The narwhal or narwhale (Monodon monoceros) is a whale of the sub-family Monodontinae found only in the arctic. The male has a long spiralling tusk which is not normally possessed by the female. The tusk which grows to a length of between 1.5 and 3 metres is actually a modified tooth and looks like a twisted and gnarled walking stick. During the 17th century the
Narwhal tusk was thought to have been the horn of the legendary unicorn. Studies suggest that males engage in aggressive behaviour when competing for females. Scars attributed to tusk action have been found on the heads of adult males which are more likely to have broken tusks. The Narwhal is similar in appearance to the Beluga. They are similar in shape and size, they have short beaks, rounded heads, lack dorsal fins and have a thick layer of blubber. An adult Narwhal will grow to a length of five metres and weigh up to one and a half tonnes. The head being proportionately small with a bulbous forehead. While almost all males develop a single tusk from the tooth on the left-hand side of upper jaw, only a few females grow a tusk, and this is then thin. All narwhals have a very slight beak, short flippers and flukes which appear to be on 'backwards'. Research Narwhal
The unicorn is a mythical horse with a straight horn projecting from the forehead. According to the 13th century 'Le Bestiaire Divin de Guillaume' by Clerc de Normandie;
"The unicorn has but one horn in the middle of its forehead. It is the only animal that ventures to attack the elephant; and so sharp is the nail of the foot, that with one blow it can rip the belly of the beast. Hunters can catch the unicorn only by placing a young virgin in its haunts. No sooner does he see the damsel than he runs towards her, and lies down at her feet, and so, suffers himself to be captured by the hunters. The unicorn represents Jesus Christ who took on Him our nature in the virgin's womb, was betrayed to the Jews, and delivered into the hands of Pontius Pilate. It's one horn signifies the Gospel of truth." Research Unicorn
HMS Unicorn was a British Fleet Air Arm supply and repair ship of 14500 tons displacement launched in 1939. She had a top speed of 22 knots and was armed with eight 4.5 inch guns and two multiple pompom guns. Research Unicorn
USS Unicorn was an American Corsair Class submarine of 1570 tons displacement launched in 1946. The USS Unicorn was armed with one 5 inch gun; two 40 mm anti-aircraft guns and ten 21 inch torpedo tubes. Research Unicorn II
HMS Unicorn is a British Upholder Class patrol submarine of 2455 tons displacement dived launched in 1991. HMS Unicorn is powered by two Paxman Valenta 1600 RPA-200 SZ diesel engines providing a top speed of 20 knots dived and a range of 8000 miles t 8 knots snorkelling. She carries a crew of 47 including 7 officers and is armed with McDonnell Douglas UGM-84B Sub-Harpoon surface-to-surface missiles and six 21 inch bow torpedo tubes taking the MarconiTigerfish Mk 24 Mod 2 or Spearfishtorpedo or mines in place of torpedoes. Research Unicorn III
According to the reverend Cogham Brewer, writing around 1900, much of a nation's history, and more of its manners and feelings, may be gleaned from its public-house signs. A very large number of them are selected out of compliment to the lord of the manor, either because he is the 'great man' of the neighbourhood, or because the proprietor is some servant whom 'it delighted the lord to honour'; thus we have the Earl of March, in compliment to the Duke of Richmond: the Green Man or gamekeeper, married and promoted 'to a public'. When the name and titles of the lord have been exhausted, we get his badge of or his favourite pursuit, as the Bear and Ragged Staff, the Fox and Hounds. As the object of the sign is to speak to the feelings and attract, another fruitful source is either some national hero or great battle; thus we get the Marquis of Granby and the Duke of Wellington, the Waterloo and the Alma. The proverbial loyalty of our nation has naturally shown itself in our tavern signs, giving us the Victoria, Prince of Wales, the Albert, the Crown, and so on. Some signs indicate a speciality of the house, as the Bowling Green, the Skittles; some a political bias, as the Royal Oak; some are an attempt at wit, as the Five Alls; and some are purely fanciful. The following list will serve to exemplify the subject:
The Angel. In allusion to the angel that saluted the Virgin Mary.
The Bag Of Nails. A corruption of the 'Bacchanals'.
The Bear. From the popular sport of bear-baiting.
The Bear and Bacchus, in High Street, Warwick. A corruption of Bear and Bacillus-i.e. Bear and Ragged Staff, the badge of the Earl of Warwick.
The Bear and Hogged Staff. The badge of the Earl of Warwick, the Earl of Leicester, etc.
The Bell. In allusion to races, a silver bell having been the winner's prize up to the reign of Charles II.
