Disposition of small Charges.
When there are several small charges of the same kind blazoned on a shield, their disposition, as well as number, must be mentioned. The method of arranging them in an ordinary has already been noticed at page 22. They may likewise be’ disposed, as in the following blazons of arms:—
Fig. 176.
Argent; two bars between six annulets, three, two, and one, gules. Robinson.
Gules; a lion couchant between ten cinquefoils, four and two in chief, one, two and one in base, argent. Berkley.
Argent; ten escallops, four, three, two, and one, sable. Kingscote.
Azure; eleven billets, four, three, and four, argent. Lavardin.
Three charges are always to be arranged two and one, as at Fig. 140, unless some other disposition be specially mentioned in the blazon.
MARKS OF CADENCY, OR DIFFERENCES.
All the sons of a family being equally entitled to bear their paternal arms, some mark is required by which they may be distinguished from each other.
In the early days of heraldry, differences were effected by a variety of arbitrary methods, such as changing the tincture of the original coat, adding or suppressing some minor charge, enclosing the shield within a bordure, &c.; but as by this means much confusion and uncertainty were necessarily engendered, in the reign of Richard II. a simpler plan was devised, that of adding certain recognised devices to the paternal coat, styled differences, or marks
