Page:The Grammar of Heraldry, Cussans, 1866.djvu/81

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67

Hatchments.

the illustrations; though it does not afford so much space for clearly delineating the various charges, for which reason I have not adopted it throughout. The next diagram, Fig. 190, shows another method of representing an achievement. It is very effective and graceful, and strictly in accordance with heraldic usance.

HATCHMENTS.

Or, as it was formerly written, Atchievements, are lozenge-shaped frames, usually affixed on the outside of a house, at the death of one of the heads of the household; and indicate by the form of the shield and disposition of the charges thereon, the rank to which the possessor was entitled.

Should the deceased person be a bachelor, his hatchment would be blazoned as in Fig. 191.

A spinster, as has been before stated, bears her arms on a lozenge; and her hatchment is farther distinguished from that of a bachelor by a knot of ribbons, which takes the place of a crest. Fig. 192.

Fig. 191.	Fig. 192.	Fig. 193.

On the death of a married man, his arms are impaled with those of his wife, as shown in the annexed diagram. Fig. 193. It will be noticed that the husband’s, which is the dexter side, is black, and the