The origin of this addition to the external ornaments of the escutcheon may be traced to the practice which originally prevailed in the regulation of tournaments. Some days prior to the tournament taking place, each knight desirous of entering the lists was required to hang up his shield, upon which his arms were emblazoned, at the place appointed by the prince or nobleman that proclaimed the tournament, that they might be examined by the heralds, to prevent unqualified persons entering the lists. Each shield thus exhibited was guarded or supported by the servants of the knight to whom it belonged, and to disguise their livery these guardians of the shield assumed the appearance of savages, Moors, lions, griffins, and various other animals. In after times, on the creation of a peer, the Heralds selected the supporters they deemed most appropriate, having some allusion either to the deeds, name, title, arms, or motto of the newly-created peer. SURMOUNTED. A figure or bearing having another over it. [Illustration: Surmounted] Ex. Gules, a sword erect in pale, argent, surmounted by two keys, saltier, or. SURTOUT. The French word for "over all." See ESCUTCHEON OF PRETENCE and OVER ALL. TALBOT. A dog formerly used for hunting. It is formed something between a hound and a beagle, with a large snout, and long, round, thick ears. [Illustration: Talbot] Ex. Argent, a talbot's head erased, seme of billets. TENNE, or TAWNEY. One of the tinctures used in emblazoning arms. It signifies orange colour, and is represented in engraving by lines drawn diagonally from the sinister to the dexter side of the shield, traversed by perpendicular lines from the base to the chief. [Illustration: Tiara] TIARA. The Pope's mitre, with its triple crowns. TINCTURE. A term used in Heraldry to express colour. TOPAZ. The name of a precious stone, formerly used instead of or, in emblazoning the arms of the English nobility. TORTEAUX. Red roundlets. [Illustration: Torteaux] Ex. Argent, three torteaux in bend, sinister. TOURNAMENTS were combats of honour, in which persons of noble birth entered the lists to gain reputation in feats of arms. The name is derived from _tourner_, to turn, from the horsemen turning frequently as they rode round the enclosure, and during the course of the engagement. The design of tournaments was to train the nobility to the use of arms; none, therefore, were admitted to these sports but persons of noble birth, who could prove their descent, at least, by three generations. They were also required to be men of unspotted honour and integrity. It was customary for princes, on some public festivity or rejoicing, to appoint a day for these entertainments, and give public notice to the knights in their own territories, as well as in the neighbouring states.