label (heraldry)

In heraldry, a label (occasionally ''lambel'', the French form of the word) is a charge resembling the strap crossing the horse's chest from which pendants are hung. It is usually a mark of difference, but has sometimes been borne simply as a charge in its own right.

The pendants were originally drawn in a rectangular shape, but in later years they have often been drawn as dovetails. The label is almost always placed in the chief. In most cases, the horizontal band extends right across the shield, but there are several examples in which the band is truncated.

As a mark of difference (cadency)

In European heraldry in general, the label was used to mark the elder son, generally by the princes of the royal house. Differencing, or cadency, are the distinctions used to indicate the junior branches ( cadets) of a family.

In British heraldry, a system of specific ''brisures'' or "marks of cadency" developed: The eldest son, during the lifetime of his father, bears the family arms with the addition of a label; the second son, a crescent; the third, a mullet; the fourth, a martlet; the fifth, an annulet; the sixth, a fleur-de-lis; the seventh, a rose; the eighth, a cross moline; the ninth, a double quatrefoil. On the death of his father, the eldest son would remove the label from his coat of arms and assume the unmodified arms.

The label's number of points did not necessarily mean anything, although the label of three points was supposed to represent the heir during the lifetime of his father; five points, during the lifetime of his grandfather; seven points, while the great-grandfather still lived, etc.

According to some sources, the elder son of an elder son places a label upon a label. However, A. C. Fox-Davies states that in the case of the heir-apparent of the heir-apparent "one label of five points is used, and to place a label upon a label is not correct when both are marks of cadency, and not charges".

English Cadency Marks

These marks would be located to the top of the shield

Cadency marks being optional

The eldest son of an eldest son uses a label of five points. Other grandchildren combine the brisure of their father with the relevant brisure of their own. This could lead to confusion, as both an uncle and nephew could have the same cadency mark. In a short number of generations, the accumulation of cadency marks—to show, for example, the fifth son of a third son of a second son—could lead to added complexity. In practice, cadency marks are not much used in England, and even when they are, it is rare to see more than one or two on a coat of arms.

At times, arms with a cadency mark may be used on a hereditary basis. For instance, the arms of the Earls Russell are those of the Duke of Bedford differenced by a mullet, as the 1st Earl was the third son of the 6th Duke.

Although most heraldic texts follow on the English system of cadency set out above, most heraldic examples (whether on old bookplates, church monuments, silver and the like) ignore cadency marks altogether. Oswald Barron noted:

Nor have cadency marks usually been insisted upon by the College of Arms, the heraldic authority for England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. For example, a statement on their website refers to the optional nature of cadency marks:

In correspondence published in the Heraldry Society's newsletter, Garter King of Arms Peter Gwynn-Jones firmly rejected a suggestion that cadency marks should be strictly enforced. He said:

In a second letter published at the same time, he wrote:

As a charge

The label appears as a charge in the coats of arms of several families and municipalities, often having begun as a mark of difference and been perpetuated. It has also been used in canting arms. The number of pendants varies from three to seven (see examples below). There are also several examples of the pendants bearing charges, notably in the cadency labels of the British royal family.

File:Arms of the Prince of Wales.svg, A label of three points argent, Coat of Arms of the Prince of Wales
File:Arms of Edward, Prince of Wales (1301-1307).svg, Arms of King Edward II whilst Prince of Wales
File:Sahir de Quincy Coat of Arms.jpg, Arms of Saer de Quincy, 1st Earl of Winchester: ''Argent, a fess azure, a label of seven points gules''
File:Armoiries de Fontois 2.svg, Arms of the lords of Fontois (or Fontoy): ''Or, an eagle gules surmounted by a label of four points azure''
File:Arms of Andrew, Duke of York.svg, Arms of Prince Andrew, Duke of York, showing an anchor in the central pendant of the label.
File:Viscount Linley.svg, Arms of David Armstrong-Jones, 2nd Earl of Snowdon whilst Viscount Linley: ''Quarterly 1st & 4th, the arms of his father The Earl of Snowdon with a label vert, 2nd & 3rd the arms of his mother The Princess Margaret whose label argent is charged with roses and a thistle''
File:Blason Olivier IV de Rohan seigneur de Montauban (selon Gelre).svg, Arms of Olivier IV de Rohan seigneur de Montauban, showing three pendants beginning at the chief line of the shield
File:Blason Beaufort (Luxembourg).svg, Arms of Beaufort, Luxembourg, an example of a truncated label
File:Pas de Calais Arms.svg, Arms of the département of Pas-de-Calais, based on the arms of the county of Artois. The label terminates at the bordure and is charged with castles Or.
File:Arms of Richard, Duke of Gloucester.svg, Arms of the Duke of Gloucester
File:Duke of Norfolk Arms.svg, Arms of the Duke of Norfolk
File:Arms of Sir Hugh de Courtenay, KG.png, Arms of Courtenay
File:Mowbray3.svg, Arms of Lord Mowbray, Segrave & Stourton
File:Image-Blason Sicile Péninsulaire.svg, Arms of the Count of Anjou

See also

Fillet (heraldry)

References

* A. C. Fox-Davies, revised by J. P. Brooke-Little, Richmond Herald (1969). ''A Complete Guide to Heraldry''. London: Thomas Nelson and Sons.

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Heraldic charges

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