The Blue Boar. The badge of Richard III.
The Blue Pig (Bevis Marks). A corruption of the Blue Boar, the badge of Richard III.
The Boards Head. The badge of the Gordons, etc.
The Bolt-in-Tun. The punning heraldic badge of Prior Bolton, last of the clerical rulers of Bartholomew's, previous to the Reformation.
Bosom's Inn. A public-house sign in St. Lawrence Lane, London; a corruption of Blossom's Inn, as it was later called, in allusion to the hawthorn blossoms surrounding the effigy of St Lawrence on the sign.
The Bowling Green. Signifying that there are arrangements on the premises for playing bowls.
The Bull. The badge of Richard, Duke of York. The Black Bull is the badge of the house of Clare.
The Bull's Head. The badge of Henry VIII.
The Bully Ruffian A corruption of the Bellerophon (a ship).
The Castle. This, being the arms of Spain, formerly symbolised that Spanish wines were to be obtained within. In some cases, without doubt, it is a complimentary sign of the manorcastle.
The Cat and Fiddle. A corruption of Caton Fidele i.e. Caton, the faithful governor of Calais. In Farringdon (Devon) is the sign of La Chatte Fidele in commemoration of a faithful cat, Without scanning the phrase so nicely, it may simply indicate that the game of cat (trap-ball) and a fiddle for dancing were provided for customers.
The Cat and Mutton, Hackney, which gives name to the Cat and Mutton Fields.
The Cat and Wheel. A corruption of 'St Catherine's Wheel'; or an announcement that cat and balance-wheels were provided for the amusement of customers.
The Chequers. (1) In honour of the Stuarts, whose shield was 'checky', like a Scotch plaid. (2) In commemoration of the licence granted by the Earls of Arundel or Lords Warrenne. (3) An intimation that a room is set apart for merchants and accountants, where they can be private and make up their accounts, or use their 'chequers' undisturbed.
The Coach and Horses. This sign signified that the house was a posting-house, a stage-coach house, or both.
The Cock and Bottle. By some said to be a corruption of the 'Cork and Bottle', meaning that wine was sold there in bottles.
The Cow and Skittles. The cow is the real sign, and alludes to the dairy of the hostess, or some noted dairy in the neighbourhood. Skittles was added to indicate that there was a skittle ground on the premises.
The Cross Keys. Common in the mediaeval ages, and in allusion to St Peter, or one of the bishops whose badge of it is - probably the lord of the manor or the patron saint of the parishchurch. The cross keys are emblems of the papacy, St Peter, the Bishop of Gloucester, St Servatus, St Hippolytus, St Genevieve, St Petronilla, St Osyth, St Martha, and St Germanus.
The Dog and Duck. Used to signify that the sport so called could be seen there. A duck was put into water, and a dog set to hunt it; the fun was to see the duckdiving and the dog following it under water.
The Elephant and Castle. Possibly to signify the war elephants formerly used by some foreign armies in which a box-like, canopied structure (called a howdah) was mounted of the elephant's back to accommodate the riders.
The Feathers. A contraction of the 'Plume of Feathers', meaning that of the Prince of Wales.
The Fox and Goose. To signify that there were arrangements within for playing the royal game of Fox and Goose.
St. George and the Dragon. In compliment to the patron saint of England, and his combat with the dragon.
The George and Cannon, A corruption of 'George Canning'.
The Globe. The badge of Alfonso, King of Portugal; and intimating that Portuguese wines were to be obtained within.
The Goat in Golden Boots. A. corruption of the Dutch Good in der Gouden Boots (the god Mercury in his golden sandals).
The Goat and Compasses. A Puritan sign, a corrupt hieroglyphic reading of 'God encompasses us'.
The Golden Cross. This refers to the ensigns carried by the Crusaders.
The Grecian Stairs. A corruption of 'The Greesen or Stairs' The allusion is to a flight of steps from the New Road to the MinsterYard.
The Green Man. The late gamekeeper of the lord of the manor turned publican. At one time these servants were dressed in green.
The Green Man and Still The herbalist bringing his herbs to be distilled.
The Hare and Hounds. In compliment to the sporting squire or lord of the manor.
The Hole-in-the-Wall. So called because it was approached by a passage or 'hole' in the wall of the house standing in front of the tavern.
The Iron Devil. A corruption of 'Hirondelle' (the swallow). There are numerous public-house signs referring to birds; as, the Blackbird, the Thrush, the Peacock, the Martin, Bird-in-the-Hand, etc.
The Three Kings. A public-house sign of the mediaeval ages, in allusion to the three kings of Cologne, the Magi who presented offerings to the infantJesus. Very many public-house signs of the mediaeval period had a reference to ecclesiastical matters, either because their landlords were ecclesiastics, or else from a superstitious reverence for 'saints' and 'holy things'.
The Marquis of Granby. In compliment to John Manners, eldest son of John, third Duke of Rutland - a bluff, brave soldier, generous, and greatly beloved by his men.
The Packhorse. To signify that pack-horses could be hired there.
The Palgrave's Head. A public-house sign formerly near Temple Bar, in honour of Frederick Palgrave of the Rhine.
The Pig and Tinder Box. A corrupt rendering of The Elephant and Castle; the 'pig' is really an elephant, and the 'tinder-box' the castle on its back.
The Pig and Whistle. Wassail is made of apples, sugar, and ale.
The Plum and Feathers. A corruption of the 'Plume of Feathers', meaning that of the Prince of Wales.
The Queen of Bohemia. In honour of Lady ElizabethStuart.
The Queer Door. A corruption of CoeurDore (Golden Heart).
The Ram and Teazle. In compliment of the Clothier's Company.
The Red Dragon. The badge of Henry VII or the principality of Wales.
The Rose. A symbol of England, as the Thistle is of Scotland, and the Shamrock of Ireland.
The Red Rose. The badge of the Lancastrians in the Civil War of the Roses.
The White Rose. The badge of the Yorkists in the Civil War of the Roses.
The Rose of the Quarter Sessions. A corruption of La Rose des Quatre Saisons.
The Salutation and Cat. The 'Salutation' (which refers to the angel saluting the Virgin Mary) is the sign of the house and the 'Cat' is added to signify that arrangements are made for playing cat or tipcat.
The Saracen's Head. In allusion to what are preposterously termed 'The Holy Wars'; adopted probably by some Crusader after his return home, or at any rate to flatter the natural sympathy for these Quixotic expeditions.
The Ship. In honour of Sir Francis Drake, the circumnavigator.
The Ship and Shovel. Referring to Sir Cloudesley Shovel, a favourite admiral in Queen Anne's reign.
The Seven Stars. An astrological sign of the mediaeval ages.
The Spread Eagle. The arms of Germany; formerly to indicate that German wines may be obtained within.
The Three Suns. The badge of Edward IV.
The Sun and the Rose. The badge of the House of York.
The Swan and Antelope. The badge of Henry V.
The Talbot. The arms of the Talbot family.
The Turk's Head. Alluding to the Holy Wars, when the Crusaders fought against the Turks.
The Unicorn. The Scottish supporter in the royal arms of Great Britain.
The White Hart. The badge of Edward II.
The White Lion. The badge of Edward IV, as Earl of March
The White Swan. The badge of Henry IV and of Edward III, also Anne of Cleves. Research Public-House Signs
Heraldry is the science of a herald's duties, or more commonly the knowledge of the forms, terms and laws which pertain to the use of armorial bearings or coats of arms.
Badges and emblems on shields, helms, banners, etc., naturally occurred in the earliest times, and the symbols were sometimes hereditary.
The origin of heraldic arms, properly so called, is, however, to be attributed to the necessity which arose during the Crusades of distinguishing the leaders of the numerous and motley bands of warriors which constituted the Christian armies. One of the oldest specimens of heraldic bearings extant is the shield at Mana of Geoffrey Plantagenet, who died in 1150. Rolls of arms in England are extant from the reigns of Henry III, Edward I, and Edward II.
The use of arms on the Great Seal of England was introduced by Richard I. The bearing of coat- armour by private persons was prohibited by proclamation in the reign of Henry V. The chief courts of jurisdiction in questions of heraldry are the Heralds' College in England, and the LyonCourt in Scotland. The rules of heraldry now practised at the Heralds' College are comparatively modern, and differ in some respects from those of other European courts.
A coat of arms consists of the figure of a shield marked and coloured in a vast variety of ways, so as to be distinctive of an individual, a family, or a community. The shield or escutcheon represents the original shield used in war, and on which arms were anciently borne.
The surface of the escutcheon is termed the field, and the several parts or points of it have particular names, so that the figures which the field contains may be precisely located. The top part of the shield is called the chief and is the most honourable part of the shield. The upper right corner (when viewed by the bearer) is the dexter chief; the top middle of the shield is called the middle chief; and the upper left-hand corner is called the sinister chief; the centre is called the fesse point; and the lower part of the shield is called the base.
Colour is given in the coat of arms by means of tinctures, two of which are metals - 'or' and argent, that is, gold and silver - the rest colours proper. These colours are, in heraldic terminology: azure, blue; gules, red; sable, black; vert, green; purpure, purple; tenney, orange; sanguine, blood-colour. The two last are comparatively uncommon. An object represented in its natural colours is said to be proper. When not given in colours or by actual gilding the tinctures are represented by points and lines in black and white. 'Or' is distinguished by small dots covering the part; argent is represented by leaving the space blank; azure is shown by horizontal lines; gules, by perpendicular lines; sable, by perpendicular and horizontal lines crossing each other; vert, by diagonal lines running from the darter chief to the sinister base; purpure, by diagonal lines running from the sinister chief to the dezter base. Another class of tinctures are the furs, of which the two principal are ermine and vair, and which have also their special method of representation.
The figures borne on the shield may be either purely artificial and conventional, or may represent real objects, animals, plants, etc. Of the former the most common are known as ordinaries, and have the following names: Chief, Pale, Bend, Fesse, Bar, Chevron, Cross, and Saltire. The chief is a portion of the shield at the top marked off by a horizontal line, and covers the upper third part of the field. The pale occupies the middle third part of the field perpendicularly. The bend is drawn diagonally from the dexter chief to the sinister base in the form of a belt, and also occupies the third of the field. A diminutive of the bend is the bandlet. The fesse occupies the middle third of the field horizontally. The bar is formed after the manner of a fesse, but occupies only a fifth of the field, and is not confined to any particular part of it, except when there is only one bar, when it is put in the place of a fesse. Bars are mostly two in a field, sometimes three or more. A diminutive is the barrulet. The chevron may be regarded as made of a bend darter and sinister issuing from the right and left base points of the escutcheon and meeting like two rafters. The cross is the ordinary cross of St. George. The saltire is the equally well-known cross of St. Andrew. The shield is often divided by lines running similarly to the ordinaries; hence when divided by a perpendicular line it is said to be party per pale, when by a horizontal line party per fesse, when by diagonal line party per bend. Similarly, when it seems to bear several pales or bends or bars, it is said to be paly, bendy, or barry of so many pieces, 'paly of six argent and gules' for instance.
Charges are the figures of natural and artificial things, and include animals and plants, implements and objects of all sorts, and various imaginary monsters, being drawn either on the field or on one of the ordinaries.
It is a rule in heraldry that metal must not be put on metal nor colour on colour; hence, if the field, say, is 'argent', it cannot have a charge or an ordinary tinctured 'or'directly upon it.
Various technical terms describe the position of animals; thus, a lion is rampant when he is erect standings on one of his hind legs; sejant, when sitting; couchant, when lying at rest, with the head erect; passant, in a walking position; gardant, looking full- faced; rampant gardant, erect and looking full-faced; salient, in a leaping posture. So trippant is said of the stag when trotting; lodged, of the stag when at rest on the ground; volant, of birds in general in a flying posture; rising, of a bird that is preparing to fly; displayed, of birds seen frontwise with outspread wings; naiant, of fishes when swimming; and so on.
The teeth and claws of lions and other ravenous beasts are called their arms; and when these have a special tincture the animal is said to be armed of such a tincture; similarly if their tongue be of a special tincture, they are said to be langued of this tincture.
Often two or more coats of arms are united together on one shield, so that the whole may be a very complicated affair. The art of arranging arms in this way is known as marshalling, and when the shield is divided up into squares for the reception of different coats, it is said to be Quartered.
There are also certain exterior ornaments of the shield or escutcheon, namely, the helmet, mantlingcrest, wreath, motto, and supporters. The helmet, which is placed on the top of the escutcheon, varies both in form and materials. Those of sovereign princes are of gold, those of the nobility of silver, and those of gentlemen of polished steel. The full faced helmet, with six bars, is for the king and princes of the blood; the sidelong helmet, with five bars, is for dukes and marquises, etc.; the full-faced helmet of steel, with its beaver or vizor open, is for knights; and the sidelong helmet, with the vizor shut, for the esquire. The mantling or mantle was anciently fixed to the helmet, to which it served as a covering. Mantlings are now used like cloaks, to cover the whole achievement. The crest is placed above the helmet with the wreaths serving as a kind of support; the latter is composed of two colours wreathed or twisted together.
The motto consists of the word or phrase carried in a scroll under or above the arms. Supporters were originally only ancient devices or badges, which by custom came to embellish armorial designs. They are called supporters because they hold the shield, as the lion and the unicorn in the royal arms of England. Research Heraldry More pictures of Heraldry
Abbreviations
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