A System of Heraldry - Clan Strachan Society

228 OF NATURAL AND ARTIFICIAL FIGURES.
As for the odd numbers, one is counted the best, being situate in the centre of
the shield, and frequently to be seen in ancient paintings and engravings. Next
to it is the number three, called of old ternio, or trias ; most frequently in arms,
disposed 2 and i, towards the angles of the shield. And these figures, being all of
one kind, (which the ancients call identity) are said to represent but one thing
multiplied to 2 and i , for beauty's sake ; as, for instance, the ancient Earls of
LEICESTER carried gules, a cinquefoil ermine ; and afterwards the family carried
gules, three cinquefoils ermine ; as did the old Earls of ANGUS, gules, a cinquefoil
or ; and the GORDONS of old, a boar's head couped or ; as did many other old families
with us, whose old arms I have seen, which had but one figure, afterwards
multiplied to 3, 2 and i.
There is none of all the odd number that decreaseth, in every rank one, to the
point of the shield, except the number three, and number fifteen : For an example
of the last, I shall mention the arms of the duchy of CORNWALL in England, azure,
fifteen besants or, 5, 4, 3, 2 and i.
The odd numbers of things, by their situation in a shield, are capable of more
armorial forms than the even numbers which Edward Bolton ; observes, in his
Elements of Armories, and lays down this for a rule, that no even number of
things, of one kind, possessing the field only, and alone, and keeping all of them
one state or way, with requisite distance, can be capable of such diversity of forms
in their situation as the odd. For example, five figures can be placed in cross,
and in saltier, as the five escutcheons in the arms of the Kingdom of PORTUGAL in
cross, and the five stars of eight points gules, in saltier, in a field or ; for which see
Plate X. fig. 1 6. It may be objected, that four figures may be placed formally in
cross, as the four filbert-nuts, Plate VI. fig. 25. And there the four flower-deluces
in cross, fig. 26. To which it is answered, these figures do not keep the
same state and way mentioned in the above rule, not being situate one way, nor
after their natural position ; which, if they were, the centre or middle of the shield
will be empty, and so a deformity would appear.
Figures placed in bend, bar, and pale, are always of an odd number, for four
figures so disposed are hardly to be met with ; but frequently three, or five, which
are armorial numbers. Plate IV. fig. 23. Argent, five fusils in fesse sable. And
there, azure, three stars in fesse argent.
Whether these armorial figures be odd or even, there is these three things to be
observed, as the causes of armorial beauties, which are, distance, fulness, and iden-
tity, which I shall show by the following examples.
The number three is beautiful, being disposed 2 and i, with equal distance, but
without that there will appear a deformity and want ; thus, if two stars were
placed in chief, and the third in the centre of the shield, for want of spreading
distance, the arms would be placed deformed, except the third appear below, towards
the base.
As to fulness, when there are three stars in chief, as in the arms of DALMAHOY
of that Ilk, Plate IV. fig. 34. (though these arms be warrantable and good) the
three stars having requisite distance in regard of themselves, yet the arms fail of
for the-
complete beauty, being destitute of fulness in respect of the whole shield ;
designed end of arms is manifestation, and the more extended and dilated the figures
are in the shield, the more manifest they must be, that every angular portion
of the shield may answer the eye with an object : So that if one of the stars were
placed towards the base, in equal distance with the other two, the coat would be
then more beautiful ; and, being azure, three stars argent, would belong to the
name of MURRAY :
So that beauty here cedes to necessity, by placing the stars in
chief, to distinguish Dalmahoy from Murray, the last having them dispossed 2
and i ; in which bearing are three causes of armorial beauties, distance, fulness,,
and identity.
Identity is when the figures are of one kind : If of different kinds, there appears
a discord or deformity, let the figures be never so noble : Amongst
many examples
to be met with in this system, I shall only mention the arms of WAUCHOPE
of Niddry, Plate IV. fig. 35. azure, a garb or, and in chief two mullets argent :
Though the arms be good and warrantable, yet beauty faileth, because the figure:are
not all of one sort.