Difference between revisions of "Escutcheon"

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Escutcheon often the term used in [[heraldry]] for the shield displayed in a [[coat of arms]]. An inescutcheon is a smaller escutcheon borne within a larger escutcheon. The term crest is often used incorrectly to designate this part of the coat of arms. [[Image:Heraldry shield Diagram.png|frame|Examples of common Escutcheon shapes]]
  
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The term "escutcheon" also refers to the shield-like shape on which arms are often borne. The escutcheon shape is based on the Medieval shields that were used by [[knights]] in combat. Since this shape has been regarded as a war-like device appropriate to men only, ladies customarily bear their arms upon a [[lozenge]], or diamond-shape, while clergymen bear theirs on a [[cartouche]], or [[oval]].
  
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Shields may also be divided into three parts: this is called tierced, as in tierced per pale, azure, argent and gules (though in British heraldry this is not done and the foregoing shield would be blazoned [as the pale is supposed to be one-third of the width of the field and is always so depicted under these circumstances] per pale azure and gules, a pale argent.) A particular type of tiercing, resembling a Y in shape (division lines per bend and bend sinister coming down from the chief, meeting at the fess point, and continuing down per pale), is called per pall.
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Derived from its meaning in heraldry, the term "escutcheon" can be used to represent a family and its honour. A family member who does something shameful can be described as a "blot on the escutcheon."
  
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Shields may also be divided into three parts by a combination of two methods of division, such as party per fess, in chief per pale. Another example is in the arms of Clive Cheesman: per pale and per pall.
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See [[Divisions of the Field]]
  
 
[[Category:Heraldry Terms]]
 
[[Category:Heraldry Terms]]

Latest revision as of 14:31, 26 February 2009

Escutcheon often the term used in heraldry for the shield displayed in a coat of arms. An inescutcheon is a smaller escutcheon borne within a larger escutcheon. The term crest is often used incorrectly to designate this part of the coat of arms.

Examples of common Escutcheon shapes

The term "escutcheon" also refers to the shield-like shape on which arms are often borne. The escutcheon shape is based on the Medieval shields that were used by knights in combat. Since this shape has been regarded as a war-like device appropriate to men only, ladies customarily bear their arms upon a lozenge, or diamond-shape, while clergymen bear theirs on a cartouche, or oval.

Derived from its meaning in heraldry, the term "escutcheon" can be used to represent a family and its honour. A family member who does something shameful can be described as a "blot on the escutcheon."

See Divisions of the Field

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