Heraldry as art: An account of its development and practice, chiefly in EnglandEve, G. W. (George William)
History
Heraldry as art: An account of its development and practice, chiefly in England
Eve, G. W. (George William)
Heraldry -- Great Britain
ROUNDELS.--Circular charges whose names differ according to their
tincture. Thus a roundel or is supposed to be a flat piece of gold
and is called a Bezant after Byzantium. A roundel arg. is a Plate; a
roundel gules is a Torteau; the Hurt is azure; the Pellet or Ogress is
sable; the Pomme is vert. Ancient armorists also mention Golpes, which
are purpure; Guzes, sanguine; and Oranges, tenné; but these are not
actually used in English heraldry. Another roundel, called a Fountain,
is barry-wavey arg. and az., and is further alluded to under its name
(Fig. 250). The use of the heraldic names of the various roundels
is not obligatory, however, their description by tinctures, like
other charges, being equally correct. They are frequently themselves
charged and may be of ermine or other fur, and be treated in every
way as other flat spaces. Their treatment in relief or otherwise is
largely a matter of taste, and whether a roundel be treated as flat
or globular must depend on the character of the surrounding work. The
frequently made suggestion that bezants and plates, being derived
from flat objects, should always be flat, while others should always
be globular, would often be awkward if carried out in practice,
especially in sculpture; and even if the derivations be correct, a
roundel as a circular object without other qualification is just as
conceivable as a roundel derived from a coin. Suitability to the
general design seems to be the governing factor here as elsewhere.
[Illustration: FIG. 276.]
[Illustration: FIG. 277.]
PORTCULLIS.--A strong grille for the protection of a fortified
gateway. It was made of heavy beams securely clamped together and shod
with iron, and is represented with the chains on either side by which
it was suspended. The example (Fig. 276) is from the Chartulary of
Westminster Abbey, where it forms part of the painted decoration of
the MS. as one of the favourite badges of Henry VII. It has given a
name to one of the pursuivants of arms, and as part of the armorials
of the city of Westminster is one of the most familiar charges.
QUATREFOIL (Fig. 277).--A four-leaved charge, derived from clover or
from a four-petalled flower.
SHAKEFORK (Fig. 278).--An unusual charge which occurs in the Arms of
Cunningham.
[Illustration: FIG. 278.]
[Illustration: FIG. 279.]
[Illustration: FIG. 280.]
SPADE.--Emblematic of agriculture and industry. It is of great variety
of form. Figs. 279 and 280 are fifteenth and sixteenth century forms
of these implements, which were usually of wood shod with iron, as in
the examples.
[Illustration: FIG. 281.]
[Illustration: FIG. 282.]
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