The Manual of Heraldry Part 20

The Companions are known by the initials C.B.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Label]

LABEL. The n.o.blest of abatements serving as a difference between the eldest and the junior sons. See DIFFERENCE.

LANGUED. A term derived from the French word _langue_, tongue. It signifies in Heraldry that the tongue of a bird or beast is of a different tincture from the body.

LION. The strength, courage, and majestic deportment of this n.o.ble animal, has gained him the regal t.i.tles of monarch of the forest and king of beasts. Ancient heralds selected the figure of the lion as symbolic of command, strength, power, courage, and other qualities attributed to that animal. Armorists have introduced lions to denote the attributes of majesty, might, and clemency, subduing those that resist, and sparing those that yield to authority. The lion has been depicted in every att.i.tude which could by any means be construed into a compliment to the person the sovereign delighted to honour, by raising him to a rank that enabled him to bear arms. Was it a warrior, who, though victorious, was still engaged in struggling with the foes of his sovereign, the lion rampant was considered a proper emblem of the hero. The warrior having overcome his enemies in the field, yet retaining his military command for the safety and honour of his country, was typified by the lion statant gardant. We might easily find examples to show the propriety of the emblem for all the positions of the lion introduced as charges in coats of arms; but the two given will be sufficient: the rest may easily be imagined by the intelligent reader. The following are the most usual positions in which the lion appears in s.h.i.+elds of arms:--

[Ill.u.s.tration: Rampant]

Rampant.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Rampant gardant]

Rampant gardant.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Rampant regardant]

Rampant regardant.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Salient]

Salient.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Statant gardant]

Statant gardant.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Pa.s.sant]

Pa.s.sant.

When the lions' heads are placed in the same position as in rampant gardant and regardant, they are then said to be pa.s.sant gardant and regardant.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Sejant]

Sejant.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Couchant]

Couchant.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Dormant]

Dormant.

Thus far the lion is drawn in natural positions; these are considered the most honourable, as they have never been properly inserted in arms but for persons of high authority and pre-eminent courage and virtue.

There are a great many deviations from the above, which are marks of great honour. It is considered that a lion cannot bear a rival in the field; therefore if two or more lions are introduced they are supposed to be lion's whelps, or in Heraldic terms lioncels.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Two lioncels addorsed]

Two lioncels addorsed or back to back.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Lioncels combatant]

Lioncels combatant.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Lion rampant double-headed]

Lion rampant double-headed.

[Ill.u.s.tration: An incorporated lion gardant in the fess point]

An incorporated lion gardant in the fess point.

There are a great number of ways of introducing this charge: many of them will be seen under the proper words that describe their condition: such as the word debruised, where the lion is confined by the fess pa.s.sing over it; demi-lion or half lion; but the examples here given will be sufficient to explain their positions, active or pa.s.sive. If no mention is made of the tincture it is always supposed that they are proper, that is, to be coloured like nature: they are introduced in arms of every metal and tincture known in Heraldry.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Lodged]

LODGED. A stag sitting on the ground with its head erect, is said to be lodged.

LOZENGE. An angular figure, known as diamond-shaped, to distinguish it from the square.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Lozenge]

EX. Or, a lozenge vert.

LOZENGY. Covered with lozenges.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Lozengy]

EX. Lozengy gules and argent.

LUNA. The moon: it formerly signified argent in emblazoning the arms of sovereigns.

MANCHE. An ancient sleeve with long hangings to it.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Manche]

EX. Argent, a manche, gules.

MANED. When the manes of horses, unicorns, &c. are of a different tincture from their bodies they are said to be maned.

MANTLE. A long robe or cloak of state.

MANTLING. The flowing drapery forming the scroll-work displayed on either side of the helmet from beneath the wreath, representing the ancient covering of the helmet, used to protect it from stains or rust. When the mantling incloses the escutcheon, supporters, &c., it represents the robe of honour worn by the party whose s.h.i.+eld it envelopes. This mantle is always described as doubled, that is, lined throughout with one of the furs, as ermine, pean, vary. For examples of mantling, see the arms and crests of England, Scotland, and Ireland.