopolis, in the Kingdom of Lochac. I will be posting information on a variety of heraldic subjects, both in period and as it differs in the SCA.