What is Heraldry?

    Heraldry, the art and science of genealogy and of armorial bearings. In military affairs, the herald was an officer sent as a messenger by a sovereign or a general to one in equal authority—a sort of mili­tary ambassador. The costume of a her­ald was emblazoned with the armorial bear­ings of his master. None other might wear it. He was expected to conduct himself with dignity as befitted the representative of a sovereign. Whatever his message he must be allowed to depart in peace. In the medieval ages the herald was a man of char­acter, an authority on all such questions as genealogy, rank, official precedence, courts of arms, emblems, flags, etc.
    The science of heraldry included the badges and emblems on shields, helmets, and banners. In England, as early as 1483, the science of heraldry was committed to the Herald's College, or College of Arms, at London. In Scotland the corresponding institution was the Lyon Court. None might display a family crest, device. or figure without permission from the authorities. The marking of the kite-shaped escutcheon or shield with armorial bearings was a matter of gravest concern. The materials were gold or silver. Five colors were in use,—red, blue, black, green, and purple. They were known in heraldry as gules, azure, sable, vert, and purple. Each had its special significance. The various combinations of lines and points are too numerous to mention, and too intricate for the understanding of other than a specialist.
    "The knights in the early days of her­aldry ransacked the animal, the vegetable, and mineral kingdom, as well as the range of things natural and artificial, for cognizance which would be distinctive and at the same time suggestive of the name and of the bearer of them."The lion, leopard, bear, boar, bull, and stag in various positions were employed. Of birds, the eagle, the martin, the pelican, the swati, the falcon, the raven, the parrot, and the peacock were adopted. The scallop shell was significant of a pilgrim. The dolphin, the griffin, dragon, unicorn, basilisk, and even the harpy, appeared in coats of arms. Prominent in badges were the sun, moon, and stars. Even prosaic objects, such as helmets, buckles, horseshoes, swords, arrows, staves, spurs, water bags, and trumpets were employed as devices. The rose, trefoil, various leaves, sheaves of corn, trees torn up by the root, and especially the fleur-de-lis, were adopted as family emblems.
    If the distinction between ermine and vair, bend and bend sinister, St. Andrew's cross and cross maltese, sejant and couchant seem trivial, it may be said in reply that, while such matters belong peculiarly to people of leisure, they are quite as intellectual and much more artistic than the advertising devices on which the present day civilization spends so much time and money.