Boar

Argent, three boar's
heads couped sable armedOr

bohr

Alternate Terms: Grice, Hog, Marcassin, Porc, Verres

The boar is one of the ancient charges of heraldry. With the exception of the lion, it is the only beast borne in the roll of Henry III.
This word implies the wild-boar, and occurs perhaps more frequently in Scottish than in English coats of arms. It was called with the old heralds sanglier. A young wild-boar is termed a Grice, and is borne by families of that name. The term Marcassin is also used for a young wild-boar, and this should be represented with tail hanging down, instead of twisted. The term Hog and Porc are also employed.

The boar, besides being represented in the various ways common to other animals, e.g. passant, rampant, statant, etc., may be represented enraged. It may also be represented crined, tusked, cleyed, membered, unguled, armed, bristled, etc.

More frequently the heads were borne than the whole animal, and are represented as lying lengthways, unless expressed otherwise. The snout is in some French arms of a different tincture. It should be stated whether the heads are couped or erased.
“Argent, a boar passant gules armed Or” – Trewarthen.
“Vert, a boar Or” – boar.
“Argent, on a bend sable three grices passant of the first” – Grice.
“Argent, on a mount vert a boar passant sable crined Or” – Kellet, co. Cork.
“Argent, a fesse between two boars passant sable tusked, cleyed, and membered Or; on the fesse a rose between two eagles displayed of the fourth” – Bushe, Bishop of Bristol, 1542-54.
“Argent, a boar passant sable enraged and unguled gules” – Perrot.
“Or, a Hog lying fesswise, a raven feeding on his back sable” – Danskine, Scotland.
“Argent, a chevron between three porcs sable”? Swynethwayte.
“Argent, three boar's heads couped sable armed Or” – Cradock.

Boat

boat

Alternate Terms: Bark, Boat-Hook, Boat-Oar, Lighter-Boat, Open Boat, Raft, Skiff

Besides the larger ships, which are somewhat frequent, there are smaller vessels of various kinds used as charges, which may better be classed with the boat. Lighter-boat, open boat, bark, skiff, and raft. Boat-hooks, also the boat-oars are borne separately. A common boat is the crest of the family of Ames.
“Sable, in base on open boat with oars in a sea proper, on a chief Argent three crescents vert” – MacNab.
“Barry, wavy of six Argent and azure, on the middle bar a boat Or; on a chief of the second two oars in saltire of the third between two cushions of the first tasselled Or” – Company of Watermen (Inc. 1556).
“Or, a lighter-boat in fesse gules, (in one blazoning, a lighter vessel without masts)” – De Wolfo, Swevland.
“azure, three barks Or” – Ayer.
“Argent, a boar .... a skiff with oars sable between the two in base” – O'Malley, co. Mayo.
“gules, a raft or float removed Or” – Bretvill
“Per pale gules and Or, two boar-oars in saltire azure” – Torrance

Boltant

Alternate Term: Bolting

Said of a hare or rabbit springing forward.
Bolting; springing forward. (Used of a hare or rabbit.)

Bombshell

a bombshell

bahm'shehl

Alternate Term: Grenade

A fire ball; a projectile of oval shape.

Bones

Sable, two shin-bones
in saltire, proper, the
sinister surmounted by
the dexter

Argent, on a chevron
gules, three human skulls
of the first

bohnz

Alternate Terms: Skull, Skulls

It is singular that human bones should be so frequently chosen as devices for coats of arms, and it will be found that they are separated into varieties in the blazoning, though probably the shank bone, thigh bone, and leg bone are generally intended for the same, viz. the femur. By the shin bone is probably meant the tibia.

So far as has been observed in all cases the bones are intended for human bones.

The human skull, or death's head, also is borne, but not frequently. The jaw-bone also occurs occasionally.
“Sable, two shin-bones in saltire, proper, the sinister surmounted by the dexter” – Newton.
“Sable, a shin-bone in pale, proper, surmounted of another in fesse” – Baynes, Cumb. (The family seem to have borne originally a saltire.)
“Sable, two shank-bones in cross, that in pale surmounting the one in fesse Argent” – Baines, York.
“Or three broken shank-bones fesswise in pale gules” – de Costa
“Argent, on a chevron gules, three human skulls of the first” – Bolter
“Sable, a chevron between three human skulls Argent” – Boulter
“Paly of six, Or and gules, a jaw-bone in pale azure” – Damboys

Bonnet

bon'neht

The velvet cap within a coronet.

