Royal armorial bearings, illustration. Heraldry is a discipline relating to the design, display and study of armorial bearings (known as armoury), as well as related disciplines, such as vexillology, together with the study of ceremony, rank and pedigree. Armory, the best-known branch of heraldry, concerns the design and transmission of the heraldic achievement. The achievement, or armorial bearings usually includes a coat of arms on a shield, helmet and crest, together with any accompanying devices, such as supporters, badges, heraldic banners and mottoes. Copperplate engraving from the 'Encyclopaedia Londinensis, or universal dictionary of arts, sciences, and literature' Volume IX. Edited by Wilkes, John. Published in London in 1811. |