Sire Hue de COURTENY, de or a iij rondeus de goules e un label de azure-Roll, temp. III.īesides being used as mere temporary marks of cadency, labels are also employed as permanent distinctions, this is to say, they are borne by every member of some particular branches of certain families, just as any other charge is borne. Monsire Richard de GREY, de Sandiacre port les armes de Grey a une labell gules besante-Roll, temp. Quarterly France and England, a label of three points ermine-JOHN OF GAUNT, third son of Edward III., created Earl of Derby and Duke of Lancaster, 1340. Le Counte de LANCASTRE, les armes de Engleterre od le label de France-Roll, temp. Son fitz, teile, ovecque ung labell d'azur-Roll, temp. Le ROY D'ANGLETERRE, porte goules trois lupards d'or. The earliest instances on record of the use of the label in England appear to be following:-Įngland, with a label of five points azure-Geoffery PLANTAGENET, earl of Anjou, Poictiers, Britanny, and Richmond, fourth son of King Henry II., borne 1159, and died 1186.Īfter this date the label is frequently noticed. In both instances each points is charged with three fleurs-de-lis. before his accession differenced his arms with a label azure, sometimes of five points, and sometimes(even on the same seal) of three points.ĮDMUND Plantagenet, called Crouchback, earl of Lancaster, the second son of Henry III., bore England with a label, sometimes(as his seal testifies) of three points, and at other times of five points, as upon his monument at Westminster. Labels have been supposed by some to represent the collar and cape of a garment, with several pendent labels of tongues, which were worn hanging from the back part of the neck, over the surcoat or tabard. The theories respecting two extra points being borne to mark the surviving generations will not hold. In the oldest rolls of arms the labels are all of five points but labels of three points were at an early period used interchangeably. In the ordinary system of differences a label of three points(which has also been termed a file with three labels) is the distinction of the eldest son during the lifetime of his father. lambell, labell, and labeu): a charge generally considered to be a temporary mark of cadency, q.v. A GLOSSARY OF TERMS USED IN HERALDRY by JAMES PARKER TOP MENUĪ B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Letter d coat of arms