Book

a Bible	a song book
Azure, on an open book proper, having on the dexter side seven seals Or, between three ducal coronets of the last the words DOMINVS ILLVMINATIO MEA -- Oxford Univerity

book

Alternate Terms: Bible, Song Book

Books are borne in arms, either open, as in those of the University of Oxford, or closed, as in those of the University of Cambridge and the Company of Stationers. Their position, and clasps or seals, if they have any, should be mentioned.
“azure, on an open book proper, having on the dexter side seven seals or (Rev. V. 1), between three ducal coronets of the last the words Dominvs Illvminatio Mea. (PS. xxvii. 1.)” – University of Oxford.
“Argent, three books closed gules, leaved, clasped, and garnished Or” – Paynter, Norfolk.
“gules, a clasped book upon between three buck's heads erased Or” – Seal of John Buckner (Bishop of Chichester, 1798-1824).
Amongst books the Bible is the one most frequently mentioned by name.
“Vert, in chief, the holy Bible expanded proper, in base a sand-glass running Argent” – Joass, Scotland.
“Argent, on a fesse gules, three Bibles of the second garnished Or, a falcon volant between two suns of the last” – Slamberg
“Argent, an eagle displayed double-headed sable, armed gules, on a chief azure a book of the Holy Scriptures, open proper, stringed Or” – W. Morgan, Bishop of Llandaff, 1549.
“azure, on a chevron or between three Bibles fessewise, clasp downwards gules, garnished and leaved of the second, an eagle rising proper enclosed by two red roses seeded or barbed vert; from the chief a demi-circle of glory edged with clouds proper, therein a dove displayed and nimbed Argent” – Company of Stationers, London (Incorporated 1556).
“Argent, a chevron azure between three pheons gules; on a chief of the second an open Holy Bible proper edged and sealed Or, inscribed, Proverbs, cap. xxii. ver. 6, enclosed by two crosses flory of the last” – Johnson.
The Music, or Song-book, borne by the parish clerks of London, is of oblong form, and similar to that in the margin. Musical lines also occur, consisting of five parallel lines of music extending across the shield horizontally.
“azure, a fleur de lis Or; on a chief gules a leopard's head between two song-books (shut) of the second, stringed vert” – Company of Parish Clerks, (Inc. 1233, arms granted 1582.)
“azure, on a fesse Argent 5 musical lines sable charged with a rose gules, and two escallops of the third in chief .... etc.” – Tetlow, Lancaster. (arms granted, 1760.)

Boot

an Irish brogue

boots

Alternate Terms: Antique Boot, Dutch Boot, Irish Brogue, Shoe, Shoes

The boot is referred to under different designations, e.g. the Irish brogue, the Dutch boot, Antique boot, etc.: with these should be named the shoe.
“Argent, a boot sable, top turned down Or, soled gules” – boot.
“Or, three boots sable” – Hussey.
“Argent, three antique boots sable, spurs Or” – Mann.
“Argent, two Dutch boots, the soles erect, embowed at the knee and endorsed sable, issuant out of a pile in base vert, spurred Or” – Boote.
“Argent, a shoe proper, on a canton per chevron gules and ermine, three covered cups Or, two and one” – O'Haga.
“Argent, three men's boots sable” – Coker, co. Dorset.
“gules, a chevron between three brogues Or” – Arthure, Ireland.

Border Compony

bor"der kom-po"nee

This should be composed of 16 pieces. It implies augmentation, or, in more recent times, illegitimacy.

