_Label_, or _File_. A narrow ribbon placed across the field of a shield near the chief, and having three, five, or sometimes other numbers of _points_ depending from it, its object being to _mark Cadency_. In the early Labels the number of the points was arbitrary, the usual numbers being five and three; and, subsequently, three points were almost universally used; the object always was to render the Label conspicuous. In blazon a Label is supposed to have three points; but, if more, the number is to be specified; thus, No. 271 is simply “_a Label_,” but No. 272 is “_a Label of five points_.” Labels appear early in the thirteenth century, and in the next century they are in constant use. Various charges may be placed on the “points” of Labels to extend their capacity for “differencing.” Since the time of EDWARD the BLACK PRINCE the Label of the PRINCE OF WALES has been plain silver. The Label is almost exclusively (now without any exception) used in Royal Cadency; but, in modern Heraldry, in the case of all other persons it is the peculiar mark of the eldest son. The Label is also found as a charge. It has become a usage in the degenerate days of Heraldry to represent the Label as in No. 273, instead of the earlier and far preferable forms of Nos. 271, 272. [Illustration: Nos. 271-273.--Labels.] [Illustration: No. 274.--Lacy Knot.] _Lacy Knot._ No. 274. _Lambrequin._ A mantling. _Langued._ A term which refers to the tincture of an animal’s tongue. _Leaves._ Their peculiarities are to be blazoned, as _laurel leaves_, _oak leaves_, &c. _Leopard_, _Leopardé._ See page 84. _Letters of the Alphabet_ sometimes are Charges. Thus, the Arms of the Deanery of Canterbury are--_Az., on a cross arg., the letter “x” surmounted by the letter “i” sable:_ the “x” is on the cross at the intersection of its limbs, and the “i” is above it. _Line_, or _Border Line_. No. 38. _Lined._ Having a cord attached: also, having a lining. _Lion._ See page 83. _Lioncel._ A lion drawn to a small scale, and generally rampant, Nos. 114, 115, 197. _Livery Colours._ Of the PLANTAGENETS, as one family, _white and scarlet_; of the house of YORK, _blue and murrey_; of the house of LANCASTER, _white and blue_; of the house of TUDOR, _white and green_. The present Royal Livery is _scarlet and gold_. In the Middle Ages, all great families had their own livery colours, which had no necessary relation to the tinctures of the shield. _Lodged._ A term denoting animals of the chase when at rest or in repose, Nos. 25, 26. _Lozenge._ A square figure set diagonally, No. 47 (also see page 69). The armorial insignia of unmarried ladies and widows, with the sole exception of a Sovereign, are blazoned on a Lozenge instead of an Escutcheon. _Lozengy._ A field divided lozengewise: No. 145. _Luce_, or _Lucy_. The fish now called pike. See page 77 and No. 164. _Lure._ See _In Lure_.