Pean.—Sable, powdered with or spots. Fig. 35.
Vair is formed by a number of small bells, or shields, of one tincture, arranged in horizontal lines, in such a manner that the bases of those in the upper line are opposite to others, of another tincture, below. Fig. 36.
Countervair, the same as vair, except that the bells, placed base to base, are of the same tincture. Fig. 37.
Potent is formed of figures resembling crutch-heads, arranged in the same manner as vair.[1] Fig. 38.
Conterpotent.—Potent, arranged similarly to countervair. Fig. 39.
The furs vair, countervair, potent, and counterpotent, are always to be blazoned argent and azure, unless otherwise specified. If the field were or, and the bells gules, it would be blazoned as vairy, or, and gules.
- ↑ 'So eld she was, that she ne went
A foote, but it were by potent' (crutch).
Chaucer.