Bordure

Purpure, a bordure agent

bor"dure

Alternate Term: Border

One of the ordinaries, being a narrow border around the edge of the field.
A border one fifth the width of the shield, surrounding the field. It is usually plain, but may be charged.
The bordure is a strip around the border of the device, about one-fifth of the thickness of the device. Historically it is used to distinguish different branches of the same family. It is often charged.
The border of an escutcheon, occupying one-fifth of the shield. It is sometimes the mark of a younger branch of a family; and, again, when charged, may refer to maternal descent, especially in ancient heraldry. When used in an impaled coat the bordure is not continued around the inner side. “In blazoning arms the bordure is placed over all ordinaries except the chief, the quarter and the canton. It has no diminutives, but may at times be surmounted by another of half its width. When a bordure is bezante, billette or has similar markings, the number of bezants or billets, unless otherwise mentioned, is always eight.” (Gloss. of Her.)
It is generally used as the mark of a younger branch of a family. charged bordures in ancient armoury are supposed to allude to maternal descent. In some cases they are possibly augmentations. It is, however, evident from the bordure being sometimes the only charge in a coat, that it is a distinct and original bearing. The bordure is placed over all ordinaries, except the chief, the quarter, and the canton, which invariably surmount it, with perhaps some few exceptions, which are in such cases to be specially described.

Bottoned

bot"toned

Having bottonies, buttons, round buds or knots. They are generally displayed in threes. The term is essentially the same as treffled (trefoiled).

Bottony

a cross bottony

bot"ton-ee

Alternate Term: Modulata

A bud-like projection, of which three are generally together.
Having a bud or button, or a kind of trefoil, at the end; furnished with knobs or buttons.

Bourchier's Knot

Bourchier's Knot

This device is many times repeated upon the tomb of Archbishop Bourchier (1486) at Canterbury, hence the name. It appears also in the east window of the Dean's chapel in that cathedral, where it is tinctured Or.

Bourdonnee

a cross potent

With the extremity shaped like the handle of a pilgrim's staff; as, a cross bourdonnee. This was the original cross on the arms of Jerusalem, now blazoned a cross potent.

Bow

boh

The bow occurs in heraldry occasionally, though not as frequently as might have been expected, it was once an essential weapon of war.

Bowen's Knot

Bowen's Knot

The Bowen's Knot is a name which is given to a Knot known at the Tristram or true-lovers’ Knot, and which is figured as below; but with the French the lacs d'amour, which sometimes occurs, is figured rather differently.
“gules, a chevron between three tristram or true-love knots Argent” – Bowen. (Sir James Abowen, - also Archbishop Owen and Bowen.)
“gules, a chevron between in chief two true-love knots, in base a lion rampant Or” – Sir Jamys ap Owain.
“Or, on a chevron gules a true-lovers’ Knot of the first” – Town of Stafford.
“azure, a lion rampant or, in a true-love Knot Argent between four fleurs de lys, their stalks bending towards the centre of the second” ?Hoghe.

Braced

brased

Interlaced, interfretted.

Breathing

a stag breathing

Equiv. to At Gaze.

Brick

brihk

Somewhat resembling a billet, but showing its thickness in perspective.

Bridge

a bridge

Or, on a bridge of three
arches gules, masoned
sable, the streams transfluent
proper, a fane argen

brihdj

Alternate Term: Pont

When this charge occurs, the number of its arches, and all its other peculiarities, should be carefully noticed in the blazon. The charge occurs in the insignia of several towns, e.g. Bideford, Bridgwater, Grampound, etc.
“gules, a bridge of one arch Argent, masoned sable, with a stream transfluent proper” – bridge, Scotland.
“gules, three bridges of as many arches..” – Craig, Ireland.
“azure, a bridge of two arches Argent” – Pount
“Or, on a bridge of three arches gules, masoned sable, the streams transfluent proper, a fane Argent” – Trowbridge, Wilts.

Brisure

brih-shur"

(French) A mark of cadency or difference.

Broad Arrow

a broad arrow

brahd ar'row

The head represents a pheon, except the engrailing, or jagging, on the inner edge is wanting.

Broom

Planta-genista

broom

Alternate Terms: Broom-branch, Broom-branches, Broomslip, Broomslips

Common wild shrub of this name is the Cytisus scoparius of botanists, the Planta-genista (fr. gen�t) of old writers. A sprig of this shrub was chosen as the badge of the royal house of Plantagenet, who are said to have derived their surname from the circumstance of one of their ancestors having worn a branch of broom is his helmet, either by way of penance, or in token of humility, of which the broom is a symbol. It appears on the Great Seals of Ric. I.

Louis IX., of France, also instituted an order of knighthood under the name of this flower, with the motto EXALTAT HUMILES.
“azure, a hand erect between three broomslips proper” – Broome, Salop.
“Vert, semy of broomslips, and over all a lion rampant Or” – Sandde Harde, Denbigh.
“Argent, three broom-branches vert” – Brome, Somerset.

