A System of Heraldry - Clan Strachan Society

226 OF NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FIGURES.
already performed, and as fixed marks of honour allowed by authority, and transmissible
to posterity, for distinguishing the noble from the ignoble. And, as it is
said of nobility itself, of which they are signs, the older and longer its progression
be, by descents, it is of more esteem and honour. The same may be said of the
continued ensigns of ancient nobility.
Heralds tell us, that the good and commendable qualities of figures which form
armorial bearings, do not give preference to some bearings before others, which
have not figures of the like commendable qualities ; but that all arms are of equal
honour and dignity, data paritate gestantium, the bearers being of equal dignity.
And though some consideration be had of the natural qualities of figures, by the
first obtainers of arms, to represent the like virtues and good qualities in them-
selves, yet these figures being hereditary, and descending to all the issue, they
cannot be supposed to represent the like good qualities in all of them, but can only
be taken as a silent surname or tessera of their noble descent from the first as-
sumers and obtainers of such arms ; that being the main end of armories, as before
defined, hereditary marks of honour, regularly composed of tinctures and figures
granted by Sovereigns, for distinguishing persons, families, and communities.
Notwithstanding of which, it is to be observed, that there is a dignity, decent
regularity, and beauty in armories ; proceeding from the quality of the bearings,
the regular disposition of the figures in the shield, and a certain number of them,
which gives preference and lustre to arms so formed ; of which I shall here briefly
speak before I proceed to treat of the figures themselves.
And first, It must be owned that some figures are of more honour than others,
and have precedency in an armorial sense ; though not universally, yet in some
certain places, as for instance, the armorial figures of sovereigns : Thus, the lion
and double tressure are the most honourable figures that can be used in Scotland,
because such compose the imperial ensign. In France they are not so honourable,
for there the flower-de-luces have the precedency. In Sweden the crowns are preferable
to the lilies ; and in the Empire the eagle is preferred to all others. Figures
then within their respective dominions and jurisdictions are to be considered, as
feudal arms, being those of patrons, which the vassals and clients carry in imita-
tion of their over-lords and patrons, may be reckoned preferable within their jurisdictions
; of which arms, I have treated in my Essay of the Ancient and Modern
Use of Armories.
Again, a fair shield of arms, regularly formed with decent is
figures, more preferable
and praise-worthy than an irregular one with mean and obscure figures, un-
fit to represent the honour and dignity of a wr orthy person. In remedy of which,
I shall add here some general rules from heralds.
I. In commendation of armories, say they, all creatures are presumed to be car-
ried, upon account of their noble and best qualities ; as a lion for his magnanimity,
and not for his rapacious nature. A fox for his wit and cunning, and not on account
of his pilfering and stealing. This is, says Guillim, the honour of a gentleman
of coat-armour (the first obtainer of arms) to have his virtues under these
types, and to consider the commendable properties qf such tokens as he bears,
thereby manifesting to the world that he hath the like good qualities in himself.
II. That every thing be placed in its natural posture, form, and colour ; be-
cause nature is the chief model and pattern of art, providing there be no special
reason for having them otherwise ; that is to say, though the proper colour of an
eagle be black, yet a red, green, or blue one, carried for distinction's sake, or
upon other special accounts, is as honourable arms as that of the natural colour ;
data paritate gestantium, the bearers being of equal dignity.
III. That magnanimous creatures ought to be represented in armories, in their
fiercest postures, as lions, boars, &-c. rampant, that is erected because then ; they
are presumed to show strength, as Bartolus de
"
Insigniis says, Animalia fera de-
"
brnt exprimi in actu ferociore."
IV. Other creatures that are not wild or ravenous ought to be represented in
their noblest positions ; as a horse salient, a grey-hound running, &c.
V. Creatures that are remarkable for any posture ought to be carried in that