Glossary
Medieval Heraldry A to Z - B
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. Click the shield to see more detail.
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.
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.
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.
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. Glossary Page Navigation Medieval Castles Types of castles Types of keep Other details