Bucket

a bucket

buhk"et

Of buckets there are several varieties. The most usually borne in arms in the common well-bucket, but they are sometimes hooped and have feet; they are sometimes blazoned dossers. See also Water-bouget.
“Argent, three well-buckets with feet sable, hoops and handles Or” – Pemberton, Yorkshire.
“Argent, an annulet suspending two buckets saltire-wise sable between three fleurs de lys gules” – Bannister
“Argent, a fess between three pails sable hooped and handled Or” – Fitz How.

Buckle

a buckle	an oval buckle
a square buckle

buhk"l

Alternate Terms: Boucle, Fermaille

From an early period buckles were used as charges.
Sire William Rosselyn de “azure iij fermaus de Or” – Roll, temp. ED. II.
Sire Peres Rosselyn de “goules a iij fermauls de Argent” – Ibid.
Sire Robert Malet de “sable a un cheveron e iij fermals de Argent” – Ibid.

Bugle-Horn

a bugle-horn	Argent, a torteau between three bugle-horns gules stringed Or -- Varnek
a bugle-horn stringe

byoo"gl horn

Alternate Terms: Hanchet, Huchet

This is generally painted with its cords, and with the larger end toward the dexter side.
“Argent, a torteau between three bugle-horns gules stringed Or” – Verneck, Baron Huntingfield.
“Argent, a bugle-horn sable, stringed gules” – Downes.
“Argent, a bugle-horn sable garnished gules, within the baldrick a mullet, in chief three holly-leaves proper” – Burnet, Bishop of Salisbury, 1689.
“Argent, an arrow Or, feathered gules, between three bugle-horns stringed sable, and interlacing the flower one” – Hale, Devon.
“Vert, three greyhounds courant Argent, on a chief of the last as many bugle-horns sable, stringed gules” – Hunter.

Builler

A wild bull.

Bull

a bull passant

Bendy wavy argent and
azure, an ox gules passing
over a ford proper -
City of Oxford

buhl

Alternate Terms: Boeuf, Buffalo, Buffaloe, Buffaloes, Buffle, Calf, Cow, Cows, Moile, Mule, Mules, Ox, Oxen, Taureau, Vache, Veau

Rare in ancient rolls of arms, but in later times tolerably frequent; and we find also the ox, the cow, and the calf all duly blazoned; the latter is distinguished in heraldry by the absence of the horns: the term buffalo (fr. buffle) is rarely used in English blazon for bull. The charge is often used associated with the name, as in the case of Oxford, Oxendon, etc.
A bull may be horned, hoofed, unguled, and armed of a different tincture; and it may be collared, and even belled. Moile (drawn erroneously as mule) is really an ox without horns.
“Bendy wavy Argent and azure, an ox gules passing over a ford proper” – City of Oxford (according to some; according to others, “Argent, an ox gules, armed and unguled Or, passing a ford of water in base proper”).
“ermine, a bull passant gules armed and unguled Or” – Beville.
“Argent, a chevron between three bulls passant sable” – Oxendon.
“Or, a bull passant sable collared and belled gold” – Hull, Dorset (? temp. Hen. III.).
“Argent, an ox passant gules, through reeds proper” – Ridley

Burgonee

Applied to a Fleur-de-lis with ?petals? about to open like buds.

Bute

boote

One of the pursuivants of the Lord Lyon's Court, Scotland.

Butterfly

butterflies
a harvest-fly

but"ter-fly'

Alternate Terms: Harvest Flies, Harvest Fly, Papillon

This insects is generally borne volant en arriere, its four wings being expanded. When borne so, it is not necessary to add any intimation of its position.

The harvest-fly is nearly similar, but shews two wings only, and the legs prominently shewn. What it is intended to represented it is impossible to say.
“Argent, two bars between three butterflies volant sable” – Flemings.
“gules, a griffin passant, wings elevated Argent; on a canton indented or, a butterfly volant azure” – Butterfield, Surrey.
“Argent, on a bend azure, three butterflies Or” – Butterwike
“Argent, on a bend sable, three butterflies of the first” – Boterford, Devon.
“azure, a harvest-fly volant Argent” – butterfly.
“Sable, a harvest-fly, volant en arriere” – Bolour or Bolowre