ANNULET. A small circle borne as a charge in coats of arms. [Illustration: Annulet] Ex. Azure, an annulet argent. Annulets are added to arms for a difference. See DIFFERENCES, p. 13. [CHAP. III.] ANCIENT. A small flag or ensign. The bearer of the flag was called by its name. _Iago_ was ancient to the troops commanded by _Othello_. "This is Othello's ancient, as I take it. The same indeed, a very valiant fellow." SHAKSPEARE. ARCHBISHOPS. Church dignitaries of the first class. There are but two in England--the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Archbishop of York. The former is the first peer of England next to the royal family, and has the title of _Grace_ given to him; and likewise _Most Reverend Father in God_. He is styled Primate of all England, and Metropolitan. The Archbishop of York has precedence of dukes and great officers of state, except the lord chancellor. He is called _His Grace_ and _Most Reverend Father in God_; and styled _Primate of England_ and _Metropolitan_. ARGENT. The French word for silver, of which metal all white fields or charges are supposed to consist. [Illustration: Argent] ARMED. This word is used to express the horns, hoofs, beak, or talons of any beast or bird of prey, when borne of a different tincture from those of their bodies. [Illustration: Armed] Ex. Crest, a demi-griffin armed, gules. ARMORIST. A person skilled in the bearings of coats of arms, and all relating to their emblazonment. ARMS. A word derived from the Latin _arma_, which signifies in Heraldry a mark of honour, serving to distinguish states, cities, families, &c. ARROWS. Short darts feathered at the ends. [Illustration: Arrows] Ex. Argent, three arrows paleways, points in chief sable, feathered. ASPECTANT. Animals placed face to face in a charge are said to be aspectant. If they are about to attack each other, they are said to be combatant. ASSUMPTIVE. Arms assumed without being sanctioned by a grant from the College of Heralds. ASSURGENT. A man or beast rising out of the sea is said to be assurgent. ATCHIEVEMENT. The coat of arms fully emblazoned according to the rules of Heraldry. The lozenge-shaped atchievements that are displayed on the outside of the houses of persons deceased are commonly called Hatchments. ATTIRED. When the horns of a stag are of a different tincture to its head, it is said to be attired. [Illustration: Attired] Ex. Argent, a stag lodged, proper, attired, or AUGMENTATION. This word signifies in Heraldry a particular mark of honour, granted by the sovereign in consideration of some noble action, or by favour; and either quartered with the family arms, or on an escutcheon or canton. [Illustration: Augmentation] Ex. Ermine, on a chevron azure, three foxes' heads erased, argent. The augmentation is in a canton azure, a fleur-de-lis argent.