Heraldry - B
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Glossary

Medieval Heraldry A to Z - B

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Designs, or coat of arms, were invented to help recognise one person from another. How far back this idea was first put into practice is not known but from the first half of the twelfth century (1100-1150) knights began to use designs on their flags and shields to identify themselves in battle and in tournaments. The designs commonly passed down from one generation to the next and became means of identifying an entire family and not just a single person. The term 'coat of arms' comes the the surcoat, a textile garment, that was worn over the armour and was decorated with the same design as the shield.

Basilisk

The Basilisk is a monster. Could also be a Cockatrice. It can be shown as a serpent or a two-legged dragon with a rooster's head, and sometimes a dragon's head on its tail.

Bar

The Bar is an ordinary similar to the Fess but narrower. Multiple Bars can be placed on a shield unlike the Fess where only one is allowed.

Bar Gemel

Bar gemels consist to two Bars placed close together. Normally multiple are placed on the shield.

Barry

When the shield is dividied into several horizontal Bars. Usually an even number.

Barry of 8

Specify the number of Bars.

Bee

The humble bee is a symbol for industiousness.

Bat

Bend

A Bend is a band running from the upper left (dexter) corner of the shield to the lower right (sinister). The Bend covers a third of the shield.

Bend Sinister

A Bend sinister is a band running from the upper right (sinister) corner of the shield to the lower left (dexter). The Bend covers a third of the shield.

Bendlet

A smaller version of the Bend and can be placed more than once on the shield.

Bendy

Covers the shields in many bendlets. The number can be specified as shown here with a number of 8.

Bendwise

Descibes a charge lying in the direction of the bend.

Bezant (Roundel)

A Roundel is a circular charge in heraldry. Roundels are typically a solid colour and because they were so popular roundels of certain colours were given names. The Bezant in medieval times was a gold coin so a yellow (Or) roundel is known as a Bezant.

Blazon

Blazon is a verbal or written description of the shield. The decsription should be detailed enough to allow an accurate recreation of the design. There are specific rules as to how the shield is described. For example the strict rule is not to repeat the name of a colour or number.

Billet

A billet is a small rectangular shape. It may be meant to resemble a paper document or block and symbolizes reliability, learning, or official service. If the field is covered with mutiple billets the field is described as billety.

Boat

A simple boat, as opposed to a Lymphad, may signify just travel or fishing. Possibly belonging to someone who is associated with the sea or a river.

Bordure

A bordure is a band of contrasting colour (tincture) that forms a border around the edge of a shield, traditionally one-sixth as wide as the shield itself. A bordure may be used to identify branches of a family.

Bordure Compony

When an ordinary is described as compony it is made up of alternating metal and colour, colour and fur or fur and metal. Compony can be used by an illegitimate son who is acknowledged but barred from inheritance of heir's estates.

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