The accompanying diagram (Fig. 175) will, I think, sufficiently illustrate the principal rules to be observed in blazoning.
quaterly of four, or quaterly quatered
- 1. Arg.; on a chevron engrailed gu., between three crosses-crosslet sa., as many mullets pierced of the field.
- 2. Arg.; a sword bend-sinisterwise gu., pommelled and hilted az., within a bordure embattled of the last; on a canton or, a fleur-de-lys of the second.
- 3. Arg.; an eagle's head erased gu., beaked az., in chief two barrulets (or a bars gemelle) of the last.
- 4. Party per pale arg. and gu.; on a saltire between four herrings naiant, five billets, all counterchanged.
Surmounted by (or over all) an inescutcheon arg.,on which a cross humettée az., cantoned by four torteaux.
It will be seen that in blazoning this coat of arms, we first describe its distinctive feature, which is quaterly of four; we next proceed to blazon each quarter, as we would a separate shield. The field of the first quarter is argent, and the principal charge thereon is a chevron. Having sated its peculiarity of outline, engrailed, we specify the tincture. The three crosses-crosslet are the other charges on the shield, they therefore follow next; and in the last place come the mullets, which are charged on a charge. We do not say 'three mullets,' but 'as many,' the meaning of which is obvious; neither do we describe them as 'argent,' as that tincture has already been mentioned, and all tautology is to be carefully guarded against. Of the first would have been as proper as of the field.
The second and third quarters require no exposition